Offices · Shops · Warehouses · Light industrial

Commercial property inspection in Greece

ARQUS Check carries out independent technical inspections of offices, shops, warehouses and light-industrial buildings before purchase or lease, in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Central Macedonia and, for larger projects, anywhere in Greece. We visually and non-destructively inspect the structure, building shell, mechanical and electrical installations, fire protection and the site, using drone and thermal imaging. You receive a PDF report in English, German or Greek with a score for each system, prioritised issues and repair-cost estimates, co-signed by a civil engineer who is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE).

Who it is for

  • Companies buying or leasing offices, retail units, warehouses or workshop space.
  • Investors acquiring commercial property to let.
  • International companies setting up in Northern Greece that need a report their head office can read.

In commercial property, the building's systems (power supply, fire protection, roof, floors) directly affect operations. A leaking warehouse roof or a poorly maintained switchboard is not just a repair bill; it can stop the business.

What we inspect

Structure

  • Foundations and signs of settlement.
  • Concrete or steel columns and beams.
  • Slabs and industrial floors: cracks, joints, wear.
  • Concrete condition, exposed rebar, corrosion of steelwork.
  • Machine foundation pads and any seismic strengthening.

Building shell

  • External walls and cladding panels, joints and seals.
  • Roof or flat roof and waterproofing, scanned by drone in visible and thermal imaging.
  • Rooflights, ventilation windows, gutters and downpipes.
  • Industrial doors.
  • Thermal and acoustic insulation.

Electrical installations

  • Main MV/LV switchboard and protective devices, transformer substation.
  • Distribution boards and breakers, power cabling.
  • Lighting in work areas and emergency lighting.
  • Earthing and lightning protection.
  • Standby generator and UPS.
  • Data networks, SCADA or BMS.

Mechanical installations

  • Central heating, cooling and outdoor units, office HVAC.
  • Production-area ventilation and industrial extraction.
  • Air compressors, water and steam piping, pumps.
  • Natural gas installation.
  • Lifts and overhead cranes.

Fire protection

  • Fire detection, sprinklers, hose reels and hydrants, fire pump station.
  • Portable extinguishers.
  • Emergency exits, fire doors, evacuation signage.

Loading, storage and site

  • Loading docks, ramps, dock doors and levellers, dock lighting and safety.
  • Racking and shelving, cold storage, warehouse ventilation and lighting.
  • Internal roads, security fencing and gates, external lighting and CCTV, parking, site drainage, landscaping.
  • Visible observations on safety signage, pedestrian and vehicle segregation, and hazardous-substance storage.

Documents

We record whether they exist: building permit, operating licence, land registry entry, ENFIA and TAP certificates, structural and MEP drawings, fire safety study and certificate, lift and pressure-vessel certificates, equipment certificates, maintenance schedule and logs, and environmental permits where required.

How it works

  1. Brief. Type and size of the premises, installations, your intended use and timeline.
  2. Proposal and programme. We agree the scope and report date in writing.
  3. Site inspection. Visual inspection, drone, FLIR thermal camera, moisture meter and endoscope, with installations running wherever possible.
  4. Report. For most properties within 48–72 hours.

What the report contains

  • An executive summary for management.
  • A score for every system.
  • Prioritised issues with indicative repair-cost estimates.
  • Photo evidence and thermal images.
  • Your choice of English, German, Greek, Bulgarian or Serbian.
  • Co-signature by a TEE-member civil engineer.

What it does not cover

The inspection is visual and non-invasive. We do not provide structural calculations, electrical design, capacity or adequacy calculations, occupational health-and-safety or environmental compliance audits, laboratory testing (for example asbestos) or valuations. See the full list of what we don't do.

Why ARQUS Check

Our founder and lead inspector, Georgios Papangelou, is a partner at the Thessaloniki architecture practice icon architecture, with around 35 years of international experience in Greece, the USA and Germany designing and renovating commercial spaces, homes and hotels. He is an InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector and an EASA-certified drone operator. We are independent: not agents, and we take no commissions.

For hotels and tourist accommodation, see our hotel inspection.

Where we work

Thessaloniki and its industrial areas, Halkidiki and Central Macedonia. For industrial and investment properties we travel throughout Greece.

Next step

  • Phone & WhatsApp: +30 698 750 4050
  • Email: a4uusa@yahoo.com
  • Office: Navarchou Kountourioti 19, 2nd floor, 54625 Thessaloniki, Greece
  • Hours: Monday–Saturday, 09:00–19:00 (Greek time)

Request a proposal

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

What does a commercial property inspection cover?

The structure and industrial floors; the building shell (walls and panels, roof, rooflights, industrial doors, gutters); electrical installations (MV/LV switchboards, transformer substation, generator and UPS, earthing and lightning protection); mechanical installations (heating, cooling, ventilation, compressors, gas, lifts and overhead cranes); fire protection; loading docks; storage areas; and the site. We also record which documents and certificates exist.

Do you inspect before a lease as well as before a purchase?

Yes. An inspection before you sign a lease records the condition of the premises at handover, with dated photos. It helps you negotiate who is responsible for which repairs and gives you evidence when you hand the premises back at the end of the lease.

Can you tell me whether the building suits my intended use?

We record the condition of the building and installations and point out anything we observe that may affect your use, such as clear heights, dock access, visibly distressed floors or a limited electrical supply. We do not calculate loads, capacities or system adequacy, and we do not advise on permitting your activity; for those we refer you to a licensed engineer.

Do you inspect fire protection systems?

We visually inspect fire detection, sprinklers, hose reels and hydrants, the fire pump room, portable extinguishers, emergency exits, fire doors and signage, and ask to see the fire safety study and certificate. We do not activate alarm systems; functional certification is the job of the licensed maintenance contractor.

How long does it take?

It depends on the size and the installations. An office or shop usually takes a few hours on site, while for a warehouse or light-industrial building with extensive plant we agree the programme in advance. For most properties the report is delivered within 48–72 hours.

Can the report be in English or German for our head office?

Yes. The report is available in English, German, Greek, Bulgarian or Serbian.

Next step

Tell us about the property.

A short description, the location and when suits you. We reply within the same day.