March 22, 2025
When it comes to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance, you have two options as a business owner: either hire a certified ADA inspector or conduct a personal inspection using ADA guidelines.
Initially, doing it yourself might seem like a cost-effective solution, but is it the best choice? This article will explore the pros and cons of each approach so you can decide whether hiring an ADA-Certified inspector for your business is the best choice for you.
An ADA inspection is performed by a certified and professional inspector to ensure that your business meets all federal and local accessibility laws. This includes checking parking spaces, door widths, restroom facilities, ramps, signage and other key areas to determine if they’re accessible to people with disabilities.
A personal inspection is when you as a business owner or manager decide to review your property using ADA guidelines. This involves checking measurement, slopes and accessibility features without the help of a certified inspector.
Certified inspectors understand complex ADA regulations and know exactly what to look for. They are trained to catch violations that are not visible to the naked eye and could result in non-compliance.
While it’s easy to refer to ADA guidelines, you can miss out on important details or misinterpret requirements. ADA laws are complex and mistakes are easy to make.
If your business gets used for violating accessibility requirements, an official ADA inspection report can serve as proof that you’ve carried out the necessary inspection. This shows that you took steps to comply with the law.
If you miss a violation and someone files a complaint, you could face lawsuits, fines and bad press. A personal inspection doesn’t carry the same legal weight as a certified report.
Hiring an inspector may cost more money upfront, but it can save you from expensive fines or lawsuit settlements.
Doing it yourself may seem cheaper but in the long term, it will cost you more. If you miss something important, the cost of fixing violations later could be much higher.
A certified inspector handles everything and provides a detailed report, saving you time and effort.
You’ll need to research, measure and check every area yourself, which can be time-consuming especially if you’re not familiar with ADA standards.
If you’re a small business owner on a tight budget, a personal inspection can be a good first step. However, it’s always a good idea to follow up with a professional ADA inspection to ensure full compliance. To ensure legal protection and accuracy, an ADA inspector is your best option.
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