Commercial Building Surveys

The Commercial Building Survey is a detailed report based upon a close examination of the structure and condition of the building including a visual examination of the services.

It will provide advice as to the nature of construction, the current condition and highlight defects with a diagnostic assessment. Recommendations relating to repairs, future maintenance issues and, if necessary, further investigation are also included.

A Commercial Building Survey will enable you to understand the building and potential commitment allowing you to negotiate a purchase or the terms of a lease accordingly.

In respect of a lease, it will help you to consider the terms offered and to negotiate on one or more of the following:
• Request that elements of repair and maintenance be specifically excluded from your lease obligations;
• Request that certain repairs be undertaken by the landlord before the lease is agreed;
• To accept liability for works, but to request a rent free period to offset the costs that may be involved.

When taking instructions for a Commercial Building Survey, we would first discuss and review your particular circumstances and requirements, to establish the level of advice required and whether this is in the context of an existing ownership, the purchase is of a freehold, the purchase a freehold with tenant in-situ, a new lease or an assignment of a lease. We would also look to gain an understanding of your proposals for the property.

Where a lease is involved, we would ideally wish to see the document to understand the extent of the property to be demised, the extent to which the client will have a direct liability and the extent to which there may be an indirect liability through service charges.

Some restrictions may exist to prevent complete inspection (such as fitted floor coverings, limited roof access etc.), but within these limitations, the survey will be complete.

Ahead of organising an inspection, we will also review, as far as is possible, whether there are any particular access issues, such as the property being occupied or the need for access equipment to inspect high level roofs.

If you are planning to extend or alter the property once the deal goes through, you may also want us to include preliminary advice or feasibility reports.

The content and format of the report can then be tailored to your requirements and a quotation provided accordingly.

If you are the current owner of a commercial property, or are proposing to purchase or enter into a lease, and need advice with recommendations in respect of the condition of a commercial building please contact us today for a quotation.

You can get an idea of how useful our clients have found our survey reports to be by viewing some of their comments on our Trustpilot reviews page.

When leasing, as an alternative, or in addition to a Commercial Building Survey, you may wish to consider commissioning a Commercial Schedule of Condition.

If advice is required about a specific issue, for example a roofing defect issue, then a more limited scope but equivalently detailed inspection and assessment can be carried out in the format of a Specific Defect Survey.