Our Services
Building Surveys
Our comprehensive commercial building surveys provide detailed assessments of property condition, identifying structural defects, maintenance issues, and potential problems before they become costly repairs. Whether you're acquiring an office building, retail space, or industrial unit, our chartered surveyors deliver the insights you need to make informed decisions.
We inspect all accessible areas of the property, examining the structure, fabric, and services. Our detailed reports go beyond simple observations—we provide context, explain the implications of defects, and recommend remedial actions with estimated costs.
What Our Building Surveys Include
- Structural inspection: Foundations, walls, floors, roofs, and load-bearing elements
- Building fabric: External walls, windows, doors, cladding, and weatherproofing
- Services assessment: Heating, electrical, plumbing, drainage, and ventilation systems
- Defects identification: Dampness, subsidence, timber decay, and structural movement
- Maintenance requirements: Immediate, short-term, and long-term repair needs
- Cost estimates: Indicative repair costs for identified defects
- Health & safety: Asbestos, fire safety, and compliance issues
Our Survey Process
Initial Consultation
We discuss your requirements, property type, and any specific concerns to ensure we focus on what matters most to you.
On-Site Inspection
Our chartered surveyor conducts a thorough inspection of all accessible areas, typically taking 3-6 hours depending on property size.
Detailed Report
We prepare a comprehensive report with photographs, detailed findings, and clear recommendations, delivered within 5-7 working days.
Follow-Up Support
We're available to discuss the findings, answer questions, and provide guidance on next steps or negotiations.
Commercial Valuations
Our RICS-compliant commercial property valuations provide accurate, defensible assessments for a wide range of purposes including investment decisions, loan security, financial reporting, taxation, and dispute resolution. We value all types of commercial property across retail, office, industrial, and leisure sectors.
Our valuation surveyors combine detailed property inspections with comprehensive market analysis, rental evidence, and investment yield data to determine accurate market values. Whether you need a Red Book valuation for lending purposes or investment advice for portfolio management, we deliver professional valuations you can rely on.
Valuation Services We Provide
- Market valuations: Current open market value for sale or purchase decisions
- Loan security valuations: Red Book valuations for mortgage and refinancing
- Investment valuations: Yield analysis and investment performance assessment
- Portfolio valuations: Multi-property assessments for institutional investors
- Taxation valuations: For capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and stamp duty purposes
- Rental valuations: Market rent assessments for lease negotiations
- Expert witness: Valuation evidence for disputes and tribunal cases
Valuation Standards & Compliance
All our valuations comply with RICS Valuation - Global Standards (Red Book) and are prepared by qualified RICS Registered Valuers. We maintain comprehensive professional indemnity insurance and adhere to strict ethical standards, ensuring our valuations are accepted by lenders, courts, and tax authorities.
Schedule of Condition
A schedule of condition is an essential document for commercial tenants, providing photographic evidence of a property's condition at lease commencement. This protects tenants from being held liable for pre-existing defects when the lease ends, potentially saving tens of thousands in dilapidations claims.
Our chartered surveyors prepare detailed schedules documenting every aspect of the property's condition with comprehensive photographs and descriptions. This becomes an agreed record attached to your lease, defining what condition you're accepting the property in and what you'll be responsible for maintaining.
Schedule of Condition Benefits
- Protection from liability: Not responsible for defects that existed at lease start
- Clear evidence: Photographic record prevents disputes at lease end
- Negotiation leverage: Document known issues before committing to lease terms
- Cost savings: Avoid paying for pre-existing damage in dilapidations
- Peace of mind: Know exactly what condition obligations you're accepting
- Fast turnaround: Reports typically delivered within 3-5 working days
When Do You Need a Schedule of Condition?
We recommend obtaining a schedule of condition whenever taking on a new commercial lease, particularly for older properties or those with existing wear and tear. The modest cost of a schedule can save you from substantial dilapidations claims when your lease ends. Timing is critical—schedules must be prepared before or at lease commencement.
Dilapidations
Dilapidations are the breaches of lease covenants relating to the condition and repair of commercial property. When a lease ends, landlords often serve dilapidations schedules claiming substantial sums for repairs and reinstatement. Our dilapidations surveyors provide expert advice to both landlords and tenants, ensuring fair outcomes and avoiding costly disputes.
For tenants, we review landlords' claims, challenge unreasonable items, and negotiate settlements. For landlords, we prepare comprehensive schedules of dilapidations detailing all breaches with accurate costings. Our practical, commercial approach focuses on achieving fair resolutions without unnecessary legal costs.
Dilapidations Services
- Terminal schedules: Comprehensive dilapidations claims at lease end
- Interim schedules: Lease breach notices during tenancy
- Tenant responses: Scott Schedule responses challenging claims
- Negotiation support: Settlement negotiations to minimize costs
- Cost validation: Expert assessment of claimed repair costs
- Diminution valuations: Actual loss assessment for landlords
- Expert witness: Tribunal and court representation if needed
Dilapidations Process
Early Engagement
Contact us 12-18 months before lease end for exit strategy planning and pre-emptive repairs advice.
Property Inspection
We conduct detailed inspections comparing current condition against lease requirements and schedule of condition.
Schedule Preparation
Comprehensive dilapidations schedule with photographic evidence, breach descriptions, and repair costings.
Negotiation & Settlement
We negotiate on your behalf to reach fair settlement, typically achieving significant reductions in claims.
Lease Advisory
Commercial leases are complex legal documents with significant financial implications. Our lease advisory service helps tenants and landlords understand their obligations, negotiate favorable terms, and navigate rent reviews and lease renewals. We provide practical, commercial advice that protects your interests and optimizes your property costs.
From initial lease negotiations to rent reviews, break clauses, and lease renewals, our commercial property surveyors provide expert guidance throughout the lease lifecycle. We explain the jargon, highlight the risks, and negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible terms.
Lease Advisory Services
- Lease negotiations: Terms review and negotiation for new leases
- Rent reviews: Open market rent assessments and negotiations
- Lease renewals: 1954 Act renewal negotiations and advice
- Break clauses: Strategy and conditions compliance advice
- Alterations: Landlord consent negotiations and license terms
- Assignment: Lease disposal and alienation advice
- Service charges: Review and challenge of landlord charges
- Business rates: Rateable value challenges and reductions
Save Money on Your Commercial Property
Our lease advisory service often pays for itself many times over. We've helped clients save hundreds of thousands through successful rent review negotiations, break clause exercises, and favorable lease terms. Whether you're taking on a new lease or reviewing existing commitments, professional advice ensures you don't overpay or accept unfavorable obligations.
Sustainability & Net Zero
Commercial property owners and occupiers face increasing pressure to improve environmental performance and achieve Net Zero carbon targets. Our sustainability advisory service helps you understand your property's environmental impact, identify improvement opportunities, and develop practical strategies to meet ESG goals while enhancing property value.
We assess energy efficiency, carbon emissions, and compliance with environmental regulations including EPC requirements and Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Our recommendations balance environmental benefits with financial viability, focusing on measures that deliver both carbon reduction and operational cost savings.
Sustainability Services
- EPC assessments: Energy Performance Certificates and improvement advice
- Net Zero strategies: Carbon reduction roadmaps and target setting
- ESG compliance: Environmental, Social, Governance reporting support
- MEES compliance: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards advice
- Energy audits: Consumption analysis and efficiency recommendations
- Retrofit planning: Building improvement strategies and grant funding advice
- Green certifications: BREEAM, NABERS, and LEED assessment support
Regulatory Requirements
From April 2023, commercial properties must have minimum EPC rating of 'E' to be let. Future regulations will tighten these standards further, with ratings of 'B' likely required by 2030. Non-compliance can result in properties becoming unlettable and significant fines. We help you understand your obligations and plan cost-effective improvements to maintain compliance and tenant appeal.
Need Expert Surveying Advice?
Contact us today to discuss your commercial property requirements and receive a free, no-obligation quote for our professional surveying services.
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