Commercial Surveys – why should I bother with one of these?
the short answer
Having comprehensive professional advice will provide information on future repairing obligations under a lease, maintenance of the property and alterations you might be considering.
Our commercial building surveys are tailored to your requirements from comprehensive inspections of whole buildings to analysis of individual defects.
- Undertaken by qualified Chartered Buildings Surveyors
- Clear and unambiguous reports
- Advice on future repairing obligation under the terms of the lease
- Guidance on prioritising repair works together with cost estimates
- Consideration of proposed alterations and fit-out works
We also provide a comprehensive design and project management service for those undertaking extensive repairs, alterations and fit- out works.
The Commercial Building Survey will normally be commissioned for the purpose of either purchasing a building or where taking a lease is being contemplated. The method of inspection will be quite similar to the domestic building survey but the surveyor encounters a much wider range of construction methods in commercial buildings including steel frames, reinforced concrete, curtain walling and unusual types of roof construction.
Having a Building Survey carried out is very important before taking a full repairing and insuring lease (FRI lease). At the very least you need to know what costs and repairs you might face. It’s also important evidence later if your landlord tries to pursue dilapidations or other repairs.
Whether buying or renting, you need to know the condition and the repair or maintenance costs before you enter into a binding agreement.
The lease may say you do not have to return the premises to the landlord at the end of the lease in better condition than they were at the beginning. But you will need clear evidence of the condition of the building when you took it on. A schedule of condition attached to the lease, if this can be negotiated with the lessor, is a safeguard for later.
In addition we will give attention to such matters as Health & Safety, The Disability Discrimination Act and The Party Wall Act. The surveyor often encounters hazardous materials in older buildings where there may be a need for specialist tests and it may also be necessary to appoint experts in the areas of electrical and mechanical services. In this situation the surveyor will draw together the information gathered for presentation to the client as a completed project.
When taking instructions from prospective clients for this type of service we will always either meet the client or discuss his requirements in some depth so that we are able to focus on the particular needs of the client. Our initial consultation and sufficient preliminary advice to enable the client to decide what is required would normally be free of charge.