It isn’t just house buyers who can benefit from our building surveys. Anyone who is looking to buy a commercial property will want to know whether they are making a good investment. A commercial building survey can do just that, by providing a comprehensive and detailed review of the property, to ensure the buyer is well informed ahead of making the final purchasing decision. So, whether you are a business owner looking to purchase a commercial property, a building owner wanting to know what to expect from the selling process, or a commercial landlord or tenant, here is a little more information on commercial building surveys.
The great thing about a commercial building survey is that it can be tailored to the client’s needs, so whether you’re buying or selling, or are a landlord, a survey will give you so much more than just a financial valuation. To be useful to you, it’s important that the survey takes into account your commercial needs - i.e. what you will be using the property for - and then tailors the report so you have all the information you need.
What do commercial building surveys include?
Commercial surveys need to be carried out by Chartered Building Surveyors as they are a comprehensive survey that inspects every element of the property, so you have as much information as possible ahead of agreeing to purchase or take on the lease to a property.
Typically, a commercial building condition survey will include:
- Information on the materials used to construct the building
- Thorough examination of the structure - including roof, walls and floors
- The presence of any hazardous materials such as asbestos
- Detailed examination of every element of the building with any defects highlighted
- Any implications involved if the building is listed or has any liability concerns
- Report on the energy efficiency of the building
- Mechanical and electrical investigation
- Review of plumbing and drainage systems
- Details of any remedial measures that need to be taken now or any maintenance works that may be required in the future, to help you be prepared and make any necessary price adjustment claims
Why do you need a commercial building survey?
It doesn’t matter how many times you have bought and sold a house, or how many homebuyer surveys you have seen, purchasing or renting a commercial property is totally different. Commercial buildings tend to be constructed from different materials such as cladding, reinforced concrete and steel, all of which can present their own issues over time and due to wear and tear. For this reason, it’s important to have the expert opinion of a chartered surveyor before you commit yourself to what is going to be a big investment decision.
Also, when you own a commercial property and use it as your business premises, you are liable for the health and safety of the people who work there or who visit you there and for this reason you’ll want to make sure that your building is structurally sound and doesn’t pose any safety risks.
Another important reason for having a commercial building survey is if you are taking out a commercial lease. You’ll want to know what condition the building is in before you take it on so this can be used in the future when you come to leave and have to carry out dilapidation works or deal with any damage claims. Having a credible schedule of repairs at this point will make everything easier and avoid any conflict.
What happens after you have received the report?
Once you have the report and have digested the information from the survey, you may wish to go back to the seller and request a reduction in price based on the issues highlighted in the survey. Or, if you are looking to lease the property you may wish to request that certain repairs are excluded from your lease agreement or carried out by the landlord prior to your occupation.
Whether you are a landlord, investor, commercial property occupier or a developer, we provide a wide array of commercial building consultancy and surveying services including commercial building condition surveys. For more information on what this involves or to request an appointment, please call us on 0121 758 8723 or send us a message.