Building surveys

A commercial building survey is a detailed, professional assessment of a property's condition, carried out by a RICS-accredited chartered surveyor. It identifies structural defects, maintenance liabilities, compliance issues, and repair needs, giving buyers, occupiers, investors, and lenders an accurate picture of what they are committing to before money changes hands or construction begins.

For commercial property, the stakes are financial. An unidentified defect in a building you are acquiring can erode your return on investment before you have even taken occupation. A poorly documented condition at lease start can result in a dilapidations dispute at the end of the term that costs more than the repairs themselves. A building survey addresses both risks, and the cost of getting one is almost always a fraction of what it saves.

Call 0800 051 2593, email [email protected], or complete our contact form further down the page to discuss your requirements.

A building survey is appropriate in a wide range of commercial property situations. The most common are:

• Before purchasing a property – To identify hidden defects, structural issues, or maintenance liabilities that could affect the price you pay or the terms you negotiate.
• Before taking a lease – To establish the condition of the building at the start of your occupancy, limiting your liability for dilapidations at the end of the term.
• Before development or refurbishment works – To understand the structural condition and compliance position of the building before work begins.
• During a dilapidations dispute – Where the condition of a building at a particular point in time is contested and an independent expert view is required.
• For portfolio or asset management purposes – To maintain a current picture of condition across a property portfolio and plan maintenance expenditure.

The scope and findings of a building survey are specific to the individual property inspected, and the instructions agreed at the outset. We recommend confirming your requirements with one of our chartered surveyors before any instruction is placed.

Why are building surveys important for commercial property?

Commercial buildings carry liabilities that are not always visible. Structural movement, water ingress, cladding defects, asbestos, and non-compliant services can all be present in a building without being apparent on a viewing. A professional building survey surfaces these issues before they become your problem, giving you the information you need to negotiate, plan, or walk away.

Beyond acquisition, a building survey is a risk management tool. For landlords, it documents condition at the start of a lease and strengthens the position at dilapidations. For occupiers, it identifies what you are inheriting before you sign. For investors and funders, it provides an independent view of the asset they are committing money to.

Our RICS-regulated surveyors carry out a wide range of specialist building surveys across all commercial property types. Common instructions include:

• Pre-acquisition surveys – Detailed condition assessments ahead of purchase or lease
• Schedules of condition – Photographic and written records of condition at a specific point in time, typically at lease commencement
• Dilapidations surveys – Assessment of repairing obligations and condition at lease end
• Measured surveys – Accurate measurement and plans of existing buildings for design or planning purposes
• Planned preventative maintenance surveys – Structured assessments of a building's maintenance requirements over a defined period, enabling landlords and property managers to plan expenditure and avoid reactive repairs.
• Ground investigation and ecology surveys – Site-specific assessments supporting planning and development
• Feasibility assessments – Technical appraisals of a building's development potential and constraints
• Reinstatement cost assessments – Establishing the correct rebuild cost for insurance purposes

Get in touch if you are unsure which type of survey you need, and our team will advise on the most appropriate scope before any instruction is confirmed.

Which sectors do we provide building surveys for?

Our building survey service covers all major commercial property sectors, including offices, industrial and logistics, retail, leisure, education, and healthcare.

With over 180 years of industry experience, you can depend on us for commercial building surveys that meet your needs. Here is what we bring to every instruction:

• RICS-regulated at firm level, with every survey carried out by a chartered surveyor operating to the highest professional standards.
• Led by Ian Harrington FRICS, Managing Director of Building Consultancy, with over 25 years of experience across commercial building surveying and project consultancy.
• 550 brilliant people across 35 offices nationwide, so you are never far from a local expert who knows your market.
• Full building consultancy capability behind every survey.  Where a survey identifies issues that require further action, our teams are available to advise on next steps without needing to brief a separate firm.
• Proven track record evidenced by our case studies and client reviews.

Arrange a commercial building survey with us today

Whether you are acquiring a property, preparing for a lease, or managing a portfolio, our chartered surveyors are ready to help. Call 0800 051 2593, email [email protected], or complete the form below to discuss your requirements.