Commercial

Our Services

Commercial

With extensive experience in the commercial property sector, we offer expert building surveying services to landlords, developers, occupiers, and investors. Our expertise covers a diverse range of properties, including modern offices, listed buildings, churches, industrial units, laboratories, and apartment buildings. We serve all stakeholders in the commercial property industry. If you are an investor evaluating a property, an occupier seeking maintenance advice, a developer planning renovations, or a funder assessing compliance, we are here to help you.

Pre-acquisition & Condition Surveys

A pre-acquisition survey, often referred to as a condition survey, is a comprehensive evaluation conducted before the purchase of a commercial property.

Similar to other property assessments, it examines the building's overall condition, identifies potential issues, and provides an estimated cost for necessary repairs. This allows buyers to anticipate and plan for any future challenges.

What does a pre-acquisition survey include?

This survey involves a thorough inspection of the property’s physical, mechanical, and electrical condition, as well as an assessment of its systems and external areas.

Who needs a pre-acquisition survey

Pre-acquisition surveys are essential for property investors and buyers to confirm that the property is structurally sound and aligns with their business needs. Prospective tenants, especially those entering into long-term or significant leases such as full repairing and insuring (FRI) leases, may also request a pre-acquisition survey to ensure the property meets their requirements and expectations.

Schedule of Condition

A Schedule of Condition is a comprehensive report that captures the state of a property or structure at a specific moment in time, often at the start of a lease or prior to construction works. This document is essential for landlords, tenants, and property professionals involved in letting, building works, or Party Wall agreements.

Why You Need a Schedule of Condition
If you are letting a property, undertaking building works, or dealing with Party Wall matters, understanding the importance of a Schedule of Condition is vital. This detailed record typically includes both written descriptions and photographs that document the condition of various elements of the property or structure.

Key Uses in Property Leases
A Schedule of Condition is commonly used in commercial property leases to establish the condition of a property when a tenant first takes possession. This serves as a clear reference point for both landlords and tenants, ensuring that there is a mutual understanding of the property's state at the outset of the lease.

It plays a crucial role in managing landlord-tenant relationships, offering clarity on maintenance responsibilities, and helping to mitigate the potential for costly disputes when the lease ends.

Protecting Against Dilapidations
A Schedule of Condition is particularly important in the context of dilapidations—the condition of a property when a tenant vacates. It provides a clear distinction between damage caused during the tenancy and pre-existing issues, protecting tenants from liability for conditions that existed prior to their occupancy.

By accurately documenting the property's condition, a Schedule of Condition helps ensure fair treatment for both parties and minimises the risk of financial disputes.

Planned Preventative Maintenance

JDS Consulting offers tailored Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) plans for buildings, typically covering a period of 5 to 10 years.

PPM surveys for commercial properties provide owners, occupiers, and investors with a clear understanding of their real estate assets' current condition. This enables informed planning for necessary investments, including the recovery of service charges, ensuring that every element of the building performs as intended. PPM surveys are especially valuable for apartment blocks, large or complex privately owned residences, and historically significant buildings. They are also crucial in preparing sinking funds for properties managed by management companies.

A PPM plan helps building owners and occupiers in several key ways:

● Reduce unexpected costs: By minimising the need for reactive maintenance, a PPM plan helps avoid expensive, unplanned repairs.

● Budget effectively: A PPM plan ensures disciplined budgeting and proper management of maintenance costs over time.

● Understand the building's condition: The survey provides a comprehensive overview of the building’s current state, helping owners, occupiers, and investors plan future actions.

● Meet legal obligations: Regular PPM maintenance ensures compliance with statutory and legal requirements.

● Forecast repair costs: The plan categorises the costs of repairs over the next 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 years, making it easier to manage long-term expenses

Defect Diagnosis

JDS Consulting offers specialised expertise and in-depth knowledge of commercial properties to effectively address your building’s challenges. Our assessments go beyond surface-level inspections, thoroughly examining structural integrity, building systems, and compliance with the latest regulations. This comprehensive approach is essential in commercial surveying to ensure precise and accurate identification of defects. Our Defect Reports provide more than just a summary of issues; we deliver both short-term and long-term remedial solutions tailored to meet your business needs and budget.