A Pre-Purchase Commercial Building Survey is an independent assessment of a commercial property’s physical condition before a purchaser completes the transaction.
It is intended to help the purchaser understand the building they are acquiring and identify potential liabilities.
What does it cover?
The scope depends upon the property and the agreed instruction, but may include:
- Roofs and roof coverings
- External walls and façades
- Structural movement
- Windows and doors
- Damp and water penetration
- Internal areas
- Drainage
- Accessible services
- Alterations
- External areas
- Common parts
The survey may also identify significant future repair requirements.
What can the report help with?
The findings can help a purchaser understand the property’s condition and identify matters requiring further investigation.
Where significant defects are identified, the purchaser may wish to obtain specialist advice or consider the financial implications before proceeding.
The report may also provide useful information when planning future maintenance or refurbishment.
Does it include a valuation?
Not automatically.
A building survey and a valuation are separate services and should be instructed where required.
Stokemont’s advice
Commercial properties vary considerably in construction, age, use and condition. The survey should therefore be tailored rather than treated as a standard checklist.
Stokemont provides commercial pre-purchase building surveys with the scope agreed according to the property and the purchaser’s requirements.
