Introduction to Commercial Building Surveys: What to Expect
Think a commercial building survey is just about spotting cracks in the wall or checking if the roof leaks? Not quite. It’s more like a health check for your property — a way to protect your investment, manage risks, and plan for the future.
Whether you’re a landlord looking to protect your asset, a tenant about to sign on the dotted line, an investor weighing up a deal, or a developer trying to avoid unpleasant surprises — a survey gives you the clarity you need to make smart, confident decisions.
A survey carried out by a qualified commercial building surveyor is an independent assessment of how your property is really performing. It explores condition, compliance, and long-term performance. The result? Hidden risks are flagged, legal obligations are covered, and you receive practical advice on repairs or maintenance. In other words — peace of mind before you commit your time, money, or reputation.
Think Your Property’s Fine? Think Again
Here’s the thing: a building can look perfectly fine on the outside but still hide a world of trouble inside. Subsidence, damp, faulty electrics, or fire safety gaps don’t exactly shout for attention — until they hit your pocket hard.
Think of surveys as your early warning system for financial and legal headaches. For landlords, surveys help protect property value and ensure tenants meet their obligations. For tenants, they highlight hidden costs and provide leverage when negotiating lease terms. And for investors and developers, pre-acquisition surveys form the foundation for financial and risk planning.
Picking the Right Survey for Your Property
Before commissioning a building survey, it’s important to understand the different RICS-aligned options available for commercial properties. Each serves a distinct purpose — from acquisition due diligence to long-term asset management — helping investors, landlords, and occupiers make informed decisions about their buildings.
The good news? All of these services are listed on our services page here!
What’s on Offer for Your Property
Commercial property comes in many forms which are offices, warehouses, retail units, schools, heritage sites and each has its own risks. Here’s a quick overview of the most common surveys:
Access Audits: Is your property truly accessible? Spoiler: ramps are not always enough. Learn more about Access Audits »
Expert Witness Report: Independent evidence when property or construction disputes get messy. Explore Expert Witness Services »
Licence for Alterations: Covers you when tenants want to knock down walls or refit a space. Find out about Licences for Alterations »
Monitoring Surveys: Keep projects on budget and on time, no unpleasant surprises. Read about Monitoring Surveys »
Quinquennial Surveys: Five year health checks for churches and heritage buildings. Discover Quinquennial Surveys »
Pre-Lease Surveys: Spot hidden repair liabilities before you sign on the dotted line. See Pre-Lease Survey advice »
Specification of Works: The blueprint to keep contractors on the same page. Specification of Works info »
Schedule of Condition: Document the “before” so you don’t get blamed later. Schedule of Condition explained »
Dilapidations Surveys: The fair way to settle repair responsibilities at lease end. Dilapidations support »
Reinstatement Cost Assessments: Make sure your insurance is based on the real rebuild cost. RCA details »
Measured Surveys: Accurate plans for design and refurbishment, no guesswork.
Technical Due Diligence: Pre-acquisition reviews, deep dive for serious investors. Technical Due Diligence »
Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): A 5 to 10 year plan to spread out repair costs. PPM Surveys overview »
Project Management: expert surveyors keeping an eagle eye on your project from start to finish.
Partnering with the Right Surveyor
At the end of the day, a building survey isn’t just paperwork, it is your safety net. It protects your money, your reputation, and your peace of mind. At Horde, we blend technical know how with a client first approach. If you need a quick pre-lease check, a detailed dilapidations survey, or long term maintenance planning, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.