Running a strong and successful construction business is difficult, and this is most definitely something that you need to plan for so that you can be successful. There are so many different areas of the construction business that you need to get right and work on in order to help
Reports show that there are several million auto accidents in the United States every single year. These accidents can have many different causes, from reckless or drunk drivers to bad weather conditions or even technical faults and failures with car components. They can also be classified into various categories, and
Today the UK’s ambition to be a world-leading science and technology innovation hub has taken another step forward as The University of Manchester announced Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s leading property provider dedicated to the growth of the science and technology sector, as its preferred bidder to deliver the £1.5 billion
Thousands of jobs are set to be created through a new regeneration project in South Yorkshire. The construction of Unity Connect, the major mixed-use scheme in Doncaster is set to deliver over 2 million sq ft of employment space, 3,100 new homes, a new marina, school, transport hub and a
A new mixed tenure housing development is to be built on a 14.85ha brownfield site off Donnington Wood Way. The new development of 329 new homes is being bought forward by a partnership comprising of Telford & Wrekin Council, Nuplace Ltd – the Council’s wholly owned housing company, Lovell Partnerships
Today’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2021-2025 report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecasts that the UK’s construction output will return to pre-Covid-19 levels in 2022, requiring the construction sector to recruit an extra 217,000 workers by 2025, or over 43,000 per year, in order to satisfy this level
Moorfield Group, the owner and landlord of Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks, has agreed lease renewal terms and an expansion with Kaseum Technology at the Energy Development Centre in Bridge of Don. Kaseum, specialists in the design, development and manufacture of downhole tools has agreed a new five-year lease renewal
Construction of state-of-the-art industry standard facilities at The Manchester College’s Openshaw campus has reached an exciting milestone in the build process as Caddick Construction completed the fit of the1,650 sq metre roof on the centrepiece sports hall. The indoor sport facility will host a six-court multi-discipline sports hall with viewing
A cross-party committee of MPs have strongly backed the Royal Town Planning Institute’s proposed £500 million funding injection over four years for English planning, The Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report The Future of the Planning System in England, published today, found that planning is currently under-resourced and
Building surveys are often misunderstood by the general public as an unnecessary report relating to the purchase of a property. There’s also a misconception that surveys are only necessary if you’re purchasing a residential property, but commercial surveys are just as important and necessary. Surveys of commercial properties vary in
Running a strong and successful construction business is difficult, and this is most definitely something that you need to plan for so that you can be successful. There are so many different areas of the construction business that you need to get right and work on in order to help you achieve this, and you have so much to keep in mind and think about when looking to make the best of this. You are going to need to make sure you do as much as you can to improve this process and there are a lot of ideas that play a part in this. Running a construction company involves taking the perfect steps that will enhance and improve your construction firm, and these are some of the best ways you can use that will help you to take things to the next level and enjoy success as much as possible. Take Advantage of Investment Opportunities There are a lot of investment opportunities that can benefit a construction business, and this is something that you need to make the most of as much as possible. Make sure you focus on being able to improve your business, and this is one of the key ways of being able to make the best of this moving forward. You are going to have to think about the right ways of achieving this, and it seems that the investment in Glasgow construction projects has led to a positive spike in development across the city. This is the sort of investment that your company needs to be making the most of, and it is important to make the most of this right now. Improve Your Company’s IT Security Try to do your best to make sure you improve your company’s IT security, and there are a lot of things you can do that will help you make the most of this moving forward. You need to be sure you understand the different factors that play a part in this, and it is important to factor this in as much as possible. One of the things you could do that would help you understand the way this works and to better protect your construction company’s IT security is understanding what is a managed service provider blog entry, and how it can help your company improve and attain longevity. Plan Your Projects in Detail Planning your projects in detail is one of the best things you need to be working on when it comes to improving the way your construction firm carries out its role. There are a lot of things that you need to make sure you think about, and it is important to make the most of this moving forward, and there are so many factors that you are going to need to make the most of right now. Planning a project in detail is crucial for achieving success and being able to ensure you have planned things out as effectively as possible right now. There are so many ideas that you need to make the most of right now, and this is something that plays a part in helping you to achieve this. Make sure you focus on the best ways of being able to improve and enhance your construction company this year. There are loads of amazing factors that you need to make sure you get right, and this is one of the key elements that plays a part in helping you to achieve this.
Reports show that there are several million auto accidents in the United States every single year. These accidents can have many different causes, from reckless or drunk drivers to bad weather conditions or even technical faults and failures with car components. They can also be classified into various categories, and there are many different types of accidents, from rear-end collisions to side-swipes. Knowing the difference between auto accidents can be important, because if you’re involved in one of these accidents, you may want to contact a lawyer, and there are certain firms that specialize or have a history in dealing with certain specific types of accidents. To help you differentiate between them and identify the various varieties, this guide will introduce some of the most common types of car accidents. Rear-End Collision The rear-end collision is statistically the most common form of auto accident. This is when one vehicle collides directly with the back of another, often leading to major damage to the front and rear of each respective vehicle, and possible injuries to the drivers and passengers inside due to the sudden impact and force of the crash. There are many potential causes of rear-end collisions. A lot of them occur during rush hour or periods of heavy traffic when cars are driving too close together and not respecting the rules of safe distances. These sorts of accidents may also happen when drivers tailgate others on roads or freeways. It’s also possible for rear-end collisions to occur because of the weather. If rain is falling or frost is on the ground, the road can be more slippery and it can take longer to slow down and stop. So, if you need to brake suddenly, you might not have enough space or time to avoid hitting the car in front. To avoid these accidents, it’s vital to keep your distance and brake ahead of time. Side Swipe Collision Another very common type of car accident is a sideswipe collision. Also known as a side impact or “glancing blow” collision, this is when one car connects with the side of another at a slight angle. This can lead to both drivers losing control of their cars and may cause damage and injuries to both parties, as well as a risk of damage to other cars that might get involved inadvertently in the crash. There are various causes of sideswipe collisions. One of the main ways in which this type of accident can happen is when cars try to change lanes or drift out of their own lane without checking their mirrors and failing to notice the presence of another vehicle beside them, or if cars try to force their way into another lane when there simply isn’t space. It’s also common for sideswipes to occur when drivers get distracted due to things in their car like phones, food, drinks, passengers, and so on. The key to avoiding side swipe collisions is to make sure you always use your mirrors and signals before making turns or changing lanes and wait for the right moment to merge. T Bone Collision A T-bone collision, which may also be referred to as a “broad impact” collision or right-angle crash, is another form of a collision involving one vehicle hitting another from the side. The difference between the T bone and the side swipe is that, in a T bone, the cars are perpendicular to each other, with one driving directly into the side of the other. This can be one of the most devastating types of accident, because cars have less protection on the sides, so victims of these accidents can suffer terrible injuries or even death. In terms of how they happen, these types of accidents usually occur at intersections where two cars try to pass at the same time. If one car drives out at traffic lights while another one is trying to pass, they may collide in a T bone formation. It’s also possible for these accidents to occur due to distracted driving or drunk driving. Drivers need to be really careful at intersections, making sure to stop if needed, look both ways, and give time for other cars to pass before they proceed. Head-On Collision Definitely one of the worst types of auto accident, but also one of the rarest too, a head-on collision is when two cars collide with one another head-on, with both drivers facing one another. Since both cars are traveling in opposite directions, the impact of this accident can be enormous, causing huge amounts of damage. Head-on collisions usually occur when one vehicle goes out of its lane or drives the wrong way down a road, or if a driver has to swerve suddenly to avoid some other hazard and collides with a car coming in the opposite direction. These accidents commonly involve drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and some involve people who have fallen asleep at the wheel. In order to avoid head-on collisions, it’s important for drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road at all times, watching out for any upcoming hazards or drivers on the wrong side of the road, especially at night and at weekends when the chances of encountering drunk drivers tend to be higher. If you ever encounter this type of accident, you need to consult with auto accident injury lawyers. Final These are just some of the many types of auto accidents that occur each and every day on American roads. There are also many other types to take into consideration, such as collisions with animals or collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. There are even single-vehicle collisions in which one car crashes into objects like walls or street lights. It’s clear to see that there are a lot of risks on the roads, and driving unsafely can massively increase your own chances of being in an auto accident and suffering serious injuries in the process. Make sure
Today the UK’s ambition to be a world-leading science and technology innovation hub has taken another step forward as The University of Manchester announced Bruntwood SciTech, the UK’s leading property provider dedicated to the growth of the science and technology sector, as its preferred bidder to deliver the £1.5 billion innovation district – ID Manchester. The internationally-significant project will cement the UK’s position in the science and technology sector; providing vital specialist infrastructure to power the growth of the knowledge economy and unlock the potential to commercialise R&D innovation, supporting the UK to build back better and level up. The University and Bruntwood SciTech, a 50:50 joint venture between Bruntwood and Legal & General, will now form a new joint venture to enhance, develop and deliver the vision to establish ID Manchester as a new innovation district, home to a global community that will play a vital role in the future of the UK science and technology sector, with the potential to create over 10,000 new jobs in the next 10-15 years. Place design and placemaking will be central to the development of ID Manchester, which when complete will provide over four million square feet (370,000 square metres) including 2.6 million square feet (240,000 square metres) of new commercial workspace and a £28 million investment in the public realm that will provide a focal point for a vibrant events programme. The area benefits from existing green space and the unique feature of the 650,000 square feet (60,000 square metres) Grade II-listed Sackville Street Building. ” Innovation is a core theme for the University as we enter our third century. The opportunity afforded by ID Manchester will provide more chances for our research to have an impact on the real world, it will be a place where we address the challenges facing the world in the 21st century and to explore new ideas to improve the health, wealth and happiness of our fellow citizens. The journey to find our joint venture partner to work with us on delivering ID Manchester has been hugely rewarding for everyone involved. The quality and calibre of the submissions we received was truly outstanding and I would like to extend our gratitude to those who were unsuccessful. Bruntwood SciTech shares many of the same values and principles as The University of Manchester and throughout our detailed discussions with them, their commitment and approach to sustainability, inclusivity and collaboration aligned closely with our vision for ID Manchester. We look forward to working together to create an outstanding innovation district which will play a large role in helping the UK to build back better “ President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell Chris Oglesby, executive chair, Bruntwood SciTech said: “From the splitting of the atom, to the first isolation of graphene, Manchester has been at the forefront of global innovation. The ambition to create an innovation district of this size and scale will help transform the UK’s knowledge economy and cement the UK’s status as world leader in science, technology and engineering. “Working in partnership with The University of Manchester, we will create a global exemplar that will support national and international investment into science and technology, creating new pathways for the translation of research, and new cultures for enterprise. “It’s also an opportunity to build something with purpose and a social conscience at its heart from the outset. ID Manchester will champion a more progressive and sustainable model of economic success, one that works for all people and the planet. “To be selected to deliver a project of such scale, ambition and international significance is a privilege and we cannot wait to get started.” Bruntwood SciTech is a 50:50 JV between Bruntwood and Legal & General. ID Manchester is Legal & General’s ninth significant urban regeneration scheme, having invested billions of pounds in partnerships with universities such as Oxford and Newcastle and Local Authorities in areas such as Cardiff, Salford and Sunderland. Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This announcement is a welcome step forward for the plan to create a world-leading innovation district in Manchester city centre. ID Manchester will be another important asset for our city-region, supporting jobs in the science and technology sectors as we look to grow our economy beyond the pandemic.” Nigel Wilson, Group Chief Executive Legal & General said: “Universities are a key driver for the growth of cities, acting as a magnet for talent and incubator of growth and innovation. They have an integral role in shifting the dial for future success. This partnership is a unique opportunity to invest in, and develop, a significant, long-term and patient capital project that is economically viable and socially useful. Supporting the government’s “levelling up” agenda, it embodies inclusive capitalism in one of the UK’s strongest regional cities, as we build back better and help create a more inclusive post-pandemic society.” It is expected the joint venture agreement will be signed by the autumn. The new joint venture partnership will see Stanhope plc appointed as strategic development manager in their first project outside of the South East of England, confirming the developer’s commitment to the Life Sciences sector across the UK. The partnership will work together on the next stage of the masterplan for ID Manchester. Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities at The University of Manchester said: “ID Manchester will be a unique new neighbourhood. Our vision draws on Manchester’s ecosystem of ideas, discovery, research and development, and ID Manchester will provide the canvas on which all those strands can come together to take urban regeneration to a whole new level. ID Manchester will be where our most valuable discoveries today, are tried, tested and developed into the technology, buildings and commerce of tomorrow. We are looking forward to working with Bruntwood SciTech to build on our vision and deliver ID Manchester.” The opportunity for ID Manchester follows the completion of the new £400 million Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) which will be the largest home for engineering in
Thousands of jobs are set to be created through a new regeneration project in South Yorkshire. The construction of Unity Connect, the major mixed-use scheme in Doncaster is set to deliver over 2 million sq ft of employment space, 3,100 new homes, a new marina, school, transport hub and a range of open spaces, creating up to 7,000 jobs. Fulcrum, a Sheffield-headquartered multi-utility infrastructure and services provider, has been awarded the new contract to provide essential infrastructure and make way for significant levels of new commercial development. Over the next 20 years the development is expected to inject over £900m into the local economy. The contract, awarded by developer Waystone Hargreaves Land LLP, will enable the start of construction of Unity Connect, the scheme’s commercial zone which will include a new 800,000 sq ft distribution centre and training facility. Fulcrum has designed an innovative high voltage electrical infrastructure solution to future-proof the development, to support the power requirements of additional industrial units as they are added to the Connect zone. In addition to reducing cost, this solution will help speed up future development timescales. Terry Dugdale, CEO of Fulcrum, said: “Unity is a transformative regeneration development, which will have a significant, positive economic impact on South Yorkshire. As our head office is based in the region, we are especially pleased to bring our multi-utility expertise to Unity and support the important early stages of its development. “The experience of our team in providing future-proofed utility infrastructure has been key to helping the developers embark on the works to create the Connect zone, not only for the planned distribution centre, but also with the provision of connection-ready infrastructure for future commercial units on the site.” Alistair McLoughlin, director at Waystone Hargreaves Land LLP added: “We are very pleased to be working with the team at Fulcrum. “Our investment in infrastructure will form an integral part of the scheme’s future success and helps lay the foundations for considerable development in the months and years ahead.”
A new mixed tenure housing development is to be built on a 14.85ha brownfield site off Donnington Wood Way. The new development of 329 new homes is being bought forward by a partnership comprising of Telford & Wrekin Council, Nuplace Ltd – the Council’s wholly owned housing company, Lovell Partnerships Ltd and Housing Association, Wrekin Housing Group. Serving the needs of the local community and in line with the Council’s Housing Strategy, which seeks to ensure that all people have access to safe and appropriate housing, this site will see a mix of properties for open market sale, private and affordable rent and Rent to Buy, plus dementia care and supported living units. The development will be built out by leading construction partner Lovell, who have already developed nine Nuplace sites across the borough over the last 6 years as well as a number of other mixed tenure sites. At this site, 66 homes are being built for Nuplace, which will be available for private rent, as well as 77 for open market sale from Lovell. A range of properties are also being delivered for the Borough’s largest Housing Association, Wrekin Housing Group. This includes an Extracare facility with, specialist dementia care apartments offering a supported living provision. These homes will provide housing choice for people of all ages and stages, enabling people to remain within the community, as their needs change. At the heart of the development, will be a new “Community Hub” providing café and bistro facilities, space to work with free wifi as well as learning suites which can be used by local schools and community groups. A new children’s play area will also be built on site, linking into enhanced footpaths and wayfinding into and within Granville Nature Reserve, ensuring that this development provides facilities for the new community as well as existing residents of Donnington and Muxton. Construction work is due to commence in Summer 2021 and continue until early 2025. Properties within the development will have PV panels and electric car charging points, with a number of Nuplace properties being built to ‘Future Homes’ standards, helping tenants to reduce their fuel bills and at the same time reducing the scheme’s carbon footprint. Councillor David Wright, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Housing, said: “This promises to be another excellent development for the borough which will deliver against many of the Council’s strategic objectives relating to housing and our green agenda. “Regenerating the site and meeting the local housing need will however be carefully balanced with the need to enhance and protect this precious, ecologically rich environment. This is a very special location and we want to make sure it remains a home for nature as much as it will become a home for local people.” “Nuplace is a huge success story for the Council, with more than 1,000 people living in Nuplace homes across the borough, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with building partner, Lovell and The Wrekin Housing Group to bring forward another quality development.” Simon Thompson, Director of Development at The Wrekin Housing Group said: “This is a really important scheme for Donnington Wood. The team have been working hard on this for several months and I’m pleased that Telford and Wrekin Council have approved this application. “We are really pleased to be able to invest in Telford and Wrekin with new homes that offer housing choices for everybody.” Stuart Penn, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “We’re delighted that planning for Donnington Wood Way has been approved with 329 much-needed homes now on track to become a reality. The progression of this site, alongside Telford & Wrekin Council, Nuplace and Wrekin Housing Group, reflects the potential of what can be achieved when organisations work in partnership.” As part of the Stronger Communities Programme, The Council secured £3.3 million of funding from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver enabling works to support the delivery of this new development, including the construction on two new site accesses off Donnington Wood Way. For more information about this site or to register your interest visit www.nuplace.co.uk/donningtonwood
Today’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) 2021-2025 report from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecasts that the UK’s construction output will return to pre-Covid-19 levels in 2022, requiring the construction sector to recruit an extra 217,000 workers by 2025, or over 43,000 per year, in order to satisfy this level of demand. According to the report, most English regions will experience an increase in demand for construction workers by 2025, with East Midlands (1.7 per cent) and West Midlands (1.4 per cent) set to lead demand. The most in-demand trades are forecast to be in wood trades and fit-out, with 5,500 roles needed per year. Other construction professionals and technical staff require around 5,150 roles a year and construction managers are also in demand, needing 3,600 a year. The CSN report highlights a pattern of stronger workforce growth in professional occupations compared with the trades in recent years, suggesting that this is set to continue as modernisation and automation becomes the norm. Additionally, the report predicts a growth in repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) work, as calls increase for the retrofitting of the existing building stock to form a key part of the UK’s framework to reach net zero. Commenting on the findings, Hew Edgar, Associate Director of Policy at CIOB, said: “Early on in the Covid-19 pandemic, we witnessed significant growth in online learning and new entrants keen to gain professional accreditation, with an 18 per cent increase on the previous year of 1,712 new members. However, as the industry has returned to work in larger numbers, we have noted that members have instead focused on traditional training and CPD in topics such as cost management, project management and health and safety. Our training figures also support the CSN’s findings around growth in sustainability and RMI, with many CIOB members preparing for a surge in work in energy efficiency.” The CSN report can be accessed here.
Moorfield Group, the owner and landlord of Aberdeen Energy and Innovation Parks, has agreed lease renewal terms and an expansion with Kaseum Technology at the Energy Development Centre in Bridge of Don. Kaseum, specialists in the design, development and manufacture of downhole tools has agreed a new five-year lease renewal at Units 1 and 2. In addition, Kaseum has also agreed to expand its presence by 30% at the EDC having secured a lease on Unit 4, taking their total space to 6,700 sqft. Paul Church, Managing Director of Kaseum said: “We have managed to come through the Covid pandemic in a healthy position and have experienced increased demand for our products and services. This expansion will allow us to organise our electronics manufacturing more efficiently and will also free up space for our ambitious R&D program, supported by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Investment Bank.” “Being able to expand our operation at the Energy Park is ideal for our business requirements and offers continuity for our staff and clients. We’ve been based here for four years and are very satisfied with the high quality and well-located space.” Hugh Canham, Head of Asset Management at Moorfield Group added: “Concluding this deal with Kaseum is very positive news for the parks, which has seen a flurry of occupier committing to lease re-gears and expansions in recent months. We have continued to invest in the parks through the pandemic to meet the changing needs of occupiers. We recently launched our flexible workspace offering which caters to a wide range of occupiers with the provision of standalone offices, serviced offices, coworking and workshops within a secure and spacious environment.” Matt Park, Associate Director at Knight Frank said: “With the return to the workplace now in sight, the Energy & Innovation Parks offer the perfect location for occupiers seeking extra space in line with social distancing. The parks are located conveniently close to the city centre, with ample car parking space and beautiful outdoor space. We anticipate increased demand for space over the coming months.” Knight Frank and Ryden are joint agents for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks.
Construction of state-of-the-art industry standard facilities at The Manchester College’s Openshaw campus has reached an exciting milestone in the build process as Caddick Construction completed the fit of the1,650 sq metre roof on the centrepiece sports hall. The indoor sport facility will host a six-court multi-discipline sports hall with viewing gallery together with a media suite with match analysis capability. The build – which is part of a new £25M investment in redeveloping the Openshaw campus – remains on schedule to open to students in the College’s Centre of Excellence for Sport in September 2021. The sports centre is at the heart of the development which broke ground in July 2020. The expansive roof over the state-of-the-art facility took five weeks of precision work to successfully lower and secure into place. Alongside the sports facilities will be the Industry Excellence Academies which include: a state of the art hospital suite including a mock hospital ward with infectious disease area for Health and Social Care students; specialist facilities for carpentry, joinery, brickwork and plastering for students in Construction and Engineering and a mock nursery setting for students studying Childhood Studies plus a motor vehicle learning facility. The construction project has, so far, created jobs on site for forklift drivers, labourers, apprentice engineers, cleaners and gatemen. It has also provided critical hands-on training opportunities for students from The Manchester College studying on the ACE-accredited Build Environment BTEC course. The construction is part of LTE Group’s £140M long-term investment strategy in response to an increase in demand for regional training and skills. The investment in the construction training facilities is proving to be particularly timely as the North West construction and logistics sectors enjoy a boom fuelled by national and international inward investment to the region. Managing Director of Caddick Construction’s North West office, Ian Threadgold said: “The roof going on smoothly was a major milestone for the team and it was completed on schedule, despite the Manchester climate pretty much throwing everything at us. The facility is really starting to take shape now and it will offer the very latest training and educational opportunities for students arriving back in September.” Lisa O’Loughlin, Principal at The Manchester College commented: “We are delighted that the construction is on schedule and are looking forward to welcoming our first students into these brand new facilities this September, to study on our childcare, healthcare and construction Industry Excellence Academies and in our Centre of Excellence for Sport.” John Thornhill, CEO of LTE Group, commented: “Investing in our Openshaw Campus is just one element of a broader £140M investment into new facilities, which includes the brand new five storey city centre campus currently under construction next to the AO Arena in Manchester city centre which will open to students September 2022. Investment at this level across multiple locations provides valuable opportunities for future students, ultimately providing a skilled workforce for the Greater Manchester region.” The Manchester College is one of the largest Further Education colleges in the UK and largest single provider of 16-19, adult and higher education in Greater Manchester. More than 25% of Greater Manchester’s learning provision is undertaken by the college.
A cross-party committee of MPs have strongly backed the Royal Town Planning Institute’s proposed £500 million funding injection over four years for English planning, The Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee report The Future of the Planning System in England, published today, found that planning is currently under-resourced and that proposed reforms would put further pressure on the system. RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: “This is a thorough and comprehensive report by the Select Committee. As we have emphasised to Government, resourcing for planning is inadequate and reforms will place further demands on them unless this issue is addressed. The Committee is entirely correct to state that a major programme of reform is now contingent on government first ensuring the resources are in place. I applaud the call for Treasury to commit now to putting this in place. “We agree that a skills and resourcing strategy should precede the bill. As the committee also noted, the RTPI have called for further support for our flagship apprenticeships, as well as for chief placemakers to be Chartered planners. “The committee’s recommendations for further nuance within the areas of the proposed zonal system are common sense. As the report noted, we think Growth Areas have the potential to be excellent enablers of development, but suburbs and industrial areas require very different approaches.”
Building surveys are often misunderstood by the general public as an unnecessary report relating to the purchase of a property. There’s also a misconception that surveys are only necessary if you’re purchasing a residential property, but commercial surveys are just as important and necessary. Surveys of commercial properties vary in terms of the necessary requirements of the party commissioning the survey and they are often more detailed and complex than residential surveys. Whether you’re selling, buying or leasing a commercial property, there are several commercial building surveys to consider. Building Survey If you’re interested in purchasing a commercial property, a building survey provides you with a detailed report of the condition of the property you’re buying, selling or leasing. It highlights any defects the building may have, as well as advising any maintenance that might be needed in the future. A building survey explains the state of the building, the materials it’s made from and if any hazardous materials, such as asbestos, have been used in the building. The nature of commercial leases means that the tenant is often liable for repairing the property, so a building survey is an essential report to invest in prior to signing on the dotted line to clarify that the building is in good condition. It’s important for tenants to understand if any costly repairs will be necessary in the future, as this could affect lease negotiations and budgets considerably. Technical Due Diligence Reports Property due diligence is a series of steps that investors need to make before purchasing an investment property, ensuring that everything is in order and in good condition before you complete the sale. A Due Diligence Report fully evaluates the property before you buy it, highlighting if there are any potential risks involved with the purchase. This includes whether the price reflects the value of the property, the local area, potential rental yield and the buyer’s property investment strategy. Specialist building surveyors will review the leases associated with the property, any related construction information and warranties, as well as service charge agreements. Schedule of Condition Report A Schedule of Condition records the condition of the property at the time of the survey. For those signing a lease on a commercial building, it might be possible to limit your liability for maintenance and repairs if you undertake a Schedule of Condition survey prior to signing the contract. This report can wind up saving tenants thousands of points at lease expiry and will include a detailed overview of the property, including photographs and descriptions of each element of the property. This report doesn’t just protect tenants though – it can also protect the interests of the owner, who might have invested in refurbishments for an incoming tenant and wants to make sure it stays in good condition when the lease ends. Schedule of Dilapidations A tenant has many responsibilities when they take on a commercial lease, from redecoration and reinstatement to repairing the premises if there’s been any damage or mistreatment. Failure to complete these repairs or necessary changes could mean a breach of their lease, which results in a landlord issuing a Dilapidations claim against them. Dilapidations claims can either be made during the lease term or once the lease has expired. A building surveyor can carry out a Schedule of Dilapidations survey which reviews any repair obligations that the tenant is responsible for and advise the best strategy for a settlement. The surveyor, in this instance, may act on behalf of the landlord or the tenant, to present different arguments which will be used in the negotiation process once the schedule has been served. Final thoughts Commercial property surveys are essential to ensure that both tenants and property owners are protected, but also to prevent unforeseen costs that come with buying, selling or leasing a property. Understanding the differences between the various commercial surveys and reports available is key to making sure that you are taking the right steps with your commercial property. It’s vital that commercial property surveys are undertaken by a qualified and experienced surveyor, and that the individual carrying out the survey is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). This is because you can be sure that the surveyor has undergone on-going training and has the experience to back up their knowledge, but also because they will have comprehensive public liability insurance which not only protects them but also the tenant.