Retail Space Dilapidations
We can save you an average of 40% on landlord’s surveyor prices
Have you already been served a Schedule of Dilapidations?
Select if you have been issued a Schedule of Dilapidations document by your landlord.
Schedule of Dilapidations is a document produced by a surveyor, served by a landlord on its tenant. It sets out the items of disrepair at a property caused by the tenant's failure to perform its repairing, decorating, and obligations in the lease.
Definition - A document which tells you everything you need to fix, or return to how it was, at the end of your lease
I have been served a Schedule of Dilapidations
If you have already been issued a schedule of dilapidations, we can have one of our surveyors check that it is correct and ensure they have not added things that fall outside your obligations, (this happens more often that you might expect!)
We send a foreman to site armed with this information to generate a job spec and calculate a cost-effective quote for the works.
You can either use this quote to negotiate with the landlord, or you can continue with the works.
One method we recommend is to offer to the landlord the value of our quote and give them seven days to respond. If they do not accept the financial offer, you can then instruct us to proceed and the cost for quoting will be taken off the cost of works.
I have not been served a Schedule of Dilapidations
If you haven’t been issued a Schedule of Dilapidations, you are in a position to take control of your dilapidations.
We have many years of experience in dilapidations, for the majority of retail units the best way to minimise cost and hassle is to engage with one of our surveyors first and have our contractors complete the work required before you hand back the keys.
Our surveyor will analyse your lease and provide a summary of your obligations (this comes with indemnity). Our contractors will visit the site and generate a job spec and calculate a quote for the works. When the quote is approved our dilapidation contractors can complete the work in a much shorter time frame than a regular contractor.
On average you will save roughly 40% on the landlord led process.
Dilapidations are a complicated part of leasing law. If you want to understand how we are able to generate these kind savings, please read on:
Retail properties can have a sizeable bespoke tenant fit out. In most cases the landlord will need to meet the cost of stripping it out at the end of your lease.
Retail property is usually let in shell condition. Where secondhand space has been leased it is important to consider and provide records for the condition at lease grant. Landlords are usually looking for a unit to be stripped back with certificates for statutory compliance provided. The landlord wants to try and mitigate the void period which means you will almost certainly be obligated to strip out.
Remember, the landlord will likely try to push you towards a financial settlement. This will be more expensive than undertaking the works yourself. As experienced dilapidation contractors, we focus solely on making this process as simple and cost effective as possible.
Take control of your dilapidations
The default dilapidations process is led by the landlord. By taking control of the process, you can typically save more than 40%.
The landlord led process
The landlord appoints their own surveyor to undertake a Schedule of Dilapidations. This will be a list of works required under the terms of your lease and a cost associated with each item based on a standardised pricing matrix.
What happens if you do nothing?
The landlord will issue you with your Schedule of Dilapidations at a time that suits them. If it is before your lease ends, you may have limited time to complete the work required. This gives the landlord the upper hand in negotiations. It is important to request this document in good time before your lease ends (six months ideally).
Why is this figure so high?
The surveyor who puts the Schedule of Dilapidations together is not a contractor. Their pricing is often much higher than the real cost to complete the works as it allows for the worst-case scenario.
Do not pay this figure!
Do not pay this figure! At the very least this should be a starting point for negotiation.
How can we save you money?
Challenging the status quo
We are experts in dilapidations. We have a dedicated team of tradesmen who can complete works efficiently.
All our projects are led with our in-house team, so there are boots on the ground who make effective decisions.
We also specialise in working to short deadlines. Even if there are only a few weeks before you hand back the keys we can complete the work without disruption to your neighbours.
We have a very reliable network of trusted experts to cover all requirements, and we will act as your one point of contact.
What we do differently
Independent, 'on the ground' management
All our projects are led by our in-house team, so there are boots on the ground who make decisions.
Fully managed service
We are specialists in all works required to satisfy your dilapidations exposure and we can take care of everything for you.
Case Study: 3,000sf office in Shorditch completed, saved clients 65%, all work completed in 8 days!
3,000sf office in Shorditch, before
removed all furniture and disposed of ethically
dismantled all meeting rooms at landlords request
all rubbish removed and disposed of ethically
ceilings and walls decorated
3,000sf office in Shorditch completed, saved clients 65%, all work completed in 8 days!