Highly Rated by Our Customers
Building Alterations Surveyor
At Squarepoint Surveyors, we provide our clients with expert assistance regarding building extensions and alterations to their commercial property. Many businesses in London are maximising the space available to them, either by converting disused areas like basements and former warehouse space, or by constructing extra rooms on empty land. In both cases, significant structural alterations will be required, and professional assistance from a Chartered Surveyor experienced in this field is essential.
Making Alterations to Business Premises
When making alterations to business premises, there are many factors to consider such as getting the necessary planning permissions and building regulations approval. Our surveyors can guide you through this process and ensure any proposed changes comply with regulations. We can produce all the required plans and documents needed when applying for permissions.
What Does a Tenant Need to Consider before Making Alterations?
If you are a tenant, it is important to check your lease and get consent from your landlord before carrying out any alterations. The lease will likely specify what changes you can make. Our surveyors can review your lease and advise if consent is needed. We can also liaise with your landlord on your behalf. It’s key that any alterations do not negatively impact the landlord’s interests.
Carrying Out Alterations to Commercial Lease Premises
For leaseholders, we can provide guidance on best practices when altering commercial property. This includes advising on designs that are reversible and cause minimal damage. We also ensure any changes meet building regulations and planning permission requirements. Our aim is to facilitate alterations that improve your premises while respecting the landlord’s interests.
How are the perspectives of a landlord and tenant likely to differ?
Landlords will want to protect the value of their asset while tenants will want to maximise the usefulness of the space. Our expert surveyors balance these perspectives, advising tenants on achievable changes while ensuring landlords’ concerns are addressed. Clear communication is key.
Where to start when a tenant wants to make alterations
Tenants should begin by reviewing their lease and checking if consent is needed. We can then assess if the proposed alterations are feasible and align with regulations. Advising on reversibility and minimal damage is also key. With our experience, we guide tenants through the entire process.
How do the proposed alterations interact with other clauses in a commercial lease?
When advising tenants, we carefully review how the proposed changes align with all lease clauses covering property usage, consent requirements, and building obligations. Our aim is avoiding any breach of lease while still achieving the tenant’s goals. We get into the details so you don’t have to.
Our service is tailored to support commercial enterprises with building extensions and alterations, including guidance with Planning Applications, Building Regulation compliance and a complete range of tender documents (including specifications for contractors to quote and schedules of work). We can help you determine works that fall under ‘Permitted Development’, and whether Notice must be served to adjoining property owners under the Party Wall etc Act 1996.
Why Choose Squarepoint Surveyors?
Squarepoint have over 20 years’ as Party Wall Surveyors. We are experts in the London property industry, our team has acquired a deep understanding of the legal requirements of building alterations. By choosing Squarepoint Chartered Surveyors, you don’t need to worry about whether your designs are up to code, or if your construction will uncover an unexpected flaw in the building’s structure. We will take care of all the technicalities and ensure that your project runs smoothly.
If you’re planning alterations to your premises, you may find that commissioning a Feasibility Report or Building Survey, or making use of our Architectural Design services will set your mind at rest about the success of your project. We also offer complete Commercial Property Project Management, should you wish to hand over the responsibility of your project to an experienced team.
For any questions about our services, or if you wish to book a free consultation with a member of our team, please get in touch by calling 0207 651 0000 or by completing a form on our contact us page and we will reply as soon as we can.
Need Extension or Alterations Advice?
We would be more than happy to assist you. Contact a friendly expert today.
Meet the Team
Scott Buchanan
Scott Buchanan is a Chartered Building Surveyor and RICS member with over 25 years of experience in the surveying and construction industry. Scott has a Degree in Building Surveying from the University of Greenwich and holds several professional memberships including the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors, Chartered Management Institute and the Association for Project Safety.
During his professional career, Scott has been employed as a surveyor across sectors, including a leading global private practice, a London-based housing association, a large government agency, and a FTSE100 multinational services provider. This broad sector experience has given Scott excellent skills gained from working across contrasting environments and delivering projects of varying types.
Deciding to set up his own business in 2013 was a natural step for Scott whose commercial drive has seen Squarepoint Chartered Surveyors go from strength to strength. Developing the opportunity to work across a wide range of buildings – including houses, flats and offices, industrial buildings, shopping centres and historical buildings, and educational and sports facilities – Scott has used his considerable commercial and technical expertise, professional integrity and excellent communication skills to great success.
Adam Graham
Adam is a Chartered Building Surveyor and RICS member with 15 years experience of surveying and construction industry experience. Adam is experienced in all facets of Building Surveying commissions with a focus on party wall matters, building construction and pathology issues, condition surveys, dilapidations, planned preventative maintenance surveys and delivery of project-based works.
Adam is responsible for many of the party wall commissions that Squarepoint undertake and has a wide range of experience in dealing with all matters that fall under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Adam is a member of the Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors (MFPWS) and Pyramus and Thisbee Club, two leading authorities on the Party Wall etc. Act. Adam takes a proactive approach to all commissions and looks to simplify and guide all owners through the party wall process.
Brandon
Brandon commenced his full-time role at Squarepoint Chartered Surveyors in 2018, following his undergraduate degree in Building Surveying at the University of Westminster, where he achieved an Upper Second-Class Honours. Brandon is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and undertakes contract administrative duties for various external restoration projects and internal refurbishments.
He is also experienced in Party Wall matters with knowledge and understanding of the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Get in Touch for a Free Quote
Get a free quote and discuss your property requirements with a RICS accredited Surveyor. Call us on 0207 651 0000, email us on hello@squarepointsurveyors.co.uk or fill in the form below and we will get back to you shortly.
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