Commercial property the ingredients to success

Since the early part of this decade we have experience a commercial property boom. The rise of commercial real estate has never been higher, this had led to the development of urban and rural towns effectively . Although some are predicting it may soon be over, we investigate what are the different trends within the arena.

One of the reasons for the rise in the market has been the mergers and acquisitions we have experienced of recent times.

Currently I am an assiatant surveyor to a chartered professional at firstassociates.co.uk. We have the benefit of being able to assist in residential and commercial surveys. The business for commercial surveys are on the rise in line with the great commercial boom. There are certain sectors in the market which are still showing encouraging trends meaning if you may need a survey, there are also particular areas we draw our attention to.

A commercial tool.

The kinds of surveys we engage in are for pubs bars nighclubs, factories warehouses and even petrol stations. Offices and retail units are also another area for the commercial.

Feasibility studies can help the surveyor through pre acquisition surveys can help the surveyor decide if it is a worthwile purchase for a leaseholder. Such issues taken into Account are environmental health standards and safety. The survey can help you assist in negotiations and outline potential liabilities.

What kind of commercial

Industrial units warehouses factories – Environmental concerns

Newburys first industrial unit for 15 years, granted by Berkshire council was 20000 feet on a 4 ½ acre site. This was of a predominantly glazed design and will be built according to high quality assured standards. Buildings such as this bring more trade to an area. However the issue can be they don’t sometimes get planning because of traffic and loss of light to other buildings. Planning permission is sought before the get let and leased.

For the usefulness of our surveys relating to factories I would like to draw your attention to a recent Fire blaze in one in south wales 20001 dangerous toxic were given off Concerns developed over the cause and this was atrtributed to plastic waste in the building. The fire spread quick and this is similar to the newquay fire in 2007 Such fires spread quickly and can lead to loss in life. It is important you book a survey soon to make sure all risk are highlighted and you are pointed in the right direction in accordance with new fire regulations. A lot of the units have been built during the 60’s and 70’s.when building material commonly used it. Asbsestoes can be given off in a fire and is very hazourdous. We recently carried out a survey in leamington for a warehous and spoke off the encapsulation of the roof which meant it would pass the survey. This is a covering for the asbestoes a good recommendation for warehouses that use it. The debris from a fire can be harmful for absestoes roof. Please have the roof inspected if you are aware of it.

I recently read a article on the cannibus production within factories. Electric metres were used to bypass power and similar technology like in houses. At a sale a complete survey would be needed for a building of this sort to investigate. I would love to be a part of this sort of survey. The impact on the local area must also be investigated neighbours aren’t usually happy with theidea of a warehouse being near them. Councils are usually met with immense protest. Things to consider for the surveyor would things like environment flooding, emmssions , light and noise to area. Nimby Voters (not in my back yard)! Are firm protestors. Surveys in the past have been on warehouses and recommended a PVC fence to protect the neighbourhoods of noise because of the traffic created.

Retail heart of a boom , hand in hand with petrol.

The West 12 Shopping centre is an impressive new retail centre at the heart of the regeneration of Shepherds Bush It will consists of 27 stores and 5 restauarants with facilities. Investment is in the - Recently the SCS Company carried out the installation of a smoke control system in the building worth 0.6 million pounds. This is based on building regulations on smoke control. The system mployed consists of temperature extract fans. Fire rated ductwork, control dampers and ancillaries. Automatic smoke curtains were installed to provide zone segregation, to be controlled by a bespoke intelligent control system. This system shall be able identify smoke and fire before anyone can in order to allow the premises to be evacuated. This would allow the fire authorities to handle the fire quickly. The fact is that fire spreads quickly. The examples of newquay serves to illustrate this. A chartered surveyor can carry out a commercial survey and would recommend systems such as this. At a survey in fulham recently he advised a client of cleaning the ductwork in the chimney to prevent future fires.

The rise of demand and convenience has led to petrol stations being converted into forecourts of late. In Belfast a growing number of supermarket giants are driving out local petrol stations , just like in London. Texaco and Esso hve already stood to gain from this by forging business relations with tesco and somerfield.

Last year, 38 petrol stations closed in Northern Ireland, leaving just 555 sites open at the end of 2006 - a drop of more than 40% in a decade

• 150 petrol stations shut this year
• Rate expected to get worse
• Supermarkets to blame

Further to these statistics 150 petrol stations are to shut this year and the rate s expected to get worse Supermarkets are heading the responsibility in this. The UK Petrol Retailers Association has called for action over recent UK forecourt closures, after claiming that there are now less than 9,500 forecourts in the UK, including supermarket filling stations, which is the lowest number of filling stations in the region since 1912. The growing rise of this commercial market and shortages of space and effects on the environment would benefit from the advice of a property professional . The feasibility studies of these locations is an issue first associated can assist with.

Commercial Offices a greener world

The commercial boom has run in line with the demand in private sector housing. As a result the same building aims and procedures are relevant. The Issue to conserve energy with use and lighting is similar to green homes Architects and designers are aiming for more efficeiency in design and use of energy, before these are bought the a surveyor can comment on thermal efficiency and advise on achieveing this efficiency.

In any commercial or office building, lighting consumes 20 per cent of the total energy air-conditioning consumes 50 per cent while all other appliances and equipment account for the remaining 30 per cent. Cross ventilation is a useful recommendation that a surveyor can make. Issues in conservation are becoming more important in Care sector retirement homes learning centre, nurses homes. Most of these were properties were houses and for example my local GP which was a massive 3 bedroom post war property and a very busy doctors!

Common problems

Mold and moisture problems when moisture and oxygen present mold grows destroys things they grow on con trolling moisture indoors. – affects health – astma attacks

Mould linked to changes in building of the 70’s 80’s and 90’s – buildings have had to be sealed more tighter,. Dry walls don’t allow moisture to escape easily roof leaks gutters directing things into building unvented combustion appliances moisture problems in school classrooms health problems mold spores can be inhaled. Schools big problem. In the U.S an environmental website showed this.

450 million pound investment by G brown will be a a waste classrooms need to be built right for future. Needs better designs very dated according to need better environemental standards and emissions british education suppliers education and council for schools big concern with such investment if it is good for future. Teachers have complained that firms that have maintained schools in the past have not justified theire high fees. Poor things have been fitted in schools. Government designers have said half of the 52 secondary schools have suffered in design last 5 years, Energy saving for these buildings is set to become an issue.

Hammerson rings bells over city property – The Times.
www.rics.org
landlordzone.co.uk Firstassociates.co.uk sydenham industrial survey Times online British property federation