Commercial Building Survey

Get a Commercial Building Survey Quote from RICS Surveyors

Tell us about the property and we'll match you with one of the RICS-qualified surveyors in our network. Get a no-obligation quote in about a minute, and know exactly what you're taking on before you buy or lease.

✓ RICS-qualified surveyors ✓ Pre-purchase due diligence ✓ Free, no-obligation quote

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In short

What does a commercial building survey cover, and who needs one?

A commercial building survey is a detailed inspection of a property's structure, fabric and services by a RICS-qualified surveyor, identifying defects, disrepair and the likely cost of putting them right. It is the report to commission before you buy or take a lease, so you know exactly what you are taking on. It is a condition assessment, not a valuation, and the two answer different questions.

It covers structure, roof, walls, damp, drainage and building services, with defects and repair liabilities set out clearly.
It suits offices, retail, industrial, warehouse and mixed-use premises, and the scope scales with the size and complexity of the building.
A survey supports price negotiation and due diligence, whereas a valuation answers what the property is worth, which is a separate exercise.
Carried out by RICS-qualified surveyors. You can check a firm's regulation via RICS Find a Surveyor.

Maintained by the ComSurv team and checked against RICS and UK government sources. ComSurv is a matching service, not a firm of surveyors. General information, not surveying advice.

Why it matters

A full commercial property survey before you commit.

A commercial building survey tells you what you are actually taking on, from the structure and roof to the services, so there are no expensive surprises after completion.

Surface structural defects

Identify issues with structure, fabric and services before they become your problem.

Negotiate from knowledge

Use the findings to renegotiate the price or walk away from the wrong building.

Tailored to the building

Scoped to offices, retail, industrial or mixed-use and the building's complexity.

Clear, actionable reporting

A report written to support a real commercial decision, not just tick a box.

How it works

Matched with the right surveyor in three steps.

Tell us what you need

Answer a few quick questions about the property and your timeline.

We match you with surveyors

We match you with one of the RICS-qualified commercial surveyors who cover your area and survey type.

Receive your quote and book

Get a no-obligation quote and go ahead only if it’s right for you.

What's involved

What a commercial building survey involves

A commercial building survey is a detailed inspection of a property's condition before you buy it, take a lease or refinance. A RICS-qualified surveyor examines the structure, fabric and services, identifies defects and maintenance liabilities, and reports in plain terms so you know exactly what you're taking on. It's the due diligence that protects a major commitment and gives you leverage on price.

What the survey assesses

Structure, foundations and any signs of movement
Roof, walls, floors and the external envelope
Damp, timber and building fabric
Visible services: heating, electrics, drainage and plant
Defects, repair liabilities and likely remedial costs

Who needs one

Businesses buying commercial premises
Investors and owner-occupiers doing pre-purchase due diligence
Tenants taking on a full repairing lease
Anyone refinancing who needs condition evidence

What you get

A survey scoped to the building type and complexity
Clear, actionable reporting to support your decision
Findings you can use to renegotiate or walk away
A RICS-qualified surveyor and a no-obligation quote

Before you commit

The cost of a survey is small next to the cost of the wrong building.

Structural problems, ageing services and deferred maintenance can run to six figures. A condition assessment up front protects the investment and gives you the leverage to renegotiate or walk away.

Start your enquiry

Commercial premises being assessed before purchase

Qualified & accredited

Qualified, regulated and accountable.

The surveyors we match you with are RICS-regulated and accredited professionals. ComSurv is a matching service and is not itself a regulated firm.

Accreditations & memberships

Questions

Commercial building survey FAQs

How much does a commercial building survey cost?+

It's scoped to the building, so cost varies widely. As a guide, fees run from around £500 for a small, simple unit to £10,000 or more for large or complex premises. You'll get a no-obligation quote based on your specific property.

How long does a commercial building survey take?+

The inspection is usually a day or less for most premises, with the report following within a week or so. Larger or more complex buildings take longer. Your surveyor will confirm timings up front.

What is the difference between a building survey and a valuation?+

A building survey assesses condition and defects so you understand what you are buying. A valuation tells a lender what the property is worth. They answer different questions, and buyers often need both.

Do I need a survey if the building looks in good condition?+

Often the costliest issues, movement, hidden damp, ageing services and deferred maintenance, are not obvious on a viewing. A survey surfaces them before they become your problem, and before you have committed.

Can a survey help me negotiate the price?+

Yes. Documented defects and repair costs are legitimate grounds to renegotiate, or to walk away from the wrong building. The cost of the survey is small next to that.

What types of commercial property do you cover?+

Offices, retail units, industrial and warehouse space, and mixed-use, from small premises to large sites. We match you with a surveyor experienced in your property type and area.

Also required on this property

One property, several obligations. Sort them together.

Most commercial premises carry more than one compliance duty. These are the ones that usually sit alongside this service, or run our compliance check to see everything your property needs in one go.