How to Conduct a Commercial Site Survey – Downloadable Checklist

Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by

Are you thinking about leasing a commercial property? If so, you need to make sure that you do your due diligence before signing a lease. One of the most important things you can do is conduct an in-depth commercial tenant site survey. A site survey is a process of inspecting a property to determine its suitability for your business. By conducting a thorough survey, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure that you are leasing a property that is suitable for your needs.

In this blog post, we will discuss the purpose of a commercial tenant site survey, what to look for during a survey, and how to negotiate with landlords. We will also provide a free site survey checklist to help you get started.

So, what are you waiting for? Learn how to protect yourself from costly mistakes when leasing commercial property!

The Purpose of a Commercial Tenant Site Survey

The purpose of a commercial tenant site survey is to identify any potential problems with the property that could impact the tenant’s ability to operate their business. By conducting a thorough survey, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure that you are leasing a property that is suitable for your needs.

Some of the things that you should look for during a commercial survey include:

• Structural defects: Depending on your usage needs, make sure to check structural defects like cracks in the foundation, walls, or ceilings. These defects can be costly to repair and could make the property unsafe to occupy.
• Environmental hazards: Environmental hazards can include things like asbestos, lead paint, or mold. These hazards can pose a health risk to occupants of the property.
• Code violations: Code violations can include things like electrical or plumbing problems. These violations can make the property unsafe to occupy and could result in fines from the city or county.
• Accessibility issues: Accessibility issues can include things like narrow doorways or lack of elevators. These issues can make it difficult for people with disabilities to access the property.
• Parking problems: Parking problems can include things like not enough parking spaces or parking that is too far from the building. These problems can make it difficult for employees and customers to get to and from the property.
• Zoning issues: Zoning issues can include things like the property being zoned for residential use when you need it for commercial use. These issues can make it difficult to get the necessary zoning permits to operate your business on the property.
• Boundary survey: Work to obtain a topographic survey of the natural features, recorded easements, physical elevations of a given property to understand the potential natural risks or benefits. Is it in a flood zone? Does the soil add a challenge for new construction?
• Land survey: In order to avoid boundary line disputes with your neighboring property and other tenants, having a location survey done can clearly outline property lines and areas of use.
• Proper power and electricity: Make sure that the property has enough power and electricity to support your business. You should also check the condition of the electrical wiring and fixtures.
• Proper wifi or Internet accessibility: Make sure that the property has adequate wifi or internet access and that the signal is strong throughout the space.
• Proximity to transportation or area amenities: Consider the location of the property and how convenient it is for your employees and customers to get to. If your business relies on foot traffic, you’ll want to make sure that it’s located in a high-traffic area. If your business relies on deliveries, you’ll want to make sure that it’s easy for trucks to access.
• Financial strength of the landlord and existing tenant base: Do some research on the landlord to make sure that they are financially stable. You also want to make sure that the existing tenant base is stable and that the property is not likely to become vacant in the near future.
• Building amenities: Consider the amenities that are available in the building, such as a gym, cafeteria, or daycare. These amenities can make your business more attractive to employees and can help you save money on overhead costs.

When to Hire a Professional and How to Choose the Right One

In addition to conducting your own site survey, it may be helpful to hire a third-party professional to assist you. This could be a contractor, a designer, architect, a building surveyor or your tenant-rep broker. These professionals can help you identify potential problems with the property, as well as make recommendations for improvements. They can also help you negotiate with the property owner during your real estate transaction process to address any issues that were identified during the site survey.

Here are some tips for hiring a third-party professional for a commercial tenant site survey:

• Do your research and choose someone who is qualified and experienced in commercial tenant site surveys.
• Get multiple bids to make sure that you are getting a fair price for the services.
• Be sure to communicate your needs and expectations clearly to the professional.
• Review the professional’s work carefully before signing off on it.

Hiring a third-party professional can be a valuable investment in the success of your business. By doing your research and choosing the right professional, you can ensure that you are getting the best possible advice and representation during the leasing process.

How to Negotiate with Landlords to Address Issues Found During a Site Survey

If you find any problems during your commercial tenant site survey, you will need to negotiate with the landlord to address them. In some cases, the landlord may be willing to make site improvements to the existing structures at their own expense.

In other cases, you may be able to negotiate a reduction in base rent or other concessions from the landlord. When negotiating with landlords, it is important to be prepared. You should have a list of the problems that you found during the site survey, as well as an estimate of the cost to fix them.

You should also be prepared to discuss the impact that the problems will have on your business. If you are unable to reach an agreement with the landlord, you may need to walk away from the deal.

Free Site Survey Checklist

We have created a free site survey checklist to help you get started. The checklist includes a list of items to inspect during a site survey, as well as tips for negotiating with landlords. Here at Occupier, we work to empower the entire lease lifecycle and understand that real estate expansion starts with reviewing comps, touring properties and ultimately working to get the best deals. Site surveys are an important part of the transaction management process. Signing a lease for a space that does not serve your business, does not meet your needs, or has substantial structural issues is a negative for your business.

Commercial property surveys are an important part of the leasing process. By conducting a thorough survey, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure that you are leasing a property that is suitable for your business.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.