Buying Premises

3. Shortlisting Premises

With your chartered surveyor, draw up a list of criteria you would like your premises to meet.

Circulate this specification to commercial property agents with local expertise. They will provide you with a list of suitable premises.

3.1 Draw up a short list of suitable properties and visit them. Give properties marks out of ten for each of your criteria, to make comparisons easier.

• Is the location right? (See Choosing office premises.)
• Is the building in good physical condition?
• Is the price affordable, and in line with market rates?
• Can you alter the building to meet your specific needs?
• Is there adequate car parking?

3.2 Look into the vendor's situation.

• Is the vendor in a hurry to sell?
• Why did the previous occupier leave?
• Are other buyers interested?