Searching for Premises

9. Successful Searching

If you are looking for leasehold or freehold premises, the search and selection process can be complicated and extremely time consuming.

9.1 Consider paying an estate agent to search and negotiate on your behalf.

• At your first (free) meeting, the agent can explain the different options and costs.

9.2 If you conduct the search yourself, follow a methodical process.

• Give agents your detailed spec. Discuss the spec with them, so you all agree what it is that you are looking for and ask them to send you details of properties.
• Select the most suitable properties and discuss them on the phone. Annual cost per square foot (including rent, rates and service charges) is a useful basis for comparison.
• Then decide which properties to visit.