A strong commercial property decision begins before the first viewing. The goal is not to collect the most listings—it is to define the criteria that make a building viable for your people, operations and budget.
Start with the operational brief
Write down what the property must enable: who will use it, what happens there, how goods or visitors arrive, which facilities are non-negotiable and when the space must be ready. This prevents attractive but unsuitable options from entering the shortlist.
Compare total occupancy cost
Look beyond the headline rent or price. Capture service charges, applicable taxes, utilities, fit-out, deposits, reinstatement, maintenance, insurance and professional fees using the same assumptions for every property.
Verify property-specific constraints
Check intended use, access hours, loading rules, floor loading, ceiling height, power, ventilation, lift dimensions, parking allocation and building restrictions where relevant. Treat missing information as a question—not an assumption.
Plan for change
Allow for practical growth, operational peaks and the cost of moving again. A space that barely fits on day one may create avoidable disruption before the lease term ends.
Use viewings to test the brief
Bring a consistent checklist to every viewing. Photograph or record the same decision points, identify unanswered questions and compare options only after the information has been verified.
This guide is general information, not legal, financial, tax, planning or investment advice. Property facts, permitted use, availability and pricing must be independently confirmed before commitment.