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By not using a Chartered Surveyor to carry out the search and negotiate the terms when acquiring new business premises, amateur property hunters are costing their companies thousands of pounds a year. This is the view of one of Worcestershire’s most experienced commercial property experts.

John Dillon, Managing Director at Worcestershire commercial property consultancy and Chartered Surveyors GJS Dillon, says that many organisations searching for business space in Worcestershire and along the M5 and A38 corridors believe that they are saving money by looking for their own premises. But by not having an experienced local acquisition surveyor acting for them, they are actually losing cash.

He says: ‘Finding the right commercial property is not easy, particularly at present when there is a record shortage of business accommodation following lockdown, with manufacturing, warehousing and distribution space in particularly short supply.’

‘Some properties are openly on the market, but not easily identifiable from one source, and a great many are off market. Businesses may never be aware of the entire choice, or believe, wrongly, that the type of premises for which they are searching does not exist.’

‘For businesses looking to acquire new manufacturing and distribution premises, especially between 25,000 sq ft and 80,000 sq ft, the choice can be extremely limited. Agents’ contacts and knowledge can be particularly valuable in identifying and securing new properties before they come to the market’ continues Mr Dillon, who has more than 25years’ experience of the Worcestershire and wider West Midlands’ commercial property market.                                       

‘For organisations looking to rent existing premises, there is a common misconception that acquisition surveyors can only help to negotiate the cost of the lease, and it is possible for any business person to bargain the rent down.  But they do not know, because they do not work in the property market day in day out, just how much of a reduction they can negotiate.

‘They also forget that rent makes up only around 60% of their total property costs and Surveyorscan help with service charge costs too, as well as with issues such as lease length, break clauses, assignments and other contractual terms. 

‘So, if you are looking for property for your business, the question should not be can you afford to pay a professional local Surveyor or to advise you, but can you afford not to?’ concludes Mr Dillon.

Examples of recent acquisitions that GJS Dillon have undertaken on behalf of clients include the site for Barton Firtop’s new 40,000 sq ft production & warehouse facility in Kidderminster, Etac’s new 30,000 sq ft warehouse facility on Hartlebury Trading Estate and the soon to be announced acquisition of 65,000 sq ft of new warehouse accommodation in Redditch for a well-known Worcestershire national and international brand. 

GJS Dillon offers a unique, specialist Business Relocation Service for organisations looking for industrial units upwards of 10,000 sq ft, or for offices accommodation upwards of 5,000 sq ft throughout Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands area.  

Further details of this service and examples of how GJS Dillon has identified and acquired property for organisations of all sizes is available from John Dillon on tel. 01905 676169 or by email johndillon@gjsdillon.co.uk or via www.gjsdillon.co.uk 

Ends

GJS Dillon is a multi-award winning commercial property consultancy with offices in Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Worcester. It offers a comprehensive service including sales and lettings, acquisition and business relocation, commercial property management, residential and commercial surveys, valuations and tenant rent reviews. During its 10 year history GJS Dillon has established an unrivalled reputation for trusted local expertise throughout Worcestershire.