Commercial Building Surveying in Plymouth
Gemstock provide commercial building surveying for clients in Plymouth and across the South West.
Commercial Building Surveying in Plymouth and across the South West of England
Gemstock commercial clients require building surveying for a variety of reasons, including, pre-lease, pre-purchase, sale, maintenance, record, improvement and mid or end of lease dilapidation purposes.
Our specialist building surveyor works with commercial clients of all sizes. We provide building surveying services for commercial clients from our base in Plymouth covering the South West including Exeter, Bristol, and London.
Get in touch now for a no obligation initial discussion of how we can help.
Commercial Building Surveying Services in Plymouth
Gemstock carries out pre-acquisition surveys including, where appropriate, working in conjunction with other professional advisers such as mechanical and electrical consultants so that our clients can make the right decisions based on the condition and suitability of buildings.
Building survey format tailored for commercial property.
Building defects detract from optimal building performance and pose inherent risks and have cost implications. Gemstock surveyors are experienced and well placed to investigate and report on specific defects or issues of particular concern.
Gemstock surveyors have considerable understanding of the performance of building materials and can advise on appropriate maintenance strategy and implementation.
Gemstock can prepare reinstatement cost assessments for insurance purposes.
Gemstock provide service charge analysis and advice.
Gemstock building surveys identify ‘the good, the bad and the ugly’ about particular buildings having special regard to the dilapidation liabilities. This helps our clients make decisions which serve their interests in both the short term and longer term. Building surveys can be either our standard format or tailored to suit client requirements.
Gemstock provide condition surveys and reports.
Gemstock surveyors can undertake export reports being appointed by one party or as a single joint expert, and will be bound by the RICS and CPR duties where the surveyor duty to his or her client is overridden by his or her duty to the Court.
Schedule of Condition documents can be specifically tailored to meet the unique requirements of each situation. They may take the form of detailed written reports that incorporate both narrative descriptions and supporting photographic evidence, providing a comprehensive overview of the condition of a property at a given point in time. Alternatively, they can be presented as straightforward photographic schedules of condition, consisting solely of a series of carefully documented images. These are often used to accompany leases or other formal agreements, serving as a clear visual record to help avoid future disputes by accurately reflecting the state of the premises at the commencement of the tenancy or contractual arrangement.
Gemstock provide planned preventative maintenance (PPM) schedules and reports.
Building surveys and reports for commercial clients.
Why appoint a Commercial Building Surveyor?
A building surveyor plays a crucial role in various stages of property acquisition, development, management and disposal. Here are some key reasons why you might need a commercial building surveyor:
- Property purchase
- Construction and renovation
- Planning and approvals
- Maintenance and safety
- Dilapidations
- Defect diagnosis
- Dispute resolution
- Sustainability and energy efficiency
- Insurance including property reinstatement assessments
Overall, a commercial building surveyor offers expert advice and services that can give you valuable insights and potentially save you time, money, and stress.


Landlord and Tenants
Gemstock can offer the following commercial surveying services for both landlords and tenants:
- Lease advice for commercial landlords and tenants.
- Gemstock provide advice and consultancy for commercial landlords and tenants involved in acquisitions, disposals, dilapidations, lease renewal, lease exit and surrenders.
- Pre-acquisition advice and review of lease terms and pre-acquisition surveys to determine liabilities.
- Commercial property agency work by arrangement.
- Break advice – lease breaks can involve undertaking compliant building works.
- Lease advice for effective property maintenance, management and actions necessary for lease events.
- Expiry advice and actions necessary to comply with lease end obligations.
- Licences to alter advice and implementation.
- Service charge advice and calculation or checking.
- Lease surrender advice and implementing actions to bring about effective surrenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
A building survey, also known as a structural survey, is a detailed inspection and assessment of a property's condition. It is typically carried out by a qualified building surveyor and is essential for understanding the state of a building before purchasing, renovating, or maintaining it.
You would need a building survey in various scenarios, each requiring a thorough assessment of a property's condition, and might be when buying a property, renovating a property, selling a property, etc,.
Yes, a commercial survey is different from a residential survey in several ways, reflecting the distinct purposes, requirements, and complexities of commercial properties compared to residential properties.
Gemstock operates across various regions in the UK, providing comprehensive services related to building surveying and other property consultancy needs. Our coverage typically includes, but may not be limited to Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Birmingham, London, and their surrounding areas. For more information about our coverage and to confirm if we operate in your area, it would be best to contact us directly.
Refer to commercial building surveying services below for the service your require.

Richard Wood, Building Surveyor
Gemstock is headed by experienced Chartered Surveyor, Richard Wood BSc (Hons) MRICS.
Before setting up Gemstock, Richard spent 7 years in the specialist dilapidations and lease advisory team at Deloitte LLP which took over Drivers Jonas in 2010. Previous employed and consultancy roles include providing dilapidations and commercial building surveying services for Xerox and related companies from 1997.
When not in the office, Richard’s interests include tennis, skiing, and cycling; and exploring the South West.
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Contact our Building Surveyor specialist today…
Richard Wood MRICS
18 Kingfisher Way, Plymouth, PL9 7RU
01752 492656
info@gemstock.co.uk
Fill out the contact form below and our building surveying specialist will get back in touch within 24 hours to discuss your requirements.
“Richard was fantastic from tender to completion. The whole project was an easy and slick process, and provided us with a very detailed Schedule Of Conditions. Five Rivers Child Care would use again!”
Daniel Heath, Five Rivers Child Care