ProAV purchased the 6,000 sq.ft office premises in Walbrook, Egham in Surrey as part of its expansion plans, and Morse was brought in as part of the acquisition process to inspect the condition of the building and report any problems likely to affect the company as part of the commercial property purchase.

As part of the service, Morse also appointed engineers to look at the Mechanical & Electrical services and advise the client in relation to their condition and future maintenance costs.

“We were delighted to have been recommended by Steve New, of New Ballerino, and brought in at the early stages of the acquisition process to provide advice to ProAV”, said Steve Hogevold, managing director for Morse Consultants.

The collaborations and communications specialist has been in serviced offices in Leadenhall Street, London, and now needs a more permanent and flexible space to allow the business to expand and evolve.

“Having spoken with Morse Consultants about our options, we are confident that they can help us to find a suitable office space that will reflect our growing and dynamic business and provide a modern and bright environment for our team,” said James Stere, CEO of Indigo Forward.

“Indigo Forward is a global company that provides a diverse range of products and services to its client base, including some high profile blue chip clients. It is our role to understand the requirements of the business and provide them with an impressive office space to enhance the environment for both staff and visitors to the London office,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants.

“It is advisable for all companies acquiring or disposing of a commercial leasehold property to employ the services of a building surveyor or dilapidations specialist, preferably before the lease expires, to ensure any liabilities are limited and that the requirements of the lease are being met,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants.

“With an inspection of the property and a review of the lease, Morse can make recommendations on the most effective course of action for ensuring the best cost and time solutions can be achieved,” he continued.

For further information on Dilapidations please contact Steve Hogevold on 0118 9892310.

Morse, who previously assisted the the University as CDM Co-ordinators on two other large projects, will carry out the vital role of ensuring the University is meeting its responsibilities under the CDM Regulations on this work, which is part of the continual improvement of its facilities available for students and external users.

“Having worked for the University of London previously, we have built up a good working relationship with the organisation and are pleased they have come to us to carry out the CDM Co-ordination which must be done as part of any commercial project.”

Following successful completion of surveying work last year on Somerset House and Ironmonger Row Baths, for Wates Construction, the retail division has appointed Morse to provide specialist surveys and monitoring of works on a project to convert a former department store on the main high street into retail units on behalf of Aviva.

“This is an extremely complex project, bringing together lots of individual buildings which have been altered several times over the last 150 years, many of which have to be inspected and assessed according to the client’s strict design criteria. It is imperative that as part of this project the buildings can be brought up to 21st Century standards,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants, who has been heading up the surveying work on behalf of Wates.

The first phase of the project is to strip out the building and for Morse Consultants to work with the project structural engineers to detail the scheme design. The second phase will be to manage the design process on behalf of Wates.

The work will include building surveys, planned preventative maintenance programs and project management of store refurbishments.

“Laithwaites was one of our very first clients when Morse was set up, and our trusted relationship with them means that they have the confidence that we can look after all their property requirements as they expand and update their stores,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants.

Morse was initially appointed to undertake a feasibility study to review options, layouts and costs. Now the client has decided to progress with the project, the next phase is to project manage the design and implementation of the scheme.

“We were awarded this project following recommendaton from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, where we managed every element of the refurbishment project from the outset,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants. “It is always good to hear that a client has been pleased with our work, but when it leads to another job that is a great testimonial for us!”

The 12-week project will involve constructon of an extension and a full internal refurbishment of the property.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants said: “Having completed a successful residential refurbishment in Chelsea, which the current client visited to review the quality of the scheme, we were delighted to be appointed on this project where our role will include being project manager, preparing the specification for the works, issuing party wall awards and dealing with contractors and tradesmen on site during the course of the refurbishment.”

“It is often underestimated how complex and time-sensitive residential projects can be, and using our considerable experience in the construction industry, particularly with these types of projects, we are able to give the client peace of mind that they are receiving the best value and high quality from the work and minimising any uncertainties and risks,” he continued.

The financial recruitment agency, currently based in Arlington Square, is looking for a larger and more flexible office space in the Bracknell area. It has enlisted the help of Morse Consultants to review available office space, deal with the agents and landlords on its behalf and negotiate a suitable deal on the chosen property.

“We have been looking for some time for a property of around 2,000 sq.ft that will allow us to expand our business further and provide us with a more flexible space, but we simply don’t have the time to look around at the moment, and it is a bit of a minefield looking at leases and options,” said Debbie Bond, managing director of Plumstead Bond. “Steve at Morse Consultants has the expertise in buildings and knowledge of the legal aspects of leases so he is well placed to help us find somewhere and ensure that we are clear about what we are signing up for.”

“Plumstead Bond, like many companies, did not have the time to sift through the commercial properties on the market and work out what would give them the best space at the best deal,” said Steve Hogevold, managing director of Morse Consultants. We are offering to assist them in shortlisting a few suitable ones, taking them round to view them, explaining the benefits of each and then negotiating a lease on their behalf.”

Morse Consultants recommends obtaining professional advice before taking on a lease on a new property, and prior to exiting an existing premises. “This is vital for protecting investments in property and ensuring there are no unexpected costs incurred from the lease,” said Steve.

For further information please contact us on 0118 9892310.

If you have taken on a rented premises and your lease is approaching the end of its term, you will probably be served with a schedule of dilapidations by the landlord. Dilapidations is a term used to effectively describe the disrepair to a building and takes the form of a schedule served by a landlord detailing what the tenant is required to do to leave a property in repair in accordance with the terms of the lease.

Landlords will either expect you to carry out the works, or make a financial settlement – which depending on the terms of the lease and the type of property, could cost your business tens of thousands of pounds. By involving Morse Consultants at the early stages of negotiating a lease, the dilapidations liabilities can be limited by negotiating the terms and ensuring you are aware of your practical and financial responsibilities. If the lease has already been taken, we can adopt a proactive approach to building maintenance, assessment of the potential liabilities and implementing appropriate strategies to avoid a nasty shock at the end of the lease.

Because Morse Consultants has expertise in the legal aspects of a lease, as well as extensive knowledge of the costs for building and refurbishment works – we are well placed to advise both tenants and landlords on what is fair and reasonable in order to settle claims as quickly and effectively as possible.

We recently represented a tenant who had been issued with a dilapidations claim of around £200,000 including VAT from the landlord. After reviewing the lease and negotiating with the landlord’s surveyor, we reduced the final settlement for the client down to £25,000 including VAT – that’s an 87.5% saving.

By investing in professional advice at any stage of the process, but preferably at the outset – you could save a considerable amount of money, and have peace of mind that you have planned carefully for your leased property and are aware of your financial responsibilities.

Watch this space for next post…How we can prepare and negotiate claims on behalf of Landlords.

Call Steve Hogevold or Tim Hyde on 0118 9892310 to get advice on dilapidations and lease issues.