Getting Quotes

[locutus]

I've been offered a shop from a local shopping centre for dirt cheap, for a year, because they are likely to redevelop that area in the next year and the unit is a bit of a dump. The unit is located outside, so has its own en, the unit is empty and just want bums on seats for the next year. The 1 year is fine, as I will know if the business will be a success or not. After 1 year, I can just walkaway, with no commitment.

The problem is the unit is not occupied, and I have to go the shopping centre security for access, and we can't peak through the windows, because they have barriers in front of the windows.

I'm very interested in the unit, I've not signed anything, but what is the etiquette in having multiple viewings? I need to get some quotes on how much it's going to cost me to have works done in the shop, to bring it up to a suitable standard, which is essentially lipstick on a pig. If there was a business there, I would just ask the owner directly.

Another question is, should I bother tarting the place up, if I'm going to be there for a year?

I've had an guestimate quote of around £6,000 from someone after speaking with him and showing him the photos of what needs to be done, in regards to the painting and decorating. Again, just to make it look pretty, nothing perfect. The unit is around 1,000SQFT. If my customers saw what the space looked like, as is, I would be embarrassed.

Thank you.

 

[Alison Moore]

You'd have to make sure you can make a £6k profit on top of all your other overheads, plus your own wages and staff costs to make sure it's worthwhile in the first instance. In my experience there are often lots of unseen costs with this sort of thing as well, so the £6k may well increase. If the owners want the unit filled they're going to have to allow you and your tradesmen access to view before you commit, and there's no reason why this can;t be done in a covid secure manner.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Far too any variable for anyone to give meaningful insight

Are you reliant on footfall for your business or will you be bringing your clients in?

 

[locutus]

Far too any variable for anyone to give meaningful insight

Are you reliant on footfall for your business or will you be bringing your clients in?

I really wouldn't say so, most of our customers research us online. I would say it's rare that someone popped in just because they saw us, then and there.

Our old/current location, we had been there 20 years, so people know of our location. If we were moving to a busier part of town, we would be at least in the public eye.

 

[MikeJ]

I'd get someone in to give a price, and if you're happy with the price then just go for it. If not, then either change the scope or get another price to see if that's any better.

What you do need to do is write down exactly what you want done. Without that, you're asking someone to quote an impossible thing.

 

[locutus]

The unit I was originally interested in was vacant, but they had someone else willing to go into that unit immediately, without doing any works. However, the agents said they had a neighbouring unit to offer, but it's not vacant. It's being used for a support group. I have asked for photos, or a description of what it looks inside, but the agents have never been inside.

The agents have said that they need 24 hours notice before a viewing, before they can show me about, which is understandable, but because of Covid, they are not open at all (so it would be nice if they let me in at least).

The agents have said, once I visit the unit, they will be informing the support that they would have to be leaving the unit.

I have said to the agents (twice, separately), that I need to get contractors in to give me quotes on what needs to be done, before I can make an offer or commit.

The eviction of the current tenants seems a bit extreme, before I have even said I would take the unit?