Industrial/Warehouse News

Corbin Archer – one of our graduate surveyors – wrote this article sharing his varied week in the life as surveyor ranging from a trip to London for an all-day event to onsite inspections and assisting with professional work.

What I most enjoy about working here at FHP is the wide range of experience I am getting, in any given week. I predominately focus on office and industrial agency however I also assist on retail agency and professional work from valuation reports to lease renewals. When I first started I had assumed that I would only focus on one department however I have been able to help out in different departments which has helped me gain a lot more experience than I had originally expected.

Monday

A usual Monday morning at FHP consists of getting to the office early opening up and setting up our 8:30am Office and Industrial Meeting in the Nottingham office. Within the meeting we run through the enquiries we had for the week, any deals that have completed or any property that we have put under offer. We then usually discuss the current market conditions and how we can push the FHP brand further.

Following this, it’s a quick trip across the A52 to the Derby Office, where I am based. On this particular Monday I was immediately out on an inspection of an office on Pride Park. A usual inspection of an office includes measuring the property using NIA, noting the external and internal conditions of the property and taking lots of photos. Then it is immediately back to the office to write a market appraisal, calculating the values of the office if we were to bring it to market and what our fees would be to do so. Usually, lunch consists of eating a sandwich while still working especially during busy periods. In the afternoon I walked into Derby City Centre to do a couple of retail viewings and then back to the office to catch up on emails.

Tuesday

Today was a trip down to London for an all-day retail event, Completely Retail. We caught the early train down and arrived at Old Billingsgate Market, where the event was being held. FHP had a stand so I would often go and speak to various individuals and network and then ‘return to base’ for a coffee break when my social battery was running low. It was a great experience, getting to speak to national occupiers and surveyors from all over the UK. I particularly enjoyed when the bar opened at 4pm!

Wednesday

The morning consisted of drafting a valuation report on an Office in Derby. I gathered comparable evidence, assessed all the due diligence and placed market values on the freehold with vacant possession and market rent of the subject property. The afternoon I also assisted on a rent review for a retail unit in Derby by going to inspect the unit and measure and zone the property which I then reported back and began looking for rental values on the same street.

Thursday

On this particular Thursday we had two meetings scheduled, the first being the APC meeting which helps prepare us for the trials and tribulations of becoming chartered. I was to answer/ present 5 typical questions that the interviewers might ask about ethical standards and how to identify the difference between a bribe and a gift. Then two hours later we had our monthly Derby office meeting where we discuss all things Derby and review what we have done in the past month. The afternoon consisted of more viewings and a whole lot of emails. In the evening it was the RICS Matrics Nottingham event which starts at the Castle Pub straight after work and ends eating great curry.

Friday

I make it my first priority on a Friday to contact all the clients giving them a weekly update of any interest we might have had or offers that have come in – if I haven’t already. I also usually leave all my ‘admin’ jobs for a Friday. I spend a lot of the day on Excel making note of occupiers on various estates so we can direct mail to the correct address. It is also the day that I do press releases such as this one and create the word document for any updates from the surveyors for our Monday morning meetings.

To discuss any of your property needs, we do far more than just sell and let property. Please do give me a call on 07929 716330 to get in touch.

ENDS

June 2023

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