Checked
Planning history search, Article 4 directions and designations, use class evidence you supply, floor areas, nationally described space standards.
Bid Check
A go, renegotiate or walk-away verdict — with your maximum bid.
From £750 + VAT
Who it's for
Buyers viewing, bidding on or negotiating for an office, shop or other Class E building with conversion potential. Ideal before you pay for drawings or before auction day.
What's included
- The 16-point Class MA statutory screening (permitted development conditions and prior approval matters)
- A 25-point buildability and cost check: title, covenants, tenancies, utilities, asbestos, party wall, drainage, fire and means of escape, VAT
- Building-specific elemental conversion cost plan in £/ft², priced for both routes: developer-managed trades and main contractor
- Cost benchmarking against BCIS, Spon's and our own project data
- GDV sense-check against sold-price evidence
- Finance cost modelling: bridging or development finance interest, arrangement and exit fees, broker, lender valuation, legal and monitoring fees, and the equity you'll need
- Programme-delay test showing what 3 and 6 months of extra interest does to your profit and maximum bid
- Residual appraisal at 20% and 15% profit on cost
- Sensitivity grid
- Maximum supportable purchase price and verdict
- Key risks and next steps
- 6–8 page report plus a 20-minute call
A preliminary desktop screening against the Class MA conditions, based on the information supplied. It is not a planning opinion. Prior approval is decided by the local planning authority.
What we check, assume and refer
Assumed
Information supplied by you and the agent, GDV evidence, and finance terms.
Referred to specialists
Planning opinion, title and legal matters, structure, fire strategy, and Red Book valuation.
What's not included
- Drawings
- Formal planning opinion
- Measured or structural surveys
- RICS Red Book valuation
- Lender reliance (available separately)
What we need from you
- Address
- Agent particulars and floor plans
- Asking price
- Your target unit mix, if you have one
- Your bidding deadline
Turnaround and fees
Swipe to see more →
| Scheme size | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 12 units | £750 + VAT | 3 working days |
| 13–30 units | £1,150 + VAT | 3 working days |
| 31+ units | Quoted | Agreed |
| 48-hour rush | +£200 + VAT | 2 working days |
| Re-run after a price or layout change | £250 + VAT | 2 working days |
Bid Check fee credited against a Funding-Ready Cost Plan & Appraisal instructed within 60 days.
Bid Checks are paid on instruction. Funding-Ready packs are 50% on instruction and 50% on draft.
Sample page
SAMPLE REPORT: 13–15 BOULT STREET, READING (FOUNDER'S OWN SCHEME)
ProceedMaximum bid at 20% profit on cost
£415,000
Asking price
£320,000
Conversion cost
£72/ft²
£160,000 incl. VAT · 2,224 ft² GIA · own trades (£95/ft² main contractor equivalent)
Maximum bid sensitivity
Swipe to see more →
| Build cost | 15% profit | 20% profit | 25% profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| -10% | £458,000 | £431,000 | £405,000 |
| Base | £443,000 | £415,000 | £390,000 |
| +10% | £427,000 | £400,000 | £375,000 |
Outcome: offices converted to 3 flats. Bought for £350,000, £65,000 below the 20% maximum bid. Built for £160,000; finance costs £57,500; GDV £800,000; 34% profit on cost. A 6-month delay would still have left 33%.
Bid Check vs Funding-Ready
Swipe to see more →
| Bid Check | Funding-Ready | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Viewing, bidding or negotiating | Under offer or applying for finance |
| Purpose | Decide whether to buy, and the most to pay | Secure development finance |
| Inputs | Particulars, floor plans, asking price | Architect layout, areas, spec, finance terms, programme |
| Depth of cost plan | Building-specific elemental plan | Elemental plan with quantities (NRM1) |
| Cashflow | No | Monthly cashflow and finance costs |
| Lender reliance | Lender reliance letter: available on request. | Lender reliance letter: available on request. |
| Fee | From £750 + VAT | From £2,250 + VAT |
| Turnaround | 3 working days | 7–10 working days |
Bid Checks are paid on instruction. Funding-Ready packs are 50% on instruction and 50% on draft.
Questions
Can't see your question? Email hello@msurveying.co.uk
A preliminary desktop screening against the Class MA conditions, based on the information supplied. It is not a planning opinion. Prior approval is decided by the local planning authority. We also carry out 25 buildability and cost checks covering title, services, the building fabric and fire.
No. It's a development appraisal and cost plan prepared by a chartered QS. It is not an RICS Red Book valuation. We recommend a Red Book valuation before you exchange.
No. The agent's particulars and floor plans are enough. If you already have an architect's layout, send it and we'll use it.
We'll re-run the appraisal for £250 + VAT within 2 working days, provided it's within 3 months of the original report.
3 working days from receiving complete information, or 2 working days with the 48-hour rush option (+£200 + VAT).
A preliminary desktop screening against the Class MA conditions, based on the information supplied. It is not a planning opinion. Prior approval is decided by the local planning authority.
That's often the most valuable answer we give. Our fee is fixed and never depends on the verdict or whether you buy.
Lender reliance letter: available on request. At finance stage most lenders will want our Funding-Ready Cost Plan & Appraisal instead.