An industrial unit viewing checklist for your next move

Before the viewing: bring a one-page brief

Record your current storage or work area, the equipment you plan to move and the number of people likely to use the premises. Include typical delivery vehicles and any need to keep different activities apart. A quick sketch of your current layout can explain your requirements more clearly than a broad request for “more space”.

Take a tape measure for initial checks, but do not treat a quick viewing measurement as a substitute for a measured survey or a supplier’s installation requirements. Where a dimension is critical, get it confirmed before committing to equipment or a move.

Walk the journey from delivery to dispatch

Begin outside the unit. Follow the route a delivery would take from the entrance to unloading, then imagine where it goes inside. Repeat the exercise for finished goods leaving the premises. Look for conflicts between stock, people and vehicles.

• Can the equipment and goods pass through the actual door opening?
• Where would a delivery vehicle stop, and who controls that area?
• Would loading obstruct other occupiers or access routes?
• Where could goods be checked before they enter storage?
• How would staff and visitors reach the working area?

Make a specific list of service questions

Ask what services are present in the unit and how they are supplied, metered and charged. If you need particular electrical equipment, give the requirements to a qualified contractor for assessment. Do not infer capacity from the appearance of a socket or distribution board.

Check how you would arrange an internet connection and whether your chosen provider can supply the service you need. If connectivity is business-critical, verify it before making the move dependent on a quoted installation date. Ask about water, toilets and any other facilities your team would rely on.

Record condition and clarify responsibilities

Make notes about the roof, walls, floor, doors and any existing installations. Ask which fittings belong to the landlord and which, if any, will be removed before occupation. Record points needing clarification rather than relying on an informal assumption.

GOV.UK explains that the lease should set out responsibility for repairs and maintenance, and that a tenant may have obligations when moving out. Discuss the proposed terms with your solicitor, including how the starting condition will be recorded. A viewing checklist is a preparation tool, not a replacement for legal or surveying advice.

Afterwards: turn observations into written questions

Group your notes into three headings: confirmed, awaiting confirmation and unsuitable. Ask for written answers to the points that would affect your decision. Comparing units using the same headings helps avoid giving a visually attractive property more weight than a practical requirement.

Finish by confirming the proposed timing, next steps and who is dealing with each question. Keep any dates provisional until the relevant arrangements are agreed. If you are enquiring about Aston Industrial Estate in Hope, send us your requirements first so that any discussion of a potential unit starts with the right information.