Commercial
Refurbishment
Office, retail, and industrial refurbishments across Hertfordshire and North London. Landlord void works, EPC improvement, dilapidations reinstatement, and occupied phased refurbishments.
What We Deliver
Landlord Refurbishment
PopularVoid period refurbishments to bring commercial properties to a lettable standard. We work to the landlord's specification and programme, minimising void periods and maximising rental value.
Tenant Improvement Works
Refurbishment of occupied or recently vacated commercial spaces to meet a new tenant's requirements. We coordinate with the landlord's surveyor and the incoming tenant's fit-out contractor.
Dilapidations Reinstatement
Strip-out and reinstatement works at lease end to restore a commercial property to its original condition. We carry out dilapidations works to schedules of dilapidations agreed between landlord and tenant surveyors.
EPC Improvement Works
MEES ComplianceFabric and M&E upgrades to improve a commercial property's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. From MEES compliance (minimum EPC E) through to EPC B targets required by 2030.
How We Deliver Your Refurbishment
Survey & Condition Report
We carry out a detailed condition survey of the property, identifying all items requiring repair, replacement, or upgrade. We review any existing drawings, asbestos surveys, and M&E information.
Specification & Programme
We produce a detailed specification of works and a construction programme. For occupied refurbishments, we develop a phasing plan that keeps the business operational throughout.
Fixed-Price Quotation
A detailed, fixed-price quotation based on the agreed specification. We identify any items that may require further investigation — concealed services, structural elements, or asbestos — and agree a contingency allowance.
Construction
Our in-house team carries out all refurbishment works. For occupied properties, we manage dust, noise, and access carefully to minimise disruption. We provide weekly progress reports and site meeting minutes.
Snagging & Handover
A thorough snagging process before handover. We provide all O&M manuals, warranties, and building control completion certificates. For landlord refurbishments, we provide a photographic record of the completed works.
Commercial Refurbishment Costs
| Refurbishment Type | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light Refurbishment | £15–£35 per sq ft | Decoration, carpet, lighting upgrade |
| Medium Refurbishment | £35–£70 per sq ft | New M&E, partitioning, full redecoration |
| Heavy Refurbishment | £70–£130 per sq ft | Structural works, full M&E replacement |
| EPC Improvement Works | £20–£60 per sq ft | Fabric and M&E upgrades for MEES compliance |
| Dilapidations Strip-Out | £8–£20 per sq ft | Removal of tenant fit-out to original condition |
| Cat A Reinstatement | £25–£50 per sq ft | Full Cat A finish after tenant strip-out |
Costs are indicative for Hertfordshire and North London. All projects are priced individually based on condition survey and specification.
Commercial refurbishment covers a wide range of works — from a light cosmetic refresh (new carpet, decoration, and lighting) through to a heavy refurbishment involving structural alterations, full M&E replacement, and a new building envelope. The scope depends on the age and condition of the property, the specification required by the landlord or occupier, and the budget available. In Hertfordshire and North London, the majority of commercial refurbishment projects TCM undertakes fall into two categories: landlord void refurbishments (where a property has been vacated by a tenant and needs to be brought to a lettable standard before re-letting) and EPC improvement works (where a landlord needs to improve the property's energy performance to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations). The key difference between a refurbishment and a fit-out is that a refurbishment works with the existing building fabric — repairing, replacing, or upgrading existing elements — rather than starting from a vacant shell. This introduces additional complexity: concealed services may be in poor condition, asbestos may be present in older buildings, and the structural condition of the building may not be fully known until works begin.
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations are the most significant driver of commercial refurbishment activity in Hertfordshire and North London in 2025. Since April 2023, it has been unlawful to let a commercial property with an EPC rating below E. From 2030, the minimum standard is expected to rise to EPC B. Landlords with properties below this threshold face a choice: carry out the improvement works, or be unable to let the property. TCM has carried out EPC improvement projects across Hertfordshire and North London, from simple lighting upgrades through to full fabric and M&E overhauls.
What You Need to Know
Asbestos Management
Commercial properties built before 2000 may contain asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Before any refurbishment works begin, a Refurbishment and Demolition (R&D) asbestos survey must be carried out by a licensed surveyor. TCM coordinates the R&D survey and, where ACMs are identified, appoints a licensed asbestos removal contractor to carry out the removal before refurbishment works begin.
Building Regulations
Commercial refurbishment works require building regulations approval for structural alterations, changes to means of escape, fire compartmentation, M&E installations, and accessibility improvements. TCM submits a full plans application and manages the building control inspections throughout the construction phase.
CDM Regulations 2015
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all commercial refurbishment projects. For projects lasting more than 30 working days with more than 20 workers simultaneously, or exceeding 500 person-days, the project must be notified to the HSE. TCM acts as Principal Contractor on all notifiable projects and produces the Construction Phase Plan.
Occupied Refurbishment
Refurbishing a commercial property while it remains occupied requires careful planning and management. TCM develops a detailed phasing plan that sequences the works to keep the occupied areas safe, clean, and operational throughout. This includes temporary hoarding, dust management, noise restrictions, and out-of-hours working where required.
Fire Safety Compliance
Commercial refurbishments frequently trigger the need to upgrade fire safety provisions — fire detection systems, emergency lighting, fire compartmentation, and means of escape. TCM coordinates fire safety design with the building control officer and, where required, with the local fire authority, to ensure the refurbished building meets current fire safety standards.
Dilapidations Negotiations
Where a refurbishment follows a tenant's departure, the scope of works is often influenced by the schedule of dilapidations agreed between the landlord's and tenant's surveyors. TCM works with both parties' surveyors to agree a scope of works that satisfies the dilapidations obligations and brings the property to the required standard for re-letting.
Everything Else You Should Know
EPC Improvement and MEES Compliance
The most cost-effective EPC improvement measures for commercial properties in Hertfordshire and North London are LED lighting upgrades (typically improving EPC by 5–10 points), heating system upgrades (replacing old gas boilers with modern condensing boilers or heat pumps), improved insulation (roof, wall, and floor), and building management systems (BMS) to optimise M&E performance. TCM carries out EPC assessments and improvement works across all commercial property types.
Planned Preventive Maintenance vs Refurbishment
Many commercial landlords face the question of whether to carry out a major refurbishment or to continue with planned preventive maintenance (PPM). The decision depends on the age and condition of the building fabric and M&E systems, the rental value of the property, and the landlord's investment strategy. TCM provides condition surveys and whole-life cost analyses to help landlords make informed decisions.
Refurbishment for Re-Letting
A well-specified refurbishment can significantly increase the rental value and marketability of a commercial property. In Hertfordshire, the difference in rental value between a tired, unrenovated office and a recently refurbished equivalent can be £5–£10 per sq ft per annum. TCM works with landlords and their agents to specify refurbishments that maximise rental value within the available budget.
Heritage and Listed Buildings
Some commercial properties in Hertfordshire and North London are listed buildings or are located in conservation areas. Refurbishment works to listed buildings require listed building consent in addition to planning permission and building regulations approval. TCM has experience working on listed commercial buildings and coordinates with the local planning authority's conservation officer to ensure all works are appropriately specified and consented.
Commercial Refurbishment FAQs
Ready to Refurbish Your Commercial Property?
Contact TCM for a free condition survey and fixed-price quotation. We cover Hertfordshire and North London.
Where We Deliver Commercial Refurbishments
TCM Building & Maintenance is based in Borehamwood and serves Hertfordshire, North London, and the surrounding area. Each location page covers planning authority details, property types, and local considerations specific to that area.
Our home base. Fast response times across the whole town.
Serving Radlett's conservation areas and Green Belt properties.
Covering Bushey, Bushey Heath, and the surrounding Hertsmere area.
Serving Potters Bar, Brookmans Park, Northaw, and Cuffley.
Full coverage across Watford and the Three Rivers district.
Experienced in St Albans conservation areas and listed buildings.
Covering Hatfield, Welham Green, Birchwood, and Old Hatfield.
Specialists in the WGC Conservation Area's Arts and Crafts properties.
Serving all parts of the London Borough of Barnet.
Covering Edgware, Canons Park, Burnt Oak, and Queensbury.
Serving Stanmore, Harrow Weald, Belmont, and the surrounding area.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call 07305 121634 — we serve a wide area across Hertfordshire and North London.