A site or asset acquisition is planned
The decision must rest on lifecycle cost rather than the asking price.
Advisory & Project Recovery B2
Due diligence: what you are actually buying
The cost of a site is not its transaction price but the total spend it will demand. We test the legal, planning and engineering dimensions before you commit.
How it is bought
- Format
- Fixed-price express product
- Duration
- 3–6 weeks
- Fee
- Fixed price per deliverable package
- Who it is for
- Investors and lenders — before a deal, or when a project is in doubt
- Projects
- 2 projects
We reply within 1 business day. A commercial proposal follows within 5 business days of the scoping meeting.
In substance
What Due Diligence is
The classic error is to value a site per square metre. Real cost combines price, utility connection cost, density and height limits, ground conditions and encumbrances. The legal work is delivered by First in Law; the engineering work by INVECON and Engineering Services.
When you need this service
Development potential is unclear
Density, height, setbacks, permitted use and constraints have not been verified against current documents.
Utility connection cost is unknown
Connection conditions have not been obtained, and the cost can change the project economics.
Encumbrances are suspected
Third-party rights, easements, pledges and restrictions have not been checked.
An unfinished construction asset is being bought
Structural assessment and suitability for continuation are required.
What we do
Legal review
With First in Law: title, transfer history, encumbrances, easements, pledges, litigation and permitted use compliance.
Development potential
Current constraints, permitted development parameters and protection zones checked; achievable volume calculated.
Engineering review
Archive geotechnical and survey data, ground assessment, need for additional investigation.
Utilities and connection conditions
Connection points, available capacity, cost and lead time for each utility.
Cost and risk assessment
Site and connection cost estimate, transaction risk register and recommendation.
Deliverables
Deliverables
The specific documents, reports and management products that remain with the client.
- Transaction risk opinion
- Title and encumbrance report
- Achievable development potential calculation
- Ground conditions opinion and investigation requirements
- Utility capacity, cost and lead time summary
- Site and enabling works cost estimate
- Recommendation: proceed / renegotiate / decline
Client outcomes
A decision on full cost
Connections, investigations, constraints and encumbrances are counted, not just the price.
Negotiating evidence
Identified risks and costs form the basis for a price adjustment.
Bad deals avoided
Some reviews end in a recommendation not to buy — the cheapest saving available on a project.
A running start on design
Due diligence outputs become inputs to the design brief.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Not answered here? Write to us and we will respond on your case.
3–6 weeks, driven mainly by response times from utility providers and the completeness of archive data.
A refusal to provide documents is itself a material finding. Some information is available from public and archive sources; access limitations are recorded in the opinion as risk.
At due diligence stage we work with archive data and assess the need for new investigation. Field work is performed at the next stage by specialist organisations under our supervision.
Related services
B1
Project Audit
An independent diagnosis in 3–5 weeks: the real date, the real cost, an action plan.
3–5 weeksLearn more
B5
Structural Condition Assessment
Instrumented structural survey: defects, load capacity, recommendations.
Learn more
A3
Project Start-up
Project launch and mobilisation: baseline, WBS, budget, procurement plan, KPIs.
Learn more
A10
Lender's Technical Monitoring
Bank monitoring: quantity verification, use-of-funds control, monthly lender reporting.
Learn more
Shall we discuss your project?
Tell us about the asset and the current stage — we will propose a working format and team composition. A commercial proposal follows within five business days of the meeting.
We reply within 1 business day. A commercial proposal follows within 5 business days of the scoping meeting.