Dilapidations - End of Lease - London

DILAPIDATIONS
WORKS
LONDON.

Commercial dilapidations and end-of-lease works across Central London. Make-good repairs, reinstatement, repainting and clearing - fast turnaround, full documentation, £5M insured.

Call 07427 135911 Get a Free Quote
£5M Public Liability
DBS Enhanced Checked
Fast Turnaround
Full Documentation
Co. No. 15452227
What Are Dilapidations?

End of lease.
Make it right.

Commercial dilapidations are the repairs, reinstatement works and redecoration required at the end of a commercial lease to return a property to the condition specified in the lease. Under UK law, tenants are contractually obligated to maintain the demised premises throughout the lease term and return them in that condition on expiry. Tenants who manage their own dilapidations programme typically save 30–50% compared to landlord-commissioned works charged back under the lease.

3COL carries out all the works needed — quickly, professionally and with full documentation — across all Central London commercial districts.

Make-Good Repairs

Repairing all damage accumulated during the tenancy - walls, floors, doors, fixtures and fittings.

Wall repairs & plastering
Floor repairs & replacement
Door & frame repairs
Fixture & fitting repairs
Repainting & Decorating

Full repaint to return the property to its original decorative condition - walls, ceilings, woodwork.

Full interior repaint
Ceiling & coving repaint
Woodwork & skirtings
Colour matching
Reinstatement Works

Removing tenant alterations and reinstating the space to its original configuration.

Partition removal
Fixture & fitting removal
Signage removal
Space reinstatement
Deep Cleaning

Professional deep clean of the entire property after works are complete - ready for the next tenant.

Full property deep clean
Carpet & floor cleaning
Kitchen & bathroom deep clean
Window cleaning
Clearance & Waste

EA licensed removal of all waste, abandoned items and building materials from the property.

Furniture & equipment removal
Building waste disposal
EA compliant documentation
Licence No. CBDL628634
Documentation

Full photographic evidence and job reports for your dilapidations schedule and landlord records.

Before & after photographs
Job Completion Reports
Net 7 invoices
Waste transfer notes
The Legal Framework

What tenants need to know about the law

Most commercial dilapidations disputes arise because tenants do not understand the legal limits of what a landlord can actually recover. Two statutes and one protocol define the landscape:

Section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 caps the landlord's recoverable amount at the diminution in value of their reversion — the actual reduction in the property's capital value caused by the disrepair — not the face-value cost of the works specified in the schedule. If a landlord intends to redevelop or substantially alter the premises after the tenant vacates, works that would be superseded by that redevelopment may not be recoverable at all. Identifying and arguing supersession can reduce a dilapidations claim by 20–40% of its face value.

The RICS Dilapidations Pre-Action Protocol (England and Wales) governs how claims are managed before litigation. Landlords must serve a Quantified Demand alongside or after the terminal schedule. Tenants have the right to respond with a Quantified Response, supported by their own surveyor's assessment, within a defined timeframe. Failure to follow the Protocol can be cited as conduct in any subsequent legal proceedings.

The practical implication: commercial tenants in London who appoint their own contractor — and, where appropriate, their own surveyor — to manage the dilapidations programme typically save 30–50% compared to tenants who vacate and leave the landlord to commission works. 3COL provides the contractor side of that equation; we work alongside your surveyor or we can recommend experienced RICS dilapidations surveyors if you do not already have one.

How It Works

Fast turnaround.
Zero stress.

From site visit to completed dilapidations works - we make the process simple for landlords, tenants and estate agents.

01
Free Site Visit

We come to the property and assess the full scope of dilapidations works required. No obligation. Detailed quote within 24 hours.

02
Quote & Timeline

Transparent, itemised quote with a clear timeline. No hidden costs, no surprises. Net 7 payment terms as standard.

03
Works Completed

Our DBS-checked, fully insured team completes all dilapidations works to the required standard. Fast turnaround to minimise void periods.

04
Full Documentation

Before and after photographs, Job Completion Report and Net 7 invoice - everything your landlord and schedule of dilapidations requires.

£5M
Public Liability
DBS
Enhanced Checked
EA Lic.
CBDL628634
Net 7
Corp. Invoicing
FAQ - Dilapidations London

Common questions
about dilapidations.

What are dilapidations works?+
Dilapidations refers to the repairs and reinstatement required at the end of a commercial lease. Tenants are typically required to return the property to its original condition - this includes repairing damage, repainting, removing fixtures and reinstating the space. 3COL carries out all these works across Central London.
Do you carry out dilapidations in Central London?+
Yes. We provide commercial dilapidations works across Central London - W1 Mayfair, SW1 Westminster, EC1 EC2 City of London, SW3 Chelsea, SE1 Southwark and E14 Canary Wharf. Call 07427 135911 for a free site visit.
How quickly can you complete dilapidations works?+
Most dilapidations works are completed within 3-10 days depending on scope. We provide a clear timeline with every quote. Call 07427 135911 to arrange a free site visit and we will provide a quote and timeline within 24 hours.
Do you provide before and after photographs?+
Yes. We provide photographic evidence of all works completed - useful for schedules of dilapidations and landlord records. Every job also includes a Job Completion Report and Net 7 invoice as standard.
Can you handle the full dilapidations scope - repairs, cleaning and waste?+
Yes. 3COL handles the complete dilapidations scope - make-good repairs, repainting, reinstatement works, deep cleaning and EA licensed waste removal. One contractor, one invoice, one point of contact for the entire process.
What is a Schedule of Dilapidations?+
A Schedule of Dilapidations is a formal document served by a landlord or their surveyor that itemises specific disrepair, reinstatement obligations and breaches of the lease repairing covenants. There are two types: an interim schedule served during the lease term, and a terminal schedule served at or after lease expiry. The terminal schedule is typically accompanied by a Quantified Demand specifying the estimated cost of remedial works. Tenants have the right to respond with a Quantified Response from their own surveyor.
What does Section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 mean for tenants?+
Section 18 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 limits a landlord's dilapidations claim to the diminution in the capital value of their reversion — not simply the face-value cost of the works. In practice, if a landlord intends to redevelop or substantially refurbish the premises after the tenant vacates, works that would be superseded by that refurbishment may not be recoverable at all. This is a significant protection for commercial tenants. 3COL scopes works with this in mind, ensuring you complete what is genuinely required under your legal obligation — not an inflated landlord wish list.
What is supersession in dilapidations?+
Supersession means that certain works in the schedule would be rendered unnecessary by the landlord's planned refurbishment or redevelopment. If a landlord intends to strip out the entire fit-out after the tenant vacates, they generally cannot recover the cost of redecoration or reinstatement works that would be destroyed in that process. Identifying supersession opportunities can substantially reduce the recoverable amount of a dilapidations claim — often by 20 to 40 per cent of the face-value schedule.
How much do commercial dilapidations cost per sq ft in London?+
Commercial dilapidations in Central London typically cost between £12 and £50 per square foot depending on the scope. Make-good repairs and redecoration only: £12–£22 per sq ft. Standard dilapidations with partial reinstatement: £22–£38 per sq ft. Full Cat A reinstatement with strip-out, M&E reinstatement and ceiling grid: £35–£50 per sq ft. 3COL provides itemised fixed-price quotations against your specific schedule following a free site visit.
Do you work alongside dilapidations surveyors?+
Yes. 3COL regularly works alongside RICS dilapidations surveyors, building consultants and solicitors. We can price works against your surveyor's Scott Schedule, attend joint inspections, and provide test certificates and photographic evidence packs for the claims process. We are experienced in working to RICS Dilapidations Pre-Action Protocol standards across Central London.

GET A FREE QUOTE
FOR DILAPIDATIONS

Tell us about your property and we will arrange a free site visit within 24 hours. Quote provided same day.

Mon-Fri 7am£8pm - Sat 8am£6pm - Free site visits across Central London

Related Articles & Services

End of Tenancy London Wall Repair London Carpentry London Services for Estate Agents Licensed Waste Carrier