Business premises are used by companies of varying sizes, ranging from local SMEs to large international firms. The activities carried out therein are quite varied and include: production, small assembly, storage, distribution, handling, shipping and a minimal amount of administrative services. Examples of business premises include a motorcycle garage with a showroom or a repair shop with a few offices. In the case of the pharmaceutical industry, a business premises could include sterile(sanitised) rooms with a levelling dock for shipping products. In other cases, a business premises could feature an assembly line of small electronic parts for mobile phones. They are usually found on the outskirts of urban areas.

Business premises are mainly of interest to occupiers (in the context of a transfer or takeover of a company) and investors. In the latter case, they are often real estate owners who wish to diversify their assets by means of atypical investments. That said, institutional investors are rarer on this type of asset. The share of French investors is significant in this sector. BNP Paribas Real Estate – Valuation’s valuers have developed techniques that enable them to propose several valuation scenarios adapted to each situation.

Occupiers pay particular attention to the adaptability of divisions: the larger the divisions, the more valuable the activity space becomes. Flexibility is a requirement. Comfort, heating, lighting (whether it’s zenithal or façade style) are all elements that can increase the value of the asset. Ceiling heights can also be an asset when mezzanines are used. Finally, the presence of dock doors adds versatility to the property that increases its value. The main standards for professional premises (ERP, accessibility) and even more specific standards (e. g. for pharmaceutical laboratories) are important aspects to note. In any case, these criteria must always be examined in relation to the type of activity carried out in the premises being valued.