Make-good is a handover agreement, not a standard finish
A retail tenancy can be returned as a bare shell, with selected base-building finishes retained, or in another condition set by the lease and landlord’s schedule. The retail strip-out service supports de-fitting shopfronts, fixtures and redundant services. It does not settle a lease dispute or determine what the landlord will accept.
Obtain a written scope identifying the tenancy boundary and required finish before tendering. Attach marked drawings and clarify any conflict between lease wording, the landlord’s instructions and the incoming tenant’s design. A contractor should not have to decide which party owns a ceiling or shopfront from appearance alone.
Build a retain-and-remove schedule
List signage, counters, display fixtures, wall linings, floor finishes, ceilings and shopfront elements individually. Identify items remaining for the next tenant, items returned to the outgoing tenant and items for disposal. Document the condition of retained surfaces and common areas before access begins.
Services boundaries need trade confirmation
Shop lighting, data, plumbing and mechanical connections can interface with centre systems. Ask the relevant trades and centre management to define isolation and termination points. Shared fire systems, risers and controls are not ordinary tenancy waste. Food tenancies may also have grease, exhaust and drainage interfaces that need a separate specialist scope.
Programme around centre operations
Work windows, security access, inductions, loading-dock bookings and noisy-work restrictions affect the actual programme. Supply centre rules at quote stage. A lease expiry date alone does not establish that an overnight removal is feasible, particularly when several trades share limited access.
Waste often travels through routes used by cleaners, deliveries or neighbouring tenants. Agree protection, loading and cleanup expectations with management. If a shopfront is removed, clarify responsibility for temporary separation and security. The contractor’s scope must describe the interface without promising that trading elsewhere will be unaffected.
Agree acceptance and reinstatement separately
Removing a floor finish does not define the required condition of the slab. Adhesive removal, surface repairs, painting, ceiling replacement and new finishes should have explicit standards if included. Photographs of a previous tenancy are not a substitute for the current landlord’s acceptance criteria.
Set inspection points before concealed interfaces are closed or protection is removed. Nominate who can sign off completion and how defects or outstanding specialist certificates are recorded. Leave time for the landlord’s inspection; finishing physical removal on the lease deadline may not allow correction of disputed items.
Retail handover quote checklist
- Lease make-good schedule and landlord-approved marked plans.
- Retain, remove and return-to-owner item list.
- Centre work rules, dock access and security requirements.
- Service termination points and hazardous-material information.
- Specified repairs or reinstatement, with acceptance standards.
- Inspection dates, sign-off authority and outstanding-work process.
Scope a tenancy handover clearly
Discuss retail strip-out and landlord handover requirements using the agreed make-good schedule.