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The floor is one of the first things a landlord’s surveyor checks in an industrial unit, and it is often one of the biggest claims. A warehouse slab takes heavy loads, forklift traffic and years of racking, so some wear is expected. What the lease requires you to put right is a different question. This guide covers the common floor defects, how each is repaired and how to avoid paying twice. For the whole exit, see our warehouse dilapidations service.
Common floor defects
| Defect | Typical cause | Usual repair |
|---|---|---|
| Anchor holes | Racking, machinery and barriers bolted to the slab | Cleaned out and filled with repair mortar or resin |
| Cracks | Shrinkage, settlement or heavy point loads | Routed and filled with flexible or structural filler, depending on movement |
| Spalling and chipped joints | Forklift wheels and traffic at joints | Cut back and repaired with a repair mortar, joints re-sealed |
| Oil and chemical staining | Leaks and spills | Cleaned or treated; deep staining may need surface removal |
| Coatings and paint | Floor paint, epoxy or line markings | Removed or reinstated, depending on the lease |
| Worn and uneven areas | Heavy traffic | Localised grinding or screed repair if the lease requires it |
What the lease usually decides
Whether you must remove a coating, fill every anchor hole or repair general wear depends on the repair, alteration and yielding-up clauses. A tenant who fitted a coating with a licence may have to remove it. A tenant of an older unit may only be responsible for damage they caused, not for ordinary wear. Read your clauses and any licence for alterations before you agree to a floor schedule.
Do it before the landlord does
Floor repairs are usually cheaper when you commission them before the lease end than when the landlord prices them after. They also take time to cure, so start once the racking is out. See racking removal at lease end for the sequence.
- Survey the slab with the racking still in place to count anchors and note cracks.
- Agree the repair method with the landlord’s surveyor, so it is accepted.
- Photograph before and after, and keep the product data sheets for the materials used.
- Allow curing time before handback.
Common mistakes
- Patching with the wrong material, which fails and prompts a second claim.
- Painting over staining instead of treating it.
- Leaving anchor holes unfilled because they look small.
- Not checking the starting condition, so you pay for damage that was already there.
What does it cost?
Floor repair costs depend on the area, the type of defect and the repair method, so they are priced from a survey of the slab. Our warehouse dilapidations cost guide sets out the other cost drivers.
Get the floor repaired
We repair warehouse floors in the same programme as racking removal, so you deal with one contractor. Request a scope and quote.