THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a campaign to make small businesses more aware of the cost of their premises.

Property costs are second only to wages in terms of a firm’s outgoings and RICS have designed the Getting Serious About Your Business Premises to help businesses reduce their overheads. It claims it can add an extra 13 per cent to a company’s bottom line.

Colin Joyce, RICS South East regional chairman, said: “There is a widespread perception that chartered surveyors spend their time valuing homes, premises or land, but that is only a tiny fraction of what we do.

“Chartered surveyors are skilled in dealing with commercial property and uniquely have the training, knowledge and experience to ensure that a business’ premises are as effective as possible for the needs of that business.”

“Matching premises to a company’s needs, helping them get the most out of their existing space, or finding the right premises or helping a company deal with their existing premises issues can be vital to a company’s long term prosperity.”