J I A Architects, Somerset

Tenure: Leasehold

Reference: INT1796

Turnover: £48,196

Current asking price: £49,995

Primary Business Type: Architecture, Civil Engineering & Surveying

This is a unique opportunity to acquire a RIBA chartered architectural practice, which provides a variety of services and is firmly established near the centre of Bristol.

The practice was founded in 1983 and has built up a valuable client base in several key sectors. The current owner joined the practice in 2001, before going on to purchase it in 2006. Under the present ownership, the business has continued to develop a loyal, repeat client base and built up an excellent reputation for its problem-solving and high-quality design services over the past 40 years.

Diversifying the portfolio, by adding value in the residential, commercial, and healthcare sectors, has created a very resilient mix.
The practice has undertaken around 1,000 commissions so far, with an impressive 150 of these completed since 2016, working with clients like Babcock, Samaritans, Cardiff City Council, Fowlers of Bristol and many more. The firm is also well experienced in preparing Listed Building applications. Predominantly, clients are based in the South West, but current projects are also located in Hampshire and Suffolk.
The practice offers a diverse range of skills to meet customers'
requirements, including site assessments, feasibility studies, master planning, briefing, space planning, building design, technical research, contract administration, CDM principal designer - and all those associated with a traditional architectural firm.

Their considerable, returning client base includes University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Healthcare Trust together with several commercial developers and many private clients. Alongside this, the practice currently has 20 active jobs on its books, with an estimated 6 months of work in the pipeline and new job enquiries coming in on a regular basis.
Therefore, it would ideally suit an architect or ambitious RIBA Part II, possibly working currently in a larger practice, wishing to grow their potential and run their own business.

The present owner is happy to offer a structured handover period to introduce the new proprietor to existing clients and explain the intricacies of the practice, if this is required.

The practice has virtual office premises in a listed building in a Georgian Square in Hotwells, which has a bookable meeting room.
Telephone calls are answered in the host reception and transferred to JIA on an internet connection.

They pay £30/per calendar month for these services + £30/session for use of the meeting room, but the arrangement can easily be terminated by either party with a month's notice.

The practice owns a Canon Image Runner photocopier, which prints, copies, and scans up to A3 size in colour or b/w. They also have three networked PCs. Software includes AutoCad-Lt 2006 and 2017, Sketch-up Pro 2020, full AutoCad 2004, and full Revit 2009.

The company has a PI insurance policy for negligence claims up to £1M and P&E Liability for £5M.