Experienced commercial property surveyor launches new business
Ashleigh Stephens has launched Ashstep Surveys, a Cheltenham-based surveying consultancy, into what he calls "an incredibly strong commercial property market".
An highly experienced Gloucestershire building surveyor, has launched his own independent consultancy with a mission to provide commercial property owners, investors and businesses with a responsive, personal service tailored to their needs.
Ashleigh Stephens has set up Ashstep Surveys, a Cheltenham-based commercial property surveying consultancy offering a comprehensive range of professional services including.
The business delivers commercial building surveys, pre-acquisition surveys, schedules of condition, dilapidations advice, project management, contract administration, party wall services, drone roof surveys, planned maintenance reports and commercial property consultancy.
Stephens has more than 19 years’ experience working across the commercial property, consultancy and construction sectors, and has built a reputation for delivering practical advice on projects ranging from individual commercial acquisitions to complex refurbishment and remediation schemes worth many millions of pounds.
Before launching Ashstep Surveys, he built his career with respected organisations, including LCP (part of M Core), Easton Bevins, RUND Partnership, Façade Remedial Consultants, KBR, Oxford City Council and Cheltenham Borough Homes.
He has delivered commercial surveying, project management and property consultancy services across shopping centres, industrial estates, warehouses, residential developments and public sector property portfolios, advising landlords, investors, developers, managing agents and occupiers on projects ranging from individual acquisitions to multi-million-pound refurbishment and remediation schemes.
“After almost two decades working within the profession, I felt there was an opportunity to offer something different,” said Stephens.
“Clients increasingly value direct access to an experienced surveyor, quick turnaround times and clear, practical advice without having to navigate multiple departments or layers of management. That’s exactly what Ashstep Surveys has been created to provide.”
Based in Cheltenham and serving clients across Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties, Ashstep Surveys aims to become a trusted adviser to commercial property owners throughout the region, supporting clients at every stage of a property’s lifecycle - from acquisition and leasing through to refurbishment, maintenance planning and lease-end obligations.
Stephens’ broad experience includes managing complex capital works programmes, acting as employer’s agent on major building safety projects, overseeing commercial refurbishment schemes, delivering planned maintenance programmes and advising on dilapidations, building defects and commercial property due diligence.
As a member of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB), Stephens says he combines strong technical expertise with a commercially focused approach, helping clients understand not only the condition of their buildings but also the financial implications of property decisions.
Unlike many larger practices, every instruction undertaken by Ashstep Surveys will be managed directly by Stephens, ensuring clients benefit from consistent communication, personal accountability and a single point of contact throughout each project.
The business has also been established with efficiency at its core, allowing Ashstep Surveys to operate with lower overheads whilst maintaining high professional standards. Those efficiencies enable the company to offer competitive pricing without compromising on the quality of advice or service.
Looking ahead, Ashleigh hopes to grow the business by building long-term relationships with commercial property owners, landlords, developers, solicitors and commercial property agents across Gloucestershire.
“Gloucestershire has an incredibly strong commercial property market and I want Ashstep Surveys to become a trusted partner for businesses across the county.
“Whether someone is buying a warehouse, managing an investment portfolio, negotiating a lease or planning refurbishment works, my aim is always the same - to provide honest, practical advice that helps clients make informed decisions and protects their investment.
“I want every client to know they’re dealing directly with someone who genuinely cares about delivering the best possible outcome.”
As demand grows for independent surveying advice, proactive property management and specialist commercial consultancy, Ashstep Surveys is well positioned to support businesses across Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds and the wider South West.