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TerraCommercial Land & Development Consultancy

Our Process

A four-phase engagement framework that we apply to every project — regardless of size, location, or complexity.

Phase One

Discovery

Every engagement begins with a structured discovery phase. We study your brief, your objectives, and the land parcel in detail before any advisory work begins. This phase produces a Project Brief Document that defines the scope, timeline, and success criteria for the engagement.

Initial RFP Review

We review your submitted Request for Proposal and assess fit between your brief and our capability. If we're not the right team, we say so at this stage.

Briefing Session

A 90-minute discovery session with your principal stakeholders. We ask structured questions about mandate, constraints, timeline, and exit expectations.

Site Visit

Physical inspection of the land parcel by our lead consultant. Includes boundary assessment, access routes, neighbouring use, and preliminary infrastructure review.

Project Brief Document

Written summary of agreed objectives, proposed scope of work, timeline, fee structure, and key assumptions. Countersigned by both parties before Phase 2 begins.

Key Questions We Ask

  • What is your primary objective — development, resale, or income generation?
  • What is your timeline commitment — 12 months, 36 months, or long-term?
  • Are there co-investors, lenders, or trustees whose approvals are required?
  • What is your risk appetite — capital protection vs. maximum return?
  • Is there a specific exit trigger — price, timeline, or market condition?

Deliverable

Project Brief Document

Duration: 1–2 weeks

Phase Two

Analysis

The most important phase. Everything that will determine whether a project succeeds or fails is discovered and documented here. We produce an investment-grade Feasibility Study and complete Due Diligence Report before any transaction proceeds.

Title & Legal Due Diligence

Full title search, caveat and encumbrance identification, survey plan verification, and land registration cross-check. Coordinated with panel legal counsel.

Zoning & Regulatory Review

Current land use classification, allowable uses, density restrictions, and change-of-use feasibility. Includes UDA, SLLRDC, and municipal authority checks.

Market & Comparable Analysis

Review of recent comparable sales in the zone, market absorption rates, and current developer demand. Determines realistic pricing range for the parcel.

Development Appraisal

Residual land value calculation across multiple development scenarios. Includes infrastructure cost estimates, yield projections, and sensitivity analysis.

Feasibility Study & Risk Matrix

Investment-grade report combining all analysis into a single decision document. Includes a structured risk matrix with rated and mitigated risk items.

Key Questions We Answer

  • Is the title clean and transferable without conditions?
  • What can legally be built, at what density, and by when?
  • What is the land worth today — and under its highest and best use?
  • What infrastructure investment is required before development?
  • What is the risk-adjusted return across the most likely exit scenarios?

Deliverables

Feasibility Study
Due Diligence Report

Duration: 3–8 weeks

Phase Three

Execution

Having completed analysis and made a go-forward decision, we move into active execution. This phase covers everything from regulatory approval applications to final agreement documentation. Timeline is project-dependent.

Regulatory Applications

Submission and management of all planning, change-of-use, or environmental approval applications. Includes preparation, submission, and authority follow-up.

Buyer / Seller Identification

For disposal mandates: qualified buyer identification, confidential information memorandum preparation, and structured process management.

Negotiation

We lead or support price, terms, and conditions negotiation. All positions are benchmarked against the feasibility study to avoid concessions that destroy value.

Agreement Documentation

Coordination with legal counsel on sale and purchase agreements, conditions precedent, and settlement mechanics. We review all drafts for commercial alignment.

Executed Agreement

Final countersigned agreement constitutes Phase 3 completion. All regulatory approvals and conditions precedent must be fulfilled before moving to Phase 4.

Our Role in Execution

  • Project managing authority timelines without losing deal momentum
  • Preventing negotiation drift that erodes value post-feasibility
  • Coordinating legal, survey, and financial parties in parallel
  • Ensuring all conditions precedent are discharged on schedule
  • Protecting against last-minute price reductions or renegotiation

Deliverable

Executed Sale & Purchase Agreement

Duration: Variable

Phase Four

Exit

The final phase converts the executed agreement into a completed transfer. We coordinate settlement, transfer registrations, and the final payment mechanics to ensure clean title handover and full financial settlement.

Settlement Preparation

All parties confirm readiness. Bank financing confirmations, vendor discharge documentation, and survey plans are assembled and verified before settlement date.

Transfer Registration

Deed of transfer execution and registration at the relevant Land Registry. We coordinate with both legal teams to ensure simultaneous settlement and registration.

Financial Settlement

Confirmation of full funds transfer and release of all escrow or staged payments. Vendor receives net proceeds; all fees are settled at this stage.

Post-Transaction Review

30-day post-settlement review with client. We document outcomes versus feasibility study projections and provide a final transaction summary report.

Ongoing Advisory (Optional)

Many clients retain us on an ongoing advisory basis after exit — either for the next transaction or for strategic portfolio review. This is always at client election.

What Completion Looks Like

  • Clean transfer of title at the Land Registry — no conditions outstanding
  • Full funds cleared and distributed to all parties
  • All regulatory approvals and permits handed to the purchaser
  • Final Transaction Summary Report delivered to client
  • Project file archived with all documents for future reference

Deliverable

Completed Sale & Transaction Report

Duration: 2–6 months

Common Questions

Frequently asked.

How long does a typical TerraCommercial engagement take?
It depends on the complexity of the parcel and the mandate. A straightforward acquisition advisory engagement typically runs 4–6 months from discovery to exit. Projects involving change-of-use or complex multi-owner parcels can take 18–36 months. We are transparent about timelines at the Project Brief stage and update clients whenever material changes arise.
How are your fees structured?
We charge an engagement retainer to commence Phase 1 and 2, which is credited against our success fee at completion. Success fees are calculated as a percentage of the final transaction value and are disclosed in the Project Brief Document. We do not charge advisory fees on transactions that do not complete.
Can you work with our existing legal or financial advisors?
Yes — we work alongside existing legal counsel, bank valuers, and financial advisors regularly. Our role is commercial advisory and transaction management; we complement specialist advisors rather than replacing them. We will flag conflicts where they arise.
Do you work on behalf of buyers, sellers, or developers?
We accept mandates from all three — but not on both sides of the same transaction. If we are advising a seller, we will not simultaneously advise the buyer on that parcel. This conflict-free approach is non-negotiable and is stated in every engagement agreement.
What size of parcel do you typically work with?
We have advised on parcels ranging from 1.5 acres in Colombo 7 to 350 acres in the North Central Province. Size is less important than the commercial complexity of the transaction. We do not take on straightforward residential lot sales — those are better served by general property agents.