Pre-Assessment · Assess first, then decide

Before you start,
know whether this unit
is worth doing.

A HK$3,000 fixed-price pre-assessment (fully credited after signing). An Authorized Person visits on site and reviews against the 8 standards item by item, helping you judge the extent of remediation, the cost direction and the next-step route — avoiding blind starts and rework.

Upload floor plan / photos for a preliminary view WhatsApp to book an assessment

The pre-assessment is a preliminary risk judgement and information review; it does not constitute a final statutory certification result. If you subsequently engage us to handle certification and related works, the HK$3,000 assessment fee can be deducted from the certification fee or works fee.

The question landlords ask most

Why don't we quote "how much the works cost" right away?

Whether a unit is worth turning into a BHU depends on the partitioning, each room's area, ceiling height, fire escape, ventilation, toilet, waterproofing and the position of the water/electricity meters. Quoting and starting work before examining these easily leads to rework, runaway costs, or even a unit that still can't pass certification after the works.

1

Not every unit is worth converting

Some need only minor touch-ups; others need major restructuring, or it may not even be advisable to keep letting them as subdivided units.

2

The same room count can cost very differently

The difference comes from area, escape routes, toilet position, waterproofing, water/electricity meters and fire safety requirements.

3

Spend a little for clarity, take fewer detours

The HK$3,000 assessment first helps you see the risks and direction clearly before deciding the next step (the fee is deductible).

Assessment deliverables

After the assessment, what will you clearly know?

Whether it's worth continuing

Whether the unit is suitable for remediation and formal certification, or whether you should consider another letting strategy.

Each room's main risk points

Where the problems lie in area, height, fire safety, ventilation, toilet, water supply point, water meter and electricity meter.

Remediation-extent classification

Grouping the unit into minor, moderate, or major/high-risk.

Rough cost direction

The likely ranges for government fees, professional certification fees, works fees and water/electricity meter arrangements.

Next-step route recommendation

Whether to register first, complete documents first, remediate first, certify first, or hold off for now.

Keep it for communication

A WhatsApp summary or PDF is provided, handy for communicating with partners, tenants or the works party.

Assessment result classification

Common results fall roughly into three tiers.

Actual results are subject to the site and professional judgement; the below is for preliminary decision reference only.

Low risk

Minor remediation

Conditions are broadly close to the requirements, mostly adding equipment, documents or local fixes.

Adding fire detectors, extinguishers, self-closing doors
Local waterproofing, ventilation, water-point fixes
Arranging water/electricity meters and completing documents

Medium risk

Moderate remediation

Some conditions fall short, but there's still room to adjust.

Individual rooms short on area, needing partition adjustment
Toilet waterproofing, water point or ventilation needs improvement
Water/electricity meters, fire safety or corridors need replanning

High risk

Major works or not advisable

Involving escape routes, structure or major restructuring — may not be worth continuing.

Major limits on area or escape routes
Needing fewer rooms or major partition restructuring
Cost too high, or certification risk remains even after works

Which tier your unit falls into can't be guessed. A pre-assessment first makes it clearer whether further remediation is worthwhile.

Cost and risk

What to see clearly is more than just a works quote.

A BHU involves certification, works, documents, testing, utilities, fire safety, tenants and returns. The assessment's role is to first build a picture of the total cost and the main risks.

C

Certification & document costs

Government applications, professional certification reports, drawings, and compiling title and identity documents.

W

Remediation & works costs

Depending on area, ceiling height, fire safety, waterproofing, ventilation, water/electricity meters and partition adjustments.

T

Tenant & management arrangements

Access coordination during remediation, works timing and the future letting strategy.

R

Returns & exit options

Not every unit is worth continuing; some should reduce rooms, let as a whole, or pause.

Assessment scope

We give a preliminary review against the 8 standards, item by item.

The official minimum standards cover area, height, fire safety, structure, toilet, water supply point, lighting and ventilation, and separate water/electricity meters. The assessment reviews each against the current condition to help you grasp the main risks.

Minimum internal floor area

Minimum ceiling height

Fire safety and escape routes

Structural safety / loading

Separate toilet

Water supply point and washing sink outside the toilet

Lighting and ventilation

Separate water and electricity meters

View the full illustrated guide to the 8 standards Download the self-check list

On-site assessment

On assessment day, these are the points we look at.

On site, depending on the unit's actual condition, we review rooms, corridors, doorways, toilets, windows, utilities, fire safety and ventilation.

Measuring beam-to-floor height — Beam height measurement

Checking fire doors and self-closing doors — Fire door / self-closing door

Confirming openable windows — Openable window

Checking windowless-toilet ventilation — Toilet ventilation

Checking separate-toilet facilities — Separate-toilet facilities

Checking separate water/electricity meters — Separate water/electricity meters

Water point and washing sink — Water point / washing sink

Checking fire extinguisher — Fire extinguisher

Partition wall fire resistance — Partition fire resistance

Window daylight and room assessment — Daylight and room

The photos above only illustrate assessment items; the actual scope is adjusted to the unit's on-site condition.

Booking process

How to start the pre-assessment?

01

Send unit details

WhatsApp the address, room count and approximate area; a floor plan or photos are even better (but not required).

02

Confirm the next step

We give a preliminary view, confirm whether an on-site assessment is worthwhile, and set a time.

03

On-site assessment + report

An Authorized Person reviews on site, followed by a written report and a 30-minute walkthrough.

Why choose Owl Standard

On the owner's side — assess first, then decide.

◆

8 years · 500+ units of experience

We are Owl Square Group's compliance consultants, having managed units of every structure and age.

◆

We flag high risk directly

If it's not worth doing, we'll tell you honestly — we won't overlook risk just to push works.

◆

Fixed price, clear and transparent

A HK$3,000 pre-assessment, fully credited after signing, giving you the preliminary judgement and route first.

◆

One point of contact throughout

Working with a team of Registered Authorized Persons, with a single point of contact across assessment, remediation and certification.

Assessment fee

HK$3,000

From HK$3,000 per original unit · fully credited after signing

Includes: preliminary document screening, on-site assessment by an Authorized Person, preliminary review against the 8 standards, risk classification, next-step recommendation
Optional delivery: WhatsApp summary or PDF report
If you subsequently engage us for certification and works, the HK$3,000 is deducted from the certification/works fee
Excludes: government application fees, formal certification fees, works fees, water/electricity meter installation fees, third-party testing fees

FAQ

Pre-assessment FAQ

How does a pre-assessment differ from a free site survey?

A free survey mostly focuses on a works quote; a pre-assessment focuses on the upfront decision — understanding the risk, extent of remediation, cost direction and whether it's worth continuing. Even if you don't use our services afterwards, the report is still yours to keep for reference.

Do I have to proceed with certification or works after the assessment?

No. The assessment's purpose is to help you judge whether it's worth continuing. Afterwards you can handle it yourself, use a works party you know, use our team, or hold off for now.

Is the HK$3,000 assessment fee refundable?

The assessment fee is for a professional upfront service already provided and is generally non-refundable once completed. But if the result advises against continuing, that conclusion itself has already saved you larger downstream costs; and if you continue to engage us, the fee is fully credited.

Is a pre-assessment the same as formal statutory certification?

No. The assessment is a preliminary risk judgement and information review; it does not constitute final statutory certification. Formal BHU certification must be certified by a Specified Professional according to the actual conditions and submitted through the Housing Bureau's procedures.

Does the assessment need the tenant to grant access?

If the unit is let, the tenant usually needs to grant access so we can review each room, the toilet, windows, utilities and shared areas. We suggest arranging access together on a single day where possible, to minimise disruption to tenants.

I only have a floor plan and can't arrange a visit yet — can you assess first?

Yes. Provide the floor plan, photos, room count and approximate dimensions first, and we'll do a preliminary screening, then advise whether an on-site assessment is worthwhile. Cross-border owners can take part by video.

Contact and booking

WhatsApp enquiry

Send photos or a floor plan first for a preliminary view.

Start a chat

Call us

Mon–Fri 9:00–18:00

(852) 5192 7907

Video meeting

Cross-border or overseas owners can learn more by video.

Book a video call

Office

5/F, Unit C, Hip Hing Industrial Building,
702–704 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok