Renting out spaces is tough, especially when you are renting out a space to use as a warehouse. Rental warehouse spaces are popular because they are good for small businesses who need a small space to work out of for a period of time. It’s rare for small businesses to own a warehouse, so before you sign a lease for a rental warehouse space, here are a few things you should know about your investment.
1. Square Footage of the Space
The size of your rental warehouse space is one of the most important things, behind the cost. Before you sign a lease, make sure you have enough space for your business and all of the things you plan on doing in the warehouse. You should plan the layout of the building, and measure to maximize your space so you and your colleagues have enough room to comfortably work, and that you aren’t paying an exuberant price for a small space. When you’re calculating your square footage and the amount of space you need, you should leave room for storage, items you might have forgotten about, and room for walkways and other aisles you might need in the workspace.
Another thing to consider is the different machinery you plan on using in your warehouse. If you plan on having large machines like forklifts and balers, the doorways should be large enough to fit everything you need inside of the rental warehouse space, as well as enough height inside to safely use the machines you are bringing in.
2. Climate
Something to think about that is often forgotten is the weather of the area you are in. Most rental warehouse spaces do not have an HVAC system installed, so if your product is sensitive to temperature, your warehouse space should either be climate controlled or efficiently heated and cooled. Some landlords require you to install your own HVAC system, so be sure to ask before you move forward with any plans.
3. Lease length
The length of the lease is definitely one of the more important things to consider when renting out a space. Most warehouse renters try to land a lease for 5-10 years. If you plan on renting a warehouse space for a long period of time, there’s a small chance that ownership could change, and you might lose your warehouse space. Be sure to tell the owner of the space you are renting how long you plan on staying, and that you hope to be stationed in the area you choose for a specific amount of time.
Another thing to remember is that if you are planning on renting out the warehouse for an extended period of time, your landlord might be willing to cut you a deal on your rent. If you don’t think you want to stick around for that long, you should check with other spaces that allow for shorter leases, like a month-to-month rent agreement.
4. Accessibility
This is something to think about if you are using your space as a business. Most of the time, warehouses are used to store and ship out products to consumers. If you work with a freight company, there is a decent chance that you will need to be able to load an 18-wheeler, which requires enough parking space, and a way to load the truck with ease.
Another thing to consider is how much you plan on being in the warehouse. If your rental warehouse space is just to store goods, then you should be okay with a smaller space. However, if you plan on working from your warehouse, or housing employee offices inside, there should be enough space to move around comfortably and still load everything you need into trucks.
5. Bills
The last, and one of the most important things to consider when searching for rental warehouse spaces is the amount of money it will cost you. If you are a start-up business, you should probably focus on finding rental spaces that fit your budget, and then your needs. Money and the cost of rent is less likely to be a deciding factor for a larger company that has a large presence in the business place. If you choose a rental warehouse space that doesn’t fit your budget, your warehouse will take you out of business quicker than you can sell products.
Renting Sounds Like A Lot of Work…
Searching for rental spaces can be a daunting task, but the experts at Schwarz Properties are here to make your life as easy as possible. Contact us for help finding the perfect warehouse for lease in North and South Carolina! Schwarz Properties specializes in commercial and residential Property Management in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. We lead the market for industrial and warehouse spaces for lease, and our portfolio also includes retail space, restaurant space, residential, office space, and many more. Please contact Schwarz Properties at 336-814-8299 or visit our website.