Leasing Industrial Space?

Here is a list of questions that will help you in evaluating options.  Because leasing industrial space can be overwhelming for the beginner.  But it doesn't have to be.

Questions to ask when leasing industrial space:

1. How much total square footage is required?
2. How many square feet required for the warehouse?
3. How many square feet for the office?
4. Is mezzanine space required?
5. How many truck level doors?
6. Is a drive-in door needed? 
7. If so, what dimensions are required? 
8. What are the bay sizes (column spacing)?  
9. What is the clear height? 
10. What is the turning radius? 
11. What is the supplied HVAC capacity? 
12. What type of heating is required, if any, in the warehouse?  (e.g., gas fired, electrical, etc.)
13. Does the building have any green technologies? 
14. How much power is supplied to the building in volts and amps?  
15. What is the coverage (building to land ratio)?
16. What is the parking ratio per square foot? 
17. Is there an opportunity to acquire extra land? 
18. Is there any special coating or sealant on the floor?  Will the landlord provide a tenant improvement allowance for this?
19. Is it better to have a rectangular or square warehouse? 
20. How many truck level doors will be used for shipping and how many will be used for receiving? 
21. What is the floor loading capacity (eg. 100 pounds per square foot)? 
22. Is reinforced concrete required in the loading area? 
23. Is heavy duty asphalt required at the truck docks?   
24. What is the lighting requirement in terms of foot candles required?  
25. What is the budget for lighting installation and on-going maintenance and electricity costs? 
26. Are any specialized equipment or machinery used in the warehouse?  If so, what type of equipment and whether or not such equipment needs to be recessed in the floor.
27. Is an overhead crane required? 
28. What are the minimum and maximum temperature requirements in the warehouse? 
29. Is any office space required in the warehouse for a warehouse manager or for staff? 
30. Are there any special warehouse requirements, such as sensitive equipment? 
31. Is access to rail required? 
32. What kind of sprinklers are required? 
33. What is the optimal floor plate size? 
34. What is the maximum number of floors desired for the office component? 
35. What building security systems are required? 
36. What is the deferred maintenance?  If there are big repairs coming up does the lease address capital costs and how they are amortized?
37. What are the accessibility issues with the building? 

Bonus questions on leasing warehouse space:

1.  Does the landlord require you sign a personal guarantee before leasing the warehouse space?

2.  Can the warehouse be expanded in the future?

3.  Have you talked to your project manager about what is required to obtain a certificate of occupancy for a commercial space?

4.  Have you talked to your insurance provider to review the insurance section of the commercial lease?

Good luck leasing industrial space!

via GIPHY