How to Find the Perfect Warehouse for Rent: A Step-by-Step Guide
Every business owner needs a warehouse where their goods and equipment can be stored either for the short-term or long-term. It’s a crucial element, especially for businesses that need storage space, manufacturing facilities, or distribution depots. This is why it’s important to select a warehouse in a prime location to significantly boost business operations and efficiency. If you’ve been meaning to rent out a warehouse and feel overwhelmed with the options available, today’s article will help you find the perfect warehouse for rent through the following guide.
Assess your warehouse needs.
Before everything else, you need to identify your warehouse needs: determine the area that can accommodate your business equipment, inventory, and operations. Don’t forget to include a space for administrative and clerical work as well, so you have a space where you can do necessary office work. Speaking of space, check the warehouse’s ceiling height. If you want to maximize your storage, you can even opt for cantilever racking to clear some floor space.
When it comes to location, find a warehouse that’s near your suppliers and customers to lower transportation costs and efficiently conduct the import and export of your products. See if the warehouse is also near transportation hubs and major highways for easy access to trucks, vehicles, employees, and even customers.
Doors and entryways, especially dock doors, are also important in warehouses. Depending on their configuration and numbers, you can boost your loading and unloading efficiency and reduce labor hours.
Your warehouse should be equipped with security features like surveillance cameras and alarm systems, on top of fencing, to ensure the security of your goods. Check the utilities like water, gas, and electricity, ensuring that these are all working so operations can continue to run smoothly.
Research potential warehouses.
Because of their usefulness and popularity, there are a lot of available warehouses on the market right now. Look up online listings and check the different commercial real estate websites to see if there are any listings available near you. It’s also ideal to consult with a real estate agent specializing in industrial properties so they can fill you in on the necessary information regarding your potential warehouse.
Additionally, you can also reach out to your colleagues and industry contacts for referrals and recommendations, or just reach out directly to property owners to see if they have any available warehouses for rent.
Conduct site visits and inspections.
Once you have a prospect warehouse in mind, it’s high time you drop by the location to conduct a thorough inspection and assessment. Be mindful of the location: is it easily accessible? How about the building’s condition? Is the layout to your liking and needs? Ideally, you should have a checklist of requirements to see if the warehouse answers all of them.
Aside from the necessary spaces and utilities, also check if the property is located in the right zone and if it’s free from environmental and potential hazards. Double-check with the real estate agent if it has all the necessary permits and clearances before agreeing to sign the lease terms.
When it comes to lease terms, don’t be afraid to negotiate and read through the conditions. Be mindful of the term, hidden charges, insurance coverage, and potential lease increase over time. By following through on these guidelines, you’re bound to find a warehouse that’s perfect for your business needs and operations, contributing to your business growth and success.
