Monday, January 21, 2019

Things to Look For When Touring Warehouse Space

touring warehouse spaceBefore beginning your search for warehouse space, it’s crucial that you know your current and future business needs when it comes to industrial space because not every warehouse property has the same features. For example, some have truck courts big enough to accommodate 18 wheelers, and some don’t. Some have dock high loading, and others only have grade level. It’s important that you pick the right property because renting the wrong one can cost you hundreds of thousands, so make sure to do a lot of due diligence (or have your agent do it for you) because you can’t only rely on what the landlord’s listing agent tells you.

Once you have a handle on your current and future business needs and have a rough idea of your ideal location, size, layout, and budget, then you are ready to start your warehouse property search and tour spaces to figure out which ones will work best. Because every industrial building is not created equal, you need to ask a lot of questions to find out the features of each and determine which ones will work best.

Questions To Ask About Industrial Properties

What is the property zoning?

You need to ensure the area and building is zoned for industrial use

What “Use” is the property approved for?

If the property was previously used for manufacturing and your use is warehousing, you will need to apply for a change of use permit with the city.

What building power is available?

If you’re in manufacturing, then you may need more electric power than the average company. For example, the equipment you use may need 3 phase power.

What is the building clear height?

Clear height is the warehouse ceiling height. The more you have, the higher you can stack

What are the warehouse loading options?

Does the space have dock high or grade level loading? If you ship and receiving using 18 wheeler, then you need dock high.

How big is the truck court?

You need to make sure the truck court is big enough for 18 wheelers to maneuver around.

Does the warehouse have a fire sprinkler system?

Some businesses are required to have fire sprinklers in the warehouse. Check with your insurance agent and/or the clients you work with.

Can I park delivery trucks or trailers overnight?

If you plan on leaving trailers or trucks on the premises overnight make sure you are allowed to.

Do you have any industrial yard space?

Some businesses need outside storage to store raw materials.

We have only scratched the tip of the iceberg here. As you can see, there is a lot of info you need to know about each industrial building so you can make sure to ensure they will meet your needs. When searching for warehouse space for rent and touring properties make sure you know your needs and what questions to ask property owners and landlord agents. If you are unsure or don’t have much experience, then consider hiring someone who is. If you need helping finding warehouse space for rent Austin Tx give us a call.

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