When looking for a new business home, you’ll want to utilize a system that allows you to compare strengths and weaknesses among candidates. Refer to this checklist to help guide you.
- Check Area Zoning: Make sure the facility you’re considering is in a location that’s zoned properly for your business.
- Consider Image Compatibility: Do the surrounding area and the facility building fit with the image of your brand?
- .Consider Customer Compatibility: If you expect customers at the location under consideration, do the facilities and surroundings mesh with your clientele?
- Look Into the Safety of the Surrounding Area: Check crime reports and talk to other tenants to gain a perspective on the safety of the facility.
- Look Into Local Employee Pool: Research talent in the area to determine the likelihood of meeting your facility’s staffing requirements.
- Check Public Transit Options: Find out if the location is served by public transportation during your expected operational hours.
- Determine if Parking Is Adequate: Does the lot provide enough capacity to accommodate the maximum expected employees and customers?
- Consider Parking Area Safety: Make sure the lot is adequately lighted at night.
- Determine Accessibility of the Facility for Suppliers: Discover options available to receive shipments and consider whether operations or customer access could be impeded by the site’s receiving setup?
- Find Out if Competitors Would Share the Facility: Check listed companies at the location to learn if you would share the lot with your competition.
- Check the Vicinity for Competition: Use directories to determine if any of your competitors would be nearby.
- Check the Available Space: Considering all your business needs, determine if the building(s) and lot(s) will meet your space requirements.
- Consider Expansion Capacity: Does the facility seem able to accommodate future expansion of your business?
- Extra Storage Availability: Is some sort of solution handy for the warehousing of stock, overstock, equipment, or other material your business may need to store?
- Check the Space’s Layout: Think about whether the layout suits the nature of your business, the way you interface with customers and the manner in which you conduct your work.
- Check the Health of the Facility: Find out if the building(s) or lot(s) requires any repairs.
- Ask About Repairs: Find out if the landlord will make needed repairs to the facility.
- Determine if the Facility Will Require Improvements: Determine if the space will need to be improved to meet any regulations for your industry or to better accommodate your business.
- Ask About Improvements: Inquire with the landlord to find out if he or she will make the improvements needed to make the facility viable.
- Check the Lighting: Determine if the distribution of lighting fixtures is adequate for your operation.
- Check Ventilation and Climate Control: Ensure the facility provides sufficient ventilation for your day-to-day needs and that it offers adequate climate control for employee comfort and/or stability of on-site materials and/or equipment.
- Confirm Utility Capacity and Suitability: Determine if the water, sewer and electrical systems provide the capacities and stability your business is likely to require.
- Ensure Enough Electrical Receptacles: Make sure the number and locations of outlets in the space are sufficient for your needs.
- Inquire About Time Constraints: Find out if there are any times the landlord won’t allow your employees to be on site.
- Check Security Availability: Ask whether any form of monitored video and/or direct, physical security is available at the site. Find out about alarm systems.
- Inquire About Weekend Climate Control: Find out if the landlord provides heating and/or cooling for the facility over the weekend.
- Consider the Rent: Is it reasonable?
- Consider Lease Terms: Are they reasonable and acceptable?
As you use this checklist, feel free to add any items of particular interest to your company. You want to ensure the place you choose will meet your needs for the foreseeable future.
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