An industrial warehouse could be one of the best commercial real estate projects you could take on right now. With the ever-rising demand for storage spaces and warehouse distribution centers, depending on your location, it could be the perfect time to start googling for ‘commercial property for sale near me.’ Or perhaps you already have a commercial property and are now ready to begin building your warehouse. Here are a few things to consider once you have a commercial lot and are ready to begin building an industrial warehouse.
Design and Layout
Depending on the type of operation you intend for the warehouse, you will need to design industry specific layouts. Unfortunately, many generic warehouses are not suitable for certain industries due to building specifications such as column spacing and ceiling height. Therefore, whenever possible, plan the design and layout of your building specifically for the use you intend it for. Plan the flow of operations before breaking ground so that the use of every square foot of space is maximized, and so that future operational issues due to improper design can be avoided.
Zoning
In addition to the considerations of commercial zoning for your warehouse, certain factors such as expected noise levels and emissions need to be considered. Do your research on future trends for your industry as well, to make sure that your area will continue to be the perfect location for your business for years to come.
Project Management
Proper project management can make or break your warehouse project. A well-seasoned, experienced project manager understands not only the ins and outs of planning and scheduling, but will also be equipped to handle the snags and setbacks that will inevitably occur with any large scale project. Delays and unexpected events are almost ubiquitous in any building project, but with the right management, these will not spell a disaster for your project.
Contractors
This one relates to the last point regarding project management. Reliable, responsible and experienced contractors are worth the higher price point as compared to contractors who are new to the industry and who may not have commercial experience. Enough cannot be said about the value of employing a team you can trust fully with industrial building project.
Location
Finally, even the behemoths that are industrial warehouses are not exempt from the cardinal rule of real estate: Location, location, location. Whether your project is intended for storage and warehousing or you plan to put the industrial property up for lease, the building must be in a location that is reasonably accessible for the workforce you will employ. While it may be tempting to snap up the first cheap commercial property for sale, down the line it will become imperative that it be in close proximity to an available workforce.
