How to Choose a Building or Location for a Business?

Below is a list of factors that you should explore when choosing a location to establish your business.

Assess needs of business:

• type of building (building specs),
• operational needs,
• branding needs,
• financial limitations,
• etc.

Zoning

• Residential
• Commercial
• Mixed-Use
• Industrial

Sufficiency of office, building, facility:

• build out,
• parking,
• storage,
• state of repair,
• expansion ability,
• lighting, HVAC, electrical, communications internet/phones,
• security,
• etc.

Costs

• renting or purchase,
• utilities,
• tax rates & incentives,
• Employee wage rates,
• other expenses,
• etc.

Is the area accessible to customers?

• walk-ways,
• public transit,
• traffic density and flow,
• safety,
• Regulatory (ADA)
• etc.

Are there complimentary businesses (or competitors) in the area?

• Is the location operationally efficient:
• shipping,
• deliveries,
• available workers,
• parking customer/employee,
• etc.?

Does the location fit the business brand or image?

• Design
• Community Demographics

Landlord characteristics:

• attitude,
• financial stability,
• willingness to negotiate the lease,
• etc.