Commercial property: office, warehouse, shop space for business
First, what your business actually needs
In commercial property, the “square feet” are only part of the question. A café needs footfall and an exhaust hood, a warehouse needs ceiling height, truck access and a strong floor, an office needs parking, internet and enough electrical capacity. So before you write a request, note how the premises will work every day, and only then move on to size and price.
The section will help you with the rest: offices to rent, retail premises to rent, warehouses and industrial premises, coworking spaces, a workstation in a beauty salon and hourly hire of halls and studios. For buying, there is commercial property for sale separately.
What to put in your request
- Purpose — rent or buy, and for how long; for rent, whether you need a rent-free period.
- Use — office, shop, warehouse, production, studio, food outlet.
- Size and layout — minimum and maximum, open space or cabins.
- Location — city, area, a main-road frontage, nearness to transport.
- Technical needs — electrical load, ventilation, ceiling height, toilet, a separate entrance.
- Access — parking, loading, round-the-clock working hours or not.
- Budget — a rate per sq ft or a total, including maintenance charges.
Example: “Looking to rent a warehouse of 3,500–4,500 sq ft near Auckland, ceiling height from 6 m, truck access, concrete floor, three-phase power, for a term of at least a year. Budget up to $2,100 a month.”
How to compare offers
The rate per sq ft is rarely the full cost. Ask whether maintenance, cleaning, security, parking and tax are included. Find out the size of the deposit, how the rent increases, how many months are paid in advance and what happens if you end the agreement early. Check the documents: ownership, whether your type of business is permitted in those premises, and no unpaid dues on utilities.
Before you sign an agreement, talk to a lawyer, especially for a purchase or a long rental. Always view the premises in person, because photos rarely show noise, smells and the state of the utilities.
If you are buying: commercial premises are bought both as an investment to rent out and for your own business. In the first case, work out the yield: how much the rent brings in a year compared with the price and the taxes. In the second, check whether you will have money left after the purchase for fit-out and for starting up. Ask the seller about current tenants, agreements, unpaid dues and whether there are separate meters.
If you are unsure, rent the premises for a trial period first and decide on buying afterwards. This helps you check the footfall, the noise and the real costs.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
Instead of calling listings, you describe your request once on BlaBlaPrice. Owners and agents reply in the chat: what they offer, the rate, the terms, photos. The system shows the offer that is best on the merits first, you can see reviews about the seller next to it, and owners see where they stand among the others and can improve their terms. Your phone number stays hidden until you decide whom to open it to. More on the “How it works” page.
Common mistakes
Looking only at the rate and not counting maintenance and other charges. Not checking whether your business is allowed in the premises. Signing an agreement without viewing the premises and without agreeing on rent increases. Not leaving room to grow. A request stays active for 7 days, and you can edit and extend it.
