Signing an industrial lease is more than just checking the price and square footage. Trust me, having seen countless tenants surprised after move-in, there are some numbers you need to know before you ink that deal. Two details—clear height and dock doors—play a way bigger role than most people first realize.
What is clear height, and why does it matter?
Clear height refers to the usable vertical space in your warehouse—from the floor to the lowest obstruction, usually a ceiling beam or sprinkler system. It’s not the same as the total height of the building. Here’s the thing: clear height directly affects how you store goods, plan floor layouts, and even what kind of machinery you can operate. For modern logistics or e-commerce businesses, an extra two feet can make or break efficiency.
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Don’t just take the landlord’s word for it either. Always ask for clear height in writing. A warehouse listed as 30-foot clear can differ wildly from one with a 24-foot clear. Higher clear height often means better racking options, improved airflow, and more flexibility if you need to expand vertically down the road.
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Dock doors: logistics lifelines
If clear height is about volume, dock doors are all about flow. Dock doors are the gateways for shipments and can dictate how quickly you move product in and out. Not enough dock doors? Expect delays, bottlenecks, and possibly higher labor costs.
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But it isn’t just the number that matters—look at the size, spacing, and type (is it grade level or dock-high?). Different businesses need different set-ups. A food distributor might require wider doors and climate-compatible seals, while a manufacturer shipping pallets needs sturdy dock levelers. Before signing, walk the property and imagine your biggest shipping day—will those doors keep up?
Making the numbers work for you
Leasing mistakes in clear height or dock door count can become costly headaches faster than you think. My advice: craft your wishlist, double-check those critical numbers, and don’t be shy about negotiating changes. A little diligence now pays off in years of smoother business operations.
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