What to Do Before Signing a Commercial Lease: Key Steps to Protect Your Business
Signing a commercial lease is a major decision that can significantly impact the success and profitability of your business. From retail storefronts to office spaces, committing to a lease without a comprehensive understanding of the property can lead to hidden expenses, costly build-outs, and a less-than-ideal business location. That’s why it’s essential to partner with an experienced design and build firm like Framework’s commercial services division before signing on the dotted line.
At Framework, we provide a full suite of pre-lease services, including initial site assessments, tenant improvement (TI) estimations, and premium lease reviews through our partner law firm. Our goal is to help you secure the right space for your business, negotiate favorable lease terms, and protect your investment from the start.
Key Steps to Take Before Signing a Commercial Lease
1. Schedule an Initial Property Assessment
Before signing a lease, it’s critical to understand the condition of the space and estimate any required build-out costs. Our team of experts will conduct a thorough on-site assessment to identify potential structural issues, HVAC system status, and any existing problems that could impact your plans for the space.
What to Expect from Our Initial Assessment:
A detailed property evaluation covering structural integrity, electrical systems, and compliance with zoning regulations.
Identification of potential code violations or costly upgrades.
An initial Tenant Improvement (TI) estimation to gauge the investment required to get the space up to your standards.
Why This Matters: A comprehensive property assessment gives you a strong foundation for lease negotiations, allowing you to advocate for necessary repairs or request a higher TI allowance from the landlord. Learn more about our commercial services.
2. Get a Detailed Tenant Improvement (TI) Cost Estimation for Your Business Type
Tenant Improvement (TI) costs can make or break your budget. Whether you’re opening a retail store, restaurant, or office, knowing the full scope of build-out expenses is essential to determining if the property is a good fit for your business.
For Franchisors: We specialize in partnering with franchisors to streamline build-out processes across multiple locations. We can help create your design standards if they haven’t been established yet and assist with planning and coordinating successful build-outs for each franchisee. Our assessments and negotiation services can ensure your brand’s integrity is maintained while optimizing each project for time and cost efficiency.
For Franchisees: We understand the importance of maintaining brand consistency and meeting franchisor requirements. Framework’s commercial services division offers comprehensive design and build services that align with your franchise’s specifications. From executing precise design standards to optimizing the build-out timeline, we ensure that your franchise location meets or exceeds expectations.
For Non-Franchise Businesses: For unique businesses, we offer full design services to create a custom layout tailored to your operational needs and customer experience. Whether you need a modern office space, a custom retail storefront, or a restaurant that maximizes customer flow, we’ll handle the entire process from design to completion.
Pro Tip: Use a detailed TI estimation as a negotiation tool to secure landlord contributions or rent abatements, helping offset your upfront investment.
Real-World Example: One client used our TI estimation to successfully negotiate a $50,000 TI allowance, which covered the full cost of their build-out, minimizing their out-of-pocket expenses.
3. Review Your Lease for Hidden Clauses and Unexpected Costs
Commercial leases are notoriously complex, filled with legal jargon that can obscure key responsibilities and costs. That’s why we’ve partnered with a specialized commercial law firm to offer comprehensive lease reviews. We’ve saved clients tens of thousands of dollars by identifying discrepancies and ensuring that the final lease reflects what was negotiated.
Common Lease Issues We’ve Identified:
HVAC and roof repair responsibilities shifted to the tenant.
“Full service” leases that contain hidden maintenance costs.
Ambiguous language around tenant vs. landlord repair obligations.
Case Study: In one lease review, we identified a clause that held the tenant responsible for all HVAC maintenance, despite prior negotiations stating it was the landlord’s duty. By flagging this before the lease was signed, we saved our client from a potential $20,000 per year in unexpected maintenance costs.
Why It Matters: Always have a professional review your lease to align terms with your original negotiations and avoid costly surprises. Contact us today to learn more about our lease review services.
4. Strengthen Your Negotiating Position with Professional Insights
With the results of our initial assessment, TI cost estimation, and lease review, you’ll have the insights needed to negotiate from a position of strength. Our team will work alongside you and your legal counsel to advocate for terms that benefit your business, such as:
Higher TI Allowances: Negotiate for increased landlord contributions to cover essential improvements.
Rent Abatements: Secure a rent-free period during the build-out phase.
Maintenance and Repair Obligations: Clarify which party is responsible for major systems like HVAC, plumbing, and roofing to avoid unexpected repair costs.
Pro Tip: Leverage the data from our detailed reports to negotiate up to 20% more in TI allowances or rent reductions.
5. Partner with a Trusted Design and Build Firm for a Successful Build-Out
Finding the right space and negotiating favorable lease terms are just the first steps. Executing a high-quality build-out is crucial for creating a functional and visually appealing space that aligns with your brand and business needs. Framework’s commercial services division offers complete design and build services, ensuring your space is delivered on time and within budget.
Our Build-Out Services Include:
Full Design and Build: We handle everything from architectural design and permitting to construction management and final inspection. Whether you have a set of existing design standards or need custom layouts, our team will ensure every detail is executed with precision.
Project Management: Our dedicated project managers oversee the entire process, maintaining clear communication and ensuring the project meets all deadlines.
Quality Control: We focus on high-quality finishes and attention to detail, so your commercial space is as professional as it is functional.
Why This Matters: By partnering with us for both pre-lease services and build-out execution, you eliminate the risk of miscommunication between different contractors and streamline the entire project. The result? A smoother transition from lease signing to project completion and a space that truly supports your business goals.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive build-out services and see how we can bring your vision to life.
Don’t Sign a Lease Without a Comprehensive Property Assessment
A commercial lease is more than just a rental agreement—it’s a long-term commitment that can shape the future of your business. That’s why it’s essential to evaluate the property, estimate build-out costs, and ensure that the lease terms protect your interests. With Framework’s initial assessment, TI estimation, premium legal review, and complete design and build services, you’ll have everything you need to secure the best space for your business and ensure a successful build-out.
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Framework’s commercial services division today for a consultation and take the first step toward securing a successful lease and build-out. Get your assessment now.