Industrial sheds are cheaper and faster to build than traditional buildings, although they can still represent significant investments for small businesses. This means that business owners should pay due care and attention to the details if they decide to get one. To ensure that an industrial shed is the right choice for your business and that it serves your company’s long-term goals, here are four things that you need to consider.
- Location
The location of an industrial shed plays a major role in how accessible it is and how efficient it helps your operations to be. For example, if it is going to be where orders are sorted and loaded onto vehicles for delivery, then it would help to build the shed near to a main road, port, or train station. Additionally, you should consider who will need to access the shed and how easy it is for them to get there. If you require employees to visit, you should make sure that it is somewhere where they can park easily and where the roads are in good condition. An attractive location will also help if you decide to sell or rent out the shed in future.
- Size and layout
The more material your shed uses, the more it will cost, so it is worth figuring out the dimensions that you need. While you might need a large, high space if you plan on turning it into an indoor riding arena, you will need less room if you are just storing a few boxes. Remember to consider your business’s long-term plans, though. If you are planning to grow, you may need more room in future and having some surplus space now might be useful. Also, if you plan on storing tall or wide items, remember to consider the dimensions of the doors as well as the building overall.
- Quality of materials and build
If you are planning to use your industrial shed for business, then you want it to help you make money not spend it. A shed that regularly needs repairing or which is expensive to maintain is less than ideal. Some ways to avoid this are to make sure that it is constructed with robust materials such as steel or reinforced concrete, and you should inspect the building for rust and damage before moving in. If you are having your shed newly built, make sure the firm doing the construction has a good reputation.
- Local regulations
Whether you are building a garden shed or a big industrial one, the local authorities will have some requirements that you need to comply with. These may restrict the dimensions of the shed, what activities you are allowed to use it for, what hours you can operate there, and more. Non-compliance can cause a lot of disruption, so take the time to research the local regulations in advance.
Conclusion
While many businesses have been started out of garages, there comes a time when such a small space is no longer sufficient. Industrial sheds are a practical alternative, and by carefully considering these four things you can decide whether one will be the right choice for your business.