Before you start viewing properties, it pays to think carefully about what your business actually needs. The right premises can help your business thrive; the wrong ones can become an expensive burden.
Location considerations for Hawke's Bay
In Hawke's Bay, commercial property is concentrated in specific areas, each with different characteristics:
Retail, professional services, hospitality. Higher rents but strong foot traffic. Heritage buildings may have character but check for seismic status.
Professional services, retail, community services. Generally lower rents than Napier. Good parking access. Some areas undergoing regeneration.
Manufacturing, warehousing, trade services. Check heavy vehicle access, loading facilities, and permitted activities under district plan.
Home-based businesses, rural service providers. Check permitted business activities in residential or rural zones. May need resource consent.
Size and layout for your needs
Think beyond just floor area. Consider:
- How many staff now and in 3-5 years?
- Customer-facing area versus back-of-house?
- Storage requirements?
- Meeting rooms and private spaces?
- Parking for staff and customers?
- Accessibility requirements?
It's cheaper to lease slightly more space than you need now than to relocate in two years when you outgrow the premises.
The true cost of premises
Rent is just one component. Understand your total occupancy cost:
Usually quoted per square metre per annum, paid monthly
Rates, insurance, building maintenance, body corporate levies, management fees, etc.
Power, cleaning, security, waste disposal
Making the space work for your business
Check flood risk carefully
Cyclone Gabrielle significantly affected parts of Hawke's Bay. When considering premises:
- - Was this property affected by flooding?
- - What is the current flood risk classification?
- - Is insurance available at reasonable cost?
- - Were there structural repairs and are they properly documented?
Working with agents
Commercial property agents usually act for the landlord, but they can help you find suitable premises. Be clear about your requirements and budget from the start.
Before signing anything, including an agreement to lease, talk to us. Contact us on 06 835 7394.
What Carlile Dowling does at this stage
- - Review proposed premises against your business requirements
- - Advise on permitted activities under the district plan
- - Identify any consent requirements for your intended use
- - Flag potential issues before you commit to negotiation