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Commercial Lease Basics For Business Office Rental in Kansas City: Part II

Here are a few more questions to ask yourself as you pursue a commercial lease:

3. Is your lease a gross lease or a net lease? Your commercial lease should say what is included in the rent that you pay your landlord. Typically leases are triple net leases, gross leases, or somewhere in between. Sometimes leases do not clearly state which category they fall into, so go over your lease carefully to determine this information. Gross leases are usually all-inclusive, which means that the tenant just pays the landlord one sum and the landlord then takes care of insurance, maintenance, and real estate taxes, although tenant utilities may or may not be included in this lease. In triple net leases, tenants pay a share of the insurance, maintenance, building utilities, and real estate taxes on top of set rental costs. Recognizing the difference between these leases is important when looking at multiple spaces so that you can compare the actual bottom line prices.

4. How is my rate determined? Your lease should clearly state what the rental rate will be for the duration of your lease. Typically, this information is presented in a rental chart depicting the annual rent rate and the corresponding monthly payments you will make. Usually the annual rental rate increase will be based on an exterior formula (i.e. in proportion to the rise in the costs of living allowance) or be a flat amount (i.e. 2.5%). In the case of a percentage rent, which is sometimes used for retail leases, a tenant pays the annual rental costs plus a percentage of their sales for the year.

If you are interested in learning about office lease rates in Kansas City, give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100!

Commercial Lease Basics For Business Office Rental in Kansas City: Part I

If you are a business owner, there is a pretty good chance that you will have to deal with a commercial lease at some point during your time with that business. Though all leases are different and need to be carefully reviewed, there are some common core issues in commercial leases, and it is helpful to have a basic understanding of these issues. Here are just a few explanations of some important issues addressed in commercial leases:

1. What space are you renting? Your commercial lease should clearly identify the space that you will be leasing, which is called the “demised premises.” Usually leases include a street address and a site plan with the demise premises’ square footage. Be sure to check that your lease clearly defines the demised premises and that it is the same as the demised premises that you were expecting to rent. Make sure the space has adequate parking spaces and sign rights to let you operate your business.

2. What are you allowed to do in your demised premises? Your lease will most likely tell you what you cannot and cannot do in the space. Office leases usually just state that the space can be used for general office use, and nothing else. Retail spaces might have more specific guidelines. You should also check to see if your lease contains an “exclusive,” which prevents competing businesses from operating in the same building(s).

Check back for more issues to be aware of!

Looking for commercial space for lease in Overland Park? Give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

10 Tips for Moving Your Business to a New Kansas City Office Space: Part IV

Here are a few final tips to keep in mind as you pack up and move your business to a new space:

9. Notify people and update your contact information. You will need to put your new address on everything from stationary, to business cards, to your website. The first and most important thing you should update is your website (this is also usually the cheapest and easiest). You will also need to notify you bank, creditors, the post office, etc. Notify any clients that you bill, so that they can update their own contact information and send payment to your correct address. It is also a good idea to spend a little time looking for referral directories online that your business might be listed in so you can update that contact information as well. In order to make sure you cover everything, create a list of everyone you do business with and all of the places you advertise to make sure you do not miss something important.

10. Make a checklist. A good way to stay on top of the whole process is to make a checklist of all of the things you need to do for the move. Cover everything from tasks to do beforehand, necessary supplies, and a plan for unpacking (remember that putting your business back together will be a time-consuming process as well). Include things like double checking at least a week before you move about internet and phone service in your space, that signs are up, permits are ready, and other little things that can be lost in the shuffle of packing and moving. Remember that it is almost unavoidable that something is going to get overlooked, go wrong, or get lost in a move, so try not to worry about every little problem—just handle each one as it arises!

Keep these tips in mind as you plan your move!

To find out about our available Overland Park office space, give a DDI commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call at 913-685-4100!

10 Tips for Moving Your Business to a New Kansas City Office Space: Part IV

Before you start to pack up and move your business to a new office space, be sure you plan out every aspect of your move, from how you are going to label your boxes to whether your office items are adequately insured. Here are some more tips for making sure you don’t miss anything:

7. Packing Electronics. Printers are sensitive pieces of technology just like computers and also do not belong in boxes. You will need to remove cartridges, tape down any scanner lids or covers, and look for specific instructions for moving your copiers, printers, and FAX machines. Damage to these devices from improper moving could void your warranty.

8. Make sure you are insured. If you rent a truck for moving, make sure you get insurance coverage. Many private insurance policies might cover damage to a rental car, but it is rare that they will cover damage to a rental truck, which is considered “equipment.” If you are hiring a moving company, ask them about your insurance options for protecting your items, and ask to see the company’s proof of insurance and worker’s comp insurance. If they do not carry insurance, you could potentially be held partially liable for moving-related worker injuries.

Thinking about all of these details before starting the moving process could save you some stress, time, and possibly even money in the long run.

If you are still looking for that perfect Overland Park office space for lease, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to find out about our available office space in Overland Park, KS.

10 Tips for Moving Your Business to a New Kansas City Office Space: Part III

Moving computers is one of the most delicate undertakings in the business moving process. Here are a few tips for preventing damage to your important electronics and making sure you can access your data after the move:

5. Packing your computers and computer monitors. To pack a computer monitor, wrap it either in bubble wrap or thick moving blankets; make sure that you never just place them in boxes and that no tape touches the monitor itself. Computers should also be protected with heavy blankets wrapped in tape. Do not stack them on top of other items or put items on top of them. Be sure to back up all of your files to an external hard drive before moving or use an online program such as Dropbox.

6. Moving Computer Cables. A good way to start packing computer cables is removing all of the cables from their computers one by one. Put cables in zip locked bags labeled with which computer they belong to. It is important to remove cables to prevent them being damaged or lost and to prevent pins and ports from being bent.

Taking advantage of tips like these (and more coming soon) can help ensure that relocating your business goes as smoothly as possible.

Need to find a space before you start packing up your office? Give a commercial real estate broker in Kansas City a call at 913-685-4100 about taking a tour of one of our office suites for rent in Kansas City.

10 Tips for Moving Your Business to a New Kansas City Office Space: Part II

You’ve found that perfect space and now you’re ready to move…or are you? Double check to make sure you are not forgetting anything as you pack up your business! Here are a few helpful tips to help you pull off a smooth move:

3. If you are planning on hiring a moving company…Call a mover 1-2 months in advance. You will want to get several price quotes and check for proof of insurance. Bear in mind that moving companies will move everything—including full refrigerators or garbage cans—so make sure you take care of perishable items and other moving decisions in advance.

4. Mark Your Boxes. Especially if you are hiring a moving company, you will want to clearly label your boxes on the tops and sides so that you can find items quickly if you need to get to something before you move or immediately after. It will be harder to find items if you only mark the tops of the boxes, so do not forget about the sides. If you have a lot of boxes (hundreds), you might consider creating a numbering system to avoid losing items. Number boxes along with a short description of what is inside them. If you number the boxes and the moving company loses any, you will have an easier time making a claim.

Keep checking back for even more posts with business moving tips!

If your business is looking to relocate to a new commercial space for lease in Overland Park, give a commercial real estate broker in Overland Park a call to find out about all of our available spaces!

10 Tips for Moving Your Business to a New Kansas City Office Space: Part I

Moving your business to a new office building in Overland Park can be an expensive, stressful, and time consuming process. Here are some tips on everything from packing, to moving computers, to insurance that might help you prepare for the big move:

Start packing early if you are moving yourself. You never want to wait until the last minute. If you have decided to move your business yourself, begin packing up office items that you do not regularly use as soon as possible. Most movers underestimate how long it will take to pack by as much as several days. If you have a large inventory to go through, add a few weeks to how long you estimate it will take you to pack. To save a little on moving costs, think about buying used boxes and packing supplies.
Donate office items that you do not need. Moving is a great time to get rid of some of those old copiers, phones, printers, PC’s, office furniture, and even office supplies that you no longer use or want. Instead of paying for moving these unnecessary items, take this opportunity to recycle them and get your business a tax break for donating to a registered charity.

Check back for more tips on packing up and moving your business!

If you are looking into executive office rental in Overland Park, give us a call at 913-685-4100 to talk about moving your business into one of our available spaces!