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Multi-Tenant Office Frequently Asked Questions
This page addresses several questions specific to office space in multi-tenant buildings. Also see the build-to-suit FAQ section for questions relating to free-standing, build-to-suit projects.
General Questions
Design
Construction and costs
Occupancy
General Questions
What are the advantages of leasing new space, as opposed to previously occupied space?
There are several significant advantages, including:
What is involved in leasing and building out new office space?
There are five main steps:
How long is your lease document?
Our lease is typically only about seven pages long (rather than the 40 to 50 pages often comprising commercial leases), and is widely regarded as a clear, concise and fair document. Although the lease is very straightforward, unless you are experienced in commercial real estate, we recommend that your attorney review it as a matter of good business practice. Because we do not employ our own attorneys for most leases, we are able to quickly prepare the lease (usually within a day or two of request), and promptly respond to any comments you and your attorney may have.
Because each space is designed to the unique requirements of one particular tenant, and involves a substantial expenditure for that purpose, the minimum term is typically five years to allow a reasonable earnings period for that investment. The term may be longer for very specialized spaces, while for space that has already been improved, the term may be much shorter.
A lease guaranty is typically required only if the entity signing the lease (often a corporation or limited liability company) is legally distinct from the entity or individuals who are operating and funding the business, or if the party signing the lease is relying on the credit of a third party. Lease guaranties, like loan guaranties, are very common and do not reflect poorly on the character of the parties involved, but simply represent a means of managing risk.
Design
How does the design process work?
In most cases, the process is comprised of an initial meeting with our design team to convey your requirements, resulting in a draft space plan within a day or two. This first draft is then revised to incorporate any refinements and comments that you have until it exactly meets your needs. Then the architectural, mechanical and electrical design consultants add the construction details required for a building permit and for proper construction. During this time we will also coordinate with you the placement of electrical and data outlets and other functional details.
Our goal during this process is to minimize the time required on your part to professionally design improvements tailored to your specific needs.
Do you provide help in selecting interior finishes and colors?
Yes, we provide an interior design consultant to help select coordinated colors and finish materials that are compatible with your preferences and design objectives.
How is the area of my premises measured?
We measure all of our office space with reference to the American National Standard Z65.1-1996. This standard was originally developed in 1915, and has been revised and refined several times over the years, and for the last 50 years has been maintained under the auspices of the American National Standards Institute. This method is sometimes also called the "BOMA method," based on the co-sponsorship of the standard by that organization. The method establishes a standardized approach to measuring space, and among those who adhere to the standard, facilitates fair and meaningful comparisons of values that are dependent upon those measurements.
In broad terms, this method provides for measuring useable areas to the centerline of demising walls separating adjoining suites, and to the inside face of exterior walls. The method also establishes procedures for measuring common areas, and allocating common areas among those who benefit from them in a fair and consistent manner. (See the load factor glossary entry for more information.)
What is a typical load factor for your buildings?
Most of our suburban single-story buildings have a negligible load factor, typically between zero and one percent. You therefore pay rent essentially only on space that you can actually occupy. (See the load factor glossary entry for a definition and discussion of this term.)
Will I have my own restrooms within my space?
In most of our suburban, single-story buildings, you will have your own restrooms. We find that most users prefer for themselves and their visitors the convenience, privacy and security of their own restrooms.
Will I have my own exterior entry door?
Yes, each suite has its own entry for all of our suburban single-story office buildings.
Will I have my own thermostats?
Yes, each suite has at least one (for smaller suites), and typically several, electronic thermostats accessible within the suite, and which control only your space. You will not share a thermostat with an adjoining space. (Also see the after-hours heating and cooling entry in the tenant assistance section.)
For our suburban single-story buildings, each tenant may install a sign on the building fascia above the premises area. The signs are large enough to easily be seen, and are intended for the primary purpose of identifying your occupancy in the building. Consistent with a professional office environment, the signs are not similar in design or appearance to retail signs.
Construction and Costs
How much will it cost to build my space?
This depends on the type of space, the level of improvement and finish, and the construction market at the time priced. For example, costs can range from $30 per sq ft for a large space comprising primarily open area, to $80 per sq ft (and even higher) for a small medical practice suite. We can provide accurate estimates of cost based on preliminary plans, followed by firm pricing based on detailed construction drawings.
How much of the construction cost will you fund?
See the information on this website for individual properties to determine each property's tenant improvement allowance. Typically, the base tenant improvement allowance is $35 per sq ft, which is included in the quoted rent. Additionally, we will typically provide a supplemental allowance of up $20 per sq ft, for a total allowance of up to $55 per sq ft.
One of the principal advantages of leasing rather than owning real estate is the minimal capital investment required, and our TI structure helps preserve this advantage by providing allowances which in most cases (for typical office space) result in our funding most or all of the tenant improvement cost, leaving more of your funds available as operating capital.
How much do you add to construction costs for a developer fee?
We do not add any markup of any kind: no developer fee, no construction management fee, no administration fee, and no overhead fee. The only costs included in our pricing are direct costs that we actually pay to third party vendors. We consider our services to be an included, integral part of any lease with our firm. Additionally, all costs underlying our pricing are available for your review.
For those not experienced in commercial real estate, construction cost estimates are probably the single most common source of confusion and disappointment, and can often lead to disastrous results when the real costs aren't determined until it is too late to change course. Estimates are often given freely based on incomplete plans and specifications, with no meaningful definition of scope, without verification of current labor and materials costs, and sometimes for the purpose of enticement.
Our estimates include consideration of all sources of cost, not just the actual construction. Before relying on any estimate, consider the experience and reputation of the estimator, whether it is based on a defined set of plans and specifications, and whether it includes consideration of:
Who pays for the impact fee applicable to my space?
(See the glossary entry for a definition of this term.) Unless your specific use results in the levy of a fee separate from that levied on the building shell (which is rare), we consider the impact fee to be part of the building shell, and do not include any part of that cost when determining the cost of the interior improvements.
Can I build my own space, or use my own contractor?
Yes, you or your contractor may provide for the construction of your space. However, unless you and your contractor have considerable experience with commercial construction, we recommend that you not attempt that undertaking. Aside from the substantial burden involved with the proper administration of any construction project, when compared with residential construction, commercial construction involves a different class of sub-contractors and materials, involves different construction techniques, is subject to different building codes and inspection requirements, and often has more serious consequences in the event of delay.
We have no economic incentive to provide construction services. We do not assess any administrative charge or other fee for this service, instead regarding it as a fundamental component of any lease with our firm. Our only reason for recommending that you allow us to provide construction services is the resulting assurance of the professional and timely completion of your space with no unpleasant surprises.
Also bear in mind that all commercial general contractors rely on the same limited pool of qualified commercial sub-contractors within each trade, and that our ongoing relationships with those trades ensures you of competitive pricing when using our construction services.
What is included in the building shell?
All of our buildings incorporate commercial grade materials professionally and attractively designed and constructed for long term performance. Our belief is that the shell should provide a solid foundation for interior improvements without constraining or compromising the design of those improvements and related mechanical and electrical systems. The following is an outline of a typical shell condition for our single-story buildings with no central core common area and related load factor:
How long will construction take?
Again, this depends on the type and size of the space, and the extent of any long-lead-time materials involved. For most office suites, 60 to 90 days is a reasonable allowance for construction. However, remember to allow time for preparation, review and approval of construction plans (two to three weeks), and time for obtaining a building permit (four to six weeks).
In those cases where time is of the essence, we are able to expedite this process: We can coordinate close and timely participation by all team members during the design process; we enjoy excellent relationships with the permitting agencies and can ensure the plans spend minimal idle time within each approving department; we can identify and order long-lead items early in the design process; we can employ an early-start process in which we begin construction of the improvements prior to full permit issuance; and we can employ critical-path construction scheduling techniques to minimize actual construction time.
In any event, we commit within the written lease to a completion schedule, and you can rely on that schedule as the outside date for completion - we have never failed to meet our commitment.
Yes, these vendors customarily have access to the space at the appropriate stage of construction.
Occupancy
Access to your space will be available at all times - 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. In multi-story buildings, the main entrances and elevator lobbies will typically be open to the public only during normal business hours; after-hours access is available by means of key cards. (Also see the after-hours heating and cooling question, and the key card question in the tenant assistance section.)
What services are included in the rent?
All rates for our multi-tenant buildings include the following services and costs:
Is janitorial service available?
Yes, janitorial service is available at a cost of from 10¢ to 12¢ per sq ft per month, depending on the frequency of service. We have found that many occupants don't need or want regularly scheduled janitorial service, but we make it available for those who do.
(See the glossary entry for a definition of this term.) Your lease will typically establish the base year as the later of the first year of your term or the year occupancy of your building first reaches 80%. Until the year following the base year, we pay all operating costs. After the base year, each tenant pays its share only of any increases in operating costs. We do not "gross up" the operating costs for the purpose of artificially establishing an early base year ahead of the 80% occupancy threshold.
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