Commercial real estate can feel very intimidating if you have never dealt with it before.

Residential real estate is already complicated enough, but commercial has its own language, its own customs, and its own set of questions that most people do not even know to ask.

So if you ever find yourself looking for office, retail, restaurant, warehouse, or any other type of commercial space, here are some of the basic things you want to understand early:

What are the utilities? Are they separately metered? Included in the rent? Shared with another tenant? That is a cost you need to make sure you factor in.

Where is the parking? How many spaces do you get? Are they assigned? Shared? Street parking only? For many businesses, parking can make or break the location.

What happens with trash? Is there a dumpster? Is trash included? Do you need to contract separately for pickup?

What signage is allowed? A great location is a lot less valuable if no one can tell your business is there.

Will the landlord allow improvements? Most commercial spaces need some kind of work. Paint, flooring, walls, plumbing, electrical, equipment, signage, furniture, etc. You need to know what the landlord will allow and what approvals are required.

Is there a tenant improvement allowance? Sometimes a landlord will contribute money toward improvements. Sometimes they will not. Either way, you want to know that before you start mentally building out the space.

Who maintains what? HVAC, plumbing, roof, windows, parking lot, bathrooms, common areas. In commercial leases, the answer is not always obvious.

What is the actual monthly cost? Commercial rent is often quoted differently than residential rent. You may see base rent, NNN charges, utilities, taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, and other costs. The important question is: what will this actually cost each month, and how much will it increase in the coming years?

What uses are allowed? Just because a space looks perfect does not mean your business is allowed to operate there. Zoning, building rules, landlord restrictions, and parking requirements can all matter.

Commercial real estate is not impossible to understand, but it is very different from residential.

The biggest mistake people make is assuming the rent number is the whole story.

It never is.

The lease, the use, the buildout, the utilities, the signage, the parking, and the maintenance responsibilities are all critical factors that you need to understand before you sign.