What to check before committing to business premises
Startup Costs | Blank working worksheet | September 6, 2026
https://startup-costs.com/guides/lease-before-signing/

Result to produce: A comparable premises cost summary and a list of conditions to resolve before the next commitment.

Business and format:
Address or service area:
Prepared by:
Date:

BEFORE YOU START
Bring the proposed premises terms, plan, intended use, equipment requirements and any available work or utility quotes. This guide organizes the decision; the agreement and applicable requirements need their own professional and official review.

CALCULATION INPUTS
Monthly base rent (USD):
Monthly service or pass-through charges (USD):
Monthly utilities estimate (USD):
Other monthly occupancy payments (USD):
Refundable deposit paid before opening (USD):
Fit-out and installation cash (USD):
Other one-time opening payments (USD):

Use the guide calculator for formulas and results. Enter your own values and retain the evidence for each assumption.

DECISION RECORD
1. Premises and scope
Address, usable area, operating hours and intended activity
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

2. Recurring payments
Item, amount, charging basis, escalation and exclusions
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

3. Upfront cash
Payment, due date, refund terms and any concessions
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

4. Technical suitability
Utilities, installation, access and work dependencies
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

5. Applicability and agreement
Office or adviser, question, response and scope
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

6. Decision
Unresolved condition, next commitment and responsible person
Finding or value:
Evidence, scope and date:
Status (Unverified / Assumed / Supported / Needs review):
Next action, person and date:

DECISION RULES
If: Material charges or required works are unknown
Action: Obtain the scope and amount before treating offers as comparable.

If: The intended activity or installation is unresolved
Action: Resolve suitability before a dependent equipment or premises commitment.

If: A lower-rent option consumes more opening cash
Action: Compare the dated funding consequences and operating fit together.

YOUR DECISION
Next commitment:
Conditions still to resolve:
Decision and reason:
Next review date:

Sources and background:
SBA: launching a business: https://www.sba.gov/counseling/launch-your-business/

This is a blank personal planning worksheet. Its completion is not an approval, a market estimate or a completed state research record.
The examples and calculator defaults on the guide are authored illustrations. Keep your own evidence and limitations with any result.
Financial information supports planning and education and is not personalized financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Results do not guarantee costs, revenue, profit or financing.