ShopLocationAI

Lease

Commercial Lease Checklist for Small Business

Important site and lease questions small business owners should review before signing a commercial lease.

9 min read

Validate the site before the lease terms

A favorable rent is not enough if the storefront has weak visibility, poor access, limited parking, or a trade area that does not match the business model.

Review build-out and operating constraints

Permits, zoning, signage rules, grease traps, ventilation, ADA access, utilities, and delivery requirements can materially change the cost and feasibility of a location.

Compare rent to realistic volume

Estimate customer volume or appointment capacity conservatively. If the lease only works under optimistic traffic assumptions, the location deserves more diligence.

Ready to screen a real address?

Generate a preview report to compare competition, demographics, nearby demand drivers, and fieldwork risks.

Analyze an Address

Sample Report

See the report structure before entering an address.

Scoring Methodology

Review how location signals are interpreted.

Restaurant Location Analysis

See the location signals used for restaurant screening.