Warehouse Space Checklist for Operations, Layout & Equipment
May 27th 2026
Review the space with your operations, facilities, safety, and material handling partners before signing a lease or beginning construction. The earlier you evaluate storage layout and equipment requirements, the easier it is to avoid costly rework, inefficient product flow, and capacity limitations after move-in.
Warehouse Space Checklist Overview
Jump to each section of the checklist for a more detailed review and questions.
1. Space and storage requirementsDownload Your Checklist
Use this checklist to help evaluate your existing warehouse space or select your new warehouse location.Space Requirements
How much space do you need for product storage, offices, receiving and shipping, parking, potential expansion?
Warehouse square footage, dock square footage, office square footage?
Are there limiting obstructions: heaters, fans, sprinkler lines, etc.? Can the building support rack height and storage levels?
Offices, break rooms, locker rooms, restrooms, showroom, drivers lounge?
Parking, truck maneuvering, trailer storage, exterior storage?
Is there room for potential future expansion?
Material Handling Equipment Requirements
Will the warehouse support the storage systems, equipment, and workflow your operation requires?
How many pallet positions do you need now, and how many will you need as inventory grows?
Can the space be designed to improve product flow from receiving to storage, picking, packing, and shipping?
Will forklifts, pallet jacks, carts, and other equipment have enough aisle width, turning radius, and safe travel paths?
Could conveyors, pick modules, robotics, VLMs, AS/RS, or other automation systems improve space usage or throughput?
Dock Requirements
How many dock doors does your operation require? What size and height do you need? What is the condition of the floor and paving inside and outside the docks?
Are the dock doors configured and equipped with what you need?
Are the openings adequate for the trucks you load and unload?
Do you use docks for trailers, vans, parcel trucks, or all the above?
Do you require ramps and/or drive in doors to the warehouse?
Are the dock doors operable? How is the paving outside the dock?
Business Requirements
Do you have specific business needs and/or local requirements that are necessary in your warehouse space?
Elevators functioning? Building comply with Americans with Disabilities Act?
Is the location zoned for your application? Can you get variances?
Does the building comply with local fire codes or requirements?
Do you have temperature or humidity control requirements?
Access Requirements
Can employees, customers, and vendors easily access the site? Can your goods be shipped via roadways and railways?
Is there easy access to highways? Overpass height limitations?
Can access roads handle loads and trucks you require?
Do you have access to rail if required?
Will trucks go through residential areas?
Utility Requirements
Do you have a list of the utilities you require? Do you have an estimate of the demand you will generate?
Sufficient amperage? History of power failures? Generators needed?
Is gas or other heating source required and available?
Are water supply and drain lines functional and reliable?
Number of required lines available? Access to internet services?
Trash and recycling services, sanitary sewers, waste water, septic system?
Building Condition Requirements
What is the condition of the warehouse building and the exterior site? Would you be responsible for any repairs or maintenance?
Are they insulated? Are there cracks or gaps at doors, windows, joints?
Are there leaks? Skylights? When was it last repaired or replaced?
Are there cracks? Is it even? Has it been sealed or painted?
What type of lighting? Do they work? Provide adequate light?
Are there heating units? Air conditioning? Where are drain lines?
Ready to Plan Your Warehouse Equipment Layout?
This checklist is a starting point for evaluating a warehouse space, but the building is only one part of the decision. Before you lease, buy, build, or reconfigure a facility, make sure the space can support your pallet racking, shelving, dock equipment, conveyors, lift equipment, safety systems, automation, and future growth.
Warehouse1 can help evaluate your space, design a more efficient layout, recommend the right material handling equipment (see our Warehouse Equipment Checklist), and support your project from planning through installation. Contact us to discuss your warehouse space, storage needs, and equipment requirements.
