2 — October 2026 — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
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M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
M id A tlantic R eal E state J ournal Publisher, Conference Producer ..............Linda Christman VP, Conference Producer .............................Lea Christman Editor/Graphic Artist ......................................Karen Vachon Contributing Columnist .................Lucern Capital Partners Mid Atlantic R eal E state J ournal ~ Published Monthly Periodicals postage paid at Hingham, Massachusetts and additional mailing offices Postmaster send address change to: Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal 117 HMS Halsted Dr., Hingham, MA 02043 USPS #22-358 | Vol. 38, Issue 10 Subscription rates: 1 year $99.00, 2 years $148.50, 3 years $247.50 & $4.00 single issue - plus postage
Inside Small-Bay Industrial: Why Service Businesses Need the Right Space S ervice-based businesses such as HVAC contrac- tors, plumbers, electri- cians and roofing companies use small-bay industrial space very differently. Most of their work happens somewhere else. Their technicians spend the day at homes, offices, construction sites and other customer loca- tions. Yet the space they return to every morning and evening still plays an important role in keeping the business running. The Building Is the Operational Home Base Consider an HVAC contrac- tor. Most customers will never visit the company’s facility, but the property plays an im- portant role in what happens before and after each service call. Technicians may start the day there, loading equipment, replacement parts and supplies before heading out to custom- ers. Service vehicles need some- where to park, inventory needs to be stored and organized, and office staff may be working from the same location, managing scheduling, customer service and billing. All of that shapes what the
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business needs from its real estate. An HVAC company may not need a large warehouse or a prominent retail storefront, but it does need the right bal- ance of warehouse and office space, along with enough room for vehicles, equipment and inventory. Just as we saw with collision repair, the square foot- age only tells part of the story. What matters is whether the space works for the way the business operates. Location Means Access to Customers Location is always impor- tant in real estate, but for service-based businesses, it can have a direct impact on the workday. An HVAC con- tractor, for example, may have technicians traveling to
several homes or businesses throughout the day, making convenient access to major roads and the surrounding service area particularly im- portant. A property may have the right amount of ware- house space, office space and parking, but if technicians regularly lose time getting to and from job sites, it may not be the right fit. When a busi - ness has a fleet of vehicles on the road every day, even small differences in drive times can add up. The service area matters, too. As an HVAC company grows, it may add technicians and begin serving customers across a wider geographic area. The property needs to remain continued on page 46
Firmly Rooted in the Law and in the Community We are well grounded in every facet of real estate law, from acquisition to construction. We are committed to serving the needs of our clients and our communities.
Contact: NEIL A. STEIN • nstein@kaplaw.com 910 Harvest Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422-0765 • 610-941-2469 • kaplaw.com Other Offices: • Cherry Hill, NJ 856-675-1550 • Philadelphia, PA 215-567-3120 Kaplin Stewart Attorneys at Law
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