How much space do I need?

Where do the numbers come from?

These are rules of thumb I use for a first conversation, not standards. They change a lot with layout, private offices, kitchen size, ceiling height and racking.

• Office: 150 to 250 usable sq ft per person. Dense open plan sits at the low end, private offices and meeting rooms at the high end.
• Retail: 40 to 60 sq ft per display or rack including aisles, plus about 20 to 25% for stockroom and back of house.
• Restaurant: 30 to 40 sq ft per seat, kitchen and washrooms included. Quick-service with few seats runs higher per seat.
• Industrial: 25 to 35 sq ft per single-stacked floor pallet position including aisles, plus about 150 sq ft per office worker. Racking up high can cut this a lot.

Then the load factor turns usable into rentable. A test fit from a designer is the real answer.

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