What contractors actually need, in order
1. Door height, not just door type. A loaded box truck, a lift, a trailer or a van with a rack on top needs real clearance. A standard 10-foot door works for many trades and stops others cold. Rankin's 14-foot doors are unusually tall for small-bay.
2. Somewhere to put the trucks. The question most contractors forget until after signing. Overnight parking of company vehicles is not automatically included in most industrial leases. Z Novi Commons includes it. At Rankin it requires prior written approval. See Outdoor Storage, Trailer Parking and Yard Space.
3. Office for dispatch, and a parts counter. Somewhere for a dispatcher, somewhere to meet a supplier, somewhere to stage parts. That pushes you into flex rather than plain warehouse. See Flex Space vs Warehouse vs Industrial.
4. A use clause that covers the work. Welding, cutting, painting, fluid handling and equipment repair all need specific lease language. Say so at letter of intent stage.
Sizing a contractor shop
Count in this order: vehicles inside overnight, racked material and parts, staging at the door, bench or fabrication area, office and restroom, aisles. Most contractors undersize by forgetting that a van parked inside eats far more floor than its footprint once you account for door swing and working room. Work it through in How Much Warehouse Space Do I Need?.
Which property fits
Rankin Business Park, Troy — the default for most trades. 14-foot grade-level doors, 16'–18' clear, suites from 1,287 SF, the lowest rate of the three at $11.95/SF/YR MG, and dock-high in select suites if you take trailer deliveries. Central Troy with I-75 access covers Oakland County efficiently. Exterior vehicle parking requires approval.
Z Novi Commons, Novi — the choice if you run a fleet and want it parked on site, since free overnight company vehicle parking is included. 10-foot drive-in doors at the rear, 15-foot ceilings, roughly 20 percent finished office, glass storefront, 24/7 access. $17/SF/YR MG.
Northville Research Center — for contractors serving western Wayne and southern Oakland who want a professional Seven Mile address. 12-foot doors, 16-foot clear, 1,278–5,800 SF, $20/SF/YR MG.
What gets approved and what needs review
Contractor and trade operations are a core tenant type at all three properties. What needs specific review: vehicle repair beyond your own fleet, spray finishing or painting, welding at volume, fluid handling and disposal, outdoor material storage, and anything generating runoff. None is automatically refused. All need raising before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I park my work trucks at the shop overnight?
Included at Z Novi Commons. Requires prior written approval at Rankin Business Park.
Do you have doors tall enough for a box truck?
Rankin has 14-foot grade-level doors, Northville 12-foot, Novi 10-foot. Measure your tallest loaded vehicle.
Can I store materials outside?
Not automatically, and subject to landlord approval and zoning.
Can I weld or cut in the space?
Frequently permitted with the right use clause and insurance. Raise it at letter of intent stage.
What size do most contractors take?
Commonly 1,500 to 3,000 square feet for a small crew, more once you park multiple vehicles inside. See Find Space by Size.
Tell us what you drive, what you store and what you do in the shop. 248-246-1752 or Available Space.
See available space Call 248-246-1752