Outgrowing Your Garage? How Dallas-Fort Worth Small Businesses Find the Right Warehouse Space

Your garage has turned into an unofficial warehouse. Your spouse wants the spare bedroom back. The storage unit across town costs you two hours every time you need to grab something.

You need actual warehouse space, but everything you find is either too big (5,000+ square feet you don’t need) or too limited (storage units with no power, no loading access, and rules that make running a business impossible).

Dallas-Fort Worth offers options for small businesses needing 200-2,000 square feet of warehouse space. Here’s how to find it, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for your business.

Who Actually Uses Small Warehouse Space in Dallas-Fort Worth

Small warehouse space works for any business that needs more than a garage but less than an entire industrial building. Here’s who benefits most:

Contractors and Trades

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, general contractors, and specialty trades need space for tools, equipment, materials, and vehicle parking. You’re done working out of your truck and ready for proper inventory management and a professional base of operations.

What you need: Climate control for sensitive materials, loading dock access for equipment and material deliveries, parking for work vehicles, space to organize tools and supplies by job, and secure storage for expensive equipment.

Typical space: 300-800 SF for solo operations, 800-1,500 SF for crews with 3-5 people.

E-commerce and Fulfillment

You’ve outgrown the spare bedroom. Orders are stacking up, inventory is everywhere, and your family wants their house back. You need space to receive shipments, organize inventory, pack orders, and ship – without tripping over boxes in the living room.

What you need: Loading dock access for pallet deliveries, climate control for product protection, racking for organized storage, packing stations, and WiFi for inventory management systems.

Typical space: 400-1,000 SF for 50-300 orders weekly, 1,000-2,000 SF for 300-1,000 orders weekly.

Light Manufacturing and Assembly

Small-scale production, product assembly, custom fabrication, woodworking, or any operation where you’re making things. You’ve outgrown the garage workshop, but don’t need a 10,000 SF factory.

What you need: Power for equipment (220V for certain tools), adequate ventilation, space for material storage, workbenches and assembly areas, and room for finished goods inventory.

Typical space: 500-1,200 SF for small operations, 1,200-2,000 SF as you scale production.

Service Businesses with Equipment

Mobile service businesses, event companies, equipment rental operations, landscaping companies, cleaning services – any business that operates in the field but needs a base for equipment, supplies, and admin work.

What you need: Secure storage for expensive equipment, vehicle parking, climate control if storing electronics or chemicals, office space for admin work, and client meeting space.

Typical space: 300-600 SF for small mobile operations, 600-1,500 SF for larger operations with multiple vehicles and crews.

What You Want Included in Warehouse Space

Size Flexibility

Your space needs will change as your business grows. Look for facilities that offer multiple unit sizes or easy expansion options. You don’t want to be locked into 500 SF when you suddenly need 800 SF in six months.

Ideal: Lease terms that allow you to size up or down with 30-60 days’ notice without penalties.

Loading Dock Access

If you’re receiving pallets or moving heavy equipment, loading dock access is non-negotiable. Hand-carrying materials through parking lots wastes hours and increases the risk of injury.

Drive-in docks (where you can back a vehicle directly into the building) work if you don’t have full semi-truck deliveries. Standard loading docks handle semi-trucks, box trucks, and everything in between.

Climate Control

Dallas-Fort Worth hits 100°F+ in summer and drops below freezing in winter. Standard warehouse buildings without climate control follow outdoor temps – your space becomes an oven in August and a freezer in January.

If you’re storing anything temperature-sensitive (electronics, certain materials, products for resale), climate control is mandatory.

Power and Electrical Capacity

Most small warehouse spaces include basic electrical (120V outlets). If you’re running equipment that needs 220V or higher amperage, verify the electrical capacity before signing a lease.

Ask: How many amps per unit? Where are outlets located? Can you add circuits if needed? Who pays for electrical work if you need upgrades?

Security Features

Your equipment, inventory, and materials represent a significant investment. Look for:

• 24/7 building access with key card or code entry
• Security cameras in common areas
• Individual unit locks you control
• Well-lit parking and entry areas
• On-site management during business hours

Parking and Vehicle Access

If you’re operating work vehicles or equipment trailers, or if you need to load/unload frequently, parking matters. How many spots do you get? Can you park trailers overnight? Is there truck access for larger vehicles?

Shared Amenities That Actually Matter

Conference rooms for client meetings. Kitchen area for your team. Restrooms that don’t require walking across a parking lot. WiFi included vs. setting up your own internet. These extras add up in both cost and convenience.

Dallas-Fort Worth Neighborhoods for Small Warehouse Space

Dallas-Fort Worth spans 9,000+ square miles. Where you are located affects your costs, commute, and access to customers. Here’s what different areas offer:

Fort Worth / University South

Best for: Cost-conscious businesses, contractors serving Tarrant County

Fort Worth runs 15-25% cheaper than Dallas suburbs. The University South area near TCU and the I-35W/I-20 interchange offers excellent highway access with lower rents than anywhere on the Dallas side.

What it offers: Functional warehouse buildings, strong I-35W and I-20 access, established industrial infrastructure. You’re 15 minutes from downtown Fort Worth and within reach of the entire Tarrant County market.

Trade-off: If most of your customers are in Plano or Richardson, you’re looking at 45-60 minute drives.

WareSpace University South is located at 3131 West Bolt Street, Fort Worth.

North Richland Hills / Mid-Cities

Best for: Businesses serving the whole metro, central positioning

North Richland Hills sits between Fort Worth and Dallas along the I-820 loop. You’re 25-35 minutes from most of the metro – not the closest to anywhere, but not far from anywhere either.

What it offers: Central access to both Dallas and Fort Worth markets, moderate pricing (cheaper than Dallas suburbs, slightly more than south Fort Worth), good highway access via I-820, 183, and I-35W.

WareSpace North Richland Hills is located at 7601 26 Blvd.

Carrollton / Farmers Branch

Best for: Dallas-side businesses wanting value, access to north Dallas clients

These adjacent cities offer more reasonable pricing than Plano or Addison while still providing Dallas-side positioning. You’re close to I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway.

What it offers: A mix of older and newer industrial buildings, moderate pricing, and good access to Dallas northern suburbs. Strong small-bay inventory compared to the tighter Addison market.

Richardson

Best for: Businesses near the Telecom Corridor, tech-adjacent companies

Richardson offers solid industrial inventory along US-75 and near the intersection with I-635. Pricing runs between Carrollton and Plano – premium but not top-tier.

What it offers: Proximity to major corporate campuses, a professional business environment, and good highway access.

Plano

Best for: Businesses with Collin County clients who need the address

Plano commands premium pricing with limited small-bay availability. Most of the city is residential, and retail-industrial space is scarce.

What it offers: Proximity to Toyota, Liberty Mutual, JPMorgan Chase headquarters, and Collin County’s corporate concentration.

Trade-off: Highest prices in the metro, limited availability. Unless your business specifically needs a Plano address, you’ll find better value elsewhere.

WareSpace Plano is coming soon at 700 E Plano Pkwy.

Addison

Best for: Creative businesses, companies wanting the Addison address

Addison is 4.4 square miles – tiny. Warehouse space runs about 90% occupied, making it one of the tightest markets in Dallas-Fort Worth.

What it offers: Restaurant row for client meetings, creative business community, proximity to the Galleria area.

Trade-off: Very limited availability. You may wait weeks or months for the right space.

WareSpace Addison is coming soon at 14621 Inwood Rd.

What Small Warehouse Space Actually Costs in Dallas-Fort Worth

200-400 SF: $650-1,200/month all-inclusive for co-warehousing, $350-550/month base rent for traditional leases (before NNN, utilities, equipment)

400-800 SF: $900-1,800/month all-inclusive, $550-950/month base rent traditional

800-1,500 SF: $1,400-2,800/month all-inclusive, $950-1,700/month base rent traditional

1,500-2,000 SF: $2,200-4,000/month all-inclusive, $1,700-2,400/month base rent traditional

Traditional leases look cheaper upfront, but you’re adding 25-40% for NNN/CAM charges, utilities that spike seasonally, upfront equipment costs ($2,000-5,000), and 3-5 year commitments.

All-inclusive co-warehousing costs more monthly but includes climate control, loading docks, equipment, WiFi, conference rooms, flexible 6-12 month terms, and no surprise bills.

See the full cost breakdown →

Traditional Warehouse Lease vs. Co-Warehousing: Which Makes Sense?

Go with a traditional lease if you’re:

• Confident about space needs for 3+ years. If you know you’ll need 1,000+ SF long-term, traditional leases save money over time.
• Operating on thin margins. If every dollar counts and you can’t absorb an extra $200-400/month, traditional leases cost less.
• Comfortable managing facilities. You’re willing to call contractors for repairs, pay multiple vendors, and handle building issues yourself.
• Not seasonal. Your space needs stay consistent year-round, so lease flexibility doesn’t matter.
• Already own equipment. You have racking, pallet jacks, and warehouse equipment from a previous location.

Go with co-warehousing if you’re:

• Growing and space needs are changing. You might need 500 SF today, 800 SF in six months, and 1,200 SF next year.
• Seasonal with fluctuating needs. Scale up for busy season, scale down during slow months without breaking a lease.
• Avoiding upfront capital costs. You’d rather not drop $3,000-5,000 on equipment and deposits.
• Valuing your time. Managing contractors and building issues costs more in opportunity costs than the premium for all-inclusive pricing.
• First time leasing commercial space. Co-warehousing eliminates the learning curve and protects you from expensive mistakes.
• Need a professional setup immediately. Conference rooms, kitchen, shared equipment – everything’s ready when you move in.

Finding Small Warehouse Space for Rent in Dallas-Fort Worth

Traditional commercial real estate brokers mostly focus on spaces over 5,000 square feet. If you’re looking for 200-2,000 SF, you need to target:

Co-warehousing and flex space providers  –  Purpose-built facilities offering smaller units with shared amenities and flexible terms.

Small-bay industrial buildings  –  Older industrial buildings subdivided into smaller units. Often owner-managed. You’ll find these on LoopNet, Crexi, and through local commercial brokers.

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace  –  Surprising number of small warehouse spaces listed directly by owners who aren’t using traditional brokers.

Drive the industrial areas  –  South Fort Worth, Carrollton, Irving. Look for “For Lease” signs. Many small spaces never get listed online.

WareSpace in Dallas-Fort Worth

WareSpace offers small warehouse units from 200-2,000 SF with all-inclusive pricing and flexible lease terms.