Small industrial property agency with an office
Run a small team from a local office, acting for landlords and tenants on warehouse and industrial lettings and sales.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
37,124 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 68310 “Real estate agencies”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small agency with a modest office and one or more agents covering a wider area. It takes on instructions for industrial estates, warehouses and yards, and also helps tenants search for space, handle lease negotiations and manage renewals.
Your first three steps
- Write a simple business plan covering your area, fee levels and how many months of costs you can fund before the first commission
- Look at serviced or shared office space near an industrial hub and price insurance, listing portals and software
- Arrange introductions with local solicitors, surveyors and business advisers who often refer landlords and tenants
Who pays
Landlords, investors and developers who own industrial property, and growing businesses that need to rent or buy space.
How it makes money
Commission on lettings and sales, plus fees for lease renewals, rent reviews and tenant search work. Repeat work from the same landlords helps smooth income.
Skills that help
- Negotiating commercial terms
- Local market knowledge
- Managing and motivating a small team
- Marketing property to businesses
Watch out for
- Anti-money laundering registration with HMRC and ongoing checks on clients, check what applies to your business
- Professional indemnity insurance, plus employer's liability insurance once you hire
- Check redress scheme, client money and complaint-handling requirements with a trade body or adviser
- Fixed costs such as rent and salaries continue when deals are slow
- Commission sharing and employment terms for agents need clear written agreements, consider legal advice
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: small industrial property agency with an office
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open an industrial property agency?
Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on your office and set-up. These are estimates, and fixed costs such as rent and salaries continue when deals are slow, so plan your cash carefully.
How much can a small industrial property agency make?
Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the deals your agents complete and the size of your team. These are estimates, and commission sharing and employment terms should be agreed clearly in writing.
What rules should I check before opening an industrial agency?
Check anti-money laundering registration with HMRC and ongoing client checks, plus professional indemnity insurance and employer's liability insurance once you hire. Also check redress scheme, client money and complaint-handling requirements with a trade body or adviser.
Other ways to run this business
Similar business services ideas
Local independent insurance agency
Open your own small high street insurance agency, serving local homes and businesses and building renewal income.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Local bag wholesaler with a small unit and van
Hold pallets of bags in a small unit and deliver to shops, takeaways and cafés in your area on regular orders.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Trade supplier of water treatment kit and chemicals
Run a small stockroom supplying treatment systems, filters and chemicals to businesses, farms and installers.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Stocked scientific instrument supplier
Hold stock of popular lab instruments and consumables in a small unit and supply schools and testing labs fast, with local service.
- £10k-40k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small plant hire, delivered to site
Hire out mini diggers, dumpers and compactors to builders and homeowners, delivered by trailer from a home or yard base.
- £8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Paper trader buying and shipping overseas
Buy paper and board in the UK, hold a little stock, and sell and ship it to overseas printers and distributors.
- £8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises