Oxford Partners

Find the Perfect Commercial Space for Your Houston Trades Business

Industrial-grade occupier representation for contractors, plumbers, roofers, HVAC companies, and electricians in Houston’s industrial market.

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What We Do

Empowering Your Commercial Real Estate Journey

Lease Industrial Space

Lease Industrial Space

We represent trades and service businesses across Houston in leasing industrial properties with the location, yard space, loading access, and fleet parking their operations demand.
Buy a Commercial Building

Buy a Warehouse

Stop paying rent to a landlord and start building equity. We represent trades businesses in owner-user acquisitions across Houston, including SBA-financed purchases.

How It Works

A Process Designed To Make Real Estate Projects Easy

1. Introduction Meeting

We learn your business, your space requirements, your timeline, and your growth plans before evaluating any options.

2. Evaluate Options

We analyze the market, identify available properties, and present a clear comparison of leasing versus buying for your specific situation.

3. Property Tours and Cost Comparison

We tour shortlisted properties with you and provide a detailed cost comparison factoring in operating expenses, build-out, financing, and total occupancy cost.

4. Finalize and Plan Execution

We negotiate the final agreement on your behalf and coordinate with attorneys, lenders, and landlords through closing.

Why trades businesses face a different real estate problem

Trades businesses face real estate decisions shaped by seasonal peaks, contract-dependent revenue, and thin margins that most advisors are not equipped to navigate.

These decisions require brokers who understand the industry, not just the market.

Real Estate Problem
Lease or buy

Lease or buy: how to think about it

Leasing offers the ability to reassess your footprint at the end of each term and preserves capital in the short term. The trade-off is that a signed lease is a liability for the full term whether or not you are using the space.

Buying builds equity in an asset that has historically held value in Houston’s industrial market. A building can be sold if your situation changes, which makes ownership more flexible than most trades business owners expect.

Lease or buy

Ready to evaluate your options?

The earlier you start, the more options you have. Oxford Partners will walk through your situation at no cost and help you build a plan.

Book a Call Today

Why timing matters more than most trades businesses realize

Most trades businesses start their real estate process too late, which eliminates options and leverage before negotiations even begin. Starting a year out, rather than 30 to 60 days before a deadline, is the difference between a proactive decision and a forced one. There are deal structures available to businesses that plan ahead that simply are not available under time pressure.

Working with an experienced broker early in the process is the most reliable way to access them.

Timing Matters
Commercial Facility

What to look for in a commercial facility

  • Yard and secured outdoor storage for equipment, materials, and vehicles
  • Grade-level and dock loading configurations suited to your operation
  • Ceiling height and clear span adequate for equipment and inventory
  • Electrical capacity for equipment, charging, or specialized systems
  • Parking for service vans, trucks, and crews
  • Parts and inventory storage configurations matched to your trade
  • Site access and circulation that supports daily crew and vehicle movement
Commercial Facility

Why Choose Us

Why trades businesses work with Oxford Partners

Reduce Real Estate Costs

We reduce your real estate costs

Oxford negotiates on your behalf against landlords and sellers who transact every day.
Find Great Deals, Fast

We understand the trades industry

Oxford has closed transactions for roofing companies, plumbing contractors, and electrical groups across Houston’s industrial market.
Assist Texas Relocations

We represent occupiers exclusively

Oxford is a conflict-free, occupier-only firm with no landlord relationships and no competing obligations.

Expert Industrial Advisors for Trades Businesses

Matt Rogers, SIOR
Matt Rogers, SIOR
Executive Vice President, Industrial
mrogers@oxfordcres.com
(713) 858-3764
Nathan Buckhoff
Nathan Buckhoff, SIOR Mem. Assoc.
Vice President, Industrial Tenant Representation
nbuckhoff@oxfordcres.com
(281) 475-3138

Positive Client Words

  • Working with Chase is the absolute best! He's knowledgable and has your best interest at heart when finding a commercial space for your business.

    Emma Wilking Ghelber Avatar Emma Wilking Ghelber
    August 16, 2023

    I recently had the pleasure of working with Perry Mazzone as my real estate agent, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. Perry was absolutely fantastic! He worked tirelessly... read more

    Tedjo Liman Avatar Tedjo Liman
    April 23, 2023

    I am thanking my lucky stars I got to work with DJ (Douglas) Hale on my recent lease renewal for my dental office. He was thorough in going... read more

    Jessica Caballero Avatar Jessica Caballero
    August 23, 2022

  • Customer service, responsiveness, one phone call away, able to negotiate a very favorable deal for our law firm (Denuna Law Firm). Would highly recommend for all your commercial real... read more

    Justin Saldivar Avatar Justin Saldivar
    August 17, 2023

    Ryan and Melissa with Oxford Partners were amazing to work with and helped our company locate a new clinic space in a very short timeframe. The communication was excellent throughout... read more

    Principle Health Systems Avatar Principle Health Systems
    December 23, 2022

    COMPLETELY SATISIFIED!!! 😊 I didn't know where or how to start with the sell of my building until I met DJ Hale with the Oxford Partners. He took... read more

    CYnthia Ferrell Avatar CYnthia Ferrell
    October 23, 2022

  • Great experience working with Ryan! Would recommend.

    Amit Mittal Avatar Amit Mittal
    August 23, 2022

    Professional, supportive and quick. I got a great help from DJ and really appreciate it.

    Jimin Lee Avatar Jimin Lee
    April 23, 2023

    Oxford Partners was a true partner in helping our organization find the perfect flex space for our unique needs. Jacob Summers and Nathan Buckhoff were professional, responsive, and negotiated benefits... read more

    Diane Summers Avatar Diane Summers
    December 23, 2022

  • Working with Oxford Partners to find our companies new office space went really well. We had the pleasure of working with DJ who was professional, helpful, and responsive throughout the... read more

    Drew Roberts Avatar Drew Roberts
    July 23, 2023

    Chase and Melissa were awesome! They kept us informed every step of the way and worked so diligently in helping us to secure a property. We look forward to working... read more

    Cayla Clark Avatar Cayla Clark
    January 23, 2023

    Vincent assisted my law firm in securing new office space and was always responsive, insightful and a great advocate for my business throughout the entire process. I cannot... read more

    Brian Nguyen Avatar Brian Nguyen
    August 23, 2022

  • Chase was outstanding when I needed help finding commercial real estate for my medical practice. I had specific requirements and he worked relentlessly to find me options in a seller's... read more

    Dr Iyad Daher Avatar Dr Iyad Daher
    September 23, 2022

    Ryan and Oxford Partners have been a tremendous asset to our business. Their dedication to serving our needs is unparalleled.

    Victor Lee Avatar Victor Lee
    August 23, 2022

    Ryan Hartsell with Oxford Partners was very helpful in finding my company a new office space recently. Ryan made the process very easy and smooth and was able to work... read more

    Houston LISC Avatar Houston LISC
    August 23, 2022

  • Ryan Hartsell and his team did a great job of helping us look at new space options and then renegotiate with our current space in a beneficial way. We... read more

    Mark B Avatar Mark B
    February 23, 2023

    We have used Ryan and his team for years, for our commercial leasing needs. He's prompt, professional, and tenacious in ensuring your looking out for your best interests, throughout... read more

    Dave L Avatar Dave L
    August 2, 2023

    Oxford Partners is the way to go if you’re looking for the right space and great contract negotiations. Their communication, professionalism, and Friendliness is unbeatable. They make you feel like... read more

    James Stevens Avatar James Stevens
    August 16, 2023

  • We highly recommend DJ Hale to help you with your acquisition or sale. DJ worked with us in finding and acquiring our first church home in the Heights area.... read more

    Mark Hartman Avatar Mark Hartman
    August 16, 2023

    Perry and Matt were excellent to work with. They were patient and listened to our wants and needs when it came to finding a new office/warehouse for our quickly... read more

    You Know Avatar You Know
    November 23, 2022

    This was my first time retaining a broker. Mr. Hale is professional and effectively communicative. The absolute best! I highly recommend him.

    VY NGUYEN Avatar VY NGUYEN
    August 16, 2023

  • Highly recommended! We were in an urgent need of assistance in relocating our facility, and Chase was just beyond helpful throughout the whole process. Very professional, knowledgeable, and always beyond... read more

    Sean Choi Avatar Sean Choi
    August 23, 2022

    Chase McAteer at Oxford Partners: I met Chase McAteer when I was looking for a leasing space for my therapy center in 2020 in Houston Texas, just at the start... read more

    Premala Naidoo Avatar Premala Naidoo
    August 23, 2022

    They've helped me with two leases now and they've gotten us very good rates compared with the broader market. I'll use them again

    Omar Abou-Sayed Avatar Omar Abou-Sayed
    May 23, 2023

  • Chase McAteer worked diligently with our team on finding a suitable location for our business. Our needs are a bit unique, but Chase took the time to understand. ... read more

    David Singleton Avatar David Singleton
    August 23, 2022

    Absolutely awesome experience! Nick out in Raleigh is amazing to work with. He helped me find the perfect location in a market that did not seem to friendly for a... read more

    Robert Winters Avatar Robert Winters
    April 23, 2023

    We are from Canada and where looking to open in Houston. Chase and Ryan from Oxford helped find us the perfect location. We were able to fly in for a... read more

    Ryan Aldous Avatar Ryan Aldous
    May 23, 2023

  • You don't want Chase McAteer, you NEED Chase McAteer! I had the pleasure of working with Chase a little over 5 years ago when I started a new company and... read more

    Diana Dang Avatar Diana Dang
    August 16, 2023

    Matt did a fantastic job getting us into a great building. I was indecisive and wasn't sure what I needed or where I wanted to be. Matt was very patient... read more

    Brian Ayson Avatar Brian Ayson
    August 18, 2023

    Congratulations to the Oxford partners team, great service, follow up and support. Highly recommended!

    Erik Bladinieres Avatar Erik Bladinieres
    October 23, 2022
View more Reviews

From the Oxford blog

Insights for Houston trades businesses

Frequently asked questions

Lease vs. buy decisions

Should my trades business lease or buy commercial space in Houston?
The answer depends on where your business is in its growth cycle, how predictable your revenue is, and how much your space requirements might change over the next three to five years. Leasing offers flexibility at the end of each term and preserves capital in the short term, which makes it a better fit for businesses that are still establishing their baseline or expecting significant change. Buying builds equity and, in Houston’s industrial market, buildings have generally held or appreciated in value over time. For businesses with five to ten years of operating history and repeating revenue, ownership typically produces a better financial outcome. One important nuance worth understanding: buying is sometimes the more flexible choice, because a building can be sold if your situation changes, while a lease locks in a liability for the full term whether or not you are using the space.
What are the main advantages of leasing for a trades business?
Leasing gives a trades business the ability to reassess its footprint at the end of each term. If the business grows faster than expected, you move to a larger space. If revenue contracts, you downsize. That recalibration is particularly valuable for businesses in early growth stages or those navigating significant changes in their contract base. Leasing also preserves cash that can go toward operations, inventory, equipment, or staffing rather than a down payment or closing costs. For trades businesses that operate on thin margins, keeping that capital available can be as important as the real estate decision itself.
What are the main advantages of buying commercial property for a trades business?
Buying builds equity in an asset that, in Houston’s industrial market, has historically held or grown in value. Monthly payments go toward ownership rather than a landlord’s bottom line. Ownership also gives trades businesses the ability to customize the facility, whether adding yard space, upgrading electrical capacity, or configuring storage, without needing landlord approval. For businesses with stable, repeating revenue and a clear sense of their long-term requirements, the financial case for ownership is typically stronger than leasing over the same period.
Is buying commercial space ever more flexible than leasing?
Yes, and this is one of the most counterintuitive points in the lease-versus-buy discussion. A signed lease is a liability for the full term regardless of whether you are using the space. If your business outgrows the facility or your situation changes significantly, subleasing transfers the occupancy but not the legal obligation, and you remain responsible for the remaining rent. A purchased building can be sold. If circumstances change and the space no longer fits, you sell the building, recover the equity, and move into something that works. For trades businesses operating in uncertain conditions, whether chasing a major contract, navigating a market shift, or dealing with changing client demands, buying and eventually selling can produce a better outcome than being locked into a lease term you know you will need to exit.
How do I know if my trades business is ready to purchase a building?
A few indicators suggest a trades business is well-positioned to buy. Five to ten years of operating history with repeating revenue is a strong signal that the business has established a stable enough baseline to support a long-term commitment. Sufficient cash reserves to cover a down payment without tightening daily operations is essential. A clear sense of what the business needs from a facility over the next several years provides the foundation for evaluating properties. A strong lender relationship or pre-qualification is also important before beginning a property search, because it determines what is actually available at your financing terms. If these conditions are in place, purchasing is worth serious evaluation.
What financing options are available for trades businesses buying commercial property in Houston?
SBA loans are among the most commonly used financing tools for trades businesses acquiring commercial property in Houston. The SBA 504 program allows qualified buyers to purchase owner-occupied commercial real estate with as little as 10 percent down, with the remaining balance split between a conventional lender and an SBA debenture. This structure preserves more working capital at closing than a conventional loan requiring 20 to 25 percent down, which matters significantly for businesses operating on thin margins. Conventional commercial real estate loans are also available and appropriate depending on the buyer’s financial profile and the specific transaction. Oxford works with clients to identify the financing structure that minimizes out-of-pocket costs at closing while meeting lender requirements.

Timing and planning

How far in advance should a trades business start looking for commercial space?
A year out is the right starting point for most trades businesses, and it is not as early as it sounds. Lease negotiations and back-and-forth on deal points alone can consume several weeks. Any deal involving meaningful build-out work requires time for architectural planning, engineering, permitting, and physical construction, which can add two to six months depending on scope. Purchase transactions involving financing have their own timeline requirements driven by lender due diligence and contract timelines. Starting a year out gives you room to account for your busy season, evaluate multiple options without pressure, and make a proactive decision rather than being forced into one by an expiring lease or an approaching deadline.
What happens if I go into holdover on my commercial lease?
Holdover occurs when a tenant remains in a space past the lease expiration without a new lease or extension in place. Most commercial leases include holdover provisions that charge a significantly higher rate for this period, typically 150 to 200 percent of the base lease rate. In addition to the higher cost, holdover creates friction with the landlord that can complicate future negotiations. In some cases, it can trigger legal remedies available to the landlord under the lease terms. The best way to avoid holdover is to start renewal or relocation conversations early enough that the new agreement is in place before the expiration date, with enough lead time to absorb delays in negotiation.
Can I sign a lease now and delay my move-in date?
Yes, and this is a strategy most business owners are not aware of until they work with a broker. Post-dated leases allow a tenant to execute the agreement during a convenient period and set the commencement date to begin after the busy season or once build-out is complete. For an HVAC contractor whose peak season runs June through August, a lease can be signed in May with occupancy beginning in September. Landlords are generally willing to accommodate this kind of timing when the reasoning is clear and the request comes early in the negotiation process. The key is raising it at the start rather than after terms are already agreed, because timing flexibility is a negotiating point like any other and is easier to address before the deal is structured.
What is an early-close right and how does it help a trades business?
An early-close right is a contractual provision negotiated into a purchase agreement that gives the buyer the option to close before the originally scheduled date. For trades businesses, this matters when a project timeline accelerates, a contract win creates an urgent need for facility access, or something changes that makes waiting until the scheduled closing date impractical. Without this provision, the seller’s circumstances, whether a 1031 exchange requirement, a move-out timeline, or another factor outside your control, can prevent early access even if both parties would prefer to accommodate it. Oxford negotiates early-close rights on applicable purchase transactions as a standard protective measure, and in several cases this provision has been the difference between a deal that closed and one that fell apart.
How does my busy season affect my real estate timeline?
A busy season that coincides with a lease expiration or a critical point in a purchase transaction creates divided attention at exactly the wrong moment. For trades businesses, this is a structural problem because lease expirations are often set years in advance without accounting for seasonal peaks. The solution is to start the real estate process early enough to work around the busy season rather than through it. Beginning 12 months out means a busy season that falls in the middle of that window absorbs some time but does not derail the overall timeline. Beginning 60 days out with a busy season in the middle leaves no room to recover. Oxford evaluates timing conflicts at the start of every engagement and structures deals to keep critical decision points outside the peak window wherever possible.

Building requirements

What should a contractor or trades business look for in a commercial building?
The right building for a trades business goes well beyond square footage. Yard space and secured outdoor storage are requirements for most trades operations that need to stage equipment, store materials, or park a fleet of service vehicles. Loading configuration, meaning the number, type, and placement of grade-level doors and dock positions, determines what can move in and out efficiently. Ceiling height affects what equipment can be brought inside and how the space can be configured for storage. Electrical capacity matters for operations that rely on heavy equipment or specialized power requirements. Parking for crews and vehicles is a physical constraint that eliminates many otherwise suitable buildings. Oxford evaluates all of these factors against the specific operational needs of each client before recommending any property.
How much yard space do trades businesses typically need?
Yard and outdoor storage requirements vary significantly by trade, but most operations that depend on material staging, equipment storage, or fleet parking need more exterior space than a standard industrial tenant. A roofing company storing materials, a plumbing contractor parking a fleet of service vans, or an electrical contractor staging equipment for a large job all have exterior space requirements specific to the volume and nature of their work. Oxford evaluates yard space based on the specific operation rather than applying a general standard, and assesses fencing type, surface material, drainage, and access configuration to determine whether a yard is genuinely functional for a given trade.
What ceiling heights and loading configurations matter for trades operations?
For most industrial trades operations, a clear height of 18 to 24 feet provides adequate flexibility for equipment staging, inventory storage, and operational workflow. Taller clearances are valuable if the operation involves lifting equipment or large-format material storage. Loading configuration depends on the nature of incoming and outgoing freight: grade-level drive-in doors are essential for operations that move equipment or vehicles in and out, while dock-high loading matters for businesses receiving materials by truck regularly. Many trades operations need both, and the number and placement of loading positions also affects how efficiently the site handles simultaneous deliveries and departures during peak periods.
How much parking does a trades business typically need?
Parking requirements for trades businesses are often significantly higher than what a standard industrial building provides, because trades operations regularly deploy multiple service vehicles from a single facility and employ crews that arrive before dispersing to job sites. A plumbing company with a fleet of service vans, a roofing contractor deploying crews during storm season, or an electrical contractor staging workers for a large commercial project all require parking capacity that reflects the volume of vehicles present at any given time, not just the number of office employees. Oxford evaluates parking against the specific operational profile of each client and eliminates properties early in the process where supply is insufficient to support the business model.

Working with Oxford

Does Oxford Partners represent trades businesses specifically?
Yes. Oxford has closed transactions for trades businesses across the Houston industrial market, including roofing companies, plumbing contractors, and electrical groups, on both lease and purchase transactions. Oxford’s industrial advisors Matt Rogers and Nathan Buckhoff work regularly with trades businesses and bring specific knowledge of the seasonal patterns, contract volatility, and physical facility requirements that make real estate decisions more complex for this group than for most industrial users.
What types of trades businesses has Oxford represented in Houston?
Oxford has represented contractors, plumbers, roofers, HVAC companies, and electrical groups in commercial real estate transactions across Houston’s industrial market. Recent transactions include roofing company industrial leases, roofing company building purchases, and an SBA-financed acquisition for Texas Quality Plumbing. Oxford also works with metal fabricators and other trades-adjacent businesses that share similar real estate requirements and decision-making challenges.
How does Oxford's occupier-only model benefit a trades business?
Oxford Partners represents occupiers exclusively. The firm does not represent landlords or sellers. In a market where most commercial real estate firms represent both sides of transactions, Oxford’s model eliminates the conflict of interest that arises when an advisor has a financial relationship on the other side of the table. For a trades business negotiating a lease or a purchase, that means every recommendation Oxford makes is built around your interests, with no landlord relationship to protect and no incentive to move a deal faster than your situation warrants.
What does it cost to work with Oxford Partners?
For tenants and buyers, Oxford’s representation is typically provided at no direct cost. In a commercial lease transaction, the landlord pays the brokerage commission out of the lease economics. In a purchase transaction, the commission is typically factored into the transaction structure. Oxford’s financial interests are aligned with securing the best possible outcome for the occupier, because that is what earns the relationship and the referral. We encourage any prospective client to discuss fee structure at the outset so there are no surprises.
What markets does Oxford serve?
Oxford Partners is headquartered in Houston and focuses primarily on the greater Houston metropolitan area, including industrial submarkets spanning the Ship Channel, Northwest Houston, Southwest Houston, the Energy Corridor, and surrounding areas. Oxford also handles transactions in other Texas markets and select national assignments for clients with multi-market needs. For Houston-based trades businesses, Oxford’s knowledge of local submarkets, current market conditions, and landlord relationships provides a significant advantage in identifying available space and negotiating favorable terms.

Let’s talk about your next move.

Oxford Partners represents occupiers exclusively. Whether you are a contractor evaluating a lease renewal, a plumber considering your first building purchase, or a roofing company planning for growth, we are available to walk through your situation and help you build a plan.

Book a Call Today