Evaluate SLA performance (on-time pick/pack/ship), inventory accuracy, dock door counts and throughput, peak-hour capacity, average order processing time, WMS compatibility, reporting cadence, and value-added capability. Compare chargeable storage vs. usable racking, ceiling heights, and automation levels to forecast scalability and cost-to-serve.

Prioritize multimodal access (highway, rail, air proximity), carrier density for parcel and LTL, cross-dock capability, last-mile reach into target ZIPs, warehouse slotting optimized for SKU velocity, and integrated carrier APIs for rate shopping and label generation. These drive transit times, costs, and customer experience.

Labor availability, wage rates, and shift flexibility impact labor productivity and wage-driven cost components. Real estate rents and land costs determine facility size and layout choices (ceiling height, door density). High labor costs are often offset by automation; both influence minimums, per-unit handling costs, and achievable SLAs.

Negotiate clear SLAs (OTIF, order cycle, inventory accuracy), flexible volume tiers, peak season ramp clauses, chargeback rules, onboarding timelines, WMS/EDI integration deadlines, data ownership, and dispute resolution. Include scalability clauses for additional dock doors, labor shifts, and contingency capacity to support growth.