Getting ready to sign a lease a commercial lease contract? Use this checklist to make sure the contract is right for you and your business: What's the rent? Choose an amount that leaves room for other expenses; Is it scalable? Will the space and the rental agreement allow you any flexibility to adapt to emerging circumstances that may emerge down the road?; What's your exposure? Try to limit the amount of liability that the commercial lease contract opens your firm up to; How long will it last? Aim for a rental term length that will give you a chance to reevaluate your options in a few years; Ask for expert advice. A consultation with a skilled real estate attorney may run $1000, but it will be worth it in the long-term if the review rescues you from a flawed commercial lease contract.