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Operating Expense Per Square Foot Calculator

OPEX/sq ft Formula:

\[ OPEX/sq\ ft = \frac{Total\ OPEX\ ($)}{Square\ Footage\ (sq\ ft)} \]

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sq ft

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1. What is Operating Expense Per Square Foot?

Operating Expense Per Square Foot is a key metric in real estate and facility management that measures the cost to operate a property relative to its size. It helps property owners and managers evaluate the efficiency of their operations and compare performance across different properties.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

\[ OPEX/sq\ ft = \frac{Total\ OPEX\ ($)}{Square\ Footage\ (sq\ ft)} \]

Where:

Explanation: This calculation divides the total operating costs by the property's square footage to determine the cost per square foot of operation.

3. Importance of OPEX per Square Foot Calculation

Details: This metric is crucial for property managers and real estate investors to assess operational efficiency, benchmark against similar properties, identify cost-saving opportunities, and make informed decisions about property management and investment strategies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total operating expenses in dollars and the property's square footage. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the operating expense per square foot.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What expenses are included in OPEX?
A: Operating expenses typically include property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, management fees, and other costs associated with operating a property.

Q2: Why is OPEX per square foot important?
A: It allows for comparison of operating efficiency across properties of different sizes and helps identify properties that may be underperforming or have higher-than-expected operating costs.

Q3: What is a good OPEX per square foot?
A: This varies significantly by property type, location, age, and quality. It's best to compare against similar properties in the same market.

Q4: Does OPEX include capital expenditures?
A: No, OPEX typically excludes capital expenditures (CapEx) which are major improvements that extend the property's useful life.

Q5: How often should I calculate OPEX per square foot?
A: It's typically calculated annually as part of property performance analysis, but can be done quarterly for more active management.

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