by John Stevens
January 18, 2011 1:11 PM
Self storage rates are something of equal concern to both the self storage operator and his
customer. Both want fair dealings for the amount of space provided and the cost involved. For
the customer, knowledge about self storage rates is of recent concern as self storage owners and
managers strive to deliver a clearer understanding of what determines the base costs and some
added costs.
Primarily, it is generally understood that for the most part self storage rates correspond to the
size of the space required. But other factors such as location, the quality of the storage facility
and additional costs for additional services affect the monthly bill. Amenities such as humidity
control, climate control, ramp access, lock and key services, and 24/7surveillance affect the cost
greatly and are not provided by every facility. Sometimes there are often extra charges for
upstairs units which might seem odd unless the facility is located in a flood zone.
It is often wise to make all costs clear to a customer before a contract is signed. Some might
creep up in the future if a customer becomes interested in added features. A typical cost for a 5 x
5 ft. unit usually costs $40 to $50 per month while a 20 x 20 ft. space can run $225 per month.
Portable On-Demand or POD storage units cost about $230 monthly for an 8 x 8 x 12 ft. unit that
accommodates an average 1,200 square foot home.
What extras are sometimes added to the cost is where bumps occur in price. All self storage
facilities should have security enhancements, including gating and on-site monitoring. Most units
are climate-controlled below 90 degrees in the summer and above 40 degrees in the winter.
Humidity levels should be below 65 percent to stop mold or mildew. Additional or hidden costs
that a storage operator should let a customer know of up front are whether padlocks are being
purchased, which can run $16 - $20. Also, some sites require a security deposit of about $30.
Making up for this somewhat are discounts, such as seasonal or “first month free,” or the
recently popular “first month $1.” Sometimes senior discounts are available at about 10 percent.
Location is also a big factor to customers, but has no bearing on the price offered by the self
storage owner. If the storage facility is not within close proximity to where a customer lives, they
will have to spend double the time and double the money on gas to just get to their belongings. In
rural areas, this is sometimes unavoidable due to a lack of choice in storage businesses. Another
factor to consider is will a customer drive farther for a lower cost?
Sources Used:
“Understanding Self Storage Rates.” Self Storage Owner. 2011.
“How to Keep Self Storage Rates Low.” Big Orange Self Storage. 2011.
“How Much Does Self Storage Cost?” costhelper. 2011.