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February 10, 2021Shipping Containers for Self Storage Facilities
While we at ContainerCorp pride ourselves on providing the best new & used shipping containers for your on-site use, more and more of our customers are choosing to partner with us to build their own self-storage businesses. Shipping containers are the strongest all-steel storage option you’ll find anywhere and offers outstanding protection for valuable contents, offering 10,000 pound on-site capacity, heavy-duty steel construction, and pry-resistant entry.
Self-storage facilities are becoming more in demand today, with individuals opting to keep items and belongings safe and sound when they are not needed, rather than keep them at home adding to daily clutter. If you’re planning to start a storage business, there are important considerations you have to take.Based on our deep experience in shipping and storage, we’ve put together some of the key points below that anyone interested in building their own self-storage business should know.
Shipping Containers for Self Storage: Quicker Returns
Due to speed of setup and low cost, utilizing new and used shipping containers (available from ContainerCorp, just so you know), is not only the quickest way to get up and running, but also potentially the quickest way to get a return on your investment. Modularity and scalability are key benefits as well, but the low building & maintenance costs of a container-based, rather than brick & mortar constructed storage business, can mean that you can pay off your setup costs faster, and start making profits.
Location is Key
As with any business serving the public, location is vital for self storage facilities. While you may not depend on walking traffic, you do want to think hard about how easy it will be for customers to get from where they live (suburbs or downtown cores) to your location – with their stuff. While online advertising is a bigger part of our lives, being on a major road or highway where signage can be seen by those driving past should be carefully considered.
When considering a location, it is a good time to check in on zoning regulations to make sure that you can legally operate a storage business in space you are considering.
Also of concern is that the location is clear of debris, appears inviting & safe, and is on even ground which vehicles can navigate easily.
Purchasing & Modifying the Containers
Before purchasing shipping containers for your storage yard, you should carefully map out how many storage spaces you want to offer to your customers and of what size. While shipping containers come in 20′ and 40′ sizes, as well as cubes – you may want to subdivide larger containers into multiple units, or furnish a container into a site office – all of which requires careful planning both in terms of costs and construction time.
Preparing the Storage Yard Site
As previously mentioned – the site of your storage yard should be flat and should not have overhanging trees which may deposit debris onto your storage containers. If this is not the case, then landscaping work will have to be done before you install your containers.
Security should be a concern, and video cameras are often a good solution to make sure that your customers’ belongings are safe. You may want to consult with a security company to make sure that you have considered all your options here – from different lock types to security fencing and key card gates. Do your research and visit other storage facilities and take careful notes of how they handle things.
Keep in mind that local laws (zoning) cover the methods of construction, and may require specific types of foundation, paint schemes, lighting, accessibility, and other safety features.
New vs. Used Shipping Containers
The answer here should be obvious – would you want to store your valuables or previous family keepsakes (or even off-season sporting supplies) in a rusty patched-up used container? Probably not. New shipping containers are worth the extra expense.
Starting a business (any business) is inherently risky, albeit exciting and potentially very rewarding. Please keep in mind that there are many other factors to consider before diving into entrepreneurship, and the points above are only meant to give you a few pointers in regards to setting up storage yards using shipping containers.
