Storage Rental Prices 101

Self-storage is used for so many reasons - moving, renovating, for storing extra retail inventory, document storage, tool storage, car storage, seasonal storage, a place to store the overflow from the garage or when your kids are home from college or university, and so on.

While the need for a self storage unit varies from person to person and business to business, there is a common deciding factor that almost everyone shares - storage rental prices!

Cheap Self-Storage Prices

People spend a great deal of time seeking out cheap storage because no one wants to spend a lot on something as mundane as a storage unit. When searching online for ‘cheap storage units’ or ‘cheap storage near me’ (because there are benefits to renting from your local storage facility) it’s common to find that self storage prices can vary greatly between facilities, even when you’re seemingly looking at the exact same storage unit. It’s not uncommon to see a difference of more than $50 per month between the same storage unit sizes at two different facilities in the same area.

The reason for this difference is not necessarily the storage unit itself, but the facility in which it’s located, and what they offer. Staffing, property maintenance, temperature regulation and security features all impact self-storage rental prices. These costs will be built into monthly rental costs, which often drive up the rates…but a higher self-storage unit price is not a bad thing. You get what you pay for when it comes to self-storage.

Weighing all that the storage facility offers for the price they charge is the best way to measure value and determine if you’re really getting a deal on a cheap storage unit rental. We believe that it’s important to visit facilities in person to get a true sense of the location, the staff, and the facilities first-hand before you commit. Just relying on websites, online photos and reviews can be misleading at times, as they can be manipulated to portray an ideal (and untrue) view to potential customers.

If you’re looking for cheap self-storage, here are 3 things to be aware of:

1. You get what you pay for: If you’re comfortable with a no frills facility, then that’s just fine. But before you look for self-storage, write down a list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” just so you keep your goals in mind.
2. There is a difference between a deal and cheap: Always pay attention to the fine print of the deal though because $1 for your first month sounds great, but if you need to stay for three months or put down a larger deposit, that could financially be stressful. There is a big difference between getting a deal and getting something “cheap”. “Cheap” usually means the facility is not investing in itself anymore and things start to get tired and rundown. That might be fine by you as long as the price is right – but again, do your homework and make sure you’re at least getting your basics.
3. Make sure the facility isn’t on its last legs: You’re storing your personal or business belongings at a facility. What would you do if it goes out of business? If you think your storage facility is struggling and “cheap” doesn’t even begin to describe the place, then you should at least check in once a month to know whether the place has changed hands or is being shut down. Either way, it affects you and your belongings

Do Not Skimp on Security

When using self-storage, in addition to feeling that you got a solid deal on price, you really do need to feel confident that the facility will keep your belongings safe and secure. A cheap storage unit offers you no benefit if your belongings are not safe while in storage. Here are key security indicators that you should look for while touring a facility:

• Fencing and gates: In order to keep out unwanted visitors, self-storage facilities should have a fully fenced/enclosed property and have a gate providing conditional access, if they offer storage outside.
• Staff: Does the facility employ someone to manage the yard?  Is there a customer service employee in an office to answer questions and address concerns?
• Office space: Does the facility have an office?  Is it an inviting place, with retail supplies and sources of information?
• Storage yard: Is the storage property and building well maintained and clean? Is it yard level and paved, or bumpy, gravel covered, and uneven?
• Storage unit: What is the self-storage unit made of?  Are the doors and walls made of wood or metal? Is there a roof or is it covered with small/large wire?
• Security cameras: Do you see security cameras in the yard or building? Do you see monitors with security footage in the office? Does it seem like the security cameras have a full view of the facility or just the entry points? 
• Lights: Are there lights all over the storage yard? If you had to visit your storage unit at night, would you be able to see?  Would you feel safe?

As you can tell security is a big deal for us, and a top priority. To learn more about what secure self storage really means, and how to ensure you and your belongings are protected, read our post What Really Is Secure Self Storage.

If you’re looking for truly cheap storage, you may have to sacrifice the security and cleanliness that often come with higher rental costs. It’s up to you to place value on your belongings, but we find that if you’re willing to pay for self-storage, your belongings are valuable to you. 

Storage Solutions - Your Affordable & Secure Storage Facility

Here at Storage Solutions, we offer competitive self storage prices, while also placing the utmost importance on safety and security for you and your stored items. We have:

• Fully enclosed, well-lit yards with gated access.
• On-site staff.
• Security cameras monitoring the entire storage yard.
• Office hours 6 days a week.
• Affordable storage prices.

We hope you’ll visit us here in Milton to see firsthand what we have to offer. We are confident you will be pleased with our facility, staff, security and our self storage prices. Happy storing!

Your friend in self-storage,

Storage Solutions