Can I Negotiate The Price Of A Storage Unit?
Not usually. It’s usually difficult to negotiate the price of a storage unit with traditional storage companies. However, choosing a flexibly priced storage solution from the start means that you’ll only pay for what you store.
Traditional storage units will charge by the size of the space (usually per square foot) and will have a fixed price for this. Negotiation is usually not an option.
If you’re looking to keep storage costs flexible, choose a storage by-the-box solution like The Box Co. instead.
We believe in flexibility which is why you’ll only pay for as much storage as you need for as long or as little as you need it - at the best costs.
Want to find out how much you’d pay? Get in touch with the team for a free quote today!
Can You Negotiate with a Storage Unit Facility?
Storage units usually have fixed prices based on the size - it is unlikely that main storage facilities will be open to negotiation for this.
If you want to negotiate a price decrease for your storage unit, you should first look at your rental agreement. This will lay out all the terms and conditions of your rental agreement and will explain any price hikes and how they work.
At this point, negotiation could be possible to see if you could get your old rate back or a slightly cheaper price. However, for major storage operators, there is high demand, so the prospect of a lost customer may not sway them.
If you’re not happy with the original price of storage from the outset, it is always worth looking into more affordable storage solutions. Considering by-the-box storage, rather than a full storage unit, works out to be cheaper and more flexible right from the start, without the need for negotiation.
At The Box Co. we only charge per box, starting from just £3.56 per month.
Find out more about storage by the box here.
Influencing Factors When Negotiating Storage Prices
Traditional storage units are unlikely to be open to negotiation but the following factors may impact your negotiating power:
Demand
For storage facilities in a high-demand area, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to negotiate a better deal. However, in less popular areas with lower occupancy, you’ll have stronger negotiating power.
Rental history
Have you been renting with this company for a while? If you can demonstrate that you’re a loyal, long-standing customer, you may have more power when it comes to negotiating a price increase or delaying when it comes into effect.
Time of year
Many major storage facilities have different prices at different times of the year. Winter is a less popular time for storage than summer so it might be easier to negotiate.
Local competitors
If your storage facility is the only one in the area, it may be harder to negotiate as they know that you have few options. It’s a good idea to shop around and get some quotes so that you go into a negotiation setting well-informed.
That way, they may be able to offer a price match with another company you’ve found.
How Can I Negotiate The Price Of A Storage Unit?
You might be able to negotiate the price of a storage unit if you’re already an existing company and looking to negotiate a rent increase. There are different ways to go about this including researching lower prices with competitors, committing to a longer-term lease or taking advantage of available discounts.
If you do decide to negotiate, choose the right time of year, be well-informed and make sure you are firm but polite in your communications.
In general, all major storage providers are subject to price hikes - some less frequently than others.
For constant prices with no hidden surprises, stick to a company like The Box Co. where you’ll pay the same fee with no price hikes during your time storing items.
When Might I Be Able To Negotiate the Price of a Storage Unit?
There are certain moments where negotiation may be more favourable including:
You’re an existing customer
Being an existing customer shows that you have a good track record and are loyal to the company. Storage providers may prefer to keep you on rather than find a new customer.
Lower occupancy period
Less busy periods mean there’s a lower demand and more vacancies. It may be more valuable to keep existing companies happy by compromising on price than to have another vacant unit.
Multiple competitors
If you’re storing your items in an area with several storage provider options, you could compare the rates of other facilities to try and negotiate a better price.
Long-term contracts
For people wanting long-term storage, offering to sign a longer lease and commit for a longer time period could often get you a better rate. H
owever, if you want to keep your options flexible and not commit to a specific time period, by the box storage solutions allow you to just store as long as you need, at affordable prices.
How To Keep Storage Costs Affordable
If you’re worried about the price of storage, follow these tips from the beginning to keep your storage costs low and avoid the need for negotiation.
Only rent the space you need
Renting a full storage unit can be expensive and can often lead to your space sitting half empty.
Space-efficient solutions like by-the-box mean that you only pay for exactly what you store rather than dead space.
These are far more affordable and means that you won’t have to negotiate difficult price increases every few months.
Only store for as long as you need
Don’t get locked into a fixed, long-term contract as you may end up paying for storage for months you don’t need it.
When you sign a contract, you agree to all the terms and conditions - including a fixed price and any possible price increases that may occur.
Why not stay flexible and choose a company where you only pay for the days you store - be on a temporary basis, like during a move, or for long-term needs like student storage and business storage.
Pack efficiently
The way you pack your storage can also help you save money. Packing up your items as compactly as possible makes a by the box storage solution possible. You’ll only pay for what you store so the fewer boxes, the less you’ll pay.
Good packing also means your items are well protected during their time in storage. Certain storage companies offer a full packing service so that you can guarantee high-quality packing and safe transit.
Affordable Storage to Suit Your Needs with The Box Co.
With The Box Co., there’s no need to negotiate price cuts. We believe in affordable, flexible storage for everyone which is why our by-the-box options start from just £3.56 a month.
You’ll only pay for what you store for as long as you need it. Get a quote today!
