How Can I Reduce My Storage Cost?
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You can reduce your storage cost by only storing exactly what you need to, opting for a cheaper location, using by-the-box solutions or doing a thorough price comparison.
How Much Does Storage Cost?
Storage costs in the UK vary depending on a range of factors including size, location and facilities. According to Stackt, average prices fall around £20 to £30 weekly for small unit rental.
However, for top locations like London prices could reach over £200 per month.
Checkatrade estimates average prices at the below:
| Storage Size | Weekly Cost (£) | Monthly Cost (£) | Yearly Cost (£) | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | Varies | Varies | Varies | Small garden shed equivalent; holds boxes, single mattress, or small furniture. |
| 50 sq ft | £22 | £95 | £1,155 | Half of a standard single garage; contents of a 1-bedroom flat, queen bed, appliances, or a bike. |
| 100 sq ft | £44 | £190 | £2,310 | Standard single garage; 2-bedroom house contents, sofa sets, garden furniture, or large items. |
| 150 sq ft | £66 | £285 | £3,465 | Larger units for more extensive household or small business storage needs. |
| 200 sq ft | £88 | £380 | £4,620 | Double garage equivalent; fits contents of a 4-5 bedroom house, large furniture, or business inventory. |
How To Reduce Storage Costs
If you are in need of a storage solution but are worried about the price, there are plenty of ways you could reduce storage costs.
Size
With storage, the more you store, the more you pay. So, first think about what absolutely needs to be stored. You could consider the existing storage space you may have at home (wardrobes, attic, garage) and if anything more could fit there. It also could be a good opportunity to declutter.
There’s probably plenty of stuff taking up room that you don’t need anymore. Now might be your moment to sell or donate old items.
Once you’ve established what you absolutely have to store, think about the smallest storage space that would fit your items.
For example, with a traditional self-storage method, think about whether your stuff would fit in the smallest unit available - that would lower your costs as you’ll only be paying for the minimum square footage possible.
You could also consider paying for storage by-the-box. That means that you only pay for the boxes that you store rather than the physical space being taken up. This avoids paying for a storage unit that sits half empty.
To explore storage by the box, with prices starting at £3.56 per month, get in touch with The Box Co. at hello@theboxco.co.uk today
Location
Location is everything when it comes to storage. If you’re looking to store in a big city or in a UK capital, you can expect to pay a great deal more.
Unsurprisingly, storage in London can be the most expensive in the country.
Storage companies capitalise on the fact that people in big cities need extra storage space and they set their prices accordingly. Storing your items out of the city or in a less expensive area of the UK (such as the North of England or the West), could save you some money.
Opting for by-the-box means that location doesn’t come into the equation when it comes to storage prices.
Collecting and returning your items directly to you, these companies choose an optimum location based on your address. Whether you’re in a big city or a small village, you will not pay extra for a specific location.
Based on data by Safestore, average prices are:
| Region | 25 sq ft (Monthly) | 50 sq ft (Monthly) | 75 sq ft (Monthly) | 100 sq ft (Monthly) | Storage by the Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £80.83 | £161.67 | £242.50 | £323.34 | Starting from £3.56 per month |
| South East | £60.48 | £121.00 | £181.50 | £242.00 | Starting from £3.56 per month |
| West Midlands & Wales | £42.38 | £84.76 | £127.14 | £169.52 | Starting from £3.56 per month |
| North of England | £42.58 | £85.17 | £127.75 | £170.34 | Starting from £3.56 per month |
| Scotland | £49.73 | £99.46 | £149.19 | £198.92 | Starting from £3.56 per month |
Note: These figures are approximate averages and can vary based on specific locations, facility amenities, and current promotions. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it's recommended to contact local storage providers directly.
Facilities
Certain storage facilities offer additional facilities at an added cost. For example, they may have climate-controlled units or offer 24/7 access to your items.
This might be an area where you’re able to save some money. Opting for a storage facility with fewer facilities included could mean a lower price each month.
If choosing to forgo certain facilities, always make sure that the safety and security of your items is paramount.
For example, choosing a cheaper storage facility that doesn’t have good security and surveillance may be cheaper in the short-run but could cost you in the long-run.
It's also worth understanding whether storage insurance is included or not, as this might be an extra cost to take into account.
For more information see our guide around is climate controlled storage worth the extra cost?
Discounts / Promotions
When comparing prices of different storage options, take into consideration available discounts and promotions.
Things such as introductory offers could help you cut the initial cost. Also, many storage facilities offer a discounted rate for a longer-term rental so if you know you need multiple months of storage, you could benefit from one of these offers.
Price Comparison
As with any important financial decision, it is important to compare what’s out there. With so many different options available, it can be difficult to choose.
For your storage needs, consider using a price comparison site to make sure you’re getting the best offer.
Can I Reduce My Storage Cost Storing By the Box?
Storing by the box offers a cheaper and more flexible alternative to renting an entire storage unit. With this model, you pay by the box, with different box sizes at different prices. This means however much or little storage, you only ever pay for what you have - not for a whole area that may be unused.
The flexibility of this is also great as it allows you to increase or decrease your storage as needed. Rather than have to haul all your storage to a remote location, these companies do everything for you - they’ll collect your boxes and return them as needed.
To find out more, see our guide: self-storage vs. storage by the box: what's the difference?
Cutting Storage Costs
From minimising the items you need to store to opting for a cheaper location or smaller unit, there are many ways you could cut storage costs. Moving away from traditional storage and using a by-the-box company could cut costs further as you’re only paying for the items that you store rather than a whole space.
To explore storage by the box, with prices starting at £3.56 per month, get in touch with The Box Co. at hello@theboxco.co.uk today