Why Is Self Storage So Expensive?

Self storage can be expensive due to high demand for certain locations, high operational costs and additional features like climate-controlled storage and 24/7 security.

Large storage companies especially are known for regular price hikes and high self-storage costs.

However, self-storage can still be affordable. At The Box Co., our flexible storage by-the-box solutions are a cheap way to store your belongings. You only pay for what you store so you never pay for wasted space.

Get a quote today to see how affordable your self-storage could be!

What Factors Make Self Storage Expensive?

The key factors influencing the cost of self-storage are:

Size Of The Storage Unit

Unit size is one of the main influencers of the price of self-storage. Generally speaking, the larger the storage unit, the more expensive the price. You can choose the size that works for you to avoid overpaying. 

To save money on your self-storage, there are affordable options available. For example, storage by-the-box is a great way to keep self-storage prices low as you only pay for what you store rather than an entire unit so you’ll never pay for wasted space.

Making sure your belongings are packed efficiently with packaging materials means that you can get them into fewer boxes and pay even less.

Location

For most storage companies, self storage facilities in a busy city like London, Manchester or Birmingham - especially uni cities where people are looking for student storage

In the bigger cities, the areas are more densely populated making overheads and demand higher. Having an inner-city storage is more convenient for many but this convenience comes with a price tag. 

While there are storage facilities in more remote or suburban areas at a lower price, many find these facilities more difficult to access so will pay more for the convenience of a closer storage location.

Some self storage facilities take location out of the equation - collecting your items from you and bringing them straight back to you when you need them. That means that wherever you’re based, you won’t pay additional fees for certain locations.

Duration

Another factor influencing the price of self storage is how long you are looking to store your belongings. Many storage facilities prefer a longer-term contract so will offer discounts for long-term periods or may be more open to price negotiations. 

Short-term storage solutions can often work out to be more expensive per day but can provide more flexibility.

If you know you need long-term storage, it can be a good idea to save money over time and benefit from discounts by signing a longer contract.

However, if you don’t know exactly how long you’ll need storage or don’t want to be locked into a contract, choose a more flexible storage solution where you only have to pay for the duration of time your items are in storage.

Demand And Supply

In areas of fewer storage facilities, demand is likely to be higher and, consequently, the prices will be higher too. You can sometimes find more reasonable rates in areas with multiple storage companies.

Looking for a storage company where you’ll pay the same price, whatever your location, can keep your self-storage costs low.

Amenities

Additional amenities like climate-controlled facilities and security measures (like 24/7 surveillance) should be a standard but some storage companies charge the client higher storage prices for these facilities.

When choosing a storage provider, consider the inclusions. You’ll want your items to be protected from heat or humidity so climate-controlled units are important. Similarly, you’ll want your items to be safe, so security features are a necessity. 

Choose a company where these facilities are included already so that you know you’re getting affordable storage that covers all your needs.

Corporate Strategies

Some of the bigger storage companies will have strategies in place to maximise profits. These include increasing the price of storage after an initial promotional period, raising the price at least once a year and charging more at certain times of the year.

Opting for a smaller, more affordable storage company could mean that you’re not subject to these corporate strategies. Rather than be at the will of the company and their sudden price changes, you could just pay a fixed price for the total duration of the time you’re storing your items.

Seasonal Changes

Certain times of year are considered peak seasons for storage. For example, summer is typically a busier month as it is a common time to move house, declutter your space or for students to store items between term time. Some storage facilities will capitalise on this and charge higher prices during these seasons.

If you want to cut costs, it could be a good idea to look for storage during slower, off-peak months or choose a company that has the same prices all year round - regardless of season.

Affordable Self Storage With The Box Co. 

At The Box Co., we aim to make self storage as affordable as possible. We don’t increase our prices based on location, season or high-quality amenities.

Instead, we offer you totally secure, climate-controlled storage at affordable prices - wherever you are. 

With our convenient model, we pick your belongings up directly from your door and deliver them back to you whenever you need. And, with prices starting at just £3.56 per month, we’re sure we can find you the perfect self-storage solution to suit your needs. 

Get a quote today!