Eleven percent of Americans use self-storage. That’s a lot of people! So it must be a great solution for excess storage, right? You may be surprised by how much this so-called affordable storage can really cost you over time due to a storage unit price increase. For those who rent self-storage spaces, the introduction can seem like a bargain. The company you’re working with might provide you with an enticing opening offer: waiving the first month’s rent or providing low introductory rates that sound reasonable. However, these offers might be short-lived when taking into consideration the full cost of your self-storage relationship. In this article, we’ll discuss some unexpected roadblocks that you may encounter if you decide to store your equipment in a self-storage unit, and detail other options that may save you money and avoid a dreaded storage unit price increase.

Table of Contents

Click on the following links to go to a specific section of the article.

1. How to Alleviate the Impact of a Storage Unit Price Increase
2. An Affordable Solution to Your Storage Needs
3. A Storage Solution That’s Portable, Not Immobile
4. Minimal Rent Increases
5. Summary

How to Alleviate the Impact of a Storage Unit Price Increase

While self-storage rate increases can be painful, there’s a few things that you can do to try to alleviate the cost increase. First, review your rental agreement. This document includes terms and conditions for your storage rental, outlining the notice requirements and terms of a possible storage unit price increase. Next, you can try to negotiate the rent increase with your self-storage provider. While you might not get your old rate back, if you discuss your displeasure with the rate increase with management, they might offer a cheaper deal than the original offer. However, it’s important to mention that you don’t have much negotiating power as a consumer. Especially in large population centers, where property prices are constantly rising, self-storage operators understand that if they lose you, they can likely replace you with a new customer, starting them at a rate that may be cheaper than yours, but likely higher than your introductory rate. In addition to this, there are a few other factors that influence your negotiating power as a customer.

1. Occupancy:

If a self-storage facility has a lot of occupants, and demand is high, you’ll be hard pressed to find much of a deal. However, if occupancy is low and management wants to retain customers, your negotiating power is stronger.

2. Your Rental History:

If you haven’t experienced a rent increase in a while, it’s unlikely that you can negotiate against it. Focus your negotiations around pushing back the increase by a month or two to see if you can stretch your time with the old rate for all it’s worth.

3. Demand for your unit:

If there’s not much demand for your unit, then you’re in a better position to negotiate. These units are typically larger, as most customers opt for small storage units, which typically have higher demand.

4. Time of year:

Related to occupancy, the time of year matters. During the winter, there aren’t as many prospective customers when compared to the summer months.

5. Competition:

If your self-storage provider is the only show in town, you’ll find it difficult to negotiate. But if there are a few other providers in your area, get quotes before negotiating to compare. If you find an attractive deal, mention it, and your provider may match it to keep your business. Over time, your self-storage provider will continually increase prices, knowing that they’ll continue to profit from customers with long-term storage needs. Be careful when making ultimatums or angrily stating that you’ll cancel your storage rental. Instead of losing your temper, calmly explain your situation, and mention that you may have to look elsewhere for storage due to the rate increase. In addition to increasing the likelihood of getting to the negotiating table, it’s just common courtesy. You’re likely speaking with someone who doesn’t set the terms of a storage unit price increase, they’re just speaking on behalf of their bosses’ policies. If you’re searching the self-storage provider’s website, try to schedule a move-out date at least a month in the future. Don’t confirm, as sometimes self-storage companies will automatically provide a discount on your rent if you show an intent to cancel your rent.

An Affordable Solution to Your Storage Needs

A storage unit price increase can upset your personal or business plans, wrecking your finances. What used to be a great short-term deal can quickly turned into a headache that’s ever-increasing in price. In 2018, an average storage unit in the U.S. cost $86.51, while in 2022, it cost $110. That’s an increase of 27.15% in just 4 years, and that’s just calculating the averages! Online, you can regularly find posts of customers mentioning their self-storage rents rising 10-40% every 6-9 months. What a budget-buster! If you’re looking for an affordable storage solution that can meet the needs of your evolving business, with pro-rated rental payments for an affordable price, then you’ve come to the right place. While they may have a humbler appearance, shipping containers for storage offer several benefits for those interested in self-storage. For one, they’re made of similar materials to outdoor self-storage systems. Containers are made from 14-gauge rust-resistant steel, which makes it a resilient storage option, reliably able to keep out wind and rain and deter thieves.

A Storage Solution That’s Portable, Not Immobile

Imagine if you could store your excess belongings or shop inventory in a mobile solution. Instead of having to go to a centralized facility to access your storage, you can request transportation between locations, and we can move your rental container on the back of one of our flatbed trucks. With shipping containers for storage, you don’t have to imagine! It’s a simple process to move shipping containers, just call your sales representative and we can schedule transportation. It’s additionally convenient if you have a forklift on-site, allowing you to move containers wherever they’re needed.

Minimal Rent Increases

The biggest difference between self-storage facilities and storage container rentals is that our storage option typically only increases in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). While self-storage customers always worry about what their monthly rental price will be in a year, storage container renters can rest assured that their rates won’t skyrocket up and destroy their budget. With additional flexibility due to our pro-rated rental policies, you can finally experience a storage provider that’s working for you, not the other way around.

Summary

In conclusion, while self-storage may initially appear to be a cost-effective solution for managing excess belongings, the reality can often be quite different. As we’ve explored, an unexpected storage unit price increase can turn what seemed like a bargain into a financial burden. However, by considering alternatives like shipping containers, you can find a more flexible and affordable storage solution that meets your needs without the stress of rapidly escalating costs. Ultimately, being informed and proactive about your storage options can help you make the best decision for your personal or business requirements, ensuring that your storage solution truly serves you well in the long run.