Using a Self-Storage Unit for Your Business

Running your own business is definitely a challenging task, and one significant hurdle entrepreneurs can face is finding enough space to store all their inventory, equipment, and physical files. But the solution is quite simple actually – use a storage unit! Self-storage is an affordable and flexible solution for businesses of all sizes, providing a secure and convenient space to store equipment, materials, inventory, documents, and more.

In this article, we’ll look at all the different ways your business can benefit from using a self-storage unit!

What kinds of businesses use self-storage?

A variety of businesses use self-storage for different reasons:

• Retail businesses sometimes move their excess inventory or seasonal items into storage.
• Service-based businesses such as landscapers or construction companies make use of self-storage to keep equipment and materials safe and close to the job site.
• E-commerce businesses may not have their own office or warehouse, so they often keep their inventory in a storage unit and take it out whenever orders have been placed.
• Many other small businesses that work from home or have a fairly cramped office can also benefit from self-storage to free up much-needed space.

Benefits of using a storage unit for business

There are more benefits to using a storage unit for your business than you would think! Here we will list some of the most significant ones.

Less workspace clutter

Over time, your workspace accumulates different items and gets progressively more cluttered. One of the biggest clutter culprits is the tons of files that you are obliged to possess in physical form for legal reasons. Sure, one file cabinet might not take up that much space. But then you add another and another…

You can move it into a storage unit to keep yourself from being buried beneath a mountain of documentation! There’s also another bonus – in the unfortunate event of a fire, flood, or another disaster in your workplace, all your files will still be safe and intact in your storage unit.

Advanced security

And talking about safe, self-storage facilities are equipped with video surveillance, controlled entry, and sometimes even security guards. So whether you want to free up space or to keep your items in a safer place, self-storage offers both! Let the experts keep all your items safe and sound until you need them again.

Added space for extra inventory

Many businesses, especially those in the retail sector, experience fluctuations in their inventory throughout the year. For example, a clothing store may need additional space to store winter coats in the summer or a home goods store – for their holiday decorations when they are not in season.

By using a self-storage unit, businesses can keep excess inventory or seasonal items off-site, freeing up valuable floor space. This can help to increase efficiency and reduce clutter.

The easy and cost-effective way to expand

As your business grows and expands, it’s only natural that your workspace will grow too. But relocating constantly is not only a huge pain but will also hamper your workflow and cost you more money in the long term.

Rather than moving, you could keep unnecessary files and equipment in storage to free more workspace. Sure, it’s not a permanent solution, but it will postpone your need to change location as often as you would have otherwise.

If you have to downsize your office for whatever reason, moving all your extra office furniture and equipment into self-storage is a better solution than selling it all urgently.

Additional co-working space

Many self-storage facilities offer on-site conference rooms or meeting spaces that can be rented out for business use. These spaces provide a private and professional location to conduct meetings, training, or work on projects.

This can be particularly useful for small business owners, freelancers, and home-based entrepreneurs who don’t have a dedicated office space. This extra co-working space can also be used as a location to meet with clients, which is a great way to create a professional impression.

Many self-storage facilities also offer free internet access. This means you can get some work done on the go, even if you are there just to drop something off in your storage unit. You can even decide to make your storage unit into an actual business space!  Many small businesses use storage units as compact offices, workshops, concession stands, etc.

Climate control for sensitive items

Many self-storage facilities offer climate-controlled units, which can help protect all your stored items from damage due to temperature extremes or improper humidity. This can be particularly useful for businesses that need to keep sensitive equipment, like electronic devices, machinery, or musical instruments.

Climate-controlled units can also be beneficial for businesses that store perishable goods, like pharmaceuticals, for example. By maintaining a consistent temperature and humidity level, these items can be stored in an optimal environment to extend their shelf life.

Remember to insure your business property while in storage

When using self-storage for business needs, it’s essential to consider the available insurance options to protect your property while it’s in storage.

Many storage facilities offer their own insurance policies, but it’s crucial to understand what they cover and whether it’s sufficient for your needs. Some self-storage insurance policies may have limits on the amount of coverage or may only cover certain types of damages. Depending on your needs, purchasing insurance coverage through a third-party provider offering more comprehensive coverage might be best.

Before deciding on an insurance option, it’s vital to assess the value of the items you plan to store and determine the coverage level you need. You should also consider factors such as the likelihood of theft, damage from natural disasters, and the potential for loss due to power outages or other unforeseen events.

Another critical step is to document your items and keep records of their condition when they are stored. This can help ensure that any claims for damages or loss are handled quickly.

It’s also a good idea to regularly check the insurance coverage of self-storage facilities, as the terms and conditions can change over time.

Conclusion

So, whether you’re planning to or are already running your own business, self-storage can help you in more ways than you can imagine!

And there’s no need to imagine – now that you’ve read this article, you have a general idea of how renting a storage unit can help your business. Whether you want an office with less clutter, a secure place for your equipment, or even a co-working space, self-storage has it all.