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Owning storage units can be an attractive investment opportunity for many individuals and businesses. With the growing demand for additional space due to urbanization, downsizing, and lifestyle changes, self-storage facilities have become increasingly popular.

Understanding the Potential Income from Storage Units

The self-storage industry has also increased in popularity as a business venture, with more people recognizing its potential for generating profits. Annual income owning storage units largely depends on factors such as location, size of the facility, occupancy rates, rental prices per unit, and overall management efficiency.

  • Storage Unit Income Calculator: To accurately estimate your potential earnings from a self-storage business, you can use a storage unit calculator. This tool helps determine how much revenue you could generate based on factors like square footage available for rent or the number of individual units within your facility.
  • Average Monthly Earnings: How much do storage units make a month? According to Inside Self-Storage, the average rent is $6 per square foot, depending on factors like location, competition, and demand. This means that, on average, a 10,000-square-foot storage facility will earn $60,000 per month, or $720,000 per year.

In the self-storage industry, the net operating income (NOI) is a crucial metric that determines the profitability of a facility. NOI is calculated by subtracting operating expenses from the annual revenue generated by the facility.

Owning a self-storage facility requires an initial investment, which can range from a few hundred thousand dollars to several million dollars, depending on the size and location of the facility. Additionally, operating expenses such as property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and marketing costs must be factored in when calculating the potential profit.

Despite these costs, self-storage real estate investing can be profitable, with an average profit margin of 17.23%.

Maximizing profits in the self-storage industry requires a solid business plan, efficient management, and a focus on cash flow. Small businesses, including self-storage investors, can seek guidance from the Small Business Administration to help them succeed in the commercial real estate market.

Owning storage units can be a profitable investment opportunity for those willing to make the initial investment and manage the facility efficiently. With the growing demand for storage space, the self-storage industry is expected to continue to grow, making it a potentially lucrative business venture for self-storage investors.

How To Value A Storage Unit Business

Owning a storage unit business can be an attractive investment opportunity, offering steady revenue and relatively low maintenance costs.

However, it's critical to weigh the pros and cons of owning storage units before making any commitments.

Pros of Owning Storage Units

The pros of owning storage units include:

  • Revenue potential: Storage units often have high occupancy rates due to increasing demand for extra space by individuals and businesses alike. This means you can expect consistent income from renting out your units.
  • Diversification: Investing in self-storage facilities can diversify your property portfolio, since it's not directly correlated with residential or commercial property markets.

Cons of Owning Storage Units

The cons of owning storage units include:

  • Market saturation: If there are too many similar facilities in the area where you plan to build your storage unit facility, it might lead to lower rental rates and increased customer competition. You should conduct thorough market research before deciding on a location for your facility.
  • Construction costs: How much does it cost to build 100 storage units? The initial cost of constructing new storage units can be significant, depending on land prices and construction materials. Be sure to consider these details when evaluating investment potential.

Storage Units vs. Apartments

When considering storage units vs. apartments, storage units have lower maintenance costs as they don't include plumbing or electrical systems.

Valuing a Storage Unit Business

To determine the value of a storage unit business, you need to consider factors, such as:

  • Revenue: Calculate your annual revenue by multiplying the number of units with their respective rental rates and occupancy percentages.
  • Maintenance costs: Estimate ongoing expenses like property taxes, insurance premiums, and maintenance fees. Subtract these from your total revenue to understand your net income.
  • Market demand: A successful storage unit business relies on high occupancy rates. Research local market conditions to understand the demand for self-storage facilities in the area where you plan to operate.

Valuing a storage unit business involves assessing its potential revenue streams, while considering various risks associated with market saturation and construction costs.

Storage Unit Business For Sale

Buying an existing storage unit business can be a smart move.

This option allows you to bypass the initial stages of building and marketing your facility from scratch. Before taking the plunge, evaluate both the pros and cons.

Advantages of Buying an Existing Storage Unit Business

The advantages of buying an existing storage unit business include:

  • Established Customer Base: A self-storage facility for sale will already have customers, providing immediate revenue.
  • Built Infrastructure: Purchasing a pre-built facility saves time and effort that would otherwise be spent on construction and permits.
  • Easier Financing: Lenders are often more willing to finance established businesses with proven cash flow than new ventures without financial history.
  • Potential for Expansion: If the current owner has yet to fully maximize their market potential or optimize operations, there may be room for growth through improved management practices or expansion plans.

Disadvantages of Buying an Existing Storage Unit Business

The disadvantages of buying an existing storage unit business include:

  • Potential Liabilities: When acquiring an existing business, you may inherit outstanding debts or legal issues. It's essential to conduct thorough due diligence before finalizing any purchase agreement.
  • Limited Customization Options: Inheriting someone else's vision might limit your ability to make changes according to your preferences in terms of layout, design elements, or amenities offered at the facility.
  • Higher Initial Investment: Purchasing an established storage unit operation typically requires a higher upfront cost than starting from scratch. However, this may be offset by the immediate revenue generated by existing customers.

Where do you find storage unit buildings for sale? Look at resources such as LoopNet, CREXi, or specialized self-storage brokers like Argus Self Storage Advisors. Carefully evaluate each opportunity and consider location, market demand, competition, facility condition, and financial performance before making an offer.

Risks of Investing in Self-Storage

Investing in a self-storage business can be rewarding, but you should also consider the risks and uncertainties of owning a storage unit business.

Market Demand Fluctuations

Is owning a storage unit business profitable? That depends on a variety of factors, including market demand. The demand for storage units may vary depending on numerous elements, including economic conditions, population size and trends, and shifts in customer preferences. To minimize this risk, research your target market thoroughly before investing.

Maintenance Costs

Owning a storage unit facility requires ongoing maintenance costs, such as repairs, security upgrades, and landscaping services. Expenses can escalate rapidly without a detailed budget plan outlining all expected costs, while setting aside funds for unexpected issues.

These tips will help keep maintenance costs under control:

  • Regularly inspect your property for any signs of wear and tear or damage, so you can address problems early before they lead to costly repairs.
  • Implement preventive maintenance measures (e.g., regular pest control treatments) to avoid bigger issues down the line.

Evolving Technology and Competition

The self-storage industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging every day. Failing to keep up with these advancements can lead to losing customers to more technologically advanced competitors. To mitigate this risk, stay informed about industry trends, employ creative marketing techniques, and invest in necessary upgrades to enhance your facility's appeal and functionality.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Storing unit companies must abide by numerous legal and regulatory conditions, such as zoning statutes, construction laws, safety standards, and data protection protocols. Non-compliance can lead to fines or even business closure. Ensure you're well-versed in relevant rules governing your area by consulting local authorities or seeking professional advice from a lawyer experienced in self-storage business models.

ROI On Storage Units.

When considering an investment in the self-storage industry, it's essential to understand the concept of ROI (return on investment) and how it can be calculated for a storage unit business.

Calculating ROI for Storage Unit Business

To calculate the ROI on storage units, follow these steps:

  • Determine your initial investment: This includes costs such as land acquisition, construction or purchase of existing facilities, permits/licenses fees, marketing expenses, etc.
  • Calculate annual revenue: Estimate rental income from all occupied units and any additional sources, like late fees or sales from packing supplies.
  • Deduct operating expenses: Include property taxes, insurance premiums, maintenance costs, utilities, salaries, and management fees, among others.
  • The result is your net profit.
  • Divide net profit by initial investment to calculate the ROI, expressed as a percentage.

The higher the ROI, the more profitable your storage unit business will be. It's important to note that ROI can vary depending on market conditions, operating costs, etc., so you should monitor it closely.

How to Start a Storage Container Business

When considering how to start a storage container business, begin by researching the market, obtaining funding, and obtaining necessary permits. Additionally, you'll need to purchase or lease property, select a container size and type that best meets your needs, develop a marketing plan, and hire staff if needed. Lastly, you'll need to set up a payment system for customers who will rent the storage units.

How to Start a Storage Unit Business With No Money

Starting a storage unit business with no money is possible but challenging. To get started, you'll need to research the market and identify potential funding sources, such as angel investors or venture capital firms. Additionally, you could partner with a local real estate developer who can provide land and/or buildings in exchange for a portion of your profits.

Increase Your ROI with Adverank

If you want to maximize your return on investment in the self-storage industry, Adverank is a valuable partner. Adverank is an ad management platform developed by experts in digital advertising, along with feedback from top operators in the self-storage industry.

We take zero commission from your ad spend and provide coaches to keep track of your account's progress and provide vital insights along the way.

Schedule a demo today.