Seasonal businesses have unique opportunities and unique challenges. Fortunately, using self-storage can help to deal with these challenges. This can help entrepreneurs to focus on maximising their opportunities. Here is a quick guide to what you need to know if you’re considering commercial self storage for your seasonal business.
Self-storage is highly flexible
Self-storage is essentially storage on demand. The exact nature of the facilities on offer varies from one self-storage unit to another. In general, however, you can expect a pretty wide range of sizing options (30 cubic feet to 1600 cubic feet is a good expectation).
Likewise, you can usually book storage for anything from a very short time to a very long time. In fact, if necessary, you can often hold onto storage units indefinitely. This may be useful for seasonal businesses that want to hold on to some items between seasons.
Self-storage is often excellent value
When considering the cost of self-storage, think about the alternatives. The two likeliest options are to take up space that’s intended for other purposes or to store items outside. Technically, both of these options may be free. In practice, however, both usually carry hidden costs. These can work out a lot more expensive than the cost of self-storage.
If you store items in a place that is meant to be used for something else, then you’re effectively blocking that space. That has a cost in itself. It can also lead to further problems. For example, if you use your garage, then your car will need to be kept on your driveway. This leaves it more exposed to both the weather and criminals.
Similarly, if you store items outside, even under cover, then you expose them to more risk from the weather and criminals. Even in the warmer months, the UK’s weather should be treated with respect. Usually, the issue is rain and sometimes winds. Hot weather can also be an issue (and the risk of fire it brings). In winter, the challenges are even greater.
When you opt for self-storage, you avoid all these issues. This in itself can be enough to justify the charges. What’s more, they are often tax-deductible. With self-storage, charges are generally all-inclusive. That means you don’t need to think about bills for lighting and/or heating.
Self-storage is safe and convenient
Self-storage facilities are literally built to keep items safe inside them. For example, they will generally be much more waterproof than standard domestic outbuildings (e.g., garages). This means that they will be cleaner and drier. This helps to deter vermin. They also take robust measures to protect against fire.
In addition to protecting against environmental hazards, self-storage facilities take the threat of crime very seriously. Again, they will take robust measures to protect against it. Despite this, they remain convenient and accessible to legitimate users. In fact, many self-storage facilities allow 24/7/365 access.
Self-storage is easy to insure
The fact that self-storage is so secure means that insurers tend to be very happy to cover it. If your own insurer doesn’t offer this cover, a self-storage facility will generally be able to point you in the right direction.
Self-storage facilities usually offer value-add services
Most self-storage facilities will be able to loan equipment such as trolleys. They may provide packing supplies for free or for a small cost. Staff are generally happy to lend a hand with moving goods into and/or out of a unit. They can often sign for deliveries and take them to your unit for you.
Some self-storage units can even be used as temporary fulfilment centres. You generally need to do your own packaging and add postage. The on-site staff can pass it on to the delivery service for you.
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