Would you like to optimize your facility space? Land is getting harder to find, and space is limited. It’s smart to make most out of your facility. Whether you are building or expanding a self-storage facility, you’ll want to optimize your facility space. This means, you leave no room wasted! There may not be an exact science for determining the perfect layout for your facility. But there are ways to calculate a combination of units to effectively use your space. To optimize your facility space, you’ll need to know your property, the local competition, and the different needs of customers in your area.
Optimize: to make as perfect, effective, or functional as possible
Merriam-Webster
Here are a few questions to ask: Where can I fit storage units? What is the best mix of storage sizes? How should the traffic flow? Who are my tenants? Relocatable self-storage units are ideal for a variety of sizes, shapes, and types of spaces. These moveable units can fit where other, permanent building cannot.
Each property is a unique opportunity with its own nuances. You might be looking to start a facility from the ground up or convert or expand an existing site. If you have a site that is already built out, but you desire more revenue, how can you afford to expand? Relocatable self-storage units are ideal for adding on units to an existing site. The site may have uneven surfaces, an odd-shape, easements, setbacks, powerlines, or fence-lines to contend with. Not to worry. It can be surprising to find out how much revenue-generating space your property has — especially with relocatable units!
The location of your property can guide you when laying out your site. For example, if you’re in a rural location, you can offer drive-up units with plenty of room for trucks to enter. In cities, where land is less available, you’ll want to maximize your site with different sized units. If you have underutilized space, you could consider adding relocatable storage units. These will provide your space with more flexibility and versatility. You can also consider using roll up doors, which can save on space.
What size units will do well in your area? Identify the location, size, rental rates, occupancy, and other details of your competitors. See what is renting and what is being left empty. Do a local Google search for small units, large units, types of leases, etc. If no other facility in your area offers a particular size, investigate why. The facility might not have a manufacturer who produces a variety of sizes. Be sure you can offer a good mix if that’s what makes sense in your local market.
You can start off with a simple search for self-storage in your area. See who pops up first, and then dig into what they have to offer. Put yourself in the customers’ shoes and take note of how it feels to do this research. How easy are the websites to navigate? Can you book online? Who are they marketing to? You may find that there are holes in what’s offered, which would be a great way to beat out the competition.
