If you’re unsure of whether or not to implement portable storage containers at your self storage facility, read up on the specifics below to get a better grasp on which aspects of your business would benefit most and what steps to take first once you’re ready.
How Can Portable Storage Help My Facility?
Self storage facilities offer portable storage (also called mobile storage) to their customers for many reasons. Besides serving as an extra convenience to the customer, portable storage containers may be a good solution if you’re looking to add more storage space, especially in a timely manner.
Rod Bolls, Vice President of Universal Storage Containers, explains that many self storage owners view portable storage containers as a standout opportunity for growth within the industry.
“It’s as simple as placing the container in position at your facility and renting it out the same day,” says Bolls. “With the right containers, construction or assembly time can be as little as 15 to 20 minutes until they’re ready to rent and immediately begin generating revenue for the self storage operator.”
Bolls explains that portable storage containers are equally visually appealing and can be matched to the finish, color, or signage of the existing facility.
How Do I Begin Implementation?
For those ready to get the ball rolling on mobile storage, but not quite sure how to go about it, there are a few details to take into account.
Bolls suggests to first figure out how much space is available at your facility that can be utilized by mobile storage containers. He adds that the containers can be placed just about anywhere on the property, especially in places where self storage buildings haven’t been built due to space limitations, zoning restrictions, and other reasons.
“You can place portable storage containers in open or covered spaces to quickly begin generating additional revenue,” says Bolls. “Portable storage containers are less expensive and have much lower construction costs than traditional self storage buildings.”
If you already have a place in mind for where you’d like the portable storage containers to go, you’ll need to prep the area beforehand.
“Level the land as best as possible before receiving the containers at the facility,” says Bolls. “We have heard from our customers that the tighter the gravel the better, but we have customers renting out our containers on all possible surfaces from concrete or asphalt to grass or dirt.” Without leveling the land, the doors of the container may not be in place to work appropriately.
Just because you place a container in a certain area doesn’t mean it’s stuck there forever. Bolls says that the fork pockets on the portable storage container allow it to be easily repositioned or relocated to a different spot.
What’s to Come for Portable Storage Containers?
As far as the market for portable storage in days to come, the popularity of these containers continues to be widespread among facilities throughout the country, as well as internationally.
“We have seen a steady growth trend over the past few years of increased portable storage container sales internationally and throughout the US/Canada market,” says Bolls. “Our customers are telling us that they’re confident that 2015 will continue with a significant increase in the utilization of portable storage containers to meet demand in their respective markets. We already have many customers who have placed their 2015 orders with us, and we expect it to be another banner year for the portable storage industry globally.”
