Starting a Container Storage Business
Discussion
Keep it stiff said:
I have been involved with a few sites providing container self-storage.
Yes planning is required and is not always easy, authorities are rarely keen to see plots of agricultural land or fallow brown-field sites turned into mini trading estates.
Used 20ft containers are cheap enough but they are not ideal as storage units without some adaptation. The four lever door systems are a pain in the butt, these can be converted. Splitting containers into small units with side doors gives more selling flexibility. You need good lighting. Ideally you need hard standing between rows. You can double stack and add stairs/walkways, this gives an option to sell upper space at a discount to lower space. The key to running a profitable site is to make it staff-less, this in turn requires good systems and processes such as access control to the site. (Access control can also be geared to provide credit control.) CCTV is essential, slick process for signing up & billing etc and regular physical checks. Remember the front end too, filling a yard with containers and setting up good operating standards does not mean you will get a queue at the door. Be prepared for issues such as abandoned contents in units and the yard. A number of these sites are run very well, I suggest you visit a few existing operators posing as a prospective customer and you will quickly see the difference between attractive/well run and the opposite end of the scale.
Firstly thanks for your reply its very helpful!Yes planning is required and is not always easy, authorities are rarely keen to see plots of agricultural land or fallow brown-field sites turned into mini trading estates.
Used 20ft containers are cheap enough but they are not ideal as storage units without some adaptation. The four lever door systems are a pain in the butt, these can be converted. Splitting containers into small units with side doors gives more selling flexibility. You need good lighting. Ideally you need hard standing between rows. You can double stack and add stairs/walkways, this gives an option to sell upper space at a discount to lower space. The key to running a profitable site is to make it staff-less, this in turn requires good systems and processes such as access control to the site. (Access control can also be geared to provide credit control.) CCTV is essential, slick process for signing up & billing etc and regular physical checks. Remember the front end too, filling a yard with containers and setting up good operating standards does not mean you will get a queue at the door. Be prepared for issues such as abandoned contents in units and the yard. A number of these sites are run very well, I suggest you visit a few existing operators posing as a prospective customer and you will quickly see the difference between attractive/well run and the opposite end of the scale.
It is on an existing mini trading estate, the rear of the site is already used for storage, with a couple of existing containers, wagons and caravans being stored there at present. its level and concreted. It does need a good clean up with lots of scrap/rubbish etc. So theres already a precedent been set.
The plan was initially to go for a half a dozen or so "one trip" high cube 20ft containers; giving people three options- untreated, spray foam roof, or ply-line & insulated.
CCTV is in hand and is already being upgraded, and lighting is on the list.
One of the main items is making the site more secure, theres two existing palisade gates to get to the yard, this does need some attention, and incorporating credit/access codes is a great suggestion.
I intend to visit a few, if anyone has any examples of a well run one please let me know, as there isn't many locally.
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