Since the late '90s, climate-controlled self storage has become more and more popular. If you're considering upgrading your facility, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Ask yourself some important questions.
Is climate control something that the market needs? Is the market aware of the benefits? Do your competitors have climate-controlled units, and if so, how are they faring? If you don't know the answers to these questions, find out.
Climate-controlled facilities can cost a lot of money, and it's important to know what your investment will be and whether you can make a return on it. A little research into climate control in your area, plus some solid answers to those questions, will breed big benefits later on.
Identify clients in your area.
Climate-controlled self-storage units typically keep the temperature below 90 degrees and above 40 degrees, and keeps humidity below 65 percent to prevent mold and mildew. The most efficient temperature range, although this is up to the owner and how he/she plans on marketing, is from 78-82 degrees in the summer is from and 55-60 degrees in the winter.
Ideally, in the summer, climate-controlled self-storage units can be rented for a little more, and they'll usually bring in a more affluent customer. What kind of businesses or individuals in your area would climate-controlled self storage benefit?
Are there restaurants looking to store food items, or pharmacies that need to store medicine? Perhaps a nearby museum or art gallery will be renovating and looking for a place to store their items for a few months. If you live in a college town, students going home for the summer may be looking for a place to store furniture and such.
Not only will identifying clients help you decide whether or not you can afford climate control, but it will also help you target your marketing campaign.
Change the way you build.
If you're building a self-storage facility and are thinking about adding climate-controlled units, you'll need to think about a heating and air-conditioning system and extra insulation. Make sure you have a reliable HVAC contractor on your team.
If you're thinking about upgrading your current units, look at what it's going to cost to have ducts put in and beef up the insulation in your self-storage facility. Otherwise, the energy costs could break you.
A risky benefit
Climate-controlled self-storage units will cost you extra money, but they have the potential to easily earn back their cost. If it's a direction you've considered, don't hesitate to research the cost of building or upgrading your steel storage buildings. It could be the best business move you make.
American Steel Buildings designs and distributes quality pre-engineered commercial steel buildings, including mini-storage/self-storage buildings, offices, shops, retail businesses, warehouses, churches and agricultural buildings. For more information on climate-controlled facilities, visit American Steel Buildings at GoSteelGo.com.
Source: www.articlecity.com
