Your Step-by-Step Guide to Running a Business from a Self Storage Unit
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Times are changing fast, which means if you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur you need to move with them. To succeed you need to have a growth mindset and be able to plan for the future, which often means more space for expansion.
If you have a home-based business or work from a small office space, you may find that you have no work-life balance with little separation between work and family life, or perhaps your office is cluttered and piled high with seasonal stock that you are waiting to move.
If you have outgrown your current space, then moving towards a self storage solution could be the best idea.
Reasons to Use Self Storage for Your Business
When you need to expand, the spare room isn’t the most practical solution for your evolving business needs. These days, self storage facilities offer tailored business storage solutions at affordable prices with flexible terms, which are ideal in a climate where anything could happen and you may need to upsize or downsize with little notice.
In addition to flexibility, most storage facilities offer premium security services and easy access to locations in major centres; they’ll even help with deliveries, moving, and packaging.
What’s more, you can rent a managed office space in Dublin with no overheads for a fraction of the price you normally would, and you won’t be tied down into a long lease.
Consider that if you don’t have suitable space for storing files, tax records, equipment, and inventory, you could be setting yourself up for failure. As James Clear states in ‘Atomic Habits’: “Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.”
Steps to Run a Business from a Self Storage Unit
You may not have even considered running a business from a self storage unit. If you have no idea where to start, follow our step-by-step guide for a successful transition.
Figure Out How Much Space You Need
Do you need office space, a stock storage solution, or just a small locker for some extra items? After you’ve figured this out, calculate the approximate volume of inventory, equipment, files, or furniture that needs storing and then check out the available storage unit sizes you could opt for.
Decide on Location
The cost of your self storage unit depends largely on which area you’re in. Decide which location would be best for you to expand your business based on your customers and if it’s accessible as well as practical for your needs. Another factor to consider here is parking at the facility and if you can drive up to the unit if need be.
Which Amenities Are You Looking For?
Find out if the facility offers what you need from a warehouse or office space. For example, are there restrooms for staff and ample parking?
Other features you may need include:
- Security: What level of security do you require for your items?
- Access: How often do you need access to the space?
- Add Ons: Do you need boardrooms, a kitchen for staff, or Wi-Fi? You should find out if the facility has all of these.
- Deliveries: Does the facility have a reception, and will they accept deliveries during office hours? Are you allowed to ship items from your unit?
These are all factors that will determine how successfully you can operate from a storage facility.
Calculate Your Budget
Once you know what size unit you need and where you’d like to store it, you should work out your budget and if you can afford it.
Consider these cost factors:
- Moving Expenses: What will it cost to move your current stock or entire office to a storage facility?
- Rental Costs: What is the cost of the size unit you are looking at renting?
- Rental Terms: Are you able to cover the duration of the lease?
Plan Your Move
Once you have worked out your budget, found the right facility and are ready to get started, you will need to plan your move. Moving a business into a storage facility can be a big endeavour, but some planning and preparation can ensure it goes smoothly.
Here are some tips:
- Audit and organise your inventory, files, and equipment ahead of time so you know exactly what you need to move.
- Make sure to label all boxes, shelving units, etc, properly. This step makes unloading much more efficient and prevents items from being misplaced. Use colour coding, numbering systems, or scannable barcodes.
- Plan for secure transportation of valuable equipment and sensitive documents to the facility. You may require special vehicles or other security protocols.
- Invest in storage optimising solutions — things like heavy-duty shelving, pallet racks, drawer cabinets, and so on. Leverage vertical space with shelving if possible.
- Discuss insurance, security, and access control specifications with the facility beforehand per your business’s specific needs and risk factors.
- Consider moving in phases. Schedule staff moves and when you will have the moving trucks move items.
- Once on-site, set up a logical layout so high-traffic, routinely accessed items are easiest to reach.
Careful coordination for a business storage move reduces hassles. But most importantly, work closely with the facility manager to map out plans that best fit your operations.
Perks of Nesta’s Business Storage Solutions
At Nesta, we have six premium Dublin locations that are easy to access and easy to find, located across both North and South Dublin, close to the M50 and public transport links, with ample on-site parking available.
We specialise in providing businesses with secure space without the costly overheads and long, restrictive leases.
Other perks of storing with Nesta include longer opening hours on more days than any other storage company in Ireland. Choose from a wide range of private storage rooms on a flexible contract that will meet your needs.
