How much does a storage unit cost? This will depend on the size of your unit (or, in our case, storage room), how long you need the space for and where you live. Latest industry figures from the Self Storage Association (SSA) have revealed significant variation between UK regions.
How is storage space charged?
Some operators bill monthly and others bill weekly, so make sure you are clear about their pricing scheme when comparing costs.
Almost all storage companies use a ‘price per square foot’ as the basis for their calculations. Although they might apply various discounts to their unit prices, a bigger unit or room will naturally cost you more than a smaller one. Accurately calculating the amount of storage, you need is important. Otherwise, you could find yourself either paying more than you need to or arriving at your unit only to discover your items won’t fit inside! Most reputable operators can estimate your storage needs accurately and online calculators are also available. Indoor Self Storage provides a free online calculator as part of the Storage Pricing process (see the bottom of this page).
According to the latest SSA figures*, the average annual cost for self storage is £27.19 per square foot, a 4% increase on the previous year. However, this price does not include VAT and will vary significantly depending on where in the country your provider is based.
In addition, you will often be able to secure a discount by committing to long-term storage. About a fifth of self storage customers have had their storage room or unit for five years or more.
*The 2023 Self Storage Annual Report was compiled from 2022 data. The survey was completed by 57 self storage companies and encompassed 602 storage facilities (around 40% of total UK storage space). The sample is weighted towards larger storage companies as fewer independent storage providers completed the survey.
How much does a storage unit cost in your region?
South West storage rental rates are towards the more affordable end of the scale. In 2022, they averaged £21.95 per square foot, which is below the national average. What’s more, the South West was the only region where rental rates stayed the same as the previous year. Considering the UK’s inflation rate of 5% over this period, storage costs in this region have come down in real terms.
Unsurprisingly, the most expensive area to rent storage space is in London, with an average rental rate of £39.26 per square foot. Storage costs in the South East and East of England are also relatively high, at £28.07 and £29.99 per square foot respectively. At the other end of the scale, renting space in the East Midlands set customers back an average of just £19.16 per square foot.
What are you getting for your money?
Before signing any contracts, it is important to find out exactly what you are getting for your money. Some questions we recommend asking your shortlisted storage companies are:
- How flexible are your contracts if my storage needs change (e.g., can you scale your storage space up or down or will you be locked into a long-term contract)?
- What security measures are in place against theft and damage by fire or smoke?
- How accessible is your storage facility? how much space is there to park and unload?
- What is your policy on insurance? Most operators won’t let you store without a policy in place. Some household insurance policies will cover storage and Indoor Self Storage can help you check this. Otherwise, the additional costs are around £5.00 per week per £5k goods value. You can also buy storage insurance independently online but we recommend you check the policy carefully – not all policies are created equal!
How much does an Indoor Self Storage unit cost?
Please visit our Storage Pricing page, select either our Dartmouth or Totnes facility and explore the different size rooms we offer. When you’re ready, click ‘Get Prices’ and enter your details to view your prices.
