Which Is a Better Storage Option: To rent a Storage Unit or have a Custom Metal Storage Building installed on my property?

If your current storage choice – be it a carport, garage, or other storage building – is no longer serving its purpose, you may need to look into other storage options. One question many property owners ask is, “Which would benefit me most, renting a storage unit or installing custom metal building to store my things?”

Of course, the answer to that question would partially depend on your budget, what you’re storing, and how long you need to store it. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding the perfect fit for your storage needs:

Renting vs. Building a Metal Storage Building

Protection – Depending on what you’ll be storing, it is important to see that your belongings will be insured in case of theft or damage. Many storage facilities do not offer independent property insurance, so it would be a good idea to check your home owner’s insurance policy and see if offsite storage is included.

Convenience—Will you need to access your storage items often? If so, having a steel carport or metal garage installed on your property would be much more convenient for you as it would save you repeated trips to an offsite storage facility.

Storage Size—How large of a storage area do you need? If you’re thinking about renting or leasing a storage area, you should consider renting a larger space than you currently need, so you’ll be able to accommodate more lately. Of course, the bigger the unit, the higher the cost. If you choose to install a custom metal storage building on your property, you can easily and cost-effectively add to your structure as your storage needs grow.

Budget—What are you willing to spend? While monthly payments on a storage unit may seem relatively low, in the long run you will spend more renting than you would by purchasing a custom-built storage structure.

Price Comparison: Steel Garages and RV Carports vs. Storage Units

According to the Self  Storage Blog, the current average monthly rate for a 10’ by 10’ unit is $118.89 (non-climate controlled) and $133.01 (climate controlled). Depending on size and location, annual prices could then run between $1,400 to $1,600.

Carport Central offers quality custom metal garages at competitive prices. For example, you can own a 12’x21’x7’enclosed garage with 6’x6’ side entry for just $3,444! In other words, by the time you rent a facility for two years, you could have pretty much paid for a custom steel garage which would be more convenient, and would also add to the value of your property. Not to mention the larger storage space!

A quick internet search shows prices for outdoor, uncovered parking at a facility or dealership range from around $20 to $100 a month, depending on location and amenities (gravel vs. paved, secured vs. unsecured, etc.). According to Life Storage Blog, fully enclosed unit prices start around $200 monthly and increase depending on location. Your insurance may or may not cover your RV while in offsite storage, so that may be an additional liability to consider.

Carport Central offers quality RV carports starting at just $3,195, which includes delivery and installation. For just a bit more, you can add side panels for an enclosed storage space. Bottom line—in about a year and a half, your enclosed metal RV cover would pay for itself vs. renting an enclosed RV storage space on a monthly basis.

For a complete list of metal storage sheds, carports, garages, and other metal buildings available, check out our individual product pages. You will be surprised how far your dollar can stretch with us!

If you are ready to explore purchasing a custom steel storage building, or have additional questions, please feel free to contact one of our friendly building specialists online or by calling 980-321-9898. They can explain all your options and help you find the perfect metal building to suit your needs AND your budget!