Self-storage space provides secure, affordable, and accessible solution that can be used to store all sorts of things.

Average costs for a 3.0m x 3.0m self storage unit are below.

Location

Estimated cost per month

Sydney

$320 to $350

Melbourne

$300 to $330

Brisbane

$270 to $300

Perth

$170 to $220

What is self storage?

Self storage space provides secure, affordable, and accessible storage space that can be utilised for various purposes. These storage units can store anything from general household items to commercial inventory.

Self storage services allow you to free up storage space around the house, access your goods any time of day, and protect your belongings. It can be particularly helpful for businesses that need short or long-term storage options. Self-storage units can be rented at facilities that are climate controlled or drive-up units at a variety of locations.

What kinds of self storage units can I get?

There are a couple of different options for self storage that vary depending on the price match per month. The first option is a self-storage unit that comes with climate control. If you need to store items that could be damaged by extreme heat or cold, this is the best option. Units with climate control have storage costs of about $10 to $20 more per month, but the protection from temperature fluctuations is well worth it for some people who store business stock. Another option entails renting a self-storage facility in large units with a range of units. These self-storage centres and rooms offer general access during normal business hours and have large elevators capable of moving heavy objects and unused items from the ground floor to upper floors and locations where many small storage rooms are present. You may encounter additional fees for this storage room and location.

What size storage units can I get?

Common storage unit sizes found in the self-storage industry are 3m, 5m, and 7.5m. You can get smaller, medium-unit size or larger depending on the space you need. The storage facility may ask how long you need the storage for when you rent it to assess the storage cost and what unit sizes would offer the best self-storage solutions for your storage needs.

What factors affect the price of storage?

According to storage experts, the following are multiple factors that affect storage price.

Climate control

Some people need temperature-controlled storage space or access to their belongings regularly, so this feature is not optional for them and adds a monthly cost of $10 to $30 onto the cost of renting a unit.

Location

The most expensive self-storage units are located in or around large cities. Rural areas have the cheapest storage costs due to the availability of spacious homes and distance from other storage facilities.

Size

The storage space unit you need will affect the storage units cost to rent each month. The more storage space you need, the more expensive the self-storage costs will be. For instance, a medium size unit offers cheap storage fees compared to larger units.

Security measures

Stronger secure storage facilities generally entail higher rental rates because they are safer places to store valuable goods. Some features may include 24-hour video surveillance, key-controlled locks and gated access points.

Special sizes or shapes

Many storage facilities offer specialised units that are not as commonplace as those found in standard one-story buildings, such as drive-up units, boat storage and RV parking. These usually cost extra due to their unique size.

How long can I keep stuff in self storage?

If you rent a storage unit, the facility or storage operators will usually ask for a timeframe as to how long you need access to your belongings. If it is just for a short amount of time and you do not need to access them frequently, monthly or fortnightly rental rates may be sufficient. However, if there is a possibility that space will be needed again in the future or items need to be removed at regular intervals, renting a self-storage unit by the month may not give you enough flexibility.

How do I know what size storage unit I will need?

Before choosing self-storage unit sizes, most customers need to determine how much stuff they will store.

Unit size

Estimated content

3.0m x 6.0m (18m2)

Size of a large garage

3.0m x 6.0m x 3.0m (high) (54m3)

Holds the contents of about an average 3-4 bedroom house

2.0m x 2.5m x 3.0m (high) (15m3 )

Can more comfortably store the contents of a one-bedroom apartment or 2-3 bedrooms from a household

2.0m x 3.0m x 3.0m (high) (18m3)

Can hold the contents of a 1-2 bedroom apartment

Are storage units safe?

The strength of its security features determines the safety of a facility. The strength and value of its security features determine the safety of a facility. Things to look for include perimeter fencing, 24-hour surveillance, and locked gates that provide restricted entry to units. The more secure a storage unit is, the more expensive the storage fees.

Are self-storage units insured?

Most spacious home facilities will provide some level of insurance coverage on your stored belongings against theft, fire, and natural disasters. It's a good idea to check with the facility before renting a unit so you know exactly what level of protection they offer and how much it will cost in premiums each month.

Are there any hidden costs in self-storage?

Most self-storage facilities will charge you for the following other fees.

Early release fees

If you end your storage contract before the time limit has expired, some facilities will charge additionally to cover the costs of finding another tenant.

Move-in fees

Some medium units require you to pay a single move-in fee that covers both administration and security costs at the facility. These costs may include hiring someone to clean out your unit, collect rent payments and monitor access points, among others.

Insurance premiums

Self storage insurance is usually quite affordable, and if yours doesn't include it in their rental rate, you'll have to pay for it separately each month.

Storage facility staff to help move heavy objects

There may be additional charges for hiring staff members to help you move larger items into storage. This includes appliances, furniture and other bulky goods. For more information take a look at the Self Storage Associate of Australasia website.