How much does it cost to rent a storage unit?
Storage guide - May 10, 2019
If you are moving your home, a firm or a shop, and you have to move things before time or simply have no place to leave them, you may be in need of a storage unit. But how does this work? Can you rent it by the hour, day or does it have to be the whole month? And more importantly, how much does it cost to rent a storage unit? Worry no more, this text will help!
How do people move things in storage units
Before we get to the cost to rent a storage unit, you may be wondering how does the whole procedure look like. In most cases it goes like this:
- movers come to the designated location
- workers carry the things you packed – or they can pack it for you in the best moving boxes Brooklyn can offer
- then the movers move your items with trucks or vans
- movers drive the items to the storage units
- your items can be here as long (or short) as you need them to be
- the same procedure goes when they return your things
So the whole storage process is easy and safe and storage units are protected and have good capacity. You can also place bigger items here: like summer boats, pianos, machines, bulky furniture, etc. Now, if you are wondering how does it cost to rent a storage unit, read on.

How much is the actual cost to rent a storage unit
Once you start looking for storage services, you will notice different prices. The following prices are found on CostHelper. According to this website, here are some costs of storage units depending on the size:
- you may pay a monthly fee of up to 50 $ for 5×5 storage
- if you need bigger volume, you may pay a monthly fee of up to 140 $ for 10×15 storage or slightly higher (up to 150) for a unit with a controlled climate
- for an even bigger unit, you may pay a monthly fee of up to 155 $ for 10×20 storage or slightly higher (up to 180) for a unit with a controlled climate
- and lastly, you may pay a monthly fee of up to 255 $ for 20×20 storage
Still, keep in mind that these are just rough prices. There are many factors that go into the price of a storage unit. We will list the main factors in the next paragraph.
What determines the price?
When you want to know the exact cost to rent a storage unit, you have to consider different things.
The first one is the location. If you’re looking at the storage unit that is close to an urban area, you may find higher prices. It may be convenient to look for storage units that are further away. Still, if you are moving long distance, you may look for storage for a shorter period of time, because of the flying tickets. In those cases keep in mind that some movers, like long distance movers New York, don’t charge by volume or weight, but by the hour. This can be a great advantage if you don’t have a place where to put your things.

The second factor with prices is a time frame. How long do you need a storage unit for? Many storage units offer discounts or free monthly fee if you need a unit for a longer period of time. Of course, you can still be flexible and rent a unit when it suits you without the monthly commitment. Such is the case with local relocations. Rent the storage over the weekend until your new place is ready for your belongings.
The third factor is the size of the storage unit. The bigger the unit, the more expensive the rent is. That’s why it’s important to think about the things you need to store and the things you can move with you.
The fourth factor that impacts the price can be self-service unit vs. full-service storage units. Naturally, self-service storage units are cheaper but you have to pick up your things on your own which can add to your moving costs.
Other factors
Other factors that can increase the price are add-ons, items that you store, and insurance. If you need to buy add-ons, like bins or storage facilities, you will pay more. Also, depending on the item that you want to store, you will have to pay an extra price. Those items can be anything from RVs and cars to portable hot tubs and pianos. In addition, you may also have to pay for insurance if you don’t have one or it’s not covered by your home insurance.

Do you need a climate-controlled unit or no?
Most of the storage units have video surveillance and 24-hour availability. Still, there is another factor that can impact the price: a climate-controlled unit. First of all, what does this unit do? Well, it keeps the humidity and temperature at an optimal level so your items are protected from humidity and bad weather conditions. It also prevents damages like corrosion or mold.
This sounds like a great thing to have but increases the price of the storage. So if you need a unit for a longer period of time, the rent is going to be higher. And the paradox is, if you rent a unit for a longer period of time, the greater chances are that you’re going to need it.
So do you need a climate-controlled unit or no? Well, if your items are made out of wood or paper, or include electronic devices, you may need to invest in a climate-controlled unit. Still, if you need storage for a shorter period of time and weather conditions are mild, you can skip this step.
Finally, we hope you now know what impacts the cost to rent a storage unit. Just remember that moving workers will do their best to keep your things safe and preserved. In this way, you don’t have to worry about yet another annoying part of the whole relocation process.