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19 Sep 2023

Pros and Cons of Single-Story vs. Multi-Story Self-Storage Development

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Garrett Byrd

Franchise Director

When embarking on the journey of self-storage facility development, one of the key decisions you'll face is whether to build a single-story or a vertical (multi-story facility). Each option comes with its own set of advantages and challenges. Let's dive into the pros and cons of both approaches to help you make an informed decision tailored to your investment strategy and market demand.

Single-Story Self-Storage:

Pros:

  1. Ease of Access: Single-story facilities provide convenient drive-up access to units. Customers can easily load and unload their belongings, making this layout especially appealing for those with larger or heavier items.

  2. Lower Construction Costs: Building a single-story facility generally requires less complex construction and foundation work, potentially reducing construction costs.

  3. Ample Parking: With more surface area available, single-story facilities can accommodate more parking spaces for customers, enhancing accessibility.

  4. Simplicity of Design: The design and layout of a single-story facility are often simpler, which can expedite the construction process.

Cons:

  1. Land Requirement: Single-story facilities occupy larger plots of land compared to vertical facilities, potentially limiting your options for site selection.

  2. Limited Space Efficiency: The horizontal layout of single-story facilities can limit the number of rentable units you can fit on a given parcel of land.

Vertical (Multi-Story) Self-Storage:

Pros:

  1. Maximized Land Use: Vertical facilities utilize vertical space efficiently, allowing you to fit more rentable units on a smaller footprint of land.

  2. Urban Accessibility: Vertical facilities are better suited for urban and high-density areas where land is scarce. This can provide access to a larger customer base.

Cons:

  1. Higher Construction Costs: Building vertically is typically more complex and can lead to higher construction costs due to the need for elevators, stairwells, and structural considerations.

  2. Customer Experience: Vertical facilities may require customers to use elevators or stairs, which can be less convenient than drive-up access.

Making the Right Choice:

The decision between single-story and vertical self-storage development depends on various factors, including location, available land, market demand, budget, and your long-term investment strategy. With Storage Authority's guidance, we can provide valuable insights into which option aligns best with your goals.

If you would like to learn more and start your journey to self-storage ownership click the link here: http://www.storageauthorityfranchise.com/opportunity2

This article was originally published on the Storage Authority Franchise Blog, August 2023


Storage Authority Franchising is about owning your own hometown self-storage business and having the professional systems and knowledge to assist and guide you. We like to say You are in business for yourself but not by yourself. If you are thinking about self-storage you owe it to yourself to contact Garrett Byrd at Direct: 941-928-1354 or Garrett@StorageAuthority.com to learn more about the Storage Authority Franchise opportunity.

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