Give more to the customers who are willing to pay more.
If you're looking to attract new tenants who are looking for high-end storage, then you'll need to make upgrades at your storage facility.
These upgrades can vary greatly, but they could convince a customer to pick you instead of your competitor. Giving tenants something like a smart storage unit, a free-to-use moving truck, or just a free lock are all improvements that let your customers know that you care about their self storage experience.
Providing premier amenities and deluxe storage units could push your facility into the luxury market. This market may not be right for you for various reasons (more on that in a bit), but for those who are in the perfect spot, breaking into the luxury market could mean big returns.
Offering a luxury experience can mean many things - you can add as little or as much as you want. Although the list of potential upgrades is endless, we'll touch on at least five to get you started.
Even if you're willing to add upgrades, the area your storage facility is in will really determine if it's worth it or not.
If you're in an area with higher disposable income, then you're more likely to see a positive return from these investments. If you're in an area with lower average incomes, you may not find many tenants willing to pay for the upgrade. And, if you try to add some luxury upgrades to your facility anyway, lower-income customers are likely to leave you for a cheaper facility.
You also need to make sure that these upgrades work for you. Some upgrades are less expensive than others, and some are more time-consuming than others. Make sure that you're in a good position to dedicate the time and money you need to give your storage facility the high-end feel that you want.
We've published numerous blogs about storage facility curb appeal, and there's a reason for that.
If you wouldn't stop at a specific gas station because it looks rundown and dirty, then you know a customer won't stop at a storage facility that looks rundown and dirty.
Elevating the appearance of your storage facility, inside and out, can go a long way in giving your facility a luxury feel. Think about a new entrance gate, a spotless parking lot, a welcoming lobby, modern security cameras, and dust-free storage units. All of these features tell your customers that you care about how your facility looks and runs.
For some customers, better curb appeal may also mean a better sense of safety. Nobody wants to have to venture onto a distressed, poorly-lit property by themselves to retrieve their stored items. Give them a facility that they feel comfortable in.
Nothing says luxury like a smart device.
Although we're used to our smartphones and other common devices, not everyone has experience with a smart storage unit. Many storage facilities still use the classic lock-and-key or combination lock method with a lock that customers have to buy to secure their storage unit.
With a smart storage unit, customers can use their cell phones to easily access their storage unit. Some smart units, like StorageDefender, will even send the customer real-time security alerts by using motion detection. Nokē ONE is another smart lock company that provides access via a mobile app with additional security features.
Making your storage units smart can add a modern touch that your competition may not have. For customers not familiar with smart devices, it could really give your storage facility the 'wow factor'!
If you're not quite ready to venture into the smart world yet, perhaps you should consider offering your customers a storage unit lock for free. This gives your customers one less task to worry about and shows them that you're here to take care of them during their stay.
This step also ensures that all of your customers have a decent lock on their unit, which can prevent headaches down the line.
Climate-controlled storage is one thing, but wine and document storage is on a whole other level.
Again, this is one of those upgrades that will only be worth it if you're in the right market. If you don't think the locals in your community are wine lovers willing to pay for designated storage space for their bottles, then this is an upgrade you should probably skip. For document storage, you'll need a healthy demographic of business owners who are looking for a secure and convenient spot to store their records. This upgrade won't be beneficial if you live in a business desert.
On the other hand, if you live somewhere with lots of wineries or small businesses that could be lacking space, these are upgrades you should consider.
Wine storage is possibly one of the most luxurious storage options that you can offer. It's unique and often hard to find depending on your location. This kind of storage only makes sense for facilities in states that are heavily populated with wineries, like California and Washington. Wine consumption has been on the rise for several decades, and some people love it enough to create a high-dollar collection that needs appropriate storage. If they can't find that storage at home, they might find it at your storage facility.
Wine storage is unique in that it maintains a particular temperature that is ideal for wine longevity. The temperature should hover between 45° F and 65° F with a humidity level below 45%. Built-in shelves for wine bottles would be an even nicer touch for your customers so they can easily store and organize their collections.
Many storage facilities already offer office or flex space for remote workers and small businesses. However, there's a difference between a regular office space and a deluxe office space.
The quality of these office spaces can vary greatly. Some storage facilities just offer an empty, windowless room with one outlet in the corner. Others may come with a desk and maybe a mini fridge for use in the lobby. Both are spaces that can work, but there's more that you can do to provide a luxury office experience.
If you want to be the storage facility that provides office space with a lavish feel, then you should consider adding these items to your office rentals:
While most storage facilities leave it up to the customer to furnish their office space, consider providing the option to rent a furnished office for an additional fee. You can easily order desks and chairs from Amazon, Ikea, and other affordable stores. Just keep them in stock for when a customer is ready to pay the furnishing fee!
Free wifi is a no-brainer for an office space and multiple outlets provide more charging stations. When working a full day, it's probably safe to assume that people will want to take a lunch or bathroom break at some point. Give your customers the ultimate convenience with a clean restroom and kitchen space. The kitchen doesn't have to be HGTV level, but a basic fridge and microwave could go a long way!
There are various ways that a storage facility can provide vehicle storage, and for many facilities that simply means offering an open, outdoor parking space for vehicles. However, there's more that you can do to make your vehicle storage a special place that customers will pay extra for.
If given the option to extra for a space that will better protect their vehicle from theft and weather damage, there's a good chance your customer will take it. People are paying a lot for their vehicles these days, and they might feel better about storing their vehicles in an enclosed vehicle storage unit.
An enclosed vehicle storage unit doesn't just have to be a bare slab of concrete encased by metal walls. Luxury storage facilities often furnish these storage units with fresh polyaspartic floor coating (a glossy finish that resists damage), electrical service, interior lighting, and even custom car lifts.
Car lifts are a great option for customers storing collectible vehicles like vintage cars and sports cars. These lifts provide a beautiful display of the customer's beloved vehicles while also allowing them to get the most out of their storage unit.
If you want to cater to the boat and RV community, you could level up with wash bays and dump stations - saving your customers from having to visit another facility. Become a one-stop shop for your local boat and RV community!
Luxury can mean lots of things.
You can go much farther than what we've listed here, or do much less - it's all up to you! Adding fresh paint to your storage units, providing restroom access, or including unique storage options are all ways that you can upgrade your facility and attract more tenants. You decide what upgrades work best for your self storage business - and what your community wants!
Here are some of my other favorite posts to check out!
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