Thinking about getting a storage locker, opinions wanted

So this is my current situation...

I live in a small house which is divided into 3 apartments, there is a small space at the back of the house where my landlord and the other tenants have allowed me to keep my larger scrap items before I am able to take them to the yard. Can fit 3 or 4 full size appliances there. My current job doesn't allow me to get to the yard more than once a week (saturday mornings), so basically I am able to do a little scrapping saturday afternoon, fill my little storage area then I am stuck for the rest of the week, minus the occasional small item I stumble across.

There is a storage facility about a 5 min drive from my place, all units are the garage type where you can drive right up to it and you have 24hr 7 day a week access. Being in a major city real estate isn't cheap, a 10x10 will cost me about $200/month, about $300 for a 10x20.

I am seriously considering getting a 10x10 to start. With winter fast approaching my landscape construction work will be ending I then switch to being oncall for snow removal. This will give me much more time to scrap. Now this means I will be able to get to the yard more frequently, but weekends are still a problem and I would like to have some storage/workspace so that I can keep things a little longer if needed to do full breakdowns to maximize value or hold on to them for resale. It also sucks to have to pass on larger items that would make me good money simply because I have no means to temporarily store it. A larger 10x20 unit would also allow me to keep a small trailer in it, further increasing my money making ability.

Lastly I really wouldn't mind being able to stop using my limited space inside my apartment to store smaller stuff. It's not to bad but as a young single guy I don't really want to explain to girls I bring home why I have a whole bunch of rubber maid containers full of metal and broken down microwaves in my living room lol.

I'm almost positive I will give it a go for a few months anyways to see if it makes sense and if I can make it profitable enough for me to justify it. But would still very much like to get the thoughts of others on the matter.

I would definitly shop around for cheaper units if possible. But I wouldnt get further then 15 minutes from your house. Wouldnt make it worth it in gas prices. Or look for a unit close to scrap yard.

it is a good ideal not only can you keep your stuff more organized you will stop any chance of theft. this is a big problem in this line of work

There is another facility about the same distance from me and a few bucks cheaper, however the hours they are open is very limiting and I just can't see that working for me. Having 24hr secure access 7 days a week is a HUGE plus for me.

Theft is another good point and reminds me of another reason why I would like to increase my storage space. I would like to have the ability to stockpile the most valuable of items (copper, brass etc) in order to get the best possible price for my metal. Because of how small scale I am at the moment maybe I'm delusional about that but I would imagine if you can offer the yard a good amount of material they would be willing to work with you a bit on the price. Wouldn't want to have a couple hundred pounds of copper sitting around with my current situation.

Eek. $200 is a lot for a 10x10 IMO but like you said, it all depends on the area. If there is power available at that price it would be a better deal.

Since you said you move enough material to go to the yard at least once a week I would think you could swing it. I work out of a 10x15 with no power and it pays for itself and more with me only going to the yard once a month. I use it to hold my stockpile, some personal stuff, and work in, so I figure as long as it's not costing more than it makes I'm good (for now) My storage unit only costs $150 month though and scrapping is a very part time thing for me.

I thought I would have room for a trailer too but that space filled up veeeery quickly..

Wow is that pricey. I thought they were high here. I can get a 10x 30 for $210 if I remember right from when I moved down here less than 2 years ago.

A 10x10 is very small. I have thought of going this route as well and won't do it unless I can justify getting a 10x 20.

I like the way you are thinking with the larger one for storage of a trailor allowing for bigger and better work.

Let us know what you decide.

i dont know if i am lucky because of my location or what. I rent a 20 x 30 corner of a ware house with limited electricity ( a few outlets) and no overhead door or heat for 100 dollars a month, i also have 3 10 x 20 units with no electricity for 55 dollars ea. The more expensive in the bigger city down the road only run 75-85. Shop around and check out craigslsit section under commercial property and storage. google your city and "commercial storage" or "commercial warehousing" as well

Thanks for the input guys.

When I first started looking the price was higher than I had hoped it would be. I have looked around on craigslists, I could do a little better when it comes to $ per sqft but not near enough to justify the difference, that this facility would offer. Real estate is just nuts where I am. I have a friend that just bought his first home with his gf not far from me. It is a small 3 (really 2.5 bedroom bungalow), the place needed new electrical, lots of plumbing work, new furnance etc, etc. Cost them $450,000. Hell you can spend $250-300,000 on a small 1 bedroom condo a stones throw away from my ****ty little apartment lol.

I don't doubt that I will bring in enough to cover the costs, so I shouldn't lose money.

Will spend the evenings this week hunting the web for other potential storage solutions in my area and then make my move on saturday when I have some time.

Best of luck. Check with older commerical buildings where you may be able to rent just a corner. Mike.

Maybe an old closed down gas station, mom and pop type, with one garage door.

While you're shopping for storage you might want to ask the management if they have any units they need cleaned out. If you can offer them a good deal on junk removal it may add a lot of metal to your unit without hauling it very far.

yeesh, I pay 60 a month for a 10X25, with no power. I can get a powered 10x20 for 60 a month. Downfall, my unit is out in the country a bit...was close to my parents when I lived at home, but now moved across town and it's a bit of a drive...Upside...I don't store much scrap in it :) It's a mix of my extra junk and my parents junk, lol.

M88, how do you go about finding the owner of a closed down building? Theres a place I've been eyeing up for a long time...It's an old "radiator" shop, a nice brick building that has one big overhead door, with about two stalls inside, and it's already set up to install a hoist...it's not terribly huge so wouldn't be bad to heat, but the inside is basically gutted...and theirs no "fenced" area, alot of property, but no fencing....I'd like to offer the owner 100-150 a month, before it gets condemned...

Down here in our area we can go on our county website and do an address search and it will give the taxpayer info.
They even have overhead pictures of the property so you know your looking for the right one. The treasures office at the court house should have all the info, but you gotta have something for them to go on. (address)

1: You've got to have space to work and store inventory.
2:You can't beat secure 24/7 access.
3: It's sounds kind of pricey, but also sounds like all real estate in your area is. Sometimes a man just has to bite the bullet.
4: You have to spend money to make money.

Forget the rental and buy a shipping container then make some arrangements for some parking lot or yard space to spot it. Outside yard storage is a lot cheaper than those puny lockers.

Beside all you'll have to rent is the square footage your container sits on, use your imagination. Contact some of the gravel pit owners or a local cement plant to secure some inexpensive space.

For a starting point here is a link to used containers. http://www.truckertotrucker.com/truc...r-trailers.cfm

Gus has a good idea.

I found these in the Toronto area.

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/bfs/2741137379.html

http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/tls/2704123906.html

Sure you have the upfront cost of a container (unless you lease/rent), but when you're done you can sell it. And I bet your cost to lease a piece of land will be cheaper than a storage unit.

The shipping container idea is a creative one, I like it. However I think it's a little out of reach for me at the moment.

I'm going to go ahead with the storage unit, I won't be commited to a lease allowing me to continue to search for other storage/workspace options while I expand my scrapping ventures.

I am not a 'legit buisness' as of yet. However I will be carefully tracking everything for tax purposes in 2012, I sure as hell plan to make money and the last thing I want is to end up having an ugly situation arise with my friends at the Canada Revenue Agency.

There are a lot of elderly people who have garages and are no longer able to drive. For years I was telling my ex mother-in-law that she should rent out the garage she never used. With her, the issue was fear of who she might connect with. I think if I had taken the time to screen potential renters of the garage for her, a mutually beneficial arrangement could have been made. In a situation like this you might not have to pay anything - just offer to keep the driveway and walks clear of snow in the winter. An extra pair of eyes on an elderly person living alone is also worth a lot. I would put out the word in your contact sphere (friends, relatives, co-workers, etc.) of what you are looking for. An ad on Craig's List or Kijji might also work.

Just a thought, with enough extra space you could feasibly save plastic for selling if you have a buyer there. It may take up some of the space, but also may defray the cost of the storage unit.

If I had the space that I used to have, I would probably save plastic and cardboard.

Thanks parrothead, this was a thought of mine also. There is a large recycling facility not to far from me that has a large sign out front saying they buy paper and plastic, not sure on price as I have never been in a position to store and sell it. Time to make a phone call soon.