How Much Do Storage Units Cost in Melton Mowbray?

Whether it is vintage pork pie memorabilia or a large stack of Kasabian vinyl, the average Meltonian has a whole bunch of items knocking around that are probably not needed on a daily basis.

“Spare stuff” like this is the classic domain of self storage, which is the perfect solution for people with lots of things they don’t want to keep in the home, but equally, they don’t want to sell or throw away.

A common issue with self storage, however, is that many people have no idea how much it costs. Is a unit going to cost £500 per year or £5,000? Are all units the same? What other costs are there?

To get to the bottom of this, our article will look at the different types of storage available and the costs involved.

Knowing the price of self storage in Melton Mowbray can help you decide whether to keep certain items… or post them on eBay.

Factors influencing storage unit costs

The reality is that no two storage centres are alike. They all have different features, as well as different unit sizes. Here are some things that will influence the price you pay.

The size of your unit

Unit dimensions vary enormously, from barely-bigger-than-a-suitcase to bigger-than-a-truck. Naturally, the more space you need, the higher the cost. Prices per square metre vary, too – with very small units costing much more than larger ones.

As a ballpark guide, expect to pay anything from £8 to £45 per square metre per month – yes, self storage prices in Melton Mowbray and the surrounding areas vary that much. A large unit can easily cost several thousand pounds per year.

More commonly, though, people rent a 20ft unit – enough for the contents of a 2/3 bedroom house – for three months or so, at a cost of around £350 – £800.

Rental duration

Many units can be rented for just a few weeks, but the better deals can usually be snapped up if you book long-term.

Location and accessibility

Out-of-town self storage centres or those on remote industrial estates can usually offer much cheaper rates than those in the centre of a large city.

Indoor vs. outdoor units

More expensive self storage centres are usually purpose-built or warehouses converted into individual units. Other types of centres are based around the shipping container concept – you get your own lockable shipping container. Some of these also have a roof overhead.

Type of storage unit (standard or climate-controlled)

The majority of self storage centres are not climate-controlled. If using one that is, you can expect to pay a premium. Self storage options in Melton Mowbray are quite limited, though there are more choices if you’re prepared to drive to Leicester.

Security and safety features

Every self storage centre has some degree of security, but those with exceptionally high levels typically charge a little more.

Common cost considerations and extra fees

Now let’s look at some additional expenses you may incur when renting a self storage unit.

Upfront costs, such as deposits and admin fees

Check with any self storage centres you are interested in if you will have to pay any booking or admin fees/deposits.

Insurance charges

Some self storage centres include insurance in their quotes, but this is far from common. However, they may insist you take out your own insurance – so be sure to check.

Access hours and cost implications

While it is hard to put an actual price on inconvenience, the “faff” factor is always worth considering before choosing a self storage centre that is either many miles away or which has inconvenient opening times.

Add-on services that may push up the price

Getting your belongings to your self storage unit and maintaining your account may incur additional fees. Be sure to consider:

Transport services

These include hiring a van or using a removal firm to get your goods from A to B. The cheapest solution is to rent a van for around £50 or £60 per day; removal firms are obviously much more expensive and can run into the thousands.

Packing materials and supplies

While parcel tape is very affordable, boxes are not. Many people are surprised that the price of a medium-sized box can easily top £1.50. If you need 50 of these, that’s a £75 expense you may not have budgeted for.

Digital booking and account access

Does your self storage centre charge a fee to let you manage your account online? It is unlikely, but it’s always worth checking to avoid surprises.

Money-saving tips for renting storage

There are several ways to reduce the total amount you will pay when renting self storage space. Here are five top tips.

1/ Declutter first to avoid wasted space

Try this: imagine taking your goods out of storage in 10 years – only to find that what you’d put away was a pile of junk you should’ve binned a decade ago. Only store items you’re sure you want to keep!

2/ Ask a friend if they want to share a unit with you

Larger units are more affordable than smaller ones when priced per square metre. If two of you can split a 20-foot unit, for example, it will usually be more affordable than renting a 10-foot unit each.

3/ Pick the right unit size for your needs

This goes without saying. The time you spend today working out exactly how much space you will need will ensure you don’t end up with vast areas of empty space tomorrow.

4/ Keep an eye open for seasonal discounts and offers

Self storage centres want your business and will often try and entice you with deals or promotions, so be on the lookout.

5/ Optimise how you pack and stack items

If you follow the advice in point three, you will have booked the exact amount of space for your needs. All you have to do now is pack and stack your items correctly.

How to choose the right storage unit

The above information will hopefully give you a clearer idea about renting storage space – and help answer the burning question: ‘How much is storage in Melton Mowbray?’ Here is a recap of the key pointers.

Evaluate your storage needs

It always pays to pause before booking so that you select the right sized unit for your needs. If this involves a serious declutter, then so be it. You will probably thank yourself in the long run.

Balance between cost and security

Centres with state-of-the-art security may be slightly more expensive than those with ramshackle security features; ask yourself if this is worth paying for. In most cases, it is – but if you are basically stashing old jumble sale items, perhaps not.

Proximity and convenience

TITAN Containers has been in the self storage business for decades. Our #1 tip is to always choose a centre that is easy to get to. Saving a few pounds a year on a cheaper centre 50 miles away is rarely a good idea if there is a slightly more expensive one just around the corner.

Read the fine print before booking

This is so that you won’t miss booking fees, admin charges, account management fees and so on.

Summing up

Self storage prices in Melton Mowbray and surrounding areas vary dramatically. Life would be so much simpler if there was a standardised price per square meter, but this, unfortunately, isn’t the case.

However, as we have seen, cost is not the only factor. When choosing the best centre for you, it is always a good strategy to weigh up the various features any local centres can offer you.

Your goal should be to assess the total value you will receive from the rental – above and beyond the price. Key considerations include security, the reputation of the company running the storage centre, and, crucially, convenience.

By carefully jotting down the pros and cons of your various options, you should ultimately arrive at the ideal choice.

Get the storage space you need at the right price – start comparing your options in Melton Mowbray

today.