Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Shane Presley

Shane Presley

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Jan 12, 2011
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.bssproductions.com
Hey all... I'm at a point where my shop (22x29) is over spilling with gear, and I need to use my trailer and 5 ton to store stuff or I can't move. At what point did you guys take the next step and rent space, build on more space, etc. My shop is on my parents property so expansion probably isn't an option without being " noticed". So I've been checking out rental space closer to my own home, and since it's nearer to the city, pricing is pretty high. 40x 70 is $2k plus heat and hydro.... Anyway I'd appreciate your persepective and what your growth stages were..advice etc...
I do not do any dry rentals, so a store front it a requirement or " foot traffic " etc.... Just need space.
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Seriously. In LA, you can get one of these for under $2k, and outfit it with power for another $500. That's one month's rent for a warehouse space. If you dont' have customers that come to your location, there's no reason to rent a commercial space.

For another $500 you can buy nice fencing material from Home Depot and no one will notice from the ground.
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

+1 on the shipping container.. if you have space for it its a no brainer.
very easy to fix it up and make it look really nice from the outside, very secure, and if you ever do need to move you can have it moved to your new place WITH the contents!

I even read a while back about a company that used several of these and didn't own any trucks. just load up a container for the job and pay someone to deliver it at the site.. works well if you have long term festivals etc.

Jason
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Jason Lavoie said:
... and if you ever do need to move you can have it moved to your new place WITH the contents!
Click to expand...

My dad uses these to store construction stuff on his jobsites. He said to NEVER have them moved while full...unless you want the contents essentially destroyed. I can see it working for a tight truck pack, but not a 'storage' scenario where things will be loose, shelves, etc.
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Silas Pradetto said:
My dad uses these to store construction stuff on his jobsites. He said to NEVER have them moved while full...unless you want the contents essentially destroyed. I can see it working for a tight truck pack, but not a 'storage' scenario where things will be loose, shelves, etc.
Click to expand...

ah yes, absolutely. you need to secure the cargo as if it's a truck that might get tipped over on its side, because it almost will be in the loading process

Jason
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Silas Pradetto said:
My dad uses these to store construction stuff on his jobsites. He said to NEVER have them moved while full...unless you want the contents essentially destroyed. I can see it working for a tight truck pack, but not a 'storage' scenario where things will be loose, shelves, etc.
Click to expand...

It all depends on how they're moved.
Some companies just winch them onto a flatbed, others use a crane mounted on the truck frame.
 
Re: Warehouse / storage space. What is your take

Jim King said:
Seriously. In LA, you can get one of these for under $2k, and outfit it with power for another $500. That's one month's rent for a warehouse space. If you dont' have customers that come to your location, there's no reason to rent a commercial space.

For another $500 you can buy nice fencing material from Home Depot and no one will notice from the ground.
Click to expand...

Interesting thread as I have thought about some of these things myself.

By adding a storage container to your property like that, you might be going above and beyond what some residential zoning permits allow. Especially if you will be seen by the neighbors moving equipment around a lot. Also there is the insurance to think about.

Put up a container like that and the neighbors in your residential area may complain about sight lines, especially if you put up a visually obstructing fence. Years ago we used to go door to door and have a conversation with each neighbor about the ramifications of construction. It was the neighborly thing to do, getting each neighbor's blessing within a couple houses away. Nowadays with people coming and going like they do, you probably would need more proof than that, such as a written statement from each neighbor, and from the neighborhood association if applicable.

Your area may vary, depending on preexisting conditions like layout, trees, etc. Obviously a more wooded area would appear to conceal more. So for instance if you have a very wooded area, then you could build a wood structure around it that blends in.

I would say a project like this all really depends on how much it would change/devalue the properties around you. If your houses are 100-200 feet apart, then I would probably wouldn't consider it. If the distance is greater, and wooded, and maybe some other neighbors are doing it, then sure. Of course you could always be in the middle of nowhere and some irate passerby might not like it - similar situation to the blocked oil drilling off Alaska.

Anyhow, I would try to find ways to use your existing space first. Then if that is not workable...
 
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