3 New Profit Centers to Explore in Self-Storage: Vehicle Detailing, In-Unit Surveillance and EV Charging3 New Profit Centers to Explore in Self-Storage: Vehicle Detailing, In-Unit Surveillance and EV Charging
Ancillary products and services are becoming a bigger part of the revenue mix at many self-storage facilities, as operators seeks new ways to make money. While offerings such as moving and packing supplies, track rentals, and tenant insurance are the norm, new profit centers are emerging. Here are three you might consider exploring.

Everyone likes convenience. That’s why the biggest retailers offer groceries, clothes, furniture, auto parts, gardening supplies and other essentials all in one place. Why shop at several establishments when you can meet all your needs at one?
With the self-storage industry becoming increasingly retail-oriented, it’s time for operators to embrace the “more is more” concept. Offering your customers a variety of products and services under a single roof increases the likelihood that they’ll choose your facility over others. It also means you’ll generate more revenue from tenants and others within the local community.
While many of your competitors are offering the usual self-storage profit centers—moving and packing supplies, truck rentals, goods protection—there are a few new options on the market in recent years. Explore these three to see if they might be a good fit for your business.
Vehicle Detailing and Wrapping
If you’re already offering vehicle storage at your self-storage facility for boats, RVs, cars, jet skis, trailers and other big “toys,” consider the amenities that might appeal to this unique customer base. For example, you might offer vehicle-detailing and -wrapping services, so your tenants can clean and customize their precious rolling investments.
This venture has been successful for 4 Seasons Storage in Interlochen, Michigan, which offers a variety of vehicle-storage options. The service not only generates additional revenue, it’s boosted the facility’s search engine optimization and helped the business differentiate itself in a competitive market. More than that, it’s helped the operator created a “one-stop-shop” for customers at a lower price than those offered at a typical marina, according to property owner Charlie Kao, principal of Twin Oaks Capital.
The services are provided by a third party, but 4 Seasons earns a referral fee. If you do something similar, make sure you thoroughly vet the provider, Kao says, as poor performance on their part could reflect negatively on your business.
In-Unit Video Surveillance
It makes sense that a person who has their precious items in a storage unit away from home might worry about them. Some self-storage tenants check on their items frequently, but others aren’t able to. Perhaps they’re traveling or live far away, or they simply don’t find it convenient to visit your facility. Luckly, there’s a new way to give them peace of mind.
Consider installing smart surveillance cameras inside your storage units and charging tenants a fee to see the feed through an online portal. Today’s technology can track motion as well as detect changes in humidity and temperature, giving customers access to valuable, real-time information about their space. Users can even receive alerts based on specified criteria. This offering can be ideal for contractors or small-business owners who need to keep track of their equipment, products or vehicles; but anyone might be attracted to this level of security.
Electric-Vehicle Charging Stations
You’ve likely noticed electrical-vehicle (EV) charging stations popping up around your town. As more people are driving these cars, they need a place to charge them. Why not at your self-storage facility?
The benefits are abundant. First, you’ll position your business as being environmentally friendly and draw customers who are seeking sustainable partners. Convenience is always a driving factor, and some customers might choose you simply because they can charge their car while visiting their storage unit. You can also attract potential new customers who don’t even rent from you (yet). Finally, there’s the potential for revenue-sharing, plus government rebates and incentives.
Shurgard Self Storage Ltd., the European affiliate of U.S.-based real estate investment trust Public Storage Inc., is adding EV-charging stations at 24 of its facilities in London and 46 in the Netherlands. Each will be equipped with 240kW dual chargers that can revive vehicles to approximately 80% in 30 minutes. They’ll be open 24 hours a day and accept bank and credit cards.
If you plan to offer this service, it’s imperative to market it, as most people won’t think to look for this at a self-storage facility. Save It Self Storage in Lafeyette, Louisiana, has dedicated space on its website about its EV-charging stations. The company also notes that they’re open to everyone, not just tenants.
Explore and Earn More!
Whether you’re exploring potential profit centers for a new self-storage development or looking to add revenue to your current operational mix, conduct proper research before diving into any ancillary endeavor. Examine your market to determine which products and services are lacking and which may already have pent-up demand. How can you create convenience for your customers and community while creating new revenue streams? Answer that question, and everyone wins.
Amy Campbell is senior editor at Inside Self-Storage. To reach her, email [email protected].
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