Why Storage Facilities Cost You So Much in the Long Run..

At first glance, renting a storage unit might seem like the perfect solution to your overflowing garage or that "temporary" move-in with your parents. The prices look reasonable, the promise of extra space feels priceless and the storage facilities ensure such a smooth move in - how could you not?

But before you sign that contract, let’s take a closer look at why storage facilities can end up costing more than you bargained for. 

Spoiler: It’s not just because you’re paying to store the treadmill you never use.

Monthly Fees - The Never-Ending & Unforgiving Rental Fees

The cost of a storage unit starts with a seemingly modest monthly fee - excellent news right? But here’s the catch: those fees never stop AND they are increased on average every 9-12 months. You’re not just paying to store your items - you’re literally paying for a mini apartment that your stuff refuses to move out of - your stuff is squatting and you are paying for it! 

Many storage facilities also offer "introductory rates" or “First 3 months free” which is just a fancy way of saying, "Your rent is going up after the first three months." or “We are going to change the price on you at the last minute when we start charging you”. Sneaky huh? 

Size Creeper.. More Space, More Money, More Junk

Ever noticed how your stuff seems to multiply the moment you have extra space? You start with a small unit, but then you think, "Well, I might as well upgrade to a bigger one just in case I need to add a few bits and pieces here and there." Before you know it, you’re renting a unit the size of a two-car garage to store boxes labeled "miscellaneous" and "uni photos from 1998." Bigger units mean bigger costs, and let’s face it, you’re not Marie Kondo-ing your way out of this one anytime soon..

Insurance & Fees.. Hidden Costs Galore

Most storage facilities require you to have insurance for your belongings, which might sound reasonable until you realize you’re paying to insure a broken lamp and some old ski gear that is worthless anyway. Not only that - insurance companies now are starting to refuse to insure storage facilities as it's becoming “too difficult to determine the storage units value”. Then there are the additional fees - late payments, lock purchases, and administrative charges. More sneakiness.. 

Accessibility Costs? The Gas, The Time, The Boxes.. 

Ever tried to retrieve something from your storage unit and ended up spending half a day searching through boxes because you had forgotten what you had? Well jump in line - you are the majority! Add in the petrol money to drive there and back, and suddenly your "affordable & easy" storage solution feels like a part-time job - that you are paying for!

Some facilities even charge extra for 24/7 access, because apparently, your midnight hunt for Christmas decorations is a premium service that you need to pay for every month.. 

The Emotional Cost of Forgetting

Let’s not forget the ultimate irony: paying for years to store items you completely forget about. It’s like signing up for a long-term relationship with your clutter and feeling used at the end of it. By the time you open that storage unit, you’ll wonder why you ever thought it was worth preserving that beanbag chair, those boxes of DVDs or even a piece of wooden furniture you didn’t know you had.. 

The Bottom Line

Storage facilities might seem like a convenient solution at the time and they are. But the long-term costs can sneak up on you without even realising life has kept going. Between monthly fees, hidden charges, and the emotional toll of forgotten items, it’s a financial commitment that deserves careful consideration. On average people store for 7 and half years at around $6000-$8000 a year. So next time you’re tempted to stash away your "treasures," ask yourself: Is it worth it, or is it time to finally let those “treasures” go?