Mobile storage is a quick growing industry. It’s fast, convenient, and offers an appeal that self-storage lacks. The current industry can support both styles of storage, but portable units are becoming more popular. Will the two markets grow together, or will portable storage start to choke out self-storage? Trends are leaning toward the latter and here is why.
Most storage facilities require an up-front security deposit then a monthly rental fee. If you’re not careful, you could also face extra cleaning fees or service charges. These can quickly add up to a hefty sum.
Unless a mobile storage company is doing it wrong, they charge a storage fee and a shipping fee; that’s it. They could attach additional charges if they wanted a few more dollars, but that’s a business mistake. Let’s look at the reasons why.
Mobile storage is a service. Customers aren’t getting any merchandise from the deal; the company provides their storage and the customer uses that space for a price. Think of it like a taxi service. You get in the taxi and are driven to your destination. When you’re done, you’re charged a fee. It’s as simple as that.
Now imagine that the taxi driver charges you extra because he washed his car that day. Or what if he started making you pay for idle chit-chat? You would be asking him to pull over as soon as he could. The storage business is no different.
When the storage company starts demanding extra money, the customers will abandon that service for a more reasonable one. This concept is what gave rise to the mobile storage industry. Self-storage comes with extra costs and extra inconveniences. Mobile storage swept in and offered those customers a better service.
Now the same person can have their storage unit delivered right to their home or business. They don’t have to pay extra and they don’t have to drive a bulky moving truck with all of its blind spots. This not only saves on stressful trips, but it reduces the overall cost of their moving experience.
The success of this business has come, in a large part, because of the convenience and service it provides. Self-storage is still a thriving industry, but mobile storage is on the rise and could soon threaten their market.
Residential Uses:
- Extra storage at home: If your house is a little crowded use a storage container to free up some space.
- Easy storage shed: Avoid the building permit and the work and use a pod.
- Garage space: How long has it been since your car was in the garage? Give it a little more space and make your whole family happy.
- Fire or flood damage: Keep your possessions safe and out-of-the-way while you work. Having a storage container keeps them conveniently close so you can maintain a normal life.
- Remodeling: Shuffling furniture from one side of the room to the other is a pain. Storage is much easier.
Commercial Uses:
- Supply storage: Sheds have a large overhead and are very permanent.
- Temporary jobs: Keep your equipment safe from weather and thievery.
- Seasonal inventory: Holiday sales or parking lot deals can require extra storage. Mobile storage is the perfect solution for these occasions.
- Permanent storage: long-term storage is made simple and fits your needs.