How much do storage units cost in Christchurch?

Introduction

Before we delve into self storage prices in Christchurch, let’s look at the ‘why’.

Why, exactly, has there been a relatively recent increase in demand for people wanting to store their stuff in a self storage centre?

Firstly, according to New Zealand’s Ministry of Social Development, demand for housing across the country is growing. More and more people are experiencing a “severe and immediate need.”

Secondly, the relative affordability of everyday items over the past few decades (current economic conditions notwithstanding) means people have more stuff.

Thirdly, a report by Latitude Homes found that the average New Zealand property has reduced in size from 200m² in 2010 to 156m² in 2019.

So: more people, more stuff, less space. This holy trinity of factors drives the demand for self storage centres across New Zealand like never before.

Many people, however, don’t know anything about storage unit costs in Christchurch. In this article, we will look at some ballpark prices per square metre and consider the many factors behind self storage rental prices.

Factors influencing storage costs

The first thing you should know about self storage is that no two centres are the same. Here are six things that influence storage unit costs.

The size of your rental unit

Self storage lock-ups come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and larger units are more expensive than small ones. However, the price per square metre tends to shrink the bigger you go.

Rental duration

Naturally, the longer you hire a unit, the more you will pay. Most centres charge monthly.

The location of the centre

Inner-city self storage centres are usually more expensive than those in out-of-town locations, with lower business rates.

Outdoor units versus indoor units

If your unit is inside a building, rental costs are usually higher than when choosing container-style self storage. The latter type – individual shipping containers, usually in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft sizes – are sometimes covered by an additional roof, but not always.

Type of storage unit (standard versus climate-controlled)

In areas with extreme temperature differences between seasons, consistent climate control can be an advantage – especially if you are storing precious items. But you will almost always pay more for this feature.

Security and safety features

Most self storage centres prioritise security, but those with state-of-the-art systems may charge a little more for their services.

Some common cost considerations and extra fees

Before booking a storage centre, it is good practice to familiarise yourself with some of the possible extras you may have to pay.

Deposits and upfront costs

Does the centre you are interested in require you to pay one or two months in advance – or any onboarding fees?

Insurance requirements

There is no hard and fast rule when providing insurance; some centres include it, but many don’t. Some of the ones that don’t provide it require you to provide proof of cover from a third party, so this should be factored into the cost if applicable.

Administrative fees

When renting a self storage unit, there is always some paperwork to be done. Does your centre charge a fee for administering this?

Access hours and cost implications

If the centre you are interested in is not open at times that are convenient, you may have to take time off work to visit it. There is a cost of sorts to this. When weighing up self storage options in Christchurch, remember to consider this.

Add-on services that may affect the price

When hiring storage for personal possessions or business goods, various other fees often nudge the total price up. Some examples:

Van hire or removal services

People often forget there will be a cost to move their items into storage. This can sometimes be avoided if you have a car and only rent a small unit; in other cases, hiring a van or a removal firm will be required. For large moves involving the latter, you should budget several thousand dollars.

Packing materials and supplies

While these won’t break the bank, you may be surprised at the price of a medium-sized cardboard box! If you need 50 or 100 of them, investigating the best price in advance will save nasty surprises later.

Digital booking and account access

While rare, it isn’t completely unheard of for a self storage centre to charge ongoing fees for account access or digital management.

5 Money-saving tips for renting storage

Before you start reaching for the calculator, here are some things you can do that can help to reduce the overall price you’ll pay for self storage:

1 Declutter first to minimise space

While it can be painful to single out items for the scrap heap, throwing away goods with little value will save you money in the long term.

2 Share a unit with a friend or family member

As mentioned earlier, large units represent better value than smaller ones. For example, an 18 m² unit is rarely twice as expensive as a 9 m² one. So, if you can split a large unit with a friend, you can both make a saving.

3 Carefully pick the right size unit for you

Many people seem to pluck a number out of thin air when choosing what size unit to rent. This regularly results in people renting spaces far bigger than they need. You can avoid wasting money in this fashion by calculating your storage needs accurately.

4 Optimise how you pack and stack items

This follows on from number three: once you have calculated the correct size for your needs, you must pack and stack correctly so you don’t end up with piles of boxes that you can’t fit into your unit.

5 Check for seasonal discounts or offers

Keep an eye out for money-saving deals offered by self storage centres in Christchurch. If they have free space available, they will be keen to take you on as a customer – so offers are quite common.

How to choose the right storage unit

Self storage prices in Christchurch vary, just as they do across New Zealand.

Very small units generally offer relatively poor value, as the price per meter is much higher than for larger units. You should expect to pay anything from $25-50 per m2 per month for a small unit. For a larger unit, it should be less.

Start by evaluating your storage needs and then think about the level of security you need to ensure your items are protected.

You may find a cheap self storage centre with poor security that meets your needs. Most people, however, are happy to pay a little more to know their goods are properly protected in a centre with CCTV, floodlights and gated compounds.

Don’t overlook the location of any centres you are interested in – as well as their opening times. Saving a few dollars a month on a centre many kilometres away is rarely a good idea.

Finally, always read the fine print before booking. Not every self storage centre is a beacon of respectability, and there may be things buried in the small print that you do not agree with.

A great way to get a quick measure of a contract is to run it through ChatGPT and ask it to flag up any irregularities.

When you have considered all the above, you should have a clear idea of the best self storage centre for you.

Summing up

The main cost factors when trying to determine how much is storage in Christchurch are the size of the unit you are renting, the duration of your contract, the type of self storage centre you’re interested in and its security facilities and location.

All of these will have a hand in the quotes you receive when shopping around.

If you create a shortlist of two or three centres that seem to fit your needs, remember to weigh up not just the price but the services and facilities each offers. The reputation and reviews of a centre are important, too. By taking an overview of the entire rental, you will arrive at the best solution.

TITAN Containers has been in the storage space for decades and pulls out all the stops to make sure hiring self-storage is seamless, affordable, and secure.

We would be happy to answer any questions about self storage that you have, including queries about locks, access, availability and special offers.

Get the storage space you need at the right price – start comparing your options in Christchurch today.