I would love to provide a simple figure – or even a range – for your monthly storage costs. But there’s a bit more to storage costs than a pounds per cubic metre (or cubic foot) figure.
Even price comparison tables are difficult to use because every storage company seems to have different sized units, making it tricky to compare.
Our approach to costing up storage in 2026
The approach we recommend is to work out what you need from storage –in terms of space, location and facilities – and then get quotes from three or four likely facilities.
Tailored storage quotes will give you the numbers you need to make a decision, and hopefully, there will be a clear winner in terms of cost to make the choice for you!
Deciding how much storage space you need
Storage companies will normally tell you the volume of the lockups, lockers, cupboards and rooms they offer. This is measured in cubic metres, or cubic feet.
You can gather the stuff you want to store into one place and physically measure the volume with a tape measure (height multiplied by width multiplied by length will give you the volume).
Or you may find it easier to eyeball it by thinking in terms of what your possessions might fit into. A car boot, or a small shed, or a shipping container.
- The contents of a car or small van will fit into roughly 255 cubic feet (7.25 cubic metres).
- The contents of a transit van (large enough to move a one-bedroomed flat) will go into a space measuring 600 cubic feet (17 cubic metres).
- The contents of a removal van (large enough to move a three-bedroom house) will go into 1,280 cubic feet (36 cubic metres).
Many storage companies offer calculators or visualisation tools to help, too – this is an example from Standby Self Storage; and of course, you can go and check out a site and ask to see their various containers and lockups – we do recommend checking out the facilities before you commit.
Once you know how much space you need, you can work out how much it will cost to use self-storage per month.
Self-storage pro-tip
Thinking you might need a larger storage unit? With many storage companies, you may be pleasantly surprised to find that if you double your storage space, your monthly bill won’t double. Using storage to gain extra room at home can be a bit addictive, so it may be worth getting a slightly larger space so you can grow into it!
Where would I like to store my stuff?
Does the location of your storage company matter? Many people move personal items in and out of storage throughout the year. For example, they might store equipment for a hobby that they only do a few times of year. Other people store seasonal decorations, or winter blankets and bedding to give themselves more space at home.
If you know you’ll be in and out of your storage unit frequently, it makes sense to pick a storage company with a convenient location. But if you plan to lock up and leave it, then location is far less important.
Long-term or short-term storage
Have a think about how long you want to store your stuff. Are we talking days or months or would you like this to be an on-going arrangement? Occasionally, storage companies will give you a better deal if you pay for six months or a year in advance. It’s always worth an ask!
Getting quotations
As mentioned above, every storage company has its own system of unit sizes. So you may need to push a bit to get the numbers you need to make a reliable comparison. Choose the unit size that best meets your needs, and then ask the company for a monthly price for storage and a price for the whole year.
Don’t get taken in by special offers – they may offer an enticing rate for six months, but then the price goes up. But do remember to check for any discounts that you might be entitled to. Student? Armed forces? Blue light? There’s no harm in asking!
What facilities do you need?
Every storage company has different facilities. Some offer free van hire. Others will move your stuff in and out for you. There are storage companies with extra security, or swipe-card access. Do you need climate-controlled storage? And think about whether you need 24-hour access.
Look at the security on the site and make sure it is at a level that is right for you. Some companies offer swipe-card access, or ask for ID, for example.
Remember your self-storage insurance
Not all storage units are automatically insured, but reputable storage companies require you to have some form of self-storage insurance.
Many storage companies have their own insurance, but their prices may not be competitive and their terms might not suit you. Make a note of what they offer you and then use our web form to get a quote from Store and Insure. Our tailored policies have a flexible duration – you can insure by the day with us – and there’s no excess fee.
