The Future of Storage: Pros And Cons Of Unstaffed Self-Storage

If you're looking for storage space, you may have heard about unstaffed facilities. We have a look at the pros and cons of using these facilities.

The self-storage industry, like many others, had to adapt quickly when COVID-19 struck. At the start of the crisis, self-storage reservations decreased by 22%.

However, as facilities moved online and automated their processes, demand surged, and reservations increased by 33% the following year.

But what makes unstaffed self-storage so popular?

This article explores the pros and cons of renting unstaffed self-storage units to help you decide if it's right for you.

What’s Unstaffed Self-Storage?

Unstaffed self-storage is a modern approach to storage space, where units are accessed and managed with little or no in-person contact.

Instead of calling a storage facility to find out whether they have space, you can instantly check their availability online.

You don’t have to meet with the facility manager and negotiate prices. You simply select your preferences on their website and make an online payment.

At the facility, you open your storage unit independently, often using an app or a secret code to open the lock.

Once your rental period ends, you can safely retrieve your belongings or vehicles, and your access to the facility concludes.

For the entire duration of your storage rental, you essentially don’t have to speak to another human being—hence the name “unstaffed” self-storage.

The Pros of Unstaffed Self-Storage

Source: Pexels

Let’s say you decide to rent storage space from an unstaffed facility so that you can store furniture and household goods during a move.

This is what you stand to gain from the facility being unstaffed:

1. Pay less for storage space

Hiring an employee in the United Kingdom is expensive.

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a storage facility manager ranges from £28,000 to £44,000. This figure excludes additional company expenses, such as recruitment and training costs.

By transitioning from a manned to an unstaffed storage facility, business owners can reduce their annual labour costs and, therefore, reduce their prices.

This makes them more competitive and gives you a better deal on storage space.

On top of this, since all their prices are available online as part of their booking system, you know exactly how much you will pay.

You don’t have to waste time requesting a quote and then trying to negotiate a better price. Everything is available upfront and you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Here’s an example of what a real-life facility in London might charge you. You can instantly see how much it will cost you:

Source: Vanguard Self Storage

2. Easily manage your storage unit

Unlike traditional storage units, which are only open during certain hours, unstaffed storage facilities are usually open 24/7.

This means that, even in the middle of the night, you can swing by your storage unit and pick things up.

Perhaps you have clients who insist on late meetings because they're in different time zones. Maybe you accidentally packed medication along with your storage belongings that you can't easily replace.

You will also likely have access to an online portal where you can easily manage your storage unit. Here, everything is automated, from reservation to allocation.

For example, if you want to extend your rental term, you should be able to instantly do this online.

Anytime you make changes to your plan, you will also get notifications, such as emails or messages, to alert you of payments, access events, or any issues at the storage facility.

This is far more streamlined than the traditional process of needing to visit the facility during specific times and having to sit on long calls arranging an extension of the unit.

3. Feel safe at the facility

Unstaffed facilities often use high-tech security measures such as CCTV, access control systems, and alarms to protect your belongings.

To enter your storage unit, you may be given an access card, which lets you into the facility, and a combination code for your unit’s lock.

Even though there aren’t many people around, there are cameras that are monitored remotely, so you can rest assured that you’re protected by vigilant surveillance at all times.

4. Your storage needs are private

Sometimes, you don’t want to explain why you want to rent a storage unit. You simply want to book your space and use it in peace.

Perhaps you’re going through a difficult time, such as a divorce and you want to privately store your belongings without being asked intrusive questions.

Unstaffed self-storage units offer the utmost privacy. You can access your storage unit at your convenience without any uncomfortable interactions.

Source: Pexels

Cons of Unstaffed Self-Storage

Although unstaffed self-storage facilities offer many benefits, there are still downsides to removing all human interaction from storage facilities.

These are the most noteworthy cons:

1. You don’t have in-person assistance

If your lock malfunctions while you’re trying to access your storage unit, you may not have a staff member on hand to assist you.

Instead, you may have to raise your concern online or ring a helpline and wait for assistance to arrive, potentially delaying access to your storage unit until the issue is resolved.

Luckily, these issues don’t arise too often. However, it can be inconvenient if you encounter such a situation, especially if you need to access your belongings urgently.

Source: Pexels

2. Computers (or humans) can suffer technical glitches

When an entire storage facility relies on technology over human oversight, there is a potential risk of computers crashing or encountering technical glitches.

These issues can temporarily disrupt access or the management of your storage unit, preventing you from reaching your belongings.

Conversely, you may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with using apps to lock and unlock your storage unit. You may wish to request help from an on-site guide during your first visit.

They can help you navigate this learning curve and ensure you're comfortable managing your storage unit independently.

3. Your personal data may be at risk

Instead of writing down your address, bank details, and identification details on paper, you will submit this straight from your home computer.

If the storage facility you selected doesn’t have good practices in place to protect your personal data, there is a risk that your sensitive information could be vulnerable to unauthorised access or breaches.

💡 Report poor practices immediately

Nowadays, there are laws that protect your personal information and every storage facility needs to abide by them.

If you’re ever concerned about a storage facility’s data protection practices, immediately report them to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Which Is Best For Storage Facility Operators?

Unstaffed self-storage is convenient and affordable for customers. But what if you’re a storage facility operator?

Is it worth switching your business to an unstaffed contactless storage model? Let’s look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

✔️Reduced costs to keep the facility open

✔️Increased flexibility in operating hours

✔️Enhanced security through advanced technology

✔️Streamlined customer experience with online booking and management

✔️Minimal staffing requirements lead to lower overhead

✔️Ability to scale operations more efficiently

Cons:

❌Potential technical issues with automated systems

❌Limited ability to provide personalised customer service

❌Dependence on stable internet connectivity for operations

❌Increased vulnerability to cyber threats and data breaches

❌Challenges in handling emergencies or urgent situations promptly

If you run your own storage facility and you’re thinking about transitioning to unstaffed units, Stora can help you set up everything.

From setting up your website with automated booking and payment systems to giving you access to an app that your customers can use to access your facility, Stora does it all.

Conclusion

Overall, both manned and unstaffed self-storage facilities offer great storage solutions for different kinds of customers.

If you want more privacy, security, and easy online management, then an unstaffed self-storage facility is ideal for you.

On the other hand, if you’re not comfortable with the latest technology and you prefer the personal touch of working with a human being, then traditional facilities may be a better fit.

This article is brought to you by Stora, the self-storage software designed to automate administrative tasks, allowing you to concentrate on expanding your business.