How much do storage units cost in Waterford, Ireland?

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how much it would cost to store items in a storage unit in Waterford? You’re not alone! Self storage is more popular than ever.

The average person today has hundreds of spare items taking up valuable space in their home. Similarly, businesses often have large quantities of files, stock and other business-related accessories they need to keep safe and secure.

Waterford’s population is steadily growing – meaning more and more people with more and more stuff!

The importance of understanding storage costs before renting

Whether you are young, old or somewhere in between, the cost of renting storage in Waterford will play a part in deciding whether to choose this option.

Costs vary between self storage centres, so it pays to shop around. Many people choose centres that have high Trustpilot review scores or those with cast-iron security, as these provide a degree of reassurance that your goods are in safe hands.

However, there are many other factors that will affect the total price you pay and will likely have a role to play in your choice.

In this article, we delve into the various elements that should be considered before starting a self storage rental contract.

Factors influencing storage unit costs

Self storage options in Waterford and across Ireland come in all shapes and sizes. Their rental fees vary, too, and there is no such thing as a standard price per cubic meter across the industry.

Below are five of the main things that will influence the advertised price.

Rental duration

It stands to reason that the longer you rent a storage unit, the more you will pay. However, renting long term sometimes comes with certain price reductions – as is the case when you rent self storage for 12 months or more from TITAN Containers.

The location of your rental centre

As with any business, storage hire centres have business rates and other expenses to pay. These tend to be higher in inner city areas and will usually be passed on to the customer to some extent.

The size and dimensions of the unit you are hiring

As with rental duration, it is a case of the more you want the more you will pay. It is worth noting, however, that larger units almost always represent better value than smaller ones.

Type of storage unit

Self storage centres that give you private access to your own shipping container tend to be cheaper than those that are converted or tailor-made storage buildings with lockable rooms. The latter also sometimes offer climate control, which can further hike up the price.

However, if you have valuable temperature-sensitive items, this may be an attractive feature. You will need to weigh up the pros and cons of indoor versus outdoor units, giving due consideration to your budget and your storage requirements.

Security and safety features

To some extent, all self storage centres are designed to keep thieves out. Most units are supplied with a sturdy lock, though this isn’t always the case, so always be sure to check. While centres with low-quality security may be cheaper, they come with more risk, too.

Common cost considerations and additional fees

The headline price isn’t always indicative of the total price you will pay for storage unit costs in Waterford.

That’s because there are often other costs associated with the rental, some of which are optional.

Let’s take a look at some of the extra fees you may need to consider.

Upfront costs and deposits

Check if your storage centre requires you to leave a deposit when taking out your contract. Some may also ask you to pay for one or two months’ rental in advance.

Insurance

Occasionally, minimal insurance is included in storage centre rental fees, so be sure to check. If you have expensive items stashed away, appropriate cover is recommended.

Administrative fees

Is there a fee that will be added to your rental quote to cover admin work? It always makes sense to ask so there are no surprises when it comes to paying.

Opening times and cost implications

While this may not take money directly out of your pocket, choosing a storage centre that requires you to go at times that are not convenient to you (standard office hours, for example) may require you to use up your holiday allowance to check on or load up your goods.

Add-on services that can affect the total price

The costs of physically moving your items into a storage space are commonly overlooked, and yet they can be substantial. Here are four important elements to consider:

Van hire

If your belongings won’t fit into your car, the cheapest solution is usually to hire a van from a local company. Day rates range from £40-£80, but be sure to ask if there is a cap on the mileage that you are allowed to drive.

Packing materials

You may be able to source free cardboard boxes from a supermarket, but if you buy them, you should budget for at least £1 per mid-sized box. Larger, reinforced boxes can be considerably more expensive. Think also about rolls of packing paper and bubble wrap to secure individual items in transit.

Collection and delivery services

If you need the services of a removals firm, you should budget at least a couple of hundred pounds. Large removals can easily cost several thousand, especially if the firm you are working with is expected to pack away your items before they are transported.

Online fees and account access

Occasionally, you will need to pay a supplemental fee for being able to manage your account online. Always check the small print to see if there are any digital booking and account access fees.

Money-saving tips for renting storage

Start by decluttering to minimise the space you need

People often book storage space based on the pile of stuff they have in the corner of the garage. It is only when they come to transporting it that they realise half of the items would be better suited to the rubbish dump.

Every square foot of storage space will cost you money to rent, so try to be as efficient as you can when choosing the items that are worth keeping.

Share your unit with a friend

Larger units are better value than smaller units. In other words, renting a 40-foot container is cheaper than renting two 20-foot containers. If you and a friend or family member can fill an individual container between you, you can usually save between 15-40%.

For example, a 20 foot container from TITAN’s Waterford Depot [mp3] costs from €5.50 per day, while a 40 foot container costs from €8.50. As you can see, this is considerably less than twice the 20ft unit price.

Select the right unit size for your needs

Once again, efficiency is key. The time you spend in advance planning out your exact storage capacity requirements could save you hundreds of Euros across the course of a year.

Top tip: Measure out your proposed unit to scale on a piece of graph paper and then pencil in the large items you plan on storing. Next, add boxes, remembering that you can usually stack them four or five boxes high.

Keep an eye out for discounts and special offers

Self storage prices in Waterford can sometimes be reduced by special deals for new clients, so check Facebook and the local newspaper to see what is available. If you’re happy to discuss prices over the phone, try calling to ask if there are any special deals at that moment.

Pack and stack wisely

Once loaded, your storage unit shouldn’t look like a department store! Empty space is wasted money, so be sure to plan out your packing and stacking to maximise all available space.

How to choose the right storage unit

Now that you have understood some of the elements that influence what storage units cost in Waterford, it’s time to pick the best one for you.

Here are our four top pointers to help you narrow down the unit and centre that best meets your needs.

Carefully consider your storage requirements

They should always be your starting point, as storing items that have zero value is like throwing cash into the sea. Be selective when separating your stuff into “keep” and “discard” piles.

When you take out your storage contract, you often don’t have a clear idea of how long you will keep the rental open. If you store a cubic meter of “junk” for 10 years, you will likely lament your lack of foresight when it comes to taking it out at the end of your contract and only then deciding to throw it in the skip.

Waterford Council occasionally has bulky goods amnesties, when they take delivery of large items for free.

Weigh up the price you are paying for security

High-security self storage centres with CCTV, floodlights and gated entries usually cost a little more than less secure facilities. Most people are happy to pay that small premium – but if the items that you are putting in storage are almost worthless, you may think twice about the level of security you need.

That said, if the items you are storing have no value, you should probably ask yourself why you are storing them in the first place!

Proximity and convenience

For most self storage customers, easy access to their goods is a big plus. Choosing a centre that is within a short drive is always recommended; some are also on public transport routes, which may be important.

Read the fine print before booking

No one enjoys reading contracts, but taking a moment to check what you are signing up for is recommended. An easy way to get a brief overview of a contract is to paste it into an AI platform such as ChatGPT, along with a request to summarise the document and check for anything that seems to be out of the ordinary.

Summing up

Renting storage space almost always comes with costs that are above and beyond the price of the storage space itself. Packing equipment, transport and booking fees will usually add to the total amount you will have to pay.

But as we have discussed, there is more to renting a first-class self storage unit than price alone. Taking an overview that considers everything from location to security and reputation is advisable before making any decision.

We always recommend that clients consider all their needs and available options to ensure that the unit and centre they book are the right fit today, tomorrow and well into the future.

If you have any queries relating to self storage, our expert team will be happy to help. One question we can certainly answer is, “How much is storage in Waterford?” Just tell us your requirements and we will arrange a quick quote.