Regardless of whether you have a household, run a business or are studying: at some point in your life, you will run out of space for your property.
Selfstorage then becomes a lifesaver.
Self-Storage solutions give you the opportunity to store your currently superfluous but in future needed belongings safely in another place. In doing so, you still retain control over your things and can access them at any time.
You have the option of choosing between different Self-Storage options. For many, a Full-Service-Storage, such as BOXIE24, is the best storage solution. In this service, the collection and return of your stored goods are included in the rental price.
In the following, we give you an overview of what types of Selfstorage exist in Germany, how much they cost and what you should pay attention to if you want to rent storage space.
What is Selfstorage?
Self-Storage is a system that is also popular in Germany and that originated in the USA and gained a foothold here in the 1990s. Translated, Self-Storage means self storage. With this system, private individuals or business owners can store their property in rented boxes, storage units, containers and garages.
With the increasing shortage of space in major cities such as München, Berlin or Hamburg, and ever rising rents, Self-Storage offers the opportunity to use living space more sensibly and at the same time set up cost effective storage space outside your own four walls.
Self-Storage units are generally not only drier than your own cellar or attic, but are also excellently secured with video surveillance. Therefore, insurers usually have no issue with the outsourcing of Hausrat.
Before you go online to find a Self-Storage provider near you, you should inform yourself about prohibited stored goods, insurance obligations and other security measures.
Please note that Self-Storage is not suitable as living space and that there are also a few restrictions regarding the items you are allowed to store.
When is Self-Storage appropriate?
Due to flexible solutions both with regard to the length of the rental contract and the size of the storage space, storage can be adapted to all life situations.
Regardless of whether it concerns renovation work, clearing out at home or bridging a period during a move: with the right Self-Storage option, you can store your belongings, such as furniture or Hausrat, safely.
Traditional space hogs such as files, Christmas decorations, bulky sports equipment, office supplies bought in bulk or inventory, and even winter tyres can easily be stored in Self-Storage facilities.
As a rule, Self-Storage units are heated, so that even sensitive collectibles can be stored safely.
For students, the low rental prices of Self-Storage boxes are particularly helpful when they move between semesters or start a semester abroad.
How does Self-Storage work?
Like so many things nowadays, the Self-Storage experience begins online.
Self-Storage can be booked within minutes on websites. However, do not commit yourself immediately to the first provider and do not sign a contract before you have visited the Self-Storage company.
In doing so, you should pay particular attention to how dry and clean the premises are. How is access to the building secured? Do you have a power connection for your storage unit? Are hand trucks/transport trolleys available for heavy boxes? And last but not least: how far is the Self-Storage facility from your home/workplace?
When checking the rental contract, pay attention to whether ancillary costs such as insurance and cleaning are included in the rent. Does the storage landlord require a Kaution and is the storage facility accessible to you outside office hours?
What different types of Self-Storage are there
Besides Self-Storage with storage boxes, there are also some options that enable the storage of items at home or on the premises of a business. Several container manufacturers offer modular container systems that can be set up in your own garden or as an extension to your own house or business.
In many cases, approval from the Bauamt is required for setting up a container or a mobile garage. The neighbours are often also not enthusiastic about the appearance of the oversized metal boxes, which are available in sizes from 3 to 6 m.
If you do not have space for containers at home, drive-up storage facilities offer an alternative. These are metal containers in car parks or converted underground car parks that can be driven up to directly.
Anyone faced with an excess of items but without a car should consider Full-Service-Storage. Full-Service-Storage providers, including BOXIE24, collect your things from home, store them, and deliver them back in full or even in part, often without extra fees.
Storage boxes (indoor) Features (dry, climate controlled, with or without electricity)
Indoor Self-Storage in solid buildings is suitable for almost everyone and everything. In most cases, stored goods are protected from extreme weather conditions. Many Self-Storage providers keep the storage premises climate controlled and therefore dry. For that reason, storage boxes are also suitable for sensitive stored goods such as document archives, electronic devices or collectibles.
Professional storage box landlords set up the storage area with customers in mind. Wide, well lit corridors that can be used with hand trucks, and large lifts, make access and loading/unloading of the individual storage space easier.
Increased security through staffed customer service, video surveillance and controlled access gives customers an impression of higher quality when renting storage space.
Garage boxes and drive-up solutions, with or without electricity and surveillance
Garages, drive-in storage and Self-Storage boxes offer storage solutions that can be accessed directly by vehicle. This system is normally set up on huge outdoor storage sites and, in addition to overwintering for motorhomes and motorcycles, also offers the possibility of storing private or commercial goods.
The advantage with garages and drive-up boxes lies in easy, quick access by vehicle. Depending on the storage landlord, many of the garages and drive-up boxes are equipped with electricity and provide sufficient lighting for loading and unloading.
Because this type of storage solution is almost always offered outdoors and without air conditioning or heating, the option is not very suitable for furniture, Hausrat or other sensitive goods.
Businesses use garages and drive-up boxes to store bulky items, including trade fair materials or tools, that take up space in the company but are rarely used.
Reputable drive-up and garage box providers ensure proper security monitoring of the storage facility, which insurers are generally satisfied with.
The rent for drive-in/drive-up storage in Germany depends on location and ranges from about 70 € in small towns to more than 300 € in major cities such as München, Berlin or Hamburg.
Mobile containers in your own home
Homeowners will first think of storage options at home. Mobile, modular containers can, for this purpose, either be rented or bought and set up on your own property.
Rented sheet metal containers come in sizes between 3 and 6 metres and are delivered directly to your address and picked up again. Rent starts on average from 39 € per month.
The advantage, of course, is that you can fill the containers as you like without further planning and organisation. The disadvantage, however, is that the sheet metal containers are only suitable for a shorter period of time.
For one thing, the walls do not provide sufficient protection against adverse weather and extreme temperatures, and the built-in ventilation can often do more harm than good. For another, in many cases approvals must be obtained from the local authorities for the installation.
Even if approvals are granted, the neighbours could react negatively if the metal boxes remain for a longer time. In addition, most containers can be locked but still offer little security against theft or break-ins.
How much does Selfstorage cost?
The price for Self-Storage depends on the location of the storage premises, the type of storage you have chosen, and of course the size of the booked storage area.
In major cities where living space is particularly scarce and expensive, including München, Berlin, Stuttgart and Frankfurt, the costs for Self-Storage are generally higher than in smaller places.
In addition, there are large price differences among Self-Storage providers. Before you commit to renting storage space, you should therefore note what is included in your rent. Ancillary costs such as insurance, video surveillance, heating and electricity costs, as well as a Kaution, can considerably increase the final amount you pay for your Self-Storage.
Always compare prices in your city and pay attention to possible discounts and offers for example for long term rent or for advance payment of several months.
How is the price made up?
If you are only just calculating your needs, the question of costs will probably also come up.
The price for Self-Storage depends first and foremost on your location. If you live in a major city such as München, Berlin or Frankfurt, the rent for storage space is likely to be far more expensive than in Wustermark or Münster.
The size of the storage space is of course also important for the price. The larger the storage box for your inventory, the higher the rent. Here you could benefit from discounts for, among other things, long term contracts or short term seasonal storage, for example during a move.
However, the rent price should not be the only factor to consider. Make sure that the final bill also includes costs such as electricity, heating, video surveillance and insurance.
In addition, you must consider further costs such as packaging materials such as bubble wrap, moving boxes and locks. Do not forget to include travel costs and possibly lost working time due to travelling to and storing items in your budget, especially if your rented unit is outside the city centre.
How much storage space do you need?
Before you book the storage space, you of course need to know how much space you need.
Many Self-Storage providers therefore offer online tools to calculate storage space. In addition, a lot of space, and therefore money, can be saved through smart packing. Self-Storage landlords often also offer storage boxes that could prove indispensable for space saving and safe storage.
You should also consider storage and archiving systems such as shelving and filing cabinets for documents and bookkeeping in order to use the size of the storage space as well as possible.
Otherwise, you should take the following measures.
- Measure your boxes and the larger items, especially furniture
- Look at several storage units and measure them.
- Do not forget that you also need access to your belongings, and plan an access aisle.
- If you are still unsure how much storage space you need, you can ask the customer service of your Selfstorage provider for help. Reputable Selfstorage companies have professional staff who can, with the help of photos provided or the dimensions given, give you an impression of the storage area required.
From a mini storage unit to a large box
Selfstorage comes in many different sizes, which determine the price. The smallest boxes usually start at 1 m² and, depending on location, can cost as little as 4 € per month.
Mini boxes are generally suitable for smaller things such as files or smartly packed boxes with Christmas decorations, sports equipment or Hausrat. Note that you can stack upwards. Choosing robust storage boxes that you can stack on top of each other can save you space and therefore rent.
Mini boxes are particularly popular with students who are running out of space in their student flat.
If you are clearing out an entire room, you generally need to rent a medium box. These start from 2 m² and cost, depending on location, about 15 € per m². If you later find that you need more or less space or want to add or remove items, you can usually, by arrangement with the Selfstorage provider, expand or reduce the rented storage space.
Medium storage boxes are generally rented by households and businesses to store surplus items that are only needed occasionally.
Anyone clearing out their entire apartment or business, for example due to a move or a renovation, generally needs 4 m² and more. Here, prices per m² start at about 10 € per m².
Large storage boxes are generally rented for a short time when life circumstances change and there is a need for quick storage of furniture, Hausrat and similar items.
Businesses use large storage areas over a longer period to store machines, tools and/or the bookkeeping from past years.
To ensure optimal use of your chosen storage area, you should measure your stored goods beforehand. Write an inventory list and try to store as much as possible in robust storage boxes or on shelves. This simplifies the calculation and at the same time provides safe and stable storage.
Access, security and cleanliness
Besides the price, you should consider three central points when it comes to Selfstorage:
- Access: Do you have access to your belongings around the clock, or are you dependent on the opening hours of the Self-Storage provider?
- Security: Is your property secured by, for example, video surveillance or security guard teams, and who besides you has a key to the rented storage unit?
- Cleanliness: Is the building in which your items are located sufficiently climate controlled, ventilated and cleaned regularly?
Access
If you store your belongings out of your sight, you will probably want to ensure that you can access them at any time.
Therefore pay attention to how access to your storage facility is regulated. Are the units secured by automatic locking systems with PIN or card, or do you have to attach a lock yourself?
You will also probably want to know whether you have access to the building at any time, or are dependent on the office hours of the Selfstorage provider. Are there enough parking spaces in front of the Self-Storage building even at peak times, and sufficient ramps, lifts and transport aids such as hand trucks or trolleys?
During a visit before signing the contract, observe how employees behave towards other customers. Does the Selfstorage provider’s customer service appear friendly and helpful, even in stressful situations? And last but not least: is a visitor log kept that records the names of those who enter the storage units
Security and insurance
Professional Self-Storage companies generally offer good security, including CCTV/video surveillance and/or security guards, visitor logs and reliable locking systems such as electronic PIN or card locks.
In most cases, you will be offered basic insurance when renting a storage box. With insurance for Self-Storage, you should pay attention to whether this is already included in the rent, or charged separately as ancillary costs.
Basic insurance policies do not, in principle, cover the actual value of your belongings, but are calculated per kilogram of stored items.
In addition, stored goods such as , furniture or tools are covered by your own Hausrat- or Haftpflichtversicherung or commercial insurance. Clarify your insurance coverage before you store your items.
Please note that your Self-Storage provider will not allow the storage of a number of safety endangering items, including easily flammable items, food and illegal objects. Extremely valuable items such as jewellery and collectibles may also be excluded from outsourcing.
Therefore read the guidelines of your Self-Storage provider and the insurance policy carefully and photograph your property for insurance purposes before storage.
Clean and dry storage, with or without electricity
Before you rent a storage space, you should always carry out an on-site inspection. Pay particular attention to the cleanliness and quality standards of the Self-Storage premises.
Does the building appear well ventilated through climate and ventilation systems?
Are the corridors and the reception area clean and dry?
Do you see signs of rodent infestation?
Do you notice musty smells, or do you see signs of mould in corners or on the ceiling?
Access to electricity and good lighting in your storage units could also be important to you. Note, however, that Self-Storage companies will take care of storing your items, commercial or private, but will not allow the opening of a “branch office” of your business within the Self-Storage.
To protect stored items and documents from moisture, you should also pay attention to packaging. Use plastic storage boxes for your electronics and bubble wrap for your fragile items. Shelves and pallets help keep your property away from direct contact with the floor.
Who uses Self-Storage?
While in the past mostly commercial customers made use of Self-Storage, more and more private customers are entering the market. Students in particular have discovered the advantages of storage outside the home for themselves.
Business owners generally use Self-Storage longer term and over years in order to enlarge the work area in their own business and ensure employee safety.
Households and private individuals increasingly have to make do with less living space due to rising rents and house prices. Self-Storage offers the opportunity to store surplus or seasonal items safely outside the home both short term and over longer periods.
Students benefit from Self-Storage particularly during semester breaks and semesters abroad. Instead of laboriously packing their belongings again and storing them at their parents’ home, Self-Storage, with flexible terms and a choice of storage sizes, offers the ideal place to store them.
Households and private individuals
Belongings have the habit of quickly taking over living space and restricting the living area. A surplus of furniture, unused household items, books or toys is often stored in damp cellars or cold attics.
Over the years, space runs out there too. In addition, life changes such as moves, downsizing or upsizing households demand more space in your own home.
Before you simply pack up your things and commission a Self-Storage provider to store them, you should prepare well.
Therefore keep an inventory list and clearly label your storage boxes and crates. Pack smart and organise your belongings into categories that will also make sense to you in the future. Your insurance will probably also want to be informed if you store your property outside the home.
If you are unsure about the procedure, ask customer service at your Self-Storage company for advice and support.
Businesses and corporate customers
Business owners and corporate customers often have different needs than private customers. Here, in addition to order, operational safety in the work area comes into play.
Companies are often dependent on the location of their business and therefore tend to move less. Self-Storage offers the opportunity to expand operations without having to find more space within the company premises.
Business owners also need larger storage areas and extended access to their units. To store inventory, tools and machines securely, logistical solutions for access with delivery vans or lorries, loading ramps, pallet trucks or forklifts must be available.
In addition, many business offices choose to outsource the bookkeeping and files from past years.
E-Commerce businesses benefit particularly from Self-Storage. By outsourcing products and possibly packaging materials, most online retailers can run their business from home office.
Corporate customers receive proper invoices from professional Self-Storage companies that clearly show the required details such as registration number and the Mehrwertsteuer.
Students
Apprentices and students generally have little money, but a space requirement that a student flat cannot meet. In addition, students move more often than households or businesses.
Selfstorage not only offers a bridging option during semester breaks, internships or a semester abroad, but also helps create space in dorm rooms or shared flats at affordable prices.
The flexibility regarding the size of the available options and the possibility of storing belongings such as books, sports equipment or gadgets even at short notice make Selfstorage particularly attractive for students.
A mini storage solution, which is often associated with discounts or special offers, is generally sufficient. However, students must also learn the art of smart packing in order to store their property in boxes over shorter or longer periods.
How do I find the right Self-Storage?
Before you finally decide on a Self-Storage provider and enter into the contract, you should examine the selection in your city very carefully and compare the individual facilities. You should note the following:
Do not book storage space unseen. Inspect the storage space or the box before you decide definitively. In some cases, Self-Storage providers also offer a virtual tour of their storage halls online.
Cheapest is not necessarily always best. Pay attention to hidden costs and Kautionen, but also to security and cleanliness on site.
Look at reviews of the individual providers and pay particular attention to mentioned quality standards and customer service.
Location and travel
When choosing a Selfstorage solution, questions arise about the location of the storage facility and the travel time. Should the location be closer to your home or workplace? You will also soon find that Self-Storage options in peripheral areas in German major cities such as München and Berlin are far cheaper than those located in the city centre.
Centrally located Self-Storage halls offer the advantage of a quick drive, but often come with more limited access options such as parking spaces, loading bays and road connections.
If you do not have a vehicle, you must also consider nearby stops for public transport.
Regardless of whether you prefer Selfstorage in the city centre or on the outskirts, always make sure that you feel safe in the neighbourhood, even after dark. This is particularly true if your Selfstorage is not staffed after office hours.
Contracts and Kautionen
Rents for Self-Storage, especially over longer periods, are usually paid monthly. In addition to the rent, in some cases a Kaution, usually one full month’s rent, and other ancillary costs, including fire protection, insurance and electricity, may be added.
Before signing the contract, you should be prepared to present a form of proof of identity (Personalausweis, Führerschein or Reisepass) as well as proof of insurance.
Rent payments are normally accepted via cards, bank transfer or direct debit. Note that many Self-Storage companies offer special discounts of up to 25 percent for advance payments.
Even if, when signing the contract, you are at the start of your Self-Storage experience, you should also keep the end and the notice period in mind. As a rule, this amounts to one month.
Pay attention to unobtrusive ancillary costs, such as so-called administrative or invoice fees, which seem small at first but can accumulate to respectable amounts over time.
Last but not least, you should familiarise yourself with the house rules, privacy policy and the guidelines of your Self-Storage provider to avoid future misunderstandings.
Customer service
Every Selfstorage operation will offer some form of customer service. However, quality standards can differ.
While some maintain a staffed and helpful customer service that supports storage tenants even after signing the contract, others make do with chatbots and call centres.
Therefore make sure that your chosen Self-Storage provider makes available an adequate and responsive customer service with contact options by phone or email.
Also pay attention to the general condition of the storage premises. Are they clean and dry? Is someone always present when you arrive? Do you receive sufficient advice for your concerns?
Also take a look at the website of the individual Selfstorage companies. Do you get tools and instructions there, for example to calculate storage space or clear price/budgeting suggestions? If you want to store large or bulky items, you should inquire about the availability of trolleys or hand trucks. With professional Self-Storage providers, you can also buy or rent additional packaging materials or storage boxes.
Are there real alternatives to Selfstorage?
Besides traditional Selfstorage, where you have to pack, transport and store your things yourself, there is now also Full-Service-Storage. With Full-Service-Storage, the service provider, including BOXIE24, takes over not only the storage of your belongings, but also the transport to and from your location and all the inconveniences, such as carrying boxes and cartons, that Selfstorage entails.
The advantage of Full-Service-Storage is the time saving. With the click of a button online, you can order a personal chauffeur for your stored goods within minutes, who collects your things from the living room and drives directly to your chosen location in Germany to store the boxes and items there professionally and safely.
The disadvantage could be insufficient access to your property. Full-Service-Storage services generally do not offer access around the clock. Instead, you can call there or contact them by email to have your things delivered back to you.
The service is not only excellent for those who have neither a car nor the time to make their own way to the storage unit. Older citizens, people with disabilities or even stressed heads of families can benefit particularly from this service.
Full-Service-Storage
With this storage option, the Self-Storage provider takes over not only the storage of your items, but also transport. Staff trained specifically for this collect your things from your home and transport them to the storage unit.
If you want your things back in full or in part, the Self-Storage provider usually does this within 24 hours of your request.
Like traditional Self-Storage options, the prices for Full-Service-Storage are based on the size of the rented storage area and the length of the contract. Transport and insurance are often included in the rental price.
Full-Service-Storage is suitable not only for those who do not have a car, but also for older citizens and people with disabilities. In addition, the storage option is suitable when your own time is valuable and cannot be wasted. Families with small children also benefit from Full-Service-Storage because you do not have to pay attention to childcare.
Do you prefer collection and return? Discover the Full-Service storage space of BOXIE24.
