A warehouse is a large building where goods, materials, or products are stored before they are sold, used, or distributed. This can range from small boxes to large pallets, from personal items to business inventory. By renting a warehouse, you create extra space, protect your items from damage or loss, and keep your living or working environment organised.
When choosing storage space in the Netherlands, several factors matter:
- Surface area: how many square meters (m²) do you need?
- Location: how close does the warehouse need to be?
- Price model and contract term: fixed rent, flexible rent or pay per use?
- Access and security: who can access the goods and when?
- Extra services: for example receiving goods, order picking and packing.
What kind of warehouse space do you need
Choosing the right type of storage depends on your operational processes and the characteristics of your inventory. It is important to know how often you receive goods, how often you pick orders and what type of storage materials you use. The layout of the warehouse also matters. Wide aisles, loading docks or ground level access and the use of racking systems or block storage determine how efficiently you can use the space.
Different situations require different storage methods:
- Pallet racking: ideal for mixed products and direct access to each pallet
- Drive-in and drive-through racking: suitable for bulk storage and high density
- Pallet flow racking: automatic pallet movement for goods with a shelf life
- Cantilever racking: for long or irregular items
- Mezzanine floor: extra capacity by using the height of the warehouse
Tip: by analysing your workflow and goods flow, you know exactly how many square meters you need and which layout is most efficient. This helps you use the available space optimally and prevents renting too much or too little storage.
How much floor area fits your inventory
Translating your inventory into square meters is essential for using a warehouse efficiently. Start with the number of pallets you want to store. A standard EUR-pallet measures 1.2 meters long by 0.8 meters wide. Also consider stacking height. Storing three pallets high in a rack gives you far more capacity than stacking on the floor. How you store your pallets also matters. Racking versus block storage influences the number of square meters required.
Example calculation:
- 20 pallets, 3 high in racks → around 50 m²
- 40 pallets, 3 high → around 100 m²
The height of the warehouse is also important. A higher clear height and racking systems increase space efficiency. Wide aisles are needed for forklift access but lower the overall density of your layout. Block storage can be more compact but makes individual access more difficult. By considering these factors, you can make a reasonable calculation and determine the size of storage space that fits your situation. This ensures your warehouse is not too large or too small and that your inventory can be organised properly.
What does a warehouse cost and how does the pricing work
Warehouse rental costs vary greatly by region, type of space and service level. In the Netherlands there are roughly two pricing models. A fixed price per square meter per month, also known as the classic real estate model, and a per pallet or managed fees model, which is common in logistics. The first model is useful for stable inventory while the second is suitable for businesses with fluctuating stock or that need extra logistics services.
Below is an indicative overview of both models, including real prices in euros.
|
Cost component |
Real estate model €/m² |
Logistics model per pallet |
|---|---|---|
|
Base storage |
€50 to €90 per m² per month (Randstad) €35 to €60 per m² per month (outside Randstad) |
€7 to €15 per pallet per month |
|
Incoming goods |
Usually included |
€3 to €8 per pallet |
|
Outgoing goods |
Usually included |
€3 to €10 per pallet |
|
Extra services |
Heating, security, docks, electricity |
Pick and pack, inbound checks, returns handling |
|
Minimum volume |
Often 20 to 50 m² |
Often 10 pallets per month |
Tip: pay close attention to what is included and which services have extra costs. Especially with the logistics model, inbound and outbound fees can add up quickly if you have high pallet turnover. This comparison helps you get a more realistic picture of your monthly costs and choose a model that matches your stock and business processes.
Which factors determine the price per m² and per month
The price of warehouse space can vary significantly because not all storage locations are the same. The quality of the building, accessibility and available facilities all influence the total cost. The better the space matches your daily operations, the more efficiently you can work and the more value you get from your square meters.
Key price factors:
- Location and accessibility, for example proximity to motorways
- Building specifications such as clear height, floor load and available docks
- Size of the space and availability in the region
- Contract term and flexibility
For managed warehousing, additional costs apply:
- Rates per pallet
- Inbound and outbound fees
- Minimum volumes
- Discounts for larger volumes
By comparing these elements carefully, you can determine whether the costs match your needs and whether the warehouse is a good investment.
How are access and security arranged
Access to a warehouse determines how smoothly your business processes run. Some providers offer access during office hours while others are open 24 hours a day. The method of access also differs. Think of badges, pin code access or digital access via a portal. This is especially important if several employees visit the warehouse regularly.
Common access methods include:
- Personal access card
- Pin code or digital key
- Visitor registration
Security also plays an important role. Modern warehouses use multiple layers of protection such as:
- CCTV
- Alarm systems
- Regular inspections
- Fire safety measures
- Incident reporting procedures
Professional warehouses also use systems like WMS or ERP. These record access moments and improve traceability of goods.
Tip: always ask how incidents are reported and which steps are taken when there is damage or an irregularity. This gives you insight into how reliable and safe the provider operates.
Which amenities and quality do you get in the space
Not every warehouse offers the same facilities. It is important to check the quality of the building and which amenities are included as standard. This determines how practical the space is for your products and how much extra work or cost it may bring.
Common facilities include:
- Loading docks or a loading and unloading area
- Parking spaces for employees or drivers
- Heating or ventilation
- Humidity control or drying systems
- Racking systems
- Internet or a small office
Tip: pay attention to the condition of the unit at handover. A clean, dry and tidy space makes a big difference for the quality of your goods and for daily use.
By checking this in advance, you know exactly what options you have, how you can organise your inventory and which extra costs you may need to consider.
Who is this offer suitable for
Warehouse storage is suitable for many types of users. Both businesses and individuals can benefit from it. What you need depends on your products, the amount of stock and how often you receive deliveries.
Typical users include:
- E commerce companies
- Installers, craftsmen and small service providers
- Retail and wholesale
- Organisations that store documents or archives
- Businesses with seasonal inventory
Usage differs per group:
|
Target group |
Typical needs |
|---|---|
|
E commerce |
High turnover, many orders, returns |
|
Retail and wholesale |
Large volumes, pallet storage |
|
Private users |
Boxes, furniture, temporary storage |
By comparing your own situation with these profiles, you can determine which type of storage and facilities fit best. This gives you a clear idea of whether the offer suits your products and processes.
Which rules apply for use, safety and materials
Every warehouse has rules to guarantee safety. These rules cover how you use the space, how you store materials and which permits or insurance conditions apply. Many of these rules are mandatory due to laws or insurance requirements.
Pay attention to:
- Free walkways and clear aisles
- Maximum load of floors and racking
- Electrical safety
- Fire safety routes and emergency exits
- Use of personal protective equipment when required
There are also rules for materials such as:
- Use of standard pallets
- Regular inspection of racking
- Prohibited items such as flammable or hydrogen containing substances
- Waste handling
Always check which rules and guidelines are listed in the rental conditions. This helps ensure that you meet all obligations and that your rights are clearly defined.
Can you only rent a part of the warehouse
Renting an entire warehouse is not always necessary. Many businesses therefore choose to rent only a portion, such as several square meters or a fixed pallet spot. This is especially useful if you have limited inventory, want flexibility to scale up or down or simply do not need your own large facility. In practice, this often works through shared warehouse space, where multiple companies use the same hall while each has a designated area.
Before choosing this option, check what the monthly costs are, which services are included and whether you have access when needed. Some providers combine the space with extra services like order picking, packing or handling returns. Others offer a basic model where you rent square meters and manage everything yourself.
Below are the most important advantages and disadvantages.
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
You only pay for the space you actually use |
Less privacy and control because the space is shared |
|
Easy to scale up or down with fluctuating stock |
Sometimes limited access hours depending on the provider |
|
Ideal for startups, webshops and seasonal businesses |
Less suitable for heavy or high risk goods |
|
Possibility to book extra services such as order picking |
Extra services can increase the monthly price |
|
No large investments in your own facilities |
Less influence on layout or security systems |
Renting part of a warehouse is therefore especially interesting if you want to keep costs low and stay flexible. It is less suitable if you need full control, your own layout or 24/7 access.
Meet BOXIE24 solution for business
BOXIE24 is a full-service storage solution that helps businesses manage their space more flexibly. Instead of a traditional rental setup, we work with pick-up, storage and return delivery. This makes it a convenient option for companies that do not want to spend time on logistics or commit to long-term contracts.
Businesses such as e-commerce companies, small entrepreneurs and service providers benefit from:
- Pick-up of goods
- Secure storage
- Inventory overview
- Return deliveries when needed
The process is simple. You book the service online, choose the desired space and schedule a pick-up appointment. Our team then ensures that your items are collected, stored and safely returned whenever you need them. This makes it a flexible alternative to traditional storage space, especially if your stock fluctuates or if you are not yet sure how much space you will need.
For business customers, BOXIE24 offers clear pricing, transparent billing and support via phone or email. This allows you to get started quickly without hassle and ensures that your inventory is always stored safely.
