One of the strengths of our community here in the southern part of El Dorado Hills is the large number of local small and mid sized businesses.
We know firsthand the challenges many different types of businesses face. With that in mind, we wanted to take the opportunity to talk about how self-storage can be used to help overcome some common problems that business owners and managers face.
Space is often at a premium in offices, retail stores, and home-based businesses.
Documents, inventory, and equipment can quickly fill up areas and overwhelm an operation if there is not enough space to store and manage them easily.
Using small-scale (sub-warehouse sized) commercial storage for your business is often a fast and budget-friendly way to overcome temporary or longer-term space issues, and there are many ways to take advantage of it.
Inventory Overflow
Carrying inventory is always a balancing act for retailers. Getting the lowest prices from suppliers often means buying in larger quantities, and finding a place to keep everything can be difficult. On top of that problem, seasonal items and products that don’t move quickly can take up valuable storage space that could be used for better-performing products.
A climate-controlled self-storage unit is an excellent way to store inventory offsite in a secure and clean environment.
It is also a solution for pharmaceutical reps who may be traveling regularly and either don’t need or want an office, but still a place to store samples, equipment, and documents.
Furniture & Equipment Storage
Self-storage is an option for offices with overflow supplies, equipment, or furniture. Storing unneeded items off-site is a great way to free up valuable space and create a more pleasant workspace for employees.
Landscapers, contractors, and even mechanics may also find a storage unit valuable unit for storing parts and equipment. Off-season storage can also help keep tools and supplies that you’ll use later in the year in good condition without taking up space in your office or home.
Business Document Storage
There are numerous federal and state laws regarding document retention for employers of all sizes. Many employee records must be retained in California for at least four years. This includes, but is not limited to:
Payroll documents and pay stubs
Personnel records
Performance reviews
Hiring documents
NDAs and confidentiality agreements
At the federal level, the IRS can request records going back anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the type of action it takes.
Other government regulations, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and Employee Retirement and Income Security Act (ERISA), each have their requirements for document retention.
Unless your organization manages document retention 100% digitally (which is difficult for many businesses to do), you may have a fair amount of paperwork taking up valuable space that could be better utilized.
Not only is a business storage unit an excellent way to move document storage offsite but its security and convenience can help ease your concerns about document loss or destruction.
Are Business Storage Units Cost-Effective?
If you like the idea of using self-storage but are wondering if it’s cost-effective for your business, the answer is usually 'yes.'
In El Dorado Hills, the cost per square foot for climate-controlled storage is generally less than the cost per square foot of commercial real estate, which can be as high as $40 per square foot per year.
For example, the online rental price as of December, 2024 for one of our second floor 10x20 units is $259, which equals $15.54 per square foot per year. Plus, there's no long-term commitment.
If you are trying to decide whether to move your business into a larger space or rent a storage unit to free up room at your current location, renting a self-storage unit may be the less expensive option.
We’re proud to be part of the local business community here in El Dorado Hills. If you have questions about our services, contact us at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you.
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