Update 2022: We updated the self-storage prices on this page in April 2022 but as prices are likely to fluctuate, we urge consumers to shop around – our research has shown you could get a much cheaper deal if you widen your area by 10 miles.
Welcome to the Job Prices’ guide to self-storage costs in the UK. Our research below is perfect for those of you looking to compare prices or need a ballpark figure for budgeting.
If you’re looking for cheap self-storage in the UK, our chart below shows you the latest prices we’ve researched.
This industry is rife with hidden charges so make sure you read our guide to sneaky hidden charges further down the page.
We’ve also got some killer tips to help you save more money.
| PRICES PER WEEK | Big Yellow | Access | Shurgard | Safestore | LoknStore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Sq Ft | £6.30 | £6 | £8.31 | £7.25 | £9.00 |
| 35 Sq Ft | £26.10 (40 sq ft) | £17.08 | £19.85 (30 sq ft) | £23.00 | £14.50 |
| 100 Sq Ft | £44.40 | £39.92 | £54.92 | £46.00 | £31.50 |
| 200 Sq Ft | £72.45 | £65.77 | £85.61 | £74.00 | £57.00 |
| All prices are per week and include VAT at 20%. Prices updated in April 2022 and were sourced from self storage businesses operating in the UK. We've included any discounts provided they apply for at least the first 8 weeks | |||||
The cheapest we found in 2022 was Lok’nStore but even if they don’t have a depot in your area, you could still get a better deal…
Widen Your Area by 10 Miles and Save up to 18%
When we researched self-storage prices, we also looked at prices from other depots within a 10 miles radius. We found that on average, we could save 18% just by being more flexible with where we stored our items.
If you need frequent access to your self-storage unit, you’ll obviously want to choose one close to your home or work but if you plan on keeping items stored for the long term, you can make substantial savings by widening your search area.
One of the firms we contacted was charging 30% less in one of their depots only 7 miles away.
Hidden Charges: What to Look Out For
Hidden charges are common in this industry.
They’re frustrating and annoying but not illegal.
Here’s a breakdown of what to look out for:
Insurance
Most self-storage firms in the UK will insist that you take out insurance to protect your possessions.
How much you’ll pay depends on the value of your possessions, it’s for this reason that self-storage firms often exclude this charge from their published prices and quotes.
While you could take out the minimum amount of insurance, which is usually for between £1000 and £2000 of cover, you must consider the consequences should your possessions be damaged or destroyed…
It’s all gone. I’m still in shock. I feel devastated. And I feel like a huge part of my personal identity has just disappeared. Huge parts of my family history have just gone.
Self Storage Set Up Fees
Some self-storage firms apply set-up fees for new customers.
For example, Shurgard charges a one-off £15 administration fee while Access Storage doesn’t charge any additional admin fees, their reservation fee of £10 is deducted from the price when you signup.
You should read the small print for the self-storage firm before signing up. Many are blatant hidden charges that rarely appear in the headline figures provided on most online quotes.
Minimum Term and Refund Policy
The minimum term is the shortest amount of time you can rent a unit or locker for.
The industry standard is one week but some firms may require a longer contract.
Depending on the self-storage firm and type of contract you’re on, you’ll get a refund for any full week or full days you didn’t use.
Check the small print for their refund policy if you want to rent a locker or unit but are unsure of the exact amount of time you’ll need it for.
Save Money Off Your Self Storage With These Pro Tips
Container Storage
Do you really need to hire a unit or locker? Container storage is often cheaper for long-term rentals and many are wind and waterproof, making them ideal for low-value bulk storage items.
Prices for container storage vary but start from as little as £20 per week.
Many yards also offer CCTV and while considered less secure than a unit or locker, they’re popular with those on a tight budget or those that don’t require top-notch security.
Buy Your Self Storage Boxes and Tape Etc Online
Self-storage firms always have boxes and tape on sale for their customers, but you’ll pay considerably more than you would if you purchased them online.
We’ve found Amazon to be the cheapest online retailer for sturdy self-storage cardboard boxes and tape.
Hunt Around As Self Storage Prices Vary
Some areas are awash with self-storage firms, others less so.
You’ll find that prices vary quite considerably from region to region and even from town to town. The same firm may offer much lower prices at self-storage units located only a few extra miles away.
Hunt around and be a little flexible with where you can store your possessions and you’ll probably save money.
Book Early and Save £££
Leave it to the last minute and you may find the cheapest self-storage firm has rented out all the lockers of your preferred size. The next size up will cost you more.
Book early and you’re more likely to get the best rates for your preferred unit size.
Prepay
Self-storage firms almost always offer discounts for those that prepay for a fixed amount of time.
This is usually for extended periods of time and you won’t be able to claim a refund for the early termination of the contract.
This is ideal for long term rents but less so for short lets or for those that need flexibility.
Be Wary of Online Size Estimators
Most of the big firms offer unit size estimators or tools online that suggest a unit size for you based on the size of your property.
Many are notorious for overestimating the amount of space you’ll need, which obviously makes the firm more profit at your expense.
If you can be creative with how you store your items, for example placing items inside drawers or in voids, you’ll be surprised at how many items you can squeeze into a small unit.
Check the Small Print of the Insurance Policy
Storage units are designed for household items and some business items.
They aren’t the best option for items of high value such as cash, gold, and other rare or extremely valuable items.
The small print of most insurance policies will either limit the amount you can claim for such items or exclude them entirely from the policy.
We suggest you store small valuable items such as cash, gold and jewellery etc in a vault while bulky valuables such as sports equipment or artwork should be insured separately.
We hope you found our guide to self-storage prices to be insightful, we’ve also researched the cost of using a removal company here.
(We last updated our self-storage prices in 2022 and based on our experience, inflation is rising at about 5% in this sector at the moment.)
