The building
Net rentable area of this building or phase, hallways excluded.
Taxes, insurance, payroll, utilities, marketing.
Locks, door upkeep, turnover; zero if included above.
Unit type 1
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Unit type 2
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Unit type 3
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Unit type 4
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Unit type 5
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Unit type 6
Width x depth, for example 100 for a 10x10.
Street rate you would advertise.
Stabilised occupancy for this size.
Units you must keep, for example already leased.
Zero means no limit.
Leave zero if you have no plan to compare.
Leave a type's size or rate at zero to leave it out.
Result
Questions storage owners ask
How do I choose a self-storage unit mix?
Rank sizes by net income per square foot, then fill the building from the best size down until each size reaches the number of units your market will actually rent. The tool does this exactly, including the awkward case where leftover space only fits a different size, so every square foot earns.
Why are small units usually worth more per square foot?
A 5x5 usually rents for far more per square foot than a 10x30. But a market only absorbs so many small units, which is why each size has a demand ceiling. Without ceilings every foot would be turned into 5x5s; with them, the leftover area goes to the next best size.
What does the value of 1,000 more square feet mean?
The tool re-solves the mix with 1,000 square feet more and less, and shows the change in yearly net operating income. It is the figure to compare against the cost of building or converting that space.
Where do the demand ceilings come from?
From you: your waiting list, the occupancy of each size in your current building, a competitor survey or a feasibility study. The optimizer treats them as true, so an optimistic ceiling gives an optimistic mix.
Is this investment, appraisal or construction advice?
No. It is arithmetic on figures you type. Rates, occupancy, unit-door costs, zoning, hallway and climate-control layout and lender requirements vary; check them with a qualified professional.
Not decided
Whether the demand ceilings you entered are right, construction or conversion cost, hallway and climate-control layout, unit widths that fit the structure, rate changes over time, concessions, financing and tax. Every unit of a size is treated as identical and occupancy as fixed per size.
Related tools: the self-storage rate increase calculator the storage auction max bid calculator and the RV and boat storage lot calculator.