Planning to Build a New Self Storage Facility
Set yourself up for success with our expert guidance and future-focused planning.
We create personalised solutions to optimise your space, ensure compliance, and improve functionality.
Before you break ground, it’s essential to plan for every part of your project, not just the build itself. A well-designed facility from day one can optimise circulation, unit mix, and structural layout so no square metre is wasted (Janus). A great storage facility design “improves lease time, supports higher pricing, reduces maintenance and operational headaches, and builds tenant trust and satisfaction” (atlcoast).
Feasibility & ROI Planning
Before committing capital, you need to understand local market demand, competition, pricing potential, and land suitability. A solid feasibility study gives you confidence in projected returns and helps secure funding.
Janus can connect you with experienced consultants, share market insights, and help you assess realistic cost estimates to ensure your project stacks up commercially.
Design & Compliance
Designing a facility involves more than just walls and doors. You must account for accessibility, fire safety, emergency exits, and compliance with local codes. A poor layout can cost you money and limit your rentable area.
Janus brings decades of facility layout expertise, ensuring your design meets all regulations while maximising rentable space and creating a smooth customer experience.
Product Planning
Choosing the right materials, finishes, and security products affects not only how your facility looks today, but how it performs (and costs you) for decades to come.
We offer a premium range of storage doors, partitions, and security products that stand up to tough conditions and reinforce your brand’s quality perception from day one.
Project Timeline
A realistic timeline covers planning approvals, construction phases, equipment lead times, and final inspections. Rushing a timeline can lead to costly mistakes or delays.
Our team helps you map a transparent, achievable timeline, coordinating product supply and installation so you stay on schedule and on budget.
Smart Tech Integration
Modern tenants expect convenience and security, with mobile app access, contactless entry, and remote monitoring. Retrofitting this later can be expensive and disruptive.
We integrate our Nokē™ Smart Entry system and other smart technologies into your facility design right from the start, future-proofing your investment and improving tenant satisfaction.
I don’t know where to start
You don’t need to have all the answers — that’s what we’re here for.
Whether you’re just exploring self storage, weighing up a renovation, or planning an expansion, the first step is understanding exactly where you are in your journey. Our experts work with you to clarify your goals, assess your facility or concept, and build a practical action plan to get results.
Entering the self storage industry for the first time can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Janus supports first-time owners with guidance, tools, and advice from concept to completion.
Where to start
Discovery Conversation
We talk through your current situation, challenges, and goals.
Assessment & Recommendations
Our team analyses your facility, market position, and opportunities.
Your Roadmap
Our team will discuss a plan that tells you what to do next and how to implement each step effectively.
Hands-On Support
From design and product supply to project management and tech integration, we can deliver as much or as little as you need.
Our commitment
Janus is a partner, not just a supplier; we’re here to answer all your questions, guide you every step of the way, and help you figure out exactly what you need and what your next steps should be.
We connect you with trusted consultants, market data, and best practices to give you confidence and clarity as you plan your project.
We stand by you throughout design, build, and operation so you never feel left on your own.
Your success is our priority. Every recommendation we make is aimed at helping you build a facility that performs for the long term.
Even if you’ve never owned a facility before, we’ll guide you from your very first conversation through to a fully operational, profitable site.
Upgrading an Existing Facility
Upgrading your self storage facility can transform not only its look and feel, but also its profitability and tenant satisfaction.
Upgrading your self storage facility can transform not only its look and feel, but also its profitability and tenant satisfaction. Modernising your facility can lift occupancy rates, increase asset value before a sale, and reduce tenant churn. There have been several case studies where it has been shown that strategic improvements — whether cosmetic, operational, or structural — have been able to lift low occupancy levels to over 90% in just 6 months (Summit Self Storage Advisory) (List Self Storage). Before you dive in, it’s vital to understand which path makes the most sense for your specific challenges. Janus can help you assess, plan, and execute upgrades that deliver a clear return on investment.
Restore
Best if:
- Your facility layout works well, but looks dated
- You want to quickly improve appeal and tenant confidence
Actions:
- Repaint or refresh building exteriors
- Replace worn or damaged doors
- Update signage and wayfinding
- Upgrade lighting or minor security features
How Janus can help:
- Providing premium, durable new materials
- Developing a phased “face-lift” plan to minimise tenant disruption
- Supporting new signage and paint recommendations to modernise your facility
Rebuild
Best if:
- Demand is strong, but you have no more rentable units
- Your site allows vertical or lateral expansion
- You want to add modern features to an outdated structure
Actions:
- Install mezzanine levels to create more rentable units
- Build over existing structures to maximise your footprint
- Reconfigure unit sizes or common areas to match current demand
How Janus can help:
- Engineering, manufacturing, and installing mezzanine & basement systems
- Supplying modular partition walls and secure doors
- Advising on maximising space and updating layouts for modern tenant needs
Replace
Best if:
- Your building’s core structure or systems are beyond cost-effective repair
- Safety or code compliance cannot be met through partial upgrades
- You want to fully modernise for long-term growth
Actions:
- Fully replace old doors, walls, and partitions
- Install new smart entry and security systems
- Modernise the facility with contemporary design and energy-efficient systems
How Janus can help:
- Managing end-to-end replacement programs, from design to installation
- Providing smart entry technology like Nokē™
- Ensuring compliance with current safety codes and best practices
Solving Operational Challenges
Operational challenges can undermine even the best-designed facility, affecting profitability, tenant trust, and staff efficiency.
Operational challenges can undermine even the best-designed facility, affecting profitability, tenant trust, and staff efficiency. Addressing operational bottlenecks can reduce staff time spent on admin, improve tenant satisfaction scores, and strengthen security (Tenant Inc.) (USS). Whether you’re struggling with safety, manual processes, or poor visibility of what’s happening day-to-day, there are ways to transform your operations for the better. Janus can help you identify weaknesses and deploy solutions that bring you into the modern self storage era.
Solutions janus can offer
Modern Security & Access Control
- Nokē™ Smart Entry replaces traditional locks with secure smartphone-based access
- Reduce theft, unauthorised entry, and lock failures
- Provide instant lockout overrides and remote overlocks
Cloud-Based Monitoring
- Integrate your systems with real-time reporting
- Manage multiple sites from a single platform
- Get live alerts on motion, access attempts, and door status
Durable Product Upgrades
- Replace worn-out doors and hardware with higher-grade steel options
- Install rugged partitions and swing doors that stand up to tenant turnover
- Improve reliability and reduce ongoing maintenance requests
Better Workflows & Tenant Experience
- Reduce staff hours managing manual codes and keys
- Automate move-ins and move-outs
- Provide self-service options for modern tenants
Preparing for sale or transition
If you’re planning to sell your facility or hand it over to new management in the next year or two, small upgrades today can make a big impact on tomorrow’s valuation.
If you’re planning to sell your facility or hand it over to new management in the next year or two, small upgrades today can make a big impact on tomorrow’s valuation. In fact, strategic pre-sale upgrades can increase facility sale prices and attract more buyers (Four Leaves Property) (IRE). Buyers look for facilities that are clean, secure, easy to manage, and ready to generate passive income from day one. Janus can help you identify and implement the smartest improvements to maximise your sale price and speed up your exit.
What do buyers look for in a facility?
Solid condition: no visible deterioration, well-maintained infrastructure
Consistent revenue and low churn among tenants
Modern automation and access systems for hands-off operation
Passive income potential with minimal required owner intervention
How Janus can help
- Expert support to prioritise which upgrades will deliver the best return
- Access to quality doors, walls, and security products that improve overall value
- Assistance in planning phased improvements with minimal tenant disruption
- Advice on documenting upgrades to showcase for potential buyers
- Provide peace of mind that your facility is sale-ready from day one
- Increase the perception of customers wanting to use self storage
