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How Much Does It Cost to Build Storage Units – 20x40 to 20x110 Blog Banner
Home / Articles / How Much Does It Cost to Build Storage Units? A Phased Plan from 20x40 to 20x110
12Nov 2026Metal Buildings

How Much Does It Cost to Build Storage Units? A Phased Plan from 20x40 to 20x110

How Much Does It Cost to Build Storage Units – 20x40 to 20x110 Blog Banner

Building a storage unit business starts with choosing the right building size, estimating construction costs, and planning for future expansion. Metal storage buildings offer a flexible option for property owners who want to start with a smaller facility and add capacity as demand grows. Whether you're considering an 18x50 building or a larger 20x110 structure, understanding the costs, layout options, and site requirements can help you develop a practical plan.

This guide breaks down the factors that influence storage building costs, compares several configurations, and explains how a phased construction plan can help you expand your storage business over time.

Storage Unit Building Costs at a Glance

  • An 18x50 structure provides 900 square feet, while a 20x110 building offers 2,200 square feet for additional storage capacity.

  • The number of storage units depends on the building's dimensions, interior layout, partition walls, and door placement.

  • Door dimensions and quantities affect the building's overall price and accessibility.

  • The building package is only one part of the investment. A suitable foundation, grading, drainage, and site access should also be included in the budget.

  • Local regulations may influence building placement, access, fire protection, and the number of storage units allowed on a property.

  • Starting with a smaller building and adding structures as occupancy increases can spread the initial investment across multiple stages.

Comparing Storage Building Sizes From 18x50 to 20x110

Coast to Coast Carports offers several metal building configurations that can accommodate different self-storage business plans. Smaller structures provide an opportunity to establish a facility with a lower initial building cost, while longer buildings offer additional room for individual units. The following examples compare available dimensions, listed configurations, and starting prices.

Building size Floor area Height Units as listed Doors as listed Starting price
18x50 900 sq. ft. 11 ft. 4 units, 10x18 10x10 side doors $19,310
20x40 800 sq. ft. 12 ft. 3 units, 10x20 Three 10-ft. roll-up doors $15,330
20x60 1,200 sq. ft. 9 ft. 20 units (verify layout) Two 8x7 end doors, eight 8x7 side doors $33,260
20x110 2,200 sq. ft. 12 ft. 18 units, 10x10 10x10 side doors $72,705

Prices are listed starting prices and may change with location, customization, manufacturer, and certification requirements. They should be confirmed with Coast to Coast Carports before budgeting. The unit and door configurations are planning examples and should be verified against the final building layout.

What Influences the Cost of a Storage Building?

The size of a metal storage building is one of the primary factors affecting its price, but the final investment involves more than square footage. Interior partitions, door packages, building height, and roof construction all influence the materials and labor needed for a project. Understanding these choices makes it easier to compare building quotes and select a configuration that supports the intended rental operation.

Unit Count and Partition Walls

The number of storage units inside a building determines how the available floor space is divided. A structure with fewer, larger units may require less interior framing than one designed with several smaller rental spaces.

Partition walls create individual storage areas and help establish the layout of the facility. Their placement should account for unit dimensions, door locations, and the amount of usable space customers need.

When planning the layout, consider:

  • The rental size customers are most likely to need.

  • How many units can fit without creating inefficient spaces.

  • Whether each unit requires an exterior entrance.

  • The materials and labor needed for interior partitions.

  • Whether future changes to the layout may be necessary.

A higher unit count can create more individual rental opportunities, but it does not automatically produce higher revenue. Local demand, rental rates, and occupancy should guide the final design.

Roll-Up Doors

Roll-up doors are an important part of a self-storage building because they provide customers with direct access to their rented spaces. The number, size, and placement of these doors influence both the building's functionality and its overall cost.

Smaller storage spaces may work with standard roll-up doors, while larger units may require wider openings for vehicles, trailers, or equipment. Additional doors also mean more materials and installation work.

Building Height and Roof Style

Building height affects the amount of steel and other materials required for construction. A taller structure may also provide additional clearance for larger equipment, vehicles, and stored inventory.

For a traditional self-storage business, the height should match the intended unit sizes and door dimensions. A 9-foot building may work for smaller storage spaces, while a 12-foot structure offers additional clearance for certain applications.

Roof style is another consideration. Coast to Coast Carports offers different roof configurations, including vertical roof options. The selected design can influence material requirements, drainage, appearance, and performance under local weather conditions.

Costs Outside of the Storage Building

The building package is only one portion of the total investment in a self-storage property. Before installation, the property needs a suitable foundation, adequate access, and any required approvals. Additional improvements may also be necessary before customers can begin using the facility. Including these expenses in the original budget helps prevent unexpected costs during construction.

Concrete Pad

A common budgeting range for concrete installation is approximately $6 to $12 per square foot, although local quotes may fall outside this range depending on site conditions and project specifications.

Building size Floor area Estimated concrete cost
18x50 900 sq. ft. $5,400–$10,800
20x40 800 sq. ft. $4,800–$9,600
20x60 1,200 sq. ft. $7,200–$14,400
20x110 2,200 sq. ft. $13,200–$26,400

These figures are preliminary estimates, not concrete installation quotes. They assume the slab covers the entire building footprint and exclude additional expenses such as excavation, reinforcement upgrades, and specialized foundation work.

Site Prep and Access

The property must be prepared before the building installation crew arrives. Site preparation may include clearing vegetation, removing debris, leveling the ground, and addressing drainage concerns.

Before scheduling installation, consider:

  • Land clearing and grading.

  • Soil conditions and drainage.

  • Equipment access and delivery routes.

  • Utility locations and underground obstacles.

  • Space for parking and customer vehicle movement.

Coast to Coast Carports provides delivery and installation, but customers should have the installation site and foundation ready according to the company's requirements.

Permits, Zoning and Business Setup

Local building departments determine which permits and inspections are required for a new storage facility. Requirements vary by municipality, county, property classification, and building specifications.

Zoning is especially important because not every property allows commercial self-storage operations. Before purchasing a building, check whether the intended business use is permitted and whether the property meets local setback, access, and land-use requirements.

Some jurisdictions may also require fire lanes, emergency access, or specific separation distances between buildings. Confirm these requirements before finalizing the property layout.

Site Extras

Additional improvements can make a storage property more accessible, secure, and convenient for customers. While these features may not be necessary for the initial building installation, they should be considered when developing the overall project budget.

Potential site extras include:

  • Gravel or paved driveways.

  • Exterior lighting and security cameras.

  • Fencing and controlled entry gates.

  • Numbered unit signage.

  • Drainage improvements and gutters.

  • Office or customer service space.

  • Electrical connections and security systems.

A Three-Phase Storage Build Plan

Starting a self-storage business does not necessarily require constructing an entire facility at once. A phased approach allows property owners to begin with a manageable building investment, evaluate local demand, and add capacity as the business develops. The following three steps provide a starting framework for planning a smaller operation that can grow over time.

Phase 1: Choose Your Building Size

Start by evaluating the available property, estimated demand, and initial construction budget. An 18x50 or 20x40 structure may provide a practical starting point for a smaller facility.

Compare the available building dimensions, unit configurations, door placements, and starting prices. The first building should provide enough rentable space to test the market while leaving room for future expansion. Before placing an order, confirm the intended unit layout, site requirements, local permits, and foundation specifications.

Phase 2: Develop Your Business Plan

Once the initial building concept is established, create a business plan that accounts for construction costs and expected operating expenses.

Estimate how much revenue the facility could generate based on the number of rentable units, local rental rates, and projected occupancy. Then compare those figures with the costs of financing, insurance, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, and marketing.

A basic storage business plan should include:

  1. Market research: Review nearby storage facilities, rental prices, and demand for different unit sizes.

  2. Startup costs: Calculate the building, concrete, site preparation, permits, and additional improvements.

  3. Rental projections: Estimate monthly income using realistic occupancy assumptions.

  4. Operating expenses: Account for ongoing property maintenance, insurance, utilities, and management.

  5. Expansion planning: Determine how much additional space the property can accommodate as demand increases.

This information can help determine when another building makes financial sense.

Phase 3: Add 18x50 or 20x40 Structures as Your Business Grows

After the first building is operational, monitor occupancy rates and customer demand. Consistent interest in available units may indicate that the property is ready for additional storage capacity.

An additional 18x50 or 20x40 structure can expand the facility without requiring another large building project. Multiple smaller buildings also provide flexibility when developing different unit sizes or separating storage areas.

Before expanding, review the available property space, updated construction costs, utility requirements, and any changes to local permitting. This approach allows the facility to develop alongside actual business demand.

One Large Building or Several Smaller Units?

Choosing between one large storage building and multiple smaller structures depends on your property's layout, available budget, and intended rental model. A single building can consolidate construction and provide a centralized facility, while multiple smaller buildings offer more flexibility when adding storage capacity over time. Comparing these options before construction can help determine which approach best supports the business.

Consideration One large building Several smaller buildings
Initial budget Higher upfront building investment Allows construction costs to be divided into phases
Construction One larger installation project Multiple smaller installation projects
Rental demand Works well when demand supports a larger facility Allows capacity to be added as demand increases
Unit configuration More space for a consistent interior layout Different buildings can accommodate different unit sizes
Site preparation Requires a larger continuous foundation and building area Requires multiple building locations and foundations
Property layout Centralizes storage under one roof Provides flexibility in building placement
Access and traffic Can simplify the overall facility layout May require additional driveways and circulation space
Permitting One primary building permit may cover the structure, depending on local rules Separate buildings may require additional reviews or permits
Future expansion Expansion may require a larger addition or another structure Additional buildings can be installed as property space allows
Maintenance Centralizes building maintenance Distributes maintenance across multiple structures

Neither option is automatically less expensive. A larger building may provide efficiencies in site layout and construction, while smaller structures can make it easier to match investment levels with business growth.

The best approach is the one that provides enough rentable space while keeping construction and operating costs aligned with expected demand.

Financing Your Storage Buildings

Financing can help property owners manage the upfront cost of a commercial storage building while keeping funds available for other parts of the project. Coast to Coast Carports works with trusted lending partners such as Acorn Finance and HFS Financial to provide flexible financing options for qualifying customers interested in purchasing metal buildings.

Financing may be available for individual structures, multiple buildings, or portions of a larger project. This can be especially helpful for property owners following a phased construction plan who want to add storage capacity as their business grows.

Contact the Coast to Coast Carports team to discuss available financing options and determine which approach may work for your storage building project. Learn more about our metal building financing options.

Get Your Storage Quote from Coast to Coast Carports

Coast to Coast Carports helps property owners bring their metal building projects to life with customizable steel structures, professional installation, and nationwide delivery. Whether you're planning a smaller storage facility or a larger commercial operation, our team can help you compare building dimensions, roof styles, door configurations, and other design options.

Each building can be customized to match your project, property requirements, and budget.

Ready to start planning your storage facility? Call Coast to Coast Carports at (866) 681-7846 to discuss your project and request a quote. You can also use our 3D Designer to explore building dimensions, colors, and customization options.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How much does it cost to build storage units?

Coast to Coast Carports offers buildings with starting prices of approximately $15,330 for a 20x40 storage building, $19,310 for an 18x50, $33,260 for a 20x60, and $72,705 for a 20x110. These prices do not represent the complete cost of developing a storage property. Concrete, site preparation, permits, and additional improvements should also be included in the budget.

  1. What size storage building should I start with?

An 18x50 or 20x40 building can provide a practical starting point for a smaller storage operation. The right size depends on available property space, local rental demand, and the types of units you plan to offer.

  1. Is it cheaper to build storage units in phases?

Phased construction can reduce the amount of money needed upfront because you can begin with a smaller structure and add buildings as demand increases. However, multiple construction phases may involve repeated site preparation, permit fees, and installation expenses. Compare the total projected cost of phased construction with the cost of building the entire facility at once.

  1. Do storage building kits include doors and partitions?

The included components depend on the building package and selected configuration. Some metal building packages include specified roll-up doors and other structural components, while interior partition walls may need to be planned separately. Confirm the complete materials list and installation scope with Coast to Coast Carports before ordering.

  1. Do I need a permit to build storage units?

In many cases, yes. Most commercial storage building projects require some form of local review, although specific permit requirements vary by jurisdiction. Zoning approval, building permits, engineered plans, inspections, and fire safety requirements may also apply.

  1. Can I finance a storage unit building?

Yes. Coast to Coast Carports works with trusted lending partners to provide financing options for qualifying customers. Financing may be available for individual commercial buildings or multiple structures, depending on the project and lender approval.

Conclusion

Building a self-storage business requires careful planning, but starting with the right metal building can make the process more manageable. Comparing options such as 18x50, 20x40, 20x60, and 20x110 structures helps property owners evaluate their initial investment and determine how much storage capacity they need.

Coast to Coast Carports offers customizable metal storage buildings with delivery and installation to help bring your plans to life. Contact our team today at (866) 681-7846 to discuss your project, explore available configurations, and request a quote.

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