Self Storage for Businesses: The Complete Guide for Companies

Self Storage for Businesses: A Solution That Makes Financial Sense

If you run a business in Lisbon, you know that every square metre costs money. Your office, shop, or warehouse represents one of the company's biggest fixed expenses. And yet, there are probably parts of that space occupied with things you don't use every day: old archive, seasonal stock, backup equipment, promotional material.

What if you could free up that space and convert it into productive area? What if you could reduce the size of your office or warehouse and keep only the essentials on site?

This is exactly what self storage offers businesses: spatial flexibility at a fraction of the cost. At Allstorage, we work with hundreds of companies in Greater Lisbon - from one-person startups to SMEs with dozens of employees. This guide summarises everything we've learned about how businesses can benefit from self storage.

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Part 1: The Maths That Makes Sense

Before getting into practical cases, let's do the calculations. Numbers are the language of business, and self storage speaks that language fluently.

The Real Cost of Commercial Space

In Lisbon, the average cost of commercial space varies between €15 and €35 per square metre per month, depending on the area and type of space. An office in Parque das Nações or Avenidas Novas is at the top of that scale; an industrial warehouse in the suburbs is at the bottom.

Let's use an average example: €20/m² per month. If you have 20m² of your commercial space occupied with archive, non-rotating stock, or equipment you only use occasionally, you're paying €63/month for that "storage".

Now compare with self storage:

A 20m² box in a location like Almada or Benfica costs significantly less. And unlike commercial space, you don't pay extra service charge, you don't pay heating/cooling, you don't pay cleaning separately. The price you see is what you pay.

Savings can easily reach 30-50% of the equivalent cost in your commercial space. In annual terms, we're talking thousands of euros.

Flexibility Has Value

But the maths goes beyond direct cost. Consider the value of flexibility:

Commercial contracts are rigid. Your landlord wants 3, 5 or more year contracts. If your business needs less space (or more), you're stuck with the contract or pay penalties. Self storage is month-to-month. You can increase or decrease space according to business needs. High season? Rent another box. Low season? Reduce. No long contracts, no penalties. The opportunity cost of growth. If you're thinking of expanding but don't want to commit to a larger space, self storage allows you to grow gradually. Start with a small box, grow as you validate the business model.

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Part 2: Use Cases by Business Type

Each business is different, but there are patterns that repeat. Let's explore how different types of companies use self storage.

E-commerce and Online Sales

This is probably the area that has grown the most in recent years. If you sell online - whether through marketplaces, social media, or your own store - self storage can be your mini-warehouse.

The typical problem:

You started selling online from home. First it was a corner of the living room. Then an entire room. Now you have boxes in the garage, hallway, and the family can't take it anymore. Or you have a small office/shop and stock is invading the workspace.

The solution with self storage:

A box dedicated to e-commerce works as your operations centre:

• Organised storage: Shelves, labelled boxes, controlled inventory. You know exactly where each product is.
• Space to prepare orders: Work table for packing, easy access to shipping materials.
• Home/work separation: Your home becomes home again. Stress decreases.
• Capacity to grow: When you need more space, just move to a larger box or add a second one.

Smart logistics:

Many of our e-commerce customers choose strategic locations. If they make daily shipments, they prefer boxes near post office points, carrier stations, or on the route between home and their preferred delivery point.

Our units in Alcântara and Almada are particularly popular for higher volume e-commerce, thanks to space for parking vans and easy access to main roads.

Shops and Retail

If you have a physical shop, you know the stock dance well: you need variety to attract customers, but shop space is expensive and limited.

Seasonal stock management:

Fashion changes season. Christmas decorations don't sell in July. Beach items don't interest in January. If you store seasonal stock in the shop, you're wasting square metres that could be selling.

A self storage box works as your "expanded back room". Store off-season stock and rotate as needed. The shop stays more airy and focused on what's selling now.

Opportunity purchases:

Found a batch of products at an exceptional price, but it doesn't fit in the shop? With a self storage box, you can make opportunity purchases without worrying about immediate space.

Suppliers and deliveries:

If you receive supplier deliveries at times that don't coincide with shop opening, you can use the box as an intermediate receiving point. Some of our customers even give the unit address for deliveries, with instructions for our staff to receive (by prior arrangement).

Offices and Professional Services

Lawyers, accountants, consultants, architects, designers - liberal professionals who work with information but accumulate surprising amounts of physical objects.

The archive that never stops growing:

Even in the digital age, many professions still require physical document filing. Original contracts, client files, official correspondence - decades of work translate into cubic metres of paper.

Keeping dead archive in the office is poor use of space. A self storage box allows you to:

• Store all archive organised and labelled
• Free up office space for productive areas
• Access documents when needed (with our 24/7 access, you can get a file any time)
• Comply with legal document retention requirements

Material and equipment:

IT consultants with backup hardware. Architects with models from previous projects. Photographers with studio equipment. Many professionals have material they need to keep but don't use daily.

The office that shrank:

With remote and hybrid work, many companies have reduced office space. But they haven't necessarily reduced belongings. Self storage absorbs what no longer fits in the smaller office.

Catering and Events

If you work in catering, event organisation, or venue management, you know storage challenges well.

Event equipment:

Tables, chairs, tents, themed decoration, crockery and cutlery - a single event can require a full van of material. Where do you store all this between events?

Many of our customers in this sector organise boxes by event type or client. "This box has wedding material. That one has corporate material. The other has Christmas decoration." When an event comes up, they know exactly where to get what they need.

Consumable stock:

Napkins, candles, takeaway packaging - buying in quantity is more economical, but requires storage space. A box allows bulk purchases without invading the kitchen or production space.

Business seasonality:

Catering is seasonal. Summer esplanades need furniture that's stored in winter. Christmas decorations are used one month a year. Self storage helps manage these fluctuations without needing permanent warehouse.

Construction and Works

Contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters - professionals who work on site but need a base.

Tools and equipment:

You can't carry all equipment in the van all the time. Some specialised tools are only used on certain jobs. Backup materials need to be accessible but not in the way.

A box near your usual work area functions as your base warehouse. Start the day loading what you need, finish unloading what you didn't use.

Materials for work:

Sometimes you buy material for a job that will start in two weeks. Other times material is left over from a job that you can use on the next. Self storage allows you to manage this inventory without having a formal warehouse.

Between projects:

When you finish a big project and haven't started the next, where does all the equipment go? A box avoids having to take everything home or leave it in the street.

Commercial Representatives and Sales

If you work in field sales - visiting clients, doing demonstrations, leaving samples - logistics are a central part of the work.

Demonstration stock:

Product samples, catalogues, promotional material, portable stands. All this needs a home between customer visits.

Territory management:

If your sales territory covers several areas, it may make sense to have a central box from which you distribute to different areas. Some of our commercial customers have boxes in two or three of our units, strategically positioned.

Deliveries and collections:

Some representatives use the box as an exchange point: the central warehouse delivers stock to the box, the salesperson picks up and distributes to customers. Eliminates trips to the main warehouse.

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Part 3: Practical Advantages of Business Self Storage

Beyond specific use cases, there are cross-cutting benefits that any business can take advantage of.

No Long-Term Commitment

This is probably the most significant benefit for SMEs and startups. Self storage contracts are typically month-to-month, with no mandatory minimum period.

What this means in practice:

• You can test without risk. Not sure if it will work for your business? Rent for a month and see.
• You can adjust to needs. Has the business grown? Move to a larger box. Contracted? Reduce.
• You can end when you want. If the business situation changes, you're not stuck with a years-long contract.

Compare this to a traditional warehouse, where 12-36 month contracts are the norm, with penalties for early termination.

24/7 Access

All our units offer 24-hour access, 7 days a week. For a business, this is transformative.

Practical scenarios:

• Have an urgent order at 10pm? You can go to the box to prepare the shipment.
• Need material for a presentation at 7am? The box is available.
• Customer wants a specific product on Sunday? You can go get it.
• Emergency work at the weekend? Tools accessible.

Your business hours aren't limited by a traditional warehouse's hours.

Professional Security

Your products and equipment are business assets. They need to be secure.

What we offer:

• CCTV video surveillance in all common areas, with continuous recording
• Individual alarm per box - if your box is violated, we're alerted immediately
• Controlled access by personal code - you know who enters and when
• Insurance included - protection against fire, flood, and theft

For many of our business customers, box security is superior to their own office or shop.

Professional Address (Some Uses)

Important note: we don't offer tax domiciliation services. But the box can serve as a delivery address for suppliers, especially if your main office doesn't have good goods reception or if you work from home and prefer not to give your personal address.

Real Scalability

Your business isn't static. It has seasonal peaks, growth periods, contraction phases. Self storage accompanies these variations.

In practice:

• January is low season? Keep only the essentials in a small box.
• Christmas season approaching? Rent an additional temporary box for extra stock.
• Business growing consistently? Gradually increase in size.
• Need to cut costs? Consolidate to a smaller box.

This flexibility is impossible with traditional warehouses or own space.

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Part 4: How to Start - Practical Guide

If you're convinced that self storage can help your business, here's a practical guide to getting started.

Step 1: Assess Your Needs

Before choosing a box, answer these questions:

What will you store?

• Documents and archive (paper, folders, boxes)
• Product stock (what type, what weight, what fragility)
• Equipment (dimensions, weight, special requirements)
• Furniture (tables, chairs, shelves)
• Mixed material

How often will you access?

• Daily (rotating stock, logistics operations)
• Weekly (regular replenishment, active archive)
• Monthly or less (dead archive, seasonal equipment)

How will you transport?

• Normal car (small boxes, light items)
• Van (moves, bulky stock)
• Small truck (furniture, large quantities)

Step 2: Calculate the Size

This is the most common question. Here's an approximate guide:

1-3m²: Medium business archive, marketing material, product samples, small equipment 4-6m²: Small/medium e-commerce stock, complete office archive, diverse professional equipment 7-10m²: Medium shop stock, basic event equipment, construction tools 11-15m²: Established e-commerce warehouse, significant retail stock, complete office furniture 16-20m²: Logistics operations, multi-store stock, extensive event equipment Tip: If you're in doubt between two sizes, choose the larger one. The monthly cost difference is small compared to the inconvenience of having a box that's too tight.

Step 3: Choose the Location

For businesses, location should consider:

Proximity to workplace: If you'll access frequently, travel time counts. Access to main roads: If you use commercial vehicles, ease of access is crucial. Usual route: Many customers choose boxes on the way between home and work. Our 11 units cover Greater Lisbon and Almada:

• Centre (Saldanha, Estefânia, Entrecampos): Ideal for liberal professionals and small service businesses
• West (Alcântara, Algés, Benfica): Good for e-commerce and businesses with logistics
• Almada: The most economical option, good for long-term archive or south bank businesses

Step 4: Organise Efficiently

A disorganised box is an inefficient box. Here are best practices:

Shelves and racks: Invest in metal shelving. It multiplies usable space and facilitates organisation. Clear labelling: Each box should be clearly identified. Use a consistent system (colour codes, numbering, categories). Box map: For larger boxes, keep a diagram of where everything is. Can be a simple drawing or a spreadsheet. Access corridor: Always leave a central corridor to access the back of the box without having to move everything. FIFO for stock: If you store rotating stock, organise so that older items are more accessible (First In, First Out).

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Part 5: Frequently Asked Questions from Businesses

Can I invoice the box to the company?

Yes, we issue invoices with your company's tax number. The self storage cost is a deductible business expense.

Can I receive deliveries at the box?

We don't offer order receiving service as standard. However, if you have specific needs, talk to us - we can discuss solutions on a case-by-case basis.

Can I give access to employees?

Yes, you can share the access code with whoever you need. Each entry is recorded, for your reference.

What if I need a larger/smaller box?

We facilitate changes between sizes. Just let us know a few days in advance and we'll handle the logistics (contract change, possible physical box change).

Is there a discount for longer contracts?

Contact us to discuss special conditions for longer commitments or multiple boxes. We have flexibility to find solutions that make sense for both parties.

Do the boxes have electricity?

Standard boxes don't have electrical outlets. If you need to charge equipment or use power tools occasionally, talk to us about the options available at each unit.

Can I work in the box?

The box is for storage, not regular work. However, you can do brief tasks like preparing orders, checking inventory, or organising material. For prolonged work, consider a co-working space.

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Part 6: Real Stories (Anonymised)

To illustrate how it works in practice, here are some stories from business customers (details changed for privacy):

The e-commerce that started in a 3m² box:

A customer started selling vintage clothing online from the guest room. In six months, the room was bursting. She moved to a 3m² box - enough for initial stock. A year later, she was at 10m². Two years later, she needed two boxes. Today she has her own small warehouse, but says the first two years in self storage were essential for growing without risk.

The law firm that freed up a room:

A small law firm had an entire room dedicated to archive. That was 15m² of premium space in central Lisbon storing files from 10+ years ago. They moved the archive to an 8m² box in Entrecampos. The room became a meeting room. Monthly cost dropped and they gained functionality.

The catering company that manages seasonality:

A catering company has a permanent 6m² box for base equipment. During wedding season (May-October), they rent another 6m² for extra material. At Christmas, they swap for a box of corporate party material. They adapt space to the needs of the moment.

The commercial representative with three bases:

A salesperson covering Lisbon, Setúbal, and Santarém has small boxes in three of our units. Instead of always returning to the same point, they restock at the box closest to the territory they'll work. Saves hours per week in travel.

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Conclusion: Self Storage as a Strategic Tool

Self storage isn't just a place to store things. For businesses, it's a strategic tool that offers:

• Fixed cost reduction - less commercial space needed
• Operational flexibility - adjust to current needs
• Risk-free scalability - grow gradually
• Professional security - protect business assets
• Unlimited access - operate on your schedule, not a warehouse's

At Allstorage, we work with businesses of all sizes. From the freelancer who needs to store samples to the SME that needs logistics for multiple stores. With 11 units in Greater Lisbon and Almada, prices from €63/month, and the flexibility your business needs.

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Next Steps

Ready to explore how self storage can help your business?

👉 View all units and prices - Compare locations and find the most convenient for your operations.

👉 Size calculator - Don't know what size you need? Our guide helps estimate.

👉 Contact for business solutions - Want to discuss specific needs or multiple boxes? Our team is available to help.

Give your business the space it deserves - without long-term commitments, without hidden costs, with all the flexibility.