Storage facilities aren’t just for hoarders and movers. Running a profitable business means you need to put a lot of time and effort towards planning and preparation to enable growth, but as your company starts to expand, you might need to think about getting more storage space.
As your workplace becomes inundated with inventory and files, a cluttered office can have a negative influence on your employees’ productivity. Whether it is having to constantly search for documents, or simply feeling claustrophobic, a messy office can add stress and frustration to your worker’s job.
Alternatively, your company might sell physical products that require storage space. Whatever is the reason behind your need for bigger storage, here are four ways to make the most out of your current ones.
Make it secure
What most people forget is that storage may be prone to a number of problems. The top ones include water damage and flooding. Now, because you store crucial documents here, these are hardly ideal conditions. The good news is that this can be easily averted.
Of course, as long as you make it a point to protect this area properly. After you hire a renovation company or try to do it yourself, ask them about waterproofing the floor and walls. By knowing what your options are, you will understand just what you need to do to secure this space and keep all your files and documents safe.
Outside storage
Depending on your circumstances, it is possible to store some of your goods outside of your main building. This is an option only if the weather conditions are suitable and you have adequate safety precautions.
It is also useful to find sheds online and hire professionals to handle the construction process. Utilizing sheds like these provides you with a lot of flexibility since you can expand them when your company needs more storage. Installing them is rather simple and it won’t stop your daily operations – vital for any retail business. By making a little bit of effort, you can ensure that you end up with much better storage space.
Saving on storage space
When you rent space, the first that comes on your mind is probably about getting enough space to accommodate you and your workers. This makes sense, given that they are the most important asset. However, that leaves you with little room for anything else.
And renting extra space for things that don’t contribute to your business bottom line isn’t a financially sound idea. This is where renting a storage unit makes sense. The lower monthly cost of a storage unit is perfect for storing filling cabinets, office supplies, marketing materials like trade show booths, banners, signage, extra desks, and chairs, etc.
Basements
Most commercial buildings have basements that can be utilized as a storage space. The first thing to do is to ensure you can use it if you’re only renting an office and basement wasn’t something you planned to use. Then, you would need to check if the basement is safe in terms of health risks and moisture, depending on what you’re planning to store in it.
Before you start using your basement in this way, ensure you’ve adapted it for its new purpose. Sometimes, all you need to do is to complete a good paint job and add proper lighting.
In conclusion – having enough storage is imperative for any small business, but particularly for those who work in retail. And also, for those looking to expand their business and need storage space to accommodate the changes the business is going through.
It is possible to use the storage you already have by expanding to a basement or by installing a shed as your additional storage. It is even possible to rent storage space if it is a profitable option for your business.
