Buy sheds from Costco/Home Depot/etc and rent them out?

[Adrian Chu]

Random idea.  Has anyone tried buying sheds from Costco/Home Depot/etc and then renting them out as storage units?

[Scott Meyers]

Originally posted by @Adrian Chu:

Random idea.  Has anyone tried buying sheds from Costco/Home Depot/etc and then renting them out as storage units?

 Adrian, 

Yes, there are many investors/developers already doing this.  

No, buying a "shed" at Home Depot is not the way to accomplish this.  

Yes, the zoning for the land has to be zoned for Mobile Storage - so Check with the Zoning Board before moving forward. 

The manufacturers of Traditional Self-Storage Buildings (Trachte, Betco, Janus, Mako, USC, etc.) also build portable units that can be delivered already assembled, or erected on-site.  Then they are moved into location with a forklift. 

However, we are mostly using Converted Shipping Containers for a fraction of the cost, and they are built to last much longer than your Home Depot "shed" 

Depending upon the type of portable units you choose, the cost per square foot will vary Greatly, and delivery charges.  However, since it's mobile, you can rent them out, and develop a Self-Storage Facility WITHOUT having to pay property Taxes - Because the units are mobile, not "permanent improvements"! 

How do you like them apples?

We helped one of our students with a project built entirely with shipping containers, but you can substitute any type of mobile storage unit you would like into this business model:  check it out:    www.willowcreekselfstorage.com

The revenue generated at this facility vs. the cost/sf of acquisition would make your head spin! 

So yes Adrian, it's a FABULOUS Idea, and people are already making millions following this model in Real Estate's Cash Cow King - Self Storage!

Happy Investing!