Thread: New to the idea... needing lots of advice.

Considering getting into the business. Already have a few lots, just deciding which one, if any, are right. I would like to get started somewhat soon on the building. So I need help on layout, size options, ect. Ive been and will continue to check into competition. I also do not want an office, I want to have autopay, or something in that nature, to keep montly costs low.
Located in Somerset, Kentucky.

I have many things still to research and look over, So bare with me. Thanks, Cory.

i am new as well and doing a lot of research

my situation is a little different as i don't need an income from this business. i would be setting this up so i can get an income 3-5 years from now

here is what Steve Hajewski, Marketing Manager for Trachte Building Systems posted in one of my threads that helped greatly for research and number crunching.

We have an online calculator tool that can help you crunch some numbers: check it out here: http://www.trachte.com/resources/con...calculator.php

We also have an archived webinar on our web site that should be helpful: http://www.trachte.com/seminars-webinars/webinars.php


hope that helps some in getting you started

also one major thing is contact your local Fire Department on code requirements as that can make or break a project

I do not need an income either. Yet, I have not worked any numbers out yet. I sell real estate and have an online company for income. Im just doing this on the side.

How many units are you planning to build? Im still looking over the sites, I am possibly only looking at 50-75 at first. I still have a long way to go. I cannot decide to build with bricks as some here locally have or stick with aluminum siding.

I will contact the Fire dept asap and figure those out.

i was initially looking at doing a warehouse conversion with about 150+ units but that option is looking harder to do as zoning has become an issue... so looked at a couple of lot the next city over as i am in between two cities... but not sure because that area is pretty competitive. i have thought about undercutting since i don't need the income in order to get market share... sure people on here won't be too thrilled to hear that haha

Cory - YOu left out the most common material in your above comment: steel construction.

Each has some pros and cons, and as a manufacturer of steel buildings, obviously I have a bias.

Wood (with siding or steel sheathing): Easy for local pole bard builders. People who specialize in self-storage generally don't use wood. Wood builders usually use a higher pitch roof, and can build a very attractive structure. Wood is the most costly to insure, and can rot or mold. Wood and steel vary in cost, some years one is cheaper than the other, this fluctuates.

Steel: Buildings can be entirely constructed of steel. Steel allows for a wide variety of roof pitches. The lower pitch buildings are nice in snowy areas to prevent slow from sliding off all at once onto drive areas. The exterior thickness varies by manufacturer and can impact your insurance rates as well. The buildings quickly bolt together, and go up especially fast if you hire a contractor that does it on a regular basis.

Block/brick: Buildings may appear to be brick or block, but usually today you will find that the brick or block is only a facade on a wood or steel building. Interior walls are most efficiently made from something else. One exception is that firewalls can be sheetrock or block.

If you are in an area anywhere near one of our upcoming seminars I encourage you to attend - it should be a lot of good information for you - see web site for locations. Or feel free to call us.

Steve Hajewski
Trachte Building Systems
800-356-5824
www.trachte.com

I also have a large warehouse that is about to undergo a construction, that i could add in storage to the rear. Problem I see with it, is that the location is great but expensive. I think that a more set back location is better for the storage units vs a prime location. What is everyones take on this?

Most here locally are are not blocks. The one in particular that is block looks very nice, but also was more pricey. I was thinking ahead considering theft ect, that the block would be 'harder' to break into. I will definitely look into the seminars as I plan to start the building as soon as I can.

Block can be broken into, I've had to deal with that before. A large hole in an empty unit looked to have been made rather quickly and neighboring units also suffered from inside. I think a metal inner wall against the blocks would have been enough to stop the breakin because 2 other spots on same wall were tried but given up on when contents blocked entry.

Most break ins that I hear of or read about involve forced entry through the doors. If you have a situation where thieves are breaking holes in walls... well, wow.

When it gets to the point of what is being decribed here, I would think you need to consider other security measures. Gates, fences, cameras, lighting, for instance. Or a big guy named Bubba watching the place at night.

Steve

Originally Posted by ghostymosty

Block can be broken into, I've had to deal with that before. A large hole in an empty unit looked to have been made rather quickly and neighboring units also suffered from inside. I think a metal inner wall against the blocks would have been enough to stop the breakin because 2 other spots on same wall were tried but given up on when contents blocked entry.

I'm with Steve, I have never heard of people breaking into a unit through the block, but I'm sure it has happened somewhere. We usualy try to design our facilities so that the buildings form a perimeter around the out side with sections of fence between when needed (we break our buildings up so they are under therequirement for sprinkler systems.) We use metal buildings, will never change that, but we do use some split face block walls to dress up certain places, then the metal building just ties into the block.

If the breaking in through the block is a problem steve is right, you better get bubba on the phone!

Or move to a different area.