We may have mistakenly assumed that self-storage is the same as a warehouse or vice versa, so we treat them as such. They may appear to be the same because they are both used for storage, but they are not. They both serve a variety of uses depending on the items to be stored and the amount of storage space would be required.
What is self-storage?
A self-storage space is generally used for personal or business storage purposes. It is a storage space used for storing personal or business products. The items are stored in the facility if they are still not in use but are expected to be used or supplied in the future.
What is a warehouse?
A warehouse facility is used for industrial storage purposes. It is not used for personal purposes. It is a commercial building that is used for storing business or industrial products. These warehouses are frequently used by wholesalers, manufacturers, exporters, retailers, and transporters.
Let’s look at the difference between self-storage and warehouse:
Accessibility and Location:
In terms of location and accessibility, warehouses and self-storage spaces are very different from each other. Warehouses are typically placed in industrial areas or remote areas or slightly isolated locations with larger land expanses. Accessibility to it requires effort because you have to travel further or you should have a suitable transportation facility to get there. There are very few public transportation options available for your employees to reach the warehouse.
Self-storage in Singapore, unlike warehouse storage, is strategically built-in commercial locations with limited storage capacity so that different individuals, households, and enterprises may easily access it. Most of the commercial locations are well connected to the entire city through MRT and highways. Your employees can easily reach the self-storage unit using both public and private transportation.
Cost:
As warehouses are larger, it is costlier to rent than the self storage spaces in Singapore. The maintenance cost, transportation cost, and other additional expenses of warehouses make it more expensive.
However, some self-storage rentals do not provide insurance. But warehouse rentals do provide insurance. You can check with your landlord before signing the lease agreement.
Storage Size:
Self-storage units are smaller than warehouses in terms of storage size. Self-storage spaces can store a lot more than you can at home. They are not just good for storing personal belongings but are a good option for storing business belongings as well. If you are planning to shift or renovate your home or office, you can store your belongings in these self-storage units. In this post-pandemic period, these storage spaces have become very popular. The businesses that have shifted to remote work models or hybrid work models use self-storage for storing their office belongings. This helps to create extra space for employees to practice social distancing and other covid protocols.
Whereas, warehouse storage in Singapore is primarily used for business purposes. They are often the size of a commercial structure, as they house massive pieces of machinery and a variety of items. Warehouse storages are not useful in the case of storing small office items for a short period.
What Can Be Stored?
Due to its diverse client type, self-storage units are used for a wide range of purposes ranging from personal to business. While businesses like e-commerce, logistics, and others that require large sizes typically use warehouse storage. The warehouses are specially designed to store massive amounts of goods. Not only that, but they also have forklifts and cranes which makes transporting and unloading huge items easy.
Some of the storage space in Singapore even offer meeting rooms where you can have meetings with your clients. But this facility is not available if you take warehouse space for rent.
Security:
Both warehouse and self-storage units are under 24*7 CCTV surveillance and security. But still self-storage space is more secure for storing your essentials and important documents.
Flexi-Space Storage:
Some of the storage space in Singapore provides a Flexi-space storage facility too. The staff from the company comes to your location, collects your items in a well-packed box. Your items are kept safely in the storage facility. When you want them back, the items are delivered back to your desired location. You can book this flexible storage facility on a phone call. However, the Flexi storage option is not available in the case of a warehouse for rent in Singapore.
Conclusion:
Thus, we hope that this article will help you to understand the difference between self-storage and warehouse storage rental in Singapore. Now, you will be able to make the right decision and select the right option according to your needs. If you are a start-up owner or a house owner, then self-storage in Singapore is best for you. But if you are a wholesaler or a manufacturer then a warehouse is the right choice for you.
