Looking for affordable and professional self-storage in your area? Here’s how we can help. Entrusting our precious belongings to a self-storage company that we don’t know can be a stressful experience. This is compounded by the labyrinth that is the internet, where many companies have flashy websites offering the world at affordable prices. However, good marketing and web design do not necessarily mean that they offer the best storage solutions in your area.
At MovingWaldo, we want to help demystify the world of self-storage. In this handy guide, we have gathered all the information you need to make an informed decision. We’ve chosen the best self-storage companies in your area, based on the services they offer, online customer reviews, and the quality of their equipment and services.
MovingWaldo’s list of the 5 best storage units in Calgary
BigSteelBox
Pricing
8′ x 7′ – $99 +tax 10′ x 8′ – $139 +tax 20′ x 8′ – $159 +tax 40′ x 8′ – $209 +tax *If you store your container at their location there will be an on-site storage fee ranging from $29-$49/month at most locations.
Services offered
- Storage delivered to your home
- Load and unload once
- Very secure – containers are weather and rodent-proof and equipped with steel Lock Box
- Access to container in their yard available with 1 business days’ notice
- All locations backed by a Canadian Call Center
Why BigSteelBox is recommended by our expert
BigSteelBox is a Canadian-owned and operated storage company that makes moving and storage feel better! They rent and sell portable storage containers in 8′, 10′, 20′ and 40′ for storage at your home or at one of their secure locations. BigSteelBoxes are actually shipping containers so they are weather and rodent-proof, and come equipped with a steel Lock Box to protect your padlock from bolt cutters. Their service is extremely convenient because they bring the storage to you, so you only have to load and unload your items once. From their storage facility in Calgary, AB, they’re able to provide portable storage unit rentals and sales to residential and business customers in Calgary, and several cities and towns nearby, including Airdrie and Chestermere. Whether you need secure storage at home or on the job site, BigSteelBox can help.
Local office
5208 – 84 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Alberta T2C 5N3
Bow City Storage
Pricing
Starting at:
- 5×5 – $ 147
- 5×10 – $ 179
- 5×12 – $ 200
- 10×10 – $ 290
- 10×12 – $ 340
- 10×15 – $ 400
- 10×20 – $ 175
Services offered
- Truck Rental
- Smart Phone Access
- Climate Controlled
- Monthly Billing
- 24/7 Secure Access
- 4 Indoor Loading Bays
- Oversize High Speed Elevators
- Packing Supplies
Why Bow City Storage is recommended by our expert
Bow City Storage is Downtown Calgary’s newest fully climate controlled storage facility offering storage spaces for residential and commercial customers. Bow City Storage is locally owned and operated and is Calgary’s only provider of smartphone access to the facility and storage units. Your belongings will be safe and secure and conveniently accessible 24 hours a day at Bow City Storage.
Local office
2206 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3C 0K6
StorageMart
Pricing
Prices and availability for 5×5, 5X10, 10X10, 10X15, 10X20, and all unit sizes available on their website, or call them 24/7 to speak to a storage expert.
Services offered
- Drive-Up Units
- Climate Control
- Covered Loading Bay
- Gated Access
- Boat & RV Parking
- Well Lit
- Vehicle storage options
*Services may vary by location
Why StorageMart is recommended by our expert
With approximately 225 locations in three countries, StorageMart began with a single store in Columbia, MO and is now the largest privately-owned, family-operated storage company in the world. Dedicated to providing clean, well-lit storage units, and friendly customer service, StorageMart is led by the Burnam family, which has been in the storage industry for four generations. Through the “Store it Forward” charitable giving program, StorageMart gives back to the many communities it calls home. For more information, please visit: www.storage-mart.com.
Local office
11807 40 St SE Calgary, AB T2Z 4M8
Alberta Storage
Pricing
Monthly prices:
- 5×5 – $119-$125
- 5×10 – $185 -$195
- 10×10 – $261-$281
- 10×15 – $328-$338
- 10×20 – $359
- 10×30 – $494
Services offered
- Residential storage
- Business storage
- Secure Vehicle and RV storage
- Heated self storage
- Drive up storage
- RV & Vehicle storage options
Why Alberta Storage is recommended by our expert
Alberta Storage Place is a locally owned business and has been providing self-storage for more than 22 years. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge making them a trusted solution if you need storage in Calgary. Their more than 130 – 5 Star reviews show their commitment and dedication to their customers. They are an award-winning facility: Three Best Rated Storage Facility 7 years in a row, accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a A+ rating, proud recipients of the 2020 BBB Small Business Ethics Torch Award, and winners for 2022 & 2021 Top Choice Award of Excellence, all indicating they are a trusted company.
Local office
4046 96 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2C 4R5
Public Storage
Pricing
- 5×5 – $95 +tax
- 10×10 – $235 +tax
Services offered
- Heated storage units
- Vehicle rental parking
- RV parking
- Individually alarmed units
- Drive up access units available
- Free on-site use of flat-bed dollies for your convenience
- Optional 3rd party insurance available anytime
- Stocks all the boxes and moving supplies you need
- Car storage units
Why Public Storage is recommended by our expert
Public Storage is one of Canada’s largest storage providers, offering a host of different storage solutions at an affordable price. Their units come equipped with all the amenities that you would expect, including individual alarms, the option of heated units and a host of others too numerous to list here. Public Storage has a good online reputation, as evidenced by their Google rating of 4.7 ensuring they are a good choice for people seeking a storage unit in the Calgary area.
Local office
2450 Centre Ave NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 9A1
Frequently asked questions
- The cost of storage units depends on the type of storage unit, size required and the location. It can cost a few dollars per month to store specific things and hundreds of dollars per month to store an entire apartment in a climate-controlled unit. If you need to store all your belongings for a month until your new home is ready, you should budget between 150$ to 500$ for a 3-bedroom apartment. Cost of storage per item per month: *These are only approximate prices. Prices may vary depending on many factors.
- A bike: 10$ per month
- A set of tires: 15$ per month
- A couch: 30-40$ per month
- 4 appliances: 100$ per month
- If your new home is not quite ready and you need to store your belongings for a period of time, there are different options for you. Some companies will offer to pick up your belongings at your current location, then bring it to your new home only when it is ready. They will charge you storage costs on a monthly basis until they deliver your belongings to your new residence. The benefit of this solution is that most of these companies will charge you for a single move. If you decide to rent a self-storage unit, you may have to pay to get your belongings there, then hire movers again to bring it to your new home.
- There are many things to consider in the selection of a storage unit, including:
- Size: do you need a large storage unit or only to store a specific item?
- Temperature control: will your items get damaged due to high or low temperatures?
- Location: does it need to be close to your home?
- Access: do you need 24h access? Most storage units don’t have 24h access.
- Frequency: how often will you visit the unit?
- Security: are your items so valuable they need to be watched 24/7?
- Insurance: do you need insurance for your items?
- If you have a home insurance policy, you are likely to be insured for your belongings kept in a storage unit. This said, the insurance might only cover your belongings in the storage unit for 90 days, after which you would need a separate insurance. Insurance for storage units can usually be purchased with the company itself.
- Having access to your belongings always will depend on the storage unit company. Some self-storage units have 24/7 access, while others have late business hours.
- Items prohibited in a storage unit usually include:
- Anything inflammable or explosive
- Firearms, weapons, or ammunition
- Perishable food
- Plants
- Animals of any kind
- If it doesn’t feel right, it is probably wrong!
- The size of the storage unit you will need will depend on the number of things you have to put in storage. Based on the average content of a household, here’s the storage unit size you’ll need:
Size of home Storage unit size needed Less than 500 sq. ft. 5’ X 10’ 500 sq. ft. 10’ X 10’ 800 sq. ft. 10’ X 15’ 1000-1200 sq. ft. 10’ X 20’ 1600 sq. ft. 10’ X 25’ 2000-3000 sq. ft. 10’ X 30’ Over 3000 sq. ft. Over 10’ X 30’
