September 23 2024
Working on the go? Your tools deserve a proper home
Whether you’re a plumber juggling three jobs a week, an electrician with a van full of cable drums, or a building contractor managing equipment across multiple sites, one thing is certain: you need somewhere reliable to keep your kit. Not a lock-up with a dodgy padlock. Not the back of your van. A proper, secure trade storage solution that works around your schedule.
That’s exactly what self storage for contractors is built for. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why more tradespeople across the UK are switching to self storage units, what to look for, and how Ready Steady Store can give your business a flexible, accessible base without the overhead of renting a workshop or yard.
Already know what you need? Find your nearest store and get a quote here.
Why Tradespeople Are Turning to Self Storage
The traditional answer to tool storage has always been the van and for smaller jobs, that still makes sense. But as your business grows, your van fills up. You end up making two trips to site instead of one. You leave expensive kit in a vehicle overnight because there’s nowhere else for it to go. You spend money on van insurance that doesn’t fully cover the tools inside.
Self storage for tradespeople solves all of this. It gives you a fixed point, a central base where stock, equipment, and materials can live securely between jobs, accessed on your terms.
Here’s what tradespeople across the UK are using contractor storage for:
- Storing power tools, hand tools, and specialist equipment between jobs
- Holding materials like lengths of pipe, cable drums, timber, fixings that don’t fit in the van
- Keeping seasonal equipment safe when it’s not in use (pressure washers, scaffolding fittings, groundwork kit)
- Running a more organised operation with separate storage for different trades or projects
- Freeing up space at home – no more tools in the hallway or taking over the garage
“A self storage unit gave my business the base it needed, I stopped losing track of kit and started every morning already organised.”
Leeds startup or entrepreneur? Our Leeds startup storage guide covers how businesses of all kinds use self storage as a warehouse alternative.
The Real Cost of Not Having a Secure Base
Let’s talk about what disorganised tool storage actually costs you. Tool theft from vans is a persistent problem across the UK construction and trades sector. Power tools including drills, grinders, impact drivers are high-value, easy to fence, and frequently targeted. Beyond theft, disorganised storage leads to:
- Time wasted hunting for the right tool on a job
- Duplicate purchasing when items can’t be located
- Tools damaged by poor storage conditions
- Higher van insurance premiums when contents are regularly high value
- Stress – plain and simple
A storage unit for contractors isn’t an extra cost. It’s an investment in your working efficiency and peace of mind. When you factor in the time saved, the theft risk reduced, and the tools kept in better condition, many tradespeople find that trade storage pays for itself within weeks.
What to Look for in a Self Storage Unit as a Tradesperson
Not all storage facilities are equal. As a tradesperson, your requirements are different from someone putting household furniture in storage for six months. Here’s what actually matters for trade use:
1. Security you can rely on
Your tools are your livelihood. Look for stores with 24Hr CCTV monitoring, secure access controls and well-lit stores. At Ready Steady Store, we have 24Hr CCTV monitoring across all our stores, plus app-controlled access so you can get in and out quickly and efficiently.
2. Extended hours access
Early starts and late finishes are part of the job. You need to know your storage unit will be accessible when you need it, before the first job and after the last. Ready Steady Store offers extended hours access that works around your schedule, not the other way around.
3. The right unit size for your trade
This is where a lot of contractors get it wrong, they either go too small and run out of space quickly or overpay for a unit that’s half empty. Ready Steady Store offers a wide range of unit sizes, from compact units for a sole trader’s toolkit right up to large units suitable for a multi-person contractor operation with materials and machinery. Use our size estimator tool to find the right fit or give our team a call and we’ll help you work it out.
4. A convenient location
If your storage unit adds 40 minutes to your day, it won’t work efficiently for your business. Ready Steady Store has stores across the UK from Manchester to Corby, Doncaster to Eastleigh so there’s a good chance we have a store near your patch. Find your nearest Ready Steady Store here.
5. Flexibility
Work in construction and contracting is rarely linear. You might need more space when you’re on a large site, and less between contracts. Self storage gives you the flexibility to scale up or down without being locked into long-term leases, something a workshop or yard rental simply can’t offer.
What Size Storage Unit Do Contractors Need?
As a rough guide, here’s how different unit sizes tend to work for trade use:
| Unit Size | Approx. Space | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| 25-35 sq ft | Small van load | Sole trader – hand tools, small power tools, fixings and consumables |
| 50-75 sq ft | Large van load | Electrician or plumber with cable drums, pipe runs, and equipment cases |
| 100-150 sq ft | Small luton or transit | Builder or multi-trade contractor – tools, equipment and building materials |
| 200 sq ft+ | Multiple vehicle loads | Larger contractor or small construction business – machinery, signage, multiple trades’ kit |
Want a more precise estimate? Use our Size Estimator or speak to one of our friendly storage experts, they know exactly the right questions to ask.
If your business is based in Peterborough, our small business storage guide covers unit sizes, pricing and app-controlled access.
Protecting Your Tools: Contents Protection for Tradespeople
Your tools aren’t just expensive; they’re the engine of your business. If they were damaged or stolen, could you keep working? Ready Steady Store offers a Contents Protection Plan that covers items stored in your unit, giving you an additional layer of security on top of our physical site measures. It’s affordable, straightforward, and designed to give you genuine peace of mind.
Speak to one of our friendly storage experts about the right level of cover for your equipment value and they’ll walk you through the options without any pressure.
How Ready Steady Store Supports Contractors Across the UK
Ready Steady Store isn’t just for people moving house – we’re a trusted partner for self storage building contractors, sole traders, and growing trade businesses across the UK. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Platinum rated Feefo rating – trusted by thousands of customers across the UK
- 24Hr CCTV monitoring on all sites for round-the-clock security
- Extended hours access – get to your unit before site start and after site finish
- Flexibility – no long-term tie-ins, scale up or down as your workload changes
- Friendly, helpful teams who understand business storage needs
- UK-wide network of stores wherever your work takes you, Ready Steady Store is nearby
For larger operations, we also offer warehousing solutions – so as your business grows, your storage can grow with it.
“Whether you’re a sole trader or running a team of six, we can help you find the right unit at the right price and keep your business moving.”
Rob Symon, Head of Operations
Getting Started: Your First Week With a Trade Storage Unit
If you’ve never used self storage for your business before, here’s what to expect:
Frequently Asked Questions: Self Storage for Contractors
Can I store materials as well as tools?
Yes – many contractors use their unit to store building materials, fixings, PPE, and consumables alongside their tools. Check with our Customer Service Team about any restricted items, but for most trade supplies, a self storage unit works perfectly.
Is self storage more affordable than renting a workshop?
In most cases, yes significantly so. A self storage unit gives you the security and space of a workshop without the business rates, long lease commitments, or maintenance costs. You only pay for the space you use, for as long as you need it.
Can I receive deliveries to my storage unit?
Policies vary by store, so it’s worth checking first. Some of our stores can accommodate deliveries and it’s one of the features our business customers value most.
What if my storage needs change between contracts?
That’s one of the biggest advantages of self storage, flexibility. With Ready Steady Store, you’re not locked into a long-term lease. As your needs change, we’ll help you move to a different unit size. Explore our full range of business storage solutions here.
How secure are the units?
Very. Our sites feature 24Hr CCTV monitoring and controlled site access via our app. We also offer a Contents Protection Plan to give your stored equipment an additional layer of protection. For a full overview of how everything works, visit our how self storage works page.
Ready to give your trade business a proper base?
Find your nearest Ready Steady Store and get a quote today – flexibility, no long tie-ins, and a team that understands how tradespeople work.
