You might be thinking of doing your woodworking in a storage unit, and you are asking whether it is permissible. Well, it will indeed depend on the policies of individual storage places. Storage units, of course, are enclosed spaces rentable as business spaces or as storage of your personal belongings. So, it is unlikely that the owners of these storage places will allow you to do your woodworking inside. Yet, if their policies allow it, you can enjoy your passion for woodworking inside one of these storage units.
Nevertheless, setting up your workspace in storage units might not be permissible. Besides, setting up inside a storage unit might be fraught with many problems. For example, most storage units lack the electrical outlets necessary for a workshop. They only have a light to ensure smooth and safe movement. Moreover, they don’t have sufficient ventilation.
Understanding Storage Facility Lease
You can use a storage unit if you lease it for many applications besides storing your inventory. Yet, it depends on the lease contract you have signed in. Around twenty percent of those who rent storage units use them for practicing their hobbies. As such, this data is encouraging for those who intend to rent a storage facility for woodworking.
Before you do your woodworking inside your rented storage unit, reviewing the lease’s terms and conditions and the things you could do within the storage unit is best. You can also converse with the facility owner to clarify with him any confusing aspect of the terms and conditions indicated in the contract.
To be constantly on the safe side, you should know the activities allowed within your rented unit. Sometimes, the allowable activities are not explicitly indicated in the contract, so it will be best to clear the cobwebs in your understanding of the contract.
Various states often dictate the laws about storage facility renting. As such, it will be best to be mindful of these laws. For example, many states illegalize the storage of gasoline or petroleum inside storage units. They also make it illegal to store dangerous and corrosive materials that emit toxic fumes.
If you intend to do the painting and staining of your woodworking projects inside your storage unit, it is best to know the rules to be on the safe side of the equation.
Other storage facility managers also prohibit the storage of electric tools or the operation of power tools inside their storage facilities. So, checking with these managers before you dare to operate your noisy power tools inside your rented storage unit will be best.
Primary Issues When Woodworking in a Storage Unit
If you intend to do woodworking inside your rented storage unit, you might encounter several issues or problems. It will be best to be mindful of these issues and concerns:
Lack of Power
One issue you may face when daring to woodwork in a storage unit is the lack of a power source. Most rentable storage units do not have the elaborate power outlets and supply you would need to run your power tools. You may find power outlets along the hallway, but inside the storage unit, you only have a light to let you see what is inside the unit.
Storage managers will unlikely let you use the power outlets along the hallway to satisfy your woodworking cravings. Besides, if there is an outlet within the unit, you might overload it if you use your power tools. So, managers will keep you from plugging your power tools into these power outlets. So, consider this potential issue before you lease a storage unit for woodworking.
State Laws Illegalizing the Use of Storage Units for Woodworking
The laws governing the renting of storage units may vary from one state to another. Yet, most states illegalize the use of storage facilities for other activities other than storing your inventory. So, state laws might be a problem in your desire to convert your rented storage unit into a woodworking workshop.
Lack of Ventilation
Storage units get usually designed as enclosed structures without windows. Thus, they often need more ventilation. If you do your sawing and cutting using your power cutters inside, you might be in for a complicated sawdust problem.
So, one issue you will undoubtedly encounter when converting your rented storage unit to a woodworking shop is the lack of ventilation. You need to consider this issue before you even dare to ask the storage manager for permission to do woodworking inside the unit.
Lack of Space
You may find the storage unit spacious enough to do some woodworking tasks. Yet, it may need more elbow room to let you work conveniently in most cases. In many cities in the United States, you will find it hard to find a storage unit with 10×10 dimensions. Thus, you can only find units that are cramped enough to prohibit you from working conveniently inside.
Dust Collection System
Your tenant will likely boot you out of your storage unit once they notice the dust emanating from your rented storage unit. Thus, you will need an efficient dust collection system installed inside your storage unit to ensure no one will howl a complaint against you.
Besides, you will only be in danger if you don’t have an efficient dust collection system while working inside your rented storage unit.
Lack of Wi-Fi Connectivity
Most storage units are self-enclosed and are wrought in thick concrete and metals. Thus, you will likely find it hard to find a Wi-Fi signal inside your rented storage unit. If you work while watching YouTube tutorials, you better address this low Wi-Fi connectivity.
Lack of Moisture Control
Many storage units need the necessary technology to make them self-contained climate-controlled units. Thus, when it is winter, you may find yourself freezing to death while woodworking inside a storage unit.
You may also find yourself profusely sweating when it is bristling hot outside. Thus, you also need to address this issue before you dare to engage in woodworking inside your rented storage unit.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Woodworking Inside a Storage Unit
If you’re desperate enough and adamant in pursuing your plan to convert your rented storage unit into a woodworking shop, it will be best to know the pros and cons of this course of action:
Pros:
- First, you can freely work and engage in woodworking without getting disturbed by the outside world.
- You can ensure that all the things within the storage unit are woodworking-related.
- Your woodworking unit will be professional looking and a standalone unit.
- It is usually remotely situated, freeing you from neighbors who can complain about the noise you generate while woodworking.
- Overheads will be less than that of the dedicated shop made of brick and mortar.
Cons
- One disadvantage of using your storage unit is the space constraint. Thus, you must maximize every square foot of the storage unit.
- You may lack amenities like electrical supply and water.
- Your potential customers may find it challenging to visit you to check on your work.
- The storage unit might not have an AC system.
Tips When Using Storage Units for Woodworking
Aside from knowing the pros and cons of converting a storage unit into a woodworking shop, it will also help to familiarize yourself with the following tips and guidelines when using a storage unit for woodworking:
Ensure the Storage Facility Manager Understand Clearly Your Plan and Its Implications!
When signing a contract, the storage facility manager’s primary concern might be the money you will pay them. He might be oblivious to your plan. So, while signing the contract, ensure that you let him know your objective and the implications of your objective. Be transparent with him.
Of course, you may tell him you will rent the unit to do your woodworking inside. Yet, he may not be aware of the implications of your plan. So, ensure you tell him the implications and the possible consequences of your plan. This way, he will know whether your plan is according to the terms and conditions of the contract.
Organize Your Inventory and Supplies
Once you are able to convince the storage manager to let you convert your rented storage facility into a woodworking shop, you should organize your supplies and inventory well. Invest in shelves and cabinets that could make the organization of your inventory easy. This way, your work will be organized, facilitating the woodworking process.
Ensure You Have Ample Lighting
Storage units are usually dark and crampy. So, if you plan to work inside, you can add additional lights to ensure you’re not working in a dimly lit space. Besides, if you intend to work during nighttime, you can ensure your working area is excellently illumined, preventing any accident due to a lack of lighting.
If the unit only has one light, you can install additional lighting to ensure adequate illumination. LED lights are your best option when it comes to illuminating your workspace. Besides, they are cost-effective lighting options.
Secure Your Storage Unit
You will surely stuff your storage unit with power tools and other materials worth more than a thousand dollars. Thus, you need to ensure that your tools and materials are secured when you’re not around. You will need to lock the unit up while you leave. Besides, ensure that the storage facility you have chosen provides sufficient security.
Organize and Categorize Your Tools and Gear
After installing racks and shelves, you can start stuffing the shelves with your tools and materials. Ensure that you organize tools and materials accordingly. You can place tools of similar applications in a specific area. Then, position your materials on another shelf for ease of access.
Besides, you can separate the consumables like primers and paints and set them in an area dedicated to them. Organizing your stuff and tools will facilitate your woodworking activities inside the storage unit.
Choose a Pickup Location
If you are engaged in many projects for your customers, you should specify a specific pickup location. Some storage facilities don’t have a particular area for picking up stuff. If such is the case, you will need to choose a specific place to meet with your customers and let them pick up the finished woodworking products.
Conclusion
You might be forced to look for a storage unit for your woodworking out of desperation, considering the pros and cons of renting a storage unit for woodworking. Thus, you must do the best you can to ensure that the conversion of your rented storage unit to a woodworking space runs smoothly and with as few issues as possible.
Reading through this post can help prepare you for the possible problems and issues you will face while renting a storage unit for woodworking. Knowing these potential issues can help you work out a better plan and strategy if you ever decide to go on with your plan to rent a storage facility unit for your woodworking activities.