Local business records storage unit

Accountants, law firms, medical and dental practices, schools, builders and other small businesses that must keep paperwork for years but have no room for it.

Monthly storage fee per box, plus charges for retrieval, delivery, re-filing and new box set-up. Fees are steady once a box is in your racking.

• Organised and careful with detail
• Trustworthy with confidential material
• Basic inventory or barcode software
• Customer service

• Check with your local council that the unit's zoning and building classification allow storage
• Fire safety, sprinklers and flood or pest risk, since you hold other people's records
• Insurance covering clients' goods in your care as well as public liability
• Privacy and confidentiality, including how you handle sensitive client records and who has access
• Clients may have legal retention periods, so make sure your contracts are clear about who is responsible for what
• Check lease terms and the bond before committing

Estimated startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the size of the unit, racking, barcode or inventory software and security. Check lease terms and the bond before committing.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many client boxes you store and your pricing. The estimates start from about 15 hours a week.

Check with your council that zoning and building classification allow storage, plus fire safety, flood and pest risks, insurance for clients' goods, privacy and access controls, and clear contracts on retention periods.