Local Records Storage Facility

Accountants, law firms, clinics, engineering firms, property managers and other small businesses that must keep paper records but don't want them in their own office.

A monthly fee per box or per shelf, plus fees for retrieval, delivery, re-filing and new box set-up. Income grows steadily as clients' boxes stay in storage.

• Careful, organized record keeping
• Trustworthy with confidential material
• Selling to local businesses

• Zoning and fire code rules for storing paper in your unit; check with your municipality and fire department
• Privacy rules for client records, including provincial health records rules if you store medical files; check with your provincial privacy regulator
• Insurance that covers clients' stored goods and fire or water damage, not just general liability
• Security, access logs and background checks for anyone who handles boxes
• Winter damp and humidity, and a long lease commitment before you have many clients

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the unit, racking and security. Monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many clients you win and how much they store.

Things to check include zoning and fire code rules for storing paper (ask your municipality and fire department), privacy rules for client records including provincial health records rules, and insurance that covers clients' stored goods. Also check security, access logs and background checks.

You need careful, organized record keeping, trustworthiness with confidential material, and the ability to sell to local businesses. Estimates suggest at least about 20 hours a week. Watch winter damp and humidity, and the lease commitment before you have many clients.