Storage and Home Builders

The homebuilding process takes a great deal of planning and requires the use of a lot of equipment. From choosing a home site to working with an architect and realtor, a homebuilder must hold on to paperwork, tools, building supplies and, possibly, furniture. Instead of investing in a large, expensive commercial space, homebuilders may opt to place some of these items into a self storage unit.

Since different people may need to enter the unit and grab needed tools or paperwork, homebuilders may want to develop an inventory system that allows items to be checked out, so that the whereabouts of objects can be tracked. Many self storage companies allow 24-hour access to customers. For homebuilders this means that crew members who work early or late shifts would be able to pick up or drop off tools and supplies as needed.

Locking supplies in a self storage facility may help protect homebuilders from theft. As many in construction have learned the hard way, leaving tools on a jobsite can be a mistake. With limited security at night, thieves may find a construction trailer or tool shed to be an easy mark. Self storage units generally are protected by features like fencing that surrounds the facility, security lighting, gated access with keypad entries, security cameras, and sometimes security guards or 24-hour onsite management.

For some homebuilders, the job is not done when construction has been completed. A builder may want to stage the home in order to attract potential buyers. If this is a regular practice, the builder may keep a stock of furniture that can be mixed, matched and reused as one property is sold and another comes onto the market. A self storage space is a great place to store such items. A climate-controlled unit would provide the greatest protection from wear caused by temperature or humidity problems.

To make a home more attractive to the largest number of potential buyers, the home builder may stage the home using a few standard design tricks:

1. Walls painted in neutral colors give rooms a feeling of warmth but generally do not distract buyers from the house's features. Neutral colors are easy to paint over if a buyer does not like them. Stagers can brighten up neutral walls and furniture colors with accent pieces that provide a splash of color.
2. Stagers should choose a focal point for each room. For instance, a fireplace in the living room could be surrounded by furniture that faces it, so that buyers can see the fireplace clearly and appreciate it. Often in new homes fireplaces reflect the latest trends and, thus, are particularly appealing to buyers.
3. Furniture sizes should complement room sizes. A dining table for four that leaves room to walk will allow visitors to see the room's functionality while a dining set for eight that overwhelms the space could drive potential buyers away by making the room seem too cramped to be practical.
4. Rooms should reflect their intended purpose. For example, dining room furniture should be placed in the dining room, not office furniture. Even though some people may use the room as an office, not having a dining room can make a home seem incomplete and provide buyers with an odd impression of the home.
5. Stagers should know the neighborhood and the likely market. For instance, a home stager may choose to design the third bedroom as an office in neighborhoods filled with young professionals but might set up a twin bed in that same room if the neighborhood attracts mainly young families.
6. The outside should not be neglected. With a new construction, homebuilders should be sure to remove tools and trash. The sidewalks and driveway should be cleaned, and the walls sprayed down if dirt or dust has become a problem. Investing in some landscaping gives the owner one less expense to worry about and may help generate a sale.

Homebuilders who need some extra space may find what they need by using the helpful tools at StorageFront.

The advice on this website is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only. "Storage Tips" are offered as-is and no warranty is expressed or implied. For more information, see StorageFront's Terms and Conditions.