Management Options and Technology for your Self-Storage Facility

[@adamholbrook2281]

Thanks for another great webinar/ video.

[@13Hangfire]

Thank you so much for this valuable information!

[@J_T_1]

An excellent and informative video!!!

[@diigitalname6582]

Thanks for your valuable insight! would you it possible to share the presentation used in the webinar or share the link if it's listed in your website? Many thanks

[@adamairman5927]

Hi Gents at Trachte, I am in process of building my first large multilevel project. I am searching for a check list to the items/programs/hardware I need to include in the operations setup startup after I get the building built. I know you have one video that have some list but couldn't find it. I am in contact with Trachte local rep. but haven't ask him the q's yet! thanks

[@Nukem6477]

Do you prorate or use move in date for monthly payments?

[@Trachtedotcom]

On smaller sites, first of month billing is nice because it consolidates your work into monthly tasks. Large sites with full time managers however may seek to smooth out workload and site traffic by using anniversary billing.

[@Nukem6477]

Thank you I was thinking collecting prorated first month and second month to start the lease. Your thoughts?

[@Trachtedotcom]

@@Nukem6477 Many customers are very sensitive to the amount they are putting out at time of rental. At my site I only collect first months prorated rent unless we are a week or less from end of month then we collect next month too. The software has a setting to automatically calculate this. If you tend to have problem tenants, increasing the deposit or amount collected at time of rental will help filter them out. (this is Steve)

[@Nukem6477]

Can anyone recommend a brand of software that the gentlemen were talking about?

[@Trachtedotcom]

Hi Mark, Syrasoft was the example mentioned in the webinar, but you can find a list here: www.trachte.com/resources/industry-specialists/#management-software-technology-access-control or check out the list of vendors at the Inside Self Storage Expo for a who's who of the industry.

[@Nukem6477]

Thank you. I have 74 units

[@pokerb3575]

Is there a rule of thumb as to number of cameras and recommended placement?

[@Trachtedotcom]

Make sure every area is covered by one or two cameras, with excellent coverage near the entrances to the property. Investing in good lighting will help the cameras to work better too. At the gate and keypad is a good opportunity to have a good camera angle on a visitor when the car stops - getting the plate number from a moving car is difficult.

[@careysamford4491]

We're currently in pre-construction on a site in Texas and I'm working through projected financials. I noticed your comment about paying a lot more for CC processing than your facility insurance. Could you elaborate? Do you mean that 2-3% CC processing fees adds up to more than you pay to insure the facility? Do you have a company that you would suggest to start with for insurance quotes?

[@Trachtedotcom]

Hi Carey (this is Steve, the Trachte marketing guy), on my property I pay about $5500 a year to insure the 50,000 sq ft property. The percentage of credit card payments that my processor takes is about $13,000 per year. So, yes, that's exactly what I mean, my credit card processing fees cost more than twice my insurance. Also about twice my electric bill! It's more like 4% after the processor tacks on all the various fees. They will tell you a lower percentage but somehow it will be higher in the end - that's my experience with two different processors.

[@careysamford4491]

@@Trachtedotcom Thank you very much for your reply. It's more helpful than you realize. It gave me some thoughts on the Electric, Insurance and CC fees. I'm trying to get numbers together and then adding like 50% on top of that (expenses) for my financial projections. I'm turning in Business plan and projections to the bank the end of this week. Thanks again, Carey

[@taylormills08]

Great Info, I'm currently a Steve but as I grow I need to be a Jamie.

[@Trachtedotcom]

Ouch - Steve

[@taylormills08]

@@Trachtedotcom haha, no disrespect Steve. I'm just finding that as my unit count increases management is getting increasingly more time consuming and complex. I'm not sure how I'm going to manage when I add additional units. Currently I'm managing 319 units.

[@Trachtedotcom]

@@taylormills08 I hear you there. I'm at 280 units on the site I directly manage plus the time spent on development of the two sites that I am expanding with a business partner. Having good systems and routines is key. I could not do it (plus work full time at Trachte) without the kiosk and web site move ins. They are the key to being able to do the needed tasks when I have time. (Steve)

[@367scotty]

Where do you find a good web site, and management program

[@Trachtedotcom]

Hi Scotty, we have a list of them here: www.trachte.com/resources/industry-specialists/#management-software-technology-access-control and your state self-storage association and the Inside Self Storage show (look at their exhibitor list) are great ways to get connected to those vendors.