Storage Costs in Ireland 2026 - Complete Pricing Guide
Understanding storage costs helps you budget effectively and find the best value. This guide breaks down typical storage prices across Ireland, what affects costs, and how to save money.
Self Storage Costs by Location
Dublin Storage Prices
Small Units (25-50 sq ft)
- Average: €60-90/month
- Budget options: €50-65/month
- Premium facilities: €75-100/month
Medium Units (50-100 sq ft)
- Average: €100-150/month
- Budget options: €80-110/month
- Premium facilities: €130-180/month
Large Units (100-200 sq ft)
- Average: €150-250/month
- Budget options: €120-170/month
- Premium facilities: €200-300/month
Extra Large Units (200+ sq ft)
- Average: €250-450/month
- Premium facilities: €400-600/month
Cork Storage Prices
Small Units (25-50 sq ft)
- Average: €45-70/month
- Budget options: €40-55/month
- Premium facilities: €60-80/month
Medium Units (50-100 sq ft)
- Average: €80-120/month
- Budget options: €65-90/month
- Premium facilities: €100-140/month
Large Units (100-200 sq ft)
- Average: €120-180/month
- Budget options: €100-140/month
- Premium facilities: €160-220/month
Extra Large Units (200+ sq ft)
- Average: €180-350/month
Galway Storage Prices
Small Units (25-50 sq ft)
- Average: €40-65/month
- Budget options: €35-50/month
Medium Units (50-100 sq ft)
- Average: €70-110/month
- Budget options: €60-85/month
Large Units (100-200 sq ft)
- Average: €110-170/month
Extra Large Units (200+ sq ft)
- Average: €170-320/month
Other Irish Cities (Limerick, Waterford, etc.)
Small Units: €35-60/month Medium Units: €65-100/month Large Units: €100-160/month Extra Large Units: €160-300/month
SME & Business Storage Costs
Small Business Units (200-500 sq ft)
- Dublin: €250-450/month
- Cork: €200-350/month
- Other cities: €180-300/month
Medium Warehouse Space (500-1000 sq ft)
- Dublin: €450-800/month
- Cork: €350-600/month
- Other cities: €300-500/month
Large Warehouse (1000-2500 sq ft)
- Dublin: €800-1,500/month
- Cork: €600-1,200/month
- Other cities: €500-1,000/month
Extra Large Warehouse (2500+ sq ft)
- Dublin: €1,500-3,000+/month
- Cork: €1,200-2,500+/month
- Other cities: €1,000-2,000+/month
What Affects Storage Costs?
Location
The biggest price factor. Dublin facilities are typically 30-50% more expensive than rural areas due to higher property costs and demand.
Unit Size
Larger units cost more, but the price per square foot often decreases. A 100 sq ft unit might cost less per sq ft than a 25 sq ft unit.
Contract Length
Short-term (1-3 months): Standard rates or 10-20% premium Medium-term (3-6 months): Standard rates, sometimes small discount Long-term (6-12+ months): Often 10-25% discount on monthly rate
Features & Amenities
Climate Control: +20-40% monthly cost
- Essential for: electronics, documents, artwork, antiques
- Worth it if: storing valuable or sensitive items
- Skip if: storing furniture, garden equipment, boxes of household items
24/7 Access: +10-25% monthly cost
- Worth it if: needing frequent or flexible access
- Skip if: accessing only occasionally
Drive-Up Access: Usually no extra cost or +€10-20/month
- Convenient for: frequent access, heavy items
- Worth it if: regularly adding or removing items
Ground Floor: +€5-15/month vs. upper floors
- Important for: heavy items, frequent access
- Skip if: storing light boxes and accessing infrequently
Enhanced Security: +10-20% (individual alarms, 24/7 on-site security)
Seasonal Variations
- Peak season (May-September): +10-20% during house-moving season
- Off-peak (October-April): Standard rates or discounts available
Demand
High-demand areas (city centers, near universities) cost more than industrial estates or suburban locations.
Additional Costs to Consider
Initial Setup Costs
Deposit: Usually 1 month's rent (refundable) Administration fee: €20-50 (one-time, some facilities) Lock: €10-30 (if not included) Insurance: €5-20/month or €50-200/year
Optional Services
Packing materials:
- Small boxes: €2-4 each
- Large boxes: €4-8 each
- Wardrobe boxes: €8-15 each
- Bubble wrap: €15-25/roll
- Tape: €3-6/roll
- Packing paper: €10-20/bundle
Packing service: €200-600 depending on volume
Collection/delivery: €50-200 depending on distance and volume
Insurance: €5-30/month depending on value covered
Ongoing Costs
Monthly rent: Based on unit size and features Insurance: If required monthly Additional locks: If you lose keys or want extra security
Cost Comparison by Storage Need
Student Storage (Summer Break)
Typical need: 25-50 sq ft for 3 months
- Dublin: €180-270 total (€60-90/month)
- Cork/Galway: €120-195 total
- Cost-saving tip: Share a unit with roommates
House Move (Between Properties)
Typical need: 100-150 sq ft for 1-2 months
- Dublin: €150-500 total
- Cork: €120-360 total
- Cost-saving tip: Book as soon as you know dates
Decluttering/Long-term
Typical need: 50-100 sq ft for 6-12 months
- Dublin (6 months): €480-900
- Cork (6 months): €384-720
- Cost-saving tip: Negotiate long-term discount
Business Inventory
Typical need: 200-500 sq ft for 12+ months
- Dublin (annual): €3,000-5,400
- Cork (annual): €2,400-4,200
- Cost-saving tip: Look for business rates and annual contracts
Money-Saving Tips
1. Book Long-Term Contracts
Save 10-25% with 6-12 month commitments. Even if you're unsure, many facilities allow early exit with notice.
2. Pay Upfront
Some facilities offer 5-10% discount for paying 3-6 months upfront.
3. Avoid Peak Season
Move or store between October-April when demand (and sometimes prices) are lower.
4. Choose the Right Size
Don't pay for wasted space:
- Visit facility to see unit sizes
- Ask for size calculator or guide
- Start smaller and upgrade if needed (usually easier than downgrading)
5. Skip Unnecessary Features
Don't need 24/7 access? Choose facilities with extended hours (6am-10pm) Storing robust items? Skip climate control Infrequent access? Upper floor units are cheaper
6. Share a Unit
If storing with family or friends, split a larger unit - often cheaper than two small units.
7. Self-Pack
Save €200-600 on professional packing:
- Use free boxes from supermarkets
- Newspaper for packing paper
- Towels and linens for padding
8. Declutter First
Sell, donate, or discard. Every item you don't store saves money.
9. Compare Multiple Quotes
Use keep.ie to compare prices from multiple facilities. Prices can vary 20-30% for similar units.
10. Ask About Promotions
Many facilities offer:
- First month free
- Student discounts
- Referral bonuses
- Seasonal promotions
- NHS/military discounts
11. Location Trade-Off
Consider facilities slightly outside city centers - often 20-30% cheaper with only 10-15 minutes extra travel.
12. Negotiate
Especially for long-term or large business contracts, prices are often negotiable.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Watch Out For:
- Mandatory insurance at inflated rates (shop around)
- Access fees - some charge per visit
- Electricity surcharges for climate control
- Admin fees for payment processing
- Exit cleaning fees - clean it yourself
- Peak time surcharges (rare but exists)
- VAT - some quotes exclude VAT
Questions to Ask:
- "Is this price VAT inclusive?"
- "Are there any additional fees?"
- "What's included in the monthly price?"
- "What's your cancellation policy?"
- "Do you offer price matching?"
When Storage Makes Financial Sense
Worth the Cost When:
✅ Moving dates don't align (storage cheaper than extended hotel stay) ✅ Renovating (storage cheaper than replacing damaged items) ✅ Downsizing gradually (gives time to sell/donate items properly) ✅ Business growth (cheaper than larger commercial premises) ✅ Seasonal business (only pay when you need space)
Not Worth It When:
❌ Items have no real value (cheaper to discard and replace) ❌ Long-term storage of everyday items (2+ years of storage costs more than replacement) ❌ Could make room at home with better organization ❌ Very short term (1-2 weeks) with cheap items
Cost vs. Value Features
Worth Paying Extra For:
- ✅ Climate control (if storing valuables, electronics, documents)
- ✅ Ground floor access (if storing heavy items or accessing frequently)
- ✅ Good security (24/7 CCTV, alarms, good lighting)
- ✅ Insurance (peace of mind for valuable items)
- ✅ Convenient location (saves time and fuel)
Usually Not Worth Extra Cost:
- ❌ Fancy entrance/reception areas
- ❌ On-site office facilities (unless using regularly)
- ❌ "Premium" units in same building as standard ones
- ❌ Monthly rather than annual contracts (if you know duration)
Regional Price Comparison Summary
Most Expensive: Dublin (baseline 100%) Moderate: Cork (70-80% of Dublin prices), Galway (65-75%) Most Affordable: Smaller cities and towns (60-70% of Dublin)
Example: A 75 sq ft unit:
- Dublin: €120/month
- Cork: €90/month (25% cheaper)
- Galway: €85/month (29% cheaper)
- Limerick: €75/month (38% cheaper)
Final Pricing Tips
- Get written quotes - verbal quotes can change
- Read the contract - understand notice periods and price increases
- Take photos - document condition for security deposit return
- Set calendar reminders - for notice periods to avoid unwanted renewals
- Review annually - prices may have dropped; don't hesitate to move
Compare and Save
Don't overpay for storage. Use keep.ie to:
- Compare prices from multiple facilities
- Filter by features you actually need
- Read genuine customer reviews
- Find current promotions and deals
Prices updated January 2026. Always confirm current rates with providers as prices may vary.