How to introduce value-added services for customers
Adding extra services transforms your facility from a simple space for rent into a comprehensive solution, boosting your profit margins and making your business indispensable to customers.
The Bottom Line
The most effective way to increase your revenue without finding new clients is to solve more problems for your existing ones. By offering value-added services such as van hire partnerships, shredding, or insurance, you transition from being a simple landlord to a full-service logistics partner, capturing more of the customer's spend during their transition period.
Identify Customer Pain Points
To choose the right services, look at the typical journey of a person moving into storage. They usually face three main hurdles: transportation, security, and disposal. If you can solve these, you create a "sticky" business that customers are less likely to leave.
- Transportation: Many customers don't own a van. Partnering with a local hire company for a referral fee or a discounted rate for your tenants is a low-effort, high-reward move.
- Security: Customers worry about their items. Offering robust insurance options provides them with peace of mind while generating recurring monthly income for you.
- Disposal: Domestic customers often declutter as they move. Business customers often have sensitive documents. Offering a secure shredding service or a junk removal partnership can be a huge draw.
Partnering vs. In-House Services
You don't always have to provide the service yourself. In fact, for a new business, partnerships are often safer. For example, rather than buying a van (which involves maintenance, insurance, and tax), you can act as a booking agent for a local rental firm. You take a commission, and they handle the hardware.
Pro Tip: When partnering with local businesses, ensure they have high ratings. Their poor service will reflect poorly on your storage brand.
Common Value-Added Services in the UK
| Service Type | Target Audience | Revenue Model |
|---|---|---|
| Van Hire / Man & Van | Domestic / Students | Commission or Referral Fee |
| Confidential Shredding | Business / Archive Users | Per-bag or Per-kilo fee |
| Insurance Resale | All Customers | Monthly premium markup |
| Receipt of Goods | Small E-commerce Businesses | Handling fee per delivery |
Marketing and Integration
Value-added services should never be an afterthought; they should be part of your initial sales pitch. When a customer calls to enquire about a unit, your staff (or your website) should immediately ask, "Do you have a way to move your items here, or would you like to use our discounted van hire partner?"
Ensure these services are clearly listed on your Google Business Profile and website. Often, a customer will choose a storage facility specifically because it offers a one-stop-shop experience, even if the unit price is slightly higher than a competitor's.
A Note on VAT
In the UK, it is important to remember that while some storage rentals might be exempt from VAT under certain conditions, most value-added services are standard-rated (20%). Always consult with an accountant to ensure you are charging the correct tax on these additional revenue streams.
Created by hatch. • Updated on April 30, 2026