by Marc Goodin
Here is the outline of our development manual which is over 240 pages. You can buy a copy for $5,000. The checklist alone will save you tens of thousands and a ton of time and set you up for more profits starting day 1. Our vendor list will save you money and headaches as well. And this is a 100% money-back guarantee. The purchase price will be deducted from a franchise agreement if you decide you want the gold franchise package.
Storage Authority Development
Dynamic Ease Guidebook
Revised October 6, 2023
Consistency Transforms Average into Excellent!
Getting 1%Better Every Month Transforms Excellent into Elite!
Table of Contents
Sections Title Page
Section 1 Getting Started – Next 30 Days 6
Section 2 Staying on Track: Checklist, Steps, Flow Chart 23
Section 3 Searching for Land 38
Section 4 Reviewing & Qualifying Land 48
Section 5 Letter of Intent, Contract & Contract Due Diligence Period Tasks 91
Section 6 Design & Regulatory Approvals 104
Section 7 Loan 153
Section 8 Bidding and Construction 177
Section 9 Purchasing an Existing Self-Storage Facility 198
Section 10 Storage Authority Express 203
Section 11 Pre-Opening Preparations & Checklists 206
Section 12 Website Setup Guidance 240
Click on a section to be brought to that section.
Detailed Table of Contents
Click on a section or appendix to be brought to that section.
Section Title Page
Section 1 Getting Started – Next 30 Days 6
General / Introduction 6
Let’s Get Started. Next 30 Days 7
General Development Time Frames 12
Developing Your High-Performance Team 12
● Storage Authority Command Center Guidelines 14
● Storage Authority Vendor Agreement Addendum 17
● Storage Authority New Vendor Approval Request 18
● Storage Authority Secret Shop Forms 19
● State Self-Storage Associations 21
Section 2 Staying on Track, Checklist, Steps, Flow Chart 23
Major Milestone Development Checklist 23
Major Steps to Getting Your Doors Open 30
Development Flow Charts 35
Section 3 Searching for Land 38
A. The 5 Major Ways to Find Land 38
B. Location Basics 43
C. How Much Land is Needed? 44
D. Hiring a Quality Real Estate Agent 46
Section 4 Reviewing and Qualifying Land 48
A. Top 9 Land Parameters Yes – No – Maybe Limits 48
B. Determining USABLE Land 50
C. Self-Storage Demand & Radius Plus 56
D. Typical Land Review (Prior to an Offer or 3rd Party Feasibility Study) 68
· Land / Conversion Information Form 70
· Comprehensive Competition Review Form 75
· Contacting a Landowner Sample Letter 76
· Questions For the First Meeting with City Planner & Staff 77
· Preliminary P & L Projection Guidelines 79
Section 5 Letter of Intent, Contract & Contract Due Diligence Period Tasks 91
A. The primary steps of a real estate transaction 91
B. Preparing the offer 93
C. Letter of Intent (LOI) 93
D. Purchase /Sale Contractor Due Diligence Period 95
E. 3rd Party Feasibility Study 97
· Land Offer Worksheet for LOI and Contract 99
· Sample Preliminary Letter of Intent (LOI) 100
Section 6 Design & Regulatory Approvals 104
A. Finding Your Civil Engineer and Architect 104
B. Site Plan Design 105
C. Building Design 107
D. Regulatory Meetings 108
● Site Layout and Site Plan Design Guidance for You, Your Engineer & Architect 112
● Building Design Guidance for You and Your Architect 126
● Storage Authority Building and Ground Signage Manual 136
● Regulatory Q & A Preparation by Owner 146
A. Loan Tasks & Time Frames 153
B. Loan Options 154
C. Preparing the Loan Request 156
D. Loan Request Cover Letter/Executive Summary & Marketing Plan 157
· Sample Loan Request Cover Letter/Executive Summary & Marketing Plan 159
Section 8 Bidding and Construction 177
A. Finding a General Contractor 177
B. Construction Specifications & Bidding 177
C. Example of Typical Schedule of Payment Categories 179
D. Construction Review 183
· Bid Request Sample 185
· Construction Addendum 1 Sample 187
Section 9 Purchasing an Existing Self-Storage Facility 198
A. Finding an Existing Self-Storage 198
B. Investigating an Existing Facility 198
C. Primary Steps of a Real Estate/Business Transaction 199
D. Initial Review Worksheet for An Existing Facility 200
Section 10 Storage Authority Express 203
A. General 203
B. Looking for Existing Facilities by Size 205
Section 11 Preopening Preparations & Checklists 206
A. When Construction Starts or Sooner 206
B. 6 Months Prior to Opening or Sooner 209
C. 4 Months Prior to Opening or Sooner 210
D. 3 Months Prior to Opening or Sooner 210
E. 2 Months Prior to Opening or Sooner 211
F. 1 Month Prior to Opening or Sooner 212
G. Post Opening Component Depreciation Study 213
H. Pre-Opening Training 213
● Pre-Opening Marketing & Operations Checklists 216
● Franchise Facility DBA & Website Domain Application 223
● Franchise Website Application & Checklist 224
● Sitelink Facility Management Software Setup 227
● Setting Unit Rates 228
● Gate & Office Signs 230
● Sample Draft Chart of Accounts 237
Section 12 Website Setup Guidance 240
A. General- G5 Website Setup 240
B. Your Responsibilities 240
C. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 241
D. Pay Per Click (PPC) 241
E. Post Launch Website Checklist 242
But the real value is our one-on-one guidance and game plan. That value is north of $400,000. Self-storage is one of the greatest if not the greatest business of all time. A poorly thought-out LOI or contract can cost you huge dollars. A construction contract without your own list of addendum items will typically lead to delays and tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands in extras.
"Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold. Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her. In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor."
Do you want to have a 15-minute call to learn how Storage Authority helps improve the systems, sales, marketing, and profits at your existing facility? If you are building from the ground up let's also review how we help you find land and get your facility designed, approved, and built.
Please send me an email or call me – no appointment is needed:
Marc@storageauthority.com or 860-830-6764
Get more information on Storage Authority Franchise at www.storageauthorityfranchise.com/opportunity3
Marc Goodin is the President of Storage Authority Franchising. www.StorageAuthorityFranchise.com He owns 3 self-storages he designed, built, and manages. He has been helping others in the self-storage industry for over 30 years. He can be reached at marc@StorageAuthority.com or directly at 860-830-6764 to answer your franchising, development, marketing, sales, and operations questions. His best-selling self-storage books are available on Amazon.
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