General Conditions in Self-Storage Development Contracts

By Garrett Byrd

Storage Authority Franchise

In self-storage construction, General Conditions refer to indirect costs required to support a project but not directly tied to labor or materials for the building itself. These are essential for jobsite operation and administration.

General Conditions: Typical Percentage Range 5% to 10% of total construction cost.

Some developers negotiate a fixed fee instead, but percentages are more common for budgeting.

 Failure to address them clearly can lead to disputes, delays, or cost overruns.

What General Conditions Cover

Below are the common items included in General Conditions for a self-storage construction project:

1. Project Management & Administration:

• Onsite superintendent salary

• Project manager support

• Office staff support

• Scheduling, reporting, documentation

2. Temporary Facilities:

• Trailers for field office

• Temporary toilets

• Site fencing

• Trash dumpsters

3. Utilities and Services:

• Temporary water, power, internet

• Jobsite heating or cooling

4. Safety and Compliance

• OSHA compliance measures

• Safety signage and gear

• Security lighting or cameras

5. Site Support

• Equipment rental (e.g., forklifts, storage containers)

• Jobsite signage

• Small tools and consumables

6. Insurance and Bonds

• Builder’s risk insurance (often separate but included in some contracts)

• Performance/payment bonds if required

Recommendations

• Always request a line-item breakdown from your general contractor.

• Compare General Conditions to project timeline. Longer schedules often inflate GC costs.

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