Quick Answer
Self storage in Kingston is listed from roughly $75 per month for a 5 by 5 foot unit at Kingston U-Lock Storage, with a 10 by 10 at about $127, while U-Haul lists small units from about $105 per month. Before you rent, check whether storing is worth it: if your items are worth less than a few months of rent, selling them on Fliku, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace is usually cheaper. For students, summer storage often costs less than moving stuff twice.
Storage is the easy answer when you have too much stuff and nowhere to put it. A move that does not line up, a summer away, a downsize or a renovation can all send belongings to a storage unit. But storage is a monthly bill that never ends, and it is easy to pay more over a year than the things inside are worth. This guide covers what storage costs in Kingston, how to choose a size, and how to decide whether to store, sell or donate.
What Storage Costs in Kingston
Prices vary by provider, unit size, climate control and the time of year. The figures below come from the providers' own listings at the time of writing, and they change, so confirm the current rate and any fees before you sign.
| Provider | Sizes and listed prices | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kingston U-Lock Storage | 5x5 about $75; 5x10 about $110; 10x10 about $127; 10x15 about $150; 10x20 about $176; 10x25 about $198; 10x30 about $215 | Locally owned; listed prices include HST |
| U-Haul Moving & Storage, 2459 Princess St | 5x5 split-level about $105; 10x5 about $155 | Mini storage and climate-controlled options listed |
| ABC Storage | Units from 5x5 to 10x20 | Located just north of Highway 401 |
| Silicrest Storage | Rates advertised from $25; units from 8x20 to 8x40 | Larger, drive-up style units |
The U-Haul Kingston storage listings and the other providers' websites show current availability and rates. Many facilities offer promotions for new customers, but the regular rate often applies after the first month or two, so ask what you will pay in month three and beyond.
Which Size Do You Need?
- 5x5 (about a walk-in closet): boxes, a few small items, seasonal gear. Good for a student's belongings.
- 5x10: a small room's worth: a mattress, a few boxes and some furniture.
- 10x10: the contents of a small one-bedroom apartment, or a two-bedroom's essentials.
- 10x15 to 10x20: a two- or three-bedroom home's furniture, appliances and boxes.
- 10x25 to 10x30: a full house, including large furniture and appliances.
Measure your items and list what you want to store before you choose, and ask the facility for guidance. Packing smartly, with boxes stacked, furniture disassembled and a walkway left to reach items at the back, makes a smaller unit work.
Store It or Sell It?
This is the question that saves the most money. Add up what you will pay to store an item for the time you need, and compare it with what it is worth and what it would cost to replace.
| Item | Typical used value | Storing for 6 months at about $127 per month | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap flat-pack bookshelf | Under $30 | Far more than it is worth | Sell or donate |
| Used sofa in fair condition | $100 to $250 | Costs about as much as the sofa is worth | Sell unless you need it soon |
| Solid wood dining set | $150 to $400 | Borderline; depends on how long | Store only if you will use it again soon |
| Family heirloom | Sentimental | Worth keeping | Store, and consider insurance |
| Seasonal gear you will use next year | Varies | Depends on its value | Compare to the cost of buying again |
These are examples, not fixed figures. The point is that the monthly cost adds up: $127 a month for a 10x10 is over $1,500 a year. If most of what is inside is worth less than that, you may be better off selling it and buying again later. See how to sell used furniture, how to price used items and sell, donate or junk it to help you decide.
Student Summer Storage
Students often need storage between April and September. A small unit can hold a few boxes, a mini fridge and a desk for around the cost of a few months' rent, but many students find it cheaper to sell bulky items in the spring and rebuy in the fall, particularly with the supply of used furniture in Kingston at that time. A middle route is to store only what is hard or expensive to replace, such as electronics and a good chair, and sell the rest. Splitting a unit with a roommate also cuts the cost. See student storage options in Kingston for more.
What to Look for When Choosing a Facility
Storage unit checklist
- Compare monthly rates and ask what the price will be after the promotion ends
- Ask about administration fees, insurance requirements and lock costs
- Check security: lighting, gated access, cameras and individual locks
- Ask about climate control if you are storing electronics, instruments, wood furniture or documents
- Check the access hours and whether you can reach the unit easily
- Read the contract for notice periods, rate increases and late fees
- Confirm your own insurance covers items in storage, or buy cover from the facility
Packing Tips
Good packing protects your belongings and makes the best use of the space. Use sturdy boxes of similar sizes, label them on the sides, and keep a list of what is in each one. Disassemble beds and tables, wrap upholstered furniture, and keep mattresses upright in covers. Do not store food, flammable liquids, propane or anything perishable. Leave a small aisle so you can reach items, and put things you may need in the front. Raise items off the floor on pallets or boards if there is any chance of damp. Take photos of the contents before you lock up, for your own records and for insurance.
Ways to Pay Less
- Choose a smaller unit and pack it well.
- Share a unit with a roommate or family member.
- Avoid climate-controlled units unless you need them.
- Ask about discounts for longer terms or students.
- Sell or donate things you do not truly need before you rent.
- Review your unit every few months and downsize if you can.
Insurance for Items in Storage
Storage facilities usually do not insure your belongings, and your landlord's building policy does not either. Check whether your home or tenant's insurance covers items kept off-site, and what limits apply. If it does not, the facility may offer a cover plan, or you can buy a policy. Photograph your items and keep a list with approximate values, since you will need them if you ever have to make a claim. Ask the facility what happens in the event of water damage, fire or theft, because the lease usually limits its responsibility.
Storage for Renovations and Downsizing
Short-term storage is useful during a renovation, a home sale or a move to a smaller place, when you need space for a few weeks or months. The problem is that "short term" becomes "years" if you do not set a plan. Pick a date to decide what to keep, sell or donate, and put it in your calendar. If you are downsizing, a unit can give you breathing room to sort through belongings, but set a deadline, and use that time to sell what you will not use. See downsizing in Kingston for the services that can help.
Ending Your Storage Contract
Read the notice period before you sign. Many facilities require a set amount of notice before you move out, and charge for a full month even if you leave mid-month. Empty the unit completely, sweep it out and take your lock. Keep your receipt or confirmation in writing. If you miss payments, facilities can charge late fees and eventually sell the contents, so contact them early if you have trouble paying. Setting up automatic payment, with a reminder to review the unit every few months, prevents surprises.
Make a Plan Before You Rent
Before you sign, write down what is going into the unit, how long it will stay and what you will do at the end of that time. People who treat storage as an open-ended solution often pay for years. If the stored items are worth less than the rent you will pay, sell them now. If you are keeping them, set a review date every three months to check whether you still need them, and sell or donate anything that has not been touched. A little planning is the difference between storage that helps and storage that quietly costs hundreds of dollars a year.
Storing things you could sell?
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List Items on FlikuFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a storage unit cost in Kingston, Ontario?
Listed prices start around $75 per month for a 5 by 5 foot unit at Kingston U-Lock Storage, with a 10 by 10 at about $127 and larger units up to about $215, while U-Haul lists small units from about $105 per month. Prices change, so confirm the current rate and any fees.
What size storage unit do I need?
A 5 by 5 suits boxes and a few small items, a 5 by 10 holds a small room, a 10 by 10 holds a small one-bedroom apartment, and 10 by 15 or larger suits a two- or three-bedroom home. Measure your items, list them and ask the facility for guidance before you rent.
Is it cheaper to store my furniture or sell it?
If your items are worth less than a few months of rent, selling is usually cheaper. A 10 by 10 at about $127 per month is over $1,500 a year, which is more than many used furniture sets are worth. Store only what is expensive to replace or has sentimental value.
Where can students store belongings over the summer in Kingston?
Self storage facilities such as Kingston U-Lock Storage and U-Haul offer small units, and sharing one with a roommate cuts the cost. Many students find it cheaper to sell bulky items in spring and buy used again in the fall, and to store only what is hard to replace.
What should I check before signing a storage contract?
Check what the rate will be after the promotion, any administration, lock or insurance fees, the security and access hours, whether climate control is available, the notice period and late fees, and whether your own insurance covers items in storage.
