How much more do climate controlled self storage facility units usually add to the cost to build self storage units?
Climate-controlled units cost more to build than basic drive-up units because you’re adding insulation, HVAC, interior corridors, and a tighter building shell. How much more depends on your climate zone, energy code, building size, and how much of the facility is climate controlled. Contact TruSteel today for a free, project-specific quote for your location. On average you will get at least 30% more on rentals compared to non climate. Overall project cost add on is normally under $10 per sq-ft.
Climate control adds a clear premium over standard drive-up storage because you’re not just building walls and roofs anymore; you’re building an insulated, conditioned envelope with mechanical systems. The shell has to hold temperature and often humidity within a tight range, which means more materials, more labor, and more design work. Most of the extra cost sits in four buckets: insulation, liner panels, HVAC, and interior layout.
You’ll typically see higher roof and wall R-values (for example, roof insulation around R-19 and wall insulation around R-13 in many metal climate projects), plus optional interior liner panels to protect that insulation. Then you add HVAC units, ductwork or mini-splits, condensate handling, and extra electrical—often with separate zones for different banks of units. Interior corridors, vestibules, and more doors per square foot also bump up the structural and finish scope.
Location and codes matter just as much. Your climate zone and local energy code drive minimum R-values and HVAC efficiency, while your zip code sets wind, snow, and seismic loads for the frame itself. TruSteel designs to those loads from day one and includes stamped building and foundation plans specific to your county. With TruSteel, every climate-controlled project is custom: 100% steel framing, roof and wall sheeting, trim, fasteners, delivery, and access to licensed installers from IAS-accredited manufacturers, all backed by a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on panels and columns.
Because the climate-control premium depends on your site, footprint, and how much of the facility you condition, the next step is simple: contact TruSteel for a free quote and have a sales expert run the numbers for your exact project.