Storage Developers Gained New Construction Benchmarks
Self-storage developers and investors can now access updated hard-cost and project metrics for underwriting.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Construction
Live Poll
Do you trust open-source construction data to improve your own property investment decisions?
TractIQ and ARCO/Murray released a construction data report analyzing more than 100 self-storage projects completed across 27 states. The report provides technical benchmarks for developers and investors evaluating market feasibility and project costs.
Why it matters
The release aims to standardize construction underwriting for the self-storage industry by offering granular data on vertical construction versus sitework expenses. This allows operators to better calibrate their development budgets against verified historical performance.
The report draws on 100 projects completed across 27 states from 2016 to 2026, building on a database of 70,000 tracked facilities. ARCO/Murray, which maintains a portfolio of 6,000 completed projects, contributed the foundational construction data.
The players
TractIQ
A data analytics firm that tracks more than 70,000 self-storage facilities nationwide.
ARCO/Murray
A design-build construction firm headquartered in Chicago with a portfolio of 6,000 completed projects.
The details
The report provides a comparative framework for gross and net rentable area, building form, and site acreage. It further isolates hard costs by breaking down expenditures into vertical construction and sitework phases, providing a clearer look at the core cost drivers of self-storage development. Interested parties must provide contact and investment history information to access the data.
Timeline
1992: ARCO/Murray was founded.
2016-2026: The period of construction projects covered in the report.
September 24, 2026: TractIQ and ARCO/Murray released the report.
Market Landscape
The release follows the documented industry trend of increased data transparency in commercial real estate underwriting to mitigate development risk. It serves as a practical reference point to help operators move beyond anecdotal cost estimates when evaluating new storage site feasibility.
Developers should compare their internal project estimates against these benchmarks to identify potential cost discrepancies in their pro-formas. Owners should also review their site acreage and vertical construction ratios to ensure they align with the current 10-year market average.
The takeaway
Reliable construction benchmarks are essential for maintaining margins in an increasingly data-driven development environment. Operators should download the report to audit their upcoming project budgets for consistency with verified industry standards.
Further reading
For broader trends in commercial development, visit the Construction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inside Self-Storage.
Live Poll
Do you trust open-source construction data to improve your own property investment decisions?
