Oftentimes newcomers to the self-storage industry have heard that there is a great return on investment to be made in storage but are not sure where to begin. While the answer to this question depends on many project-specific variables, there is a short and sweet answer. Do your due diligence. The importance of this can not be overstated.
We usually recommend that our new customers consider having a feasibility study performed by a professional who specializes in self-storage. A good self-storage feasibility study will equip you with information including what the storage type holes are in your market, who your competition is, what rates you can reasonably expect to command, a recommended unit mix, how long it will take for a facility to pay for itself, and more. All of this information helps you to make informed, intelligent decisions and maximizes your odds for success.
A feasibility study is also often required by banks prior to lending on a self-storage project. Talk to your lender about their requirements in this regard as they can vary from one lending institution to the next.
While A-Lert does not provide feasibility studies (this could be considered to be a conflict of interests), we do offer a list of providers who have been used by our customers in the past. To obtain a copy of this list, please fill out and submit the form below.
Our goal at A-Lert is as it always has been, to provide our customers with the best level of service possible, to manufacture top-quality products, and to construct metal building projects that we and our customers can be proud of. Call us today with any questions or to discuss your next project at 1-800-210-5375.
A-Lert Building Systems is a self-storage contractor that engineers, manufactures and installs self-storage facilities for Austin-area developers, entirely in-house. Our plant in New Braunfels is about 50 miles down I-35, so components come from our own shop, not a supplier across the country. In a market where land is expensive and demand keeps growing, getting the site, unit mix and build right the first time matters. 40+ years in construction, backed by Centurion Industries.
Schedule an Austin Project Consultation · Call 800-210-5375
Local expertise in the Austin market
High land costs push new construction inside the core toward infill and multi-story projects, while suburban submarkets such as Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown and the Hutto/Taylor corridor, where the semiconductor expansion is bringing new development, still have room for single-story, drive-up builds. Projects here follow I-35, the metro's north-south spine; MoPac (Loop 1) and US 183 on the west and north sides; US 290 and SH 71 toward Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs; and the SH 130 and SH 45 toll roads carrying growth east and north. We design to City of Austin zoning and permitting requirements and to Texas code, from North Austin and the Domain to South and East Austin and the outer suburbs.
Self-storage building types we design and build
- Multi-story climate-controlled facilities for high-cost infill sites in the urban core.
- Single-story drive-up facilities for suburbs such as Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown and Hutto, where land is still available.
- Boat and RV storage serving Lake Travis, Lake Austin and the Highland Lakes.
- Pre-engineered metal buildings for fast, cost-controlled builds.
- Building conversions that turn underused retail or industrial space into a producing facility.
- X-tra Storage HD heavy-duty units for oversized, high-value tenants.
Turning Austin retail and industrial space into storage
In a land-constrained market, converting an existing building is often the fastest route to an infill location you could not buy as raw land. A-Lert evaluates the structure, access and zoning, then handles the reconfiguration, structural upgrades and code-compliant retrofit end to end.
Building for Austin's growth
Austin has been one of the fastest-growing large metros in the U.S., and much of that growth comes from people relocating. New arrivals often rent before they buy and need storage during the move. A-Lert builds for that trajectory: the right unit mix for each submarket, and phased designs that let a facility expand as the surrounding neighborhoods fill in.
Why developers choose A-Lert in Austin
- Our own 40,000 sq ft manufacturing plant about 50 miles away in New Braunfels.
- Single-source: engineering, in-house fabrication and installation, with the build managed end to end.
- Licensed as a general contractor for 30 years, with 40+ years in construction.
- A division of Centurion Industries, for financial strength on large projects.
- Built for ROI: the right unit mix and footprint for expensive Austin land.
Frequently asked questions
Is multi-story worth it in Austin?
Inside the urban core, usually yes. With land among the most expensive in Texas, vertical construction produces far more rentable space per acre. The right answer comes from modeling single-story against multi-story for the specific site and submarket.
Can you convert an Austin retail or industrial building into self-storage?
Often, yes, and in a land-constrained market it is frequently the most cost-effective path. It starts with evaluating the structure, access and zoning, then retrofitting the shell into a code-compliant facility.
How do Austin land costs change the build?
They push most core projects toward multi-story and conversions, which need real structural engineering: reinforced framing, elevators and fire suppression. A-Lert does that engineering in-house, so the design fits both the site and the budget.
Do you handle Austin permitting and code?
Yes. We design to City of Austin zoning and permitting requirements and to Texas code, and our single-source team keeps the schedule moving through review.
