Are garage storage units for rent worth it in Australia?
Many Aussies search for garage storage units for rent or “garage storage rental” when they need space fast. Renting can be right for short-term needs—moves, renos, or seasonal overflow. But if you own your home, a custom Colorbond garage often wins on total cost and convenience from year two onward.
Quick comparison: rental vs owning
- Speed: Rental = same week. Custom shed = 3–10 weeks (design, approvals, build).
- Monthly costs: Metro self-storage garages often $250–$450/month (size, city dependent).
- Security: Reputable storage providers offer CCTV, alarms. A well-built home garage adds roller-door lock bars, wind locks, and on-site control.
- Equity: Rent is sunk cost. A compliant Colorbond steel shed can add resale value and rental appeal.
In Tamworth, Carports Tamworth also have ownership and custom build choices. For more Colorbond options, visit our Carport Carport buyer’s guide.
Real-world cost lens
At $350/month, 36 months of rental ≈ $12,600. A fully engineered, council-approved double garage in Perth (6 m × 6 m) typically ranges from $12k–$24k+ depending on wind rating, slab, doors, and insulation. After 2–3 years, owning is usually ahead—plus you’ve improved the property.
What are the best shed materials for Perth’s climate?
Perth sun is no joke. High UV, summer heat, and coastal air punish cheap cladding. That’s why most premium steel sheds Perth projects specify BlueScope Colorbond or Zincalume.
Colorbond vs Zincalume — Which is better for WA conditions?
| Feature | Colorbond | Zincalume |
|---|---|---|
| Coating system | Painted, baked-on colour over corrosion-resistant base | Aluminium-Zinc alloy (no paint) |
| Heat/UV performance | Excellent; lighter colours reflect heat well | Good; reflective when new, dulls over time |
| Coastal suitability | Good (observe distance from breaking surf and C4/C5 environments) | Good (same caveats) |
| Aesthetics | Large colour range (e.g., Monument, Surfmist, Shale Grey) | Classic metallic sheen only |
| Maintenance | Low; occasional rinse in coastal zones | Low; occasional rinse in coastal zones |
| Typical choice for Perth homes | Best where appearance matters (garages, studios) | Best for value-driven, rural or utility structures |
Related builds we deliver: custom Colorbond garages Perth, affordable carports for Australian homes, rural sheds NSW, and custom carports Melbourne.
Build types and use-cases: choose the right garage or shed
- Single garage (3 m–3.6 m x 6 m): Small vehicles, storage, workshops.
- Double garage (6 m x 6 m): Australia’s most popular domestic footprint.
- Triple/extra-depth (7–9 m spans): Boats, vans, taller 2.7–3.6 m eave heights.
- Barns and rural sheds (9–15 m spans): farm machinery storage, hay, implements.
- Skillion vs gable roof: Skillion for modern look/height at boundary; gable for classic style and easy ventilation.
- Carports (single/double/triple): Open sides; economical vehicle cover; great for custom carports Melbourne setbacks.
- DIY shed kits vs fully installed: See below.
Compliance and engineering: built for Australian Standards
Your shed should be engineered to the National Construction Code (NCC) and relevant Australian Standards: AS/NZS 1170 (structural actions, including wind), AS/NZS 4600 (cold-formed steel), AS 4100 (steel structures), and AS 1562.1 (roofing). In bushfire areas, check BAL requirements. In coastal zones, detail for corrosion categories C3–C4.
Added 2024 WA wind-rating compliance notes WA sites typically fall in Wind Region A or B; coastal sites can face higher design pressures. We design for terrain category, shielding, topography, and importance level. For North QLD, Region C/D requires cyclone-rated sheds QLD with stronger frames, tighter fastener schedules, and certified roller doors with wind locks.
How to get council approval for your custom shed in WA
- Site plan: Show boundaries, easements, setbacks, drainage, and driveway access.
- Engineering: Signed structural computations to AS/NZS 1170.2 and footing details (soil class helps).
- Bushfire and planning: Confirm BAL, height limits, and lot coverage with your council.
- Stormwater: Gutters, downpipes, and soakwells or legal point of discharge.
- Apply: Most WA councils approve compliant sheds within 10–25 business days.
We deliver council-approved sheds WA, VIC, NSW, and QLD with full plan sets and engineering certificates.
Case studies: from garage storage rental to custom Colorbond
Perth (Double Garage 6×6 m, Region B)
- Brief: Family paying $320/month for off-site storage during a renovation.
- Spec: Colorbond Monument walls/roof, 2× 2.4 m roller doors with wind locks, PA door, anticon blanket to roof.
- Outcome: Build cost $18.5k + slab; move-in 8 weeks from deposit; storage rental cancelled; on-site convenience and improved resale appeal.
Townsville hinterland (Farm Shed 9×7 m, Region C)
- Brief: Replace long-term storage lease with cyclone-rated on-farm solution.
- Spec: Region C engineering, C2 hold-downs, bracing bays, wind-rated roller door, Zincalume cladding, oversize gutters.
- Outcome: LCA saving vs 4 years of rent; equipment now onsite, no travel time.
Melbourne inner east (Double Carport with Storage)
- Brief: Street parking pressure; need simple cover and lockable store room.
- Spec: 6×5.5 m skillion carport with rear 6×1.5 m Colorbond store, Surfmist roof for heat reflectance.
- Outcome: Planning-compliant height; quick install; value uplift for tenants.
DIY shed kits vs custom-built: which suits you?
DIY shed kits
- Best for experienced owner-builders with time and tools.
- Lowest supply cost; you organise slab, footings, and erection.
- Check delivery lead times and crane/access needs.
Custom-built (turnkey)
- We design, engineer, and manage council approvals.
- Licenced erectors; faster, safer, and warranty-backed.
- Recommended for cyclonic/wind-exposed sites or complex footprints.
5-step buying guide for custom sheds in Australia
- Define the brief: vehicle sizes, clearance, future needs (boat, caravan, mezzanine).
- Choose materials: Colorbond for street appeal; Zincalume for rural value. Consider insulation and ventilation.
- Engineer to site: Wind region (A–D), terrain, shielding, BAL, and corrosion category.
- Plan approvals: Title, site plan, engineering, drainage, and boundary setbacks.
- Build and handover: Slab and footings, frame and cladding, doors, electrical (by licensed sparkie), and final checks.
Pricing guide and finance
- Single garage (approx. 3.6×6 m): from $9k–$16k+ supply and install (ex-slab), wind rating dependent.
- Double garage (6×6 m): from $12k–$24k+ (ex-slab), with insulation, windows, and Colorbond colour options.
- Rural sheds and barns: highly variable—span, bay spacing, door sizes, and wind region drive price.
Rental comparison: At $350/month, you hit $4,200/year. By year three you’re near the supply-and-install of a compliant double garage—while owning an asset. Ask about staged builds and finance options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a garage on someone else’s property?
Yes—peer-to-peer garage storage rental exists, but check insurance, security, and access terms. Commercial self-storage offers better controls but costs more.
What wind rating do I need?
We use AS/NZS 1170.2 to compute site-specific pressures by region (A–D), terrain, shielding, and topography. Coastal, hilltop, or cyclonic sites demand higher-spec frames and door systems.
Colorbond or Zincalume for coastal areas?
Both are suitable with correct detailing and maintenance. For surf-exposed locations, verify distance from breaking surf and specify compatible fasteners and wash-down access.
Flat (skillion) or gable roof?
Skillion maximises boundary height and suits modern homes. Gable improves cross-ventilation and classic street appeal. Both can be engineered to your wind region.
Do I need insulation?
For Perth, Adelaide, and inland NSW, roof insulation or insulated panel is strongly recommended. It reduces heat gain, condensation, and noise.
Popular projects and searches we deliver
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Get a council-ready quote
Tell us your site address, desired footprint, and any photos or sketches. We’ll return a site-specific, engineered proposal covering wind loads, door schedules, and approvals—so you can stop paying for storage and start using your own space.
Sources and further reading
- Bureau of Meteorology (wind regions and climate data)
- Housing Industry Association (HIA) — permits and building trends
- Master Builders Australia — building compliance resources
- Australian Steel Institute — steel design and standards
- CSIRO — building science, heat and condensation
- Energy.gov.au — building energy efficiency guidance
- Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1170, 4600, 4100)
- 2025 Australian Steel Market Outlook (industry reports)
- 2025 HIA Outdoor Structures and Home Improvement Report
Get a council-ready quote
Tell us your site address, desired footprint, and any photos or sketches. We’ll return a site-specific, engineered proposal covering wind loads, door schedules, and approvals—so you can stop paying for storage and start using your own space.
Sources and further reading
- Bureau of Meteorology (wind regions and climate data)
- Housing Industry Association (HIA) — permits and building trends
- Master Builders Australia — building compliance resources
- Australian Steel Institute — steel design and standards
- CSIRO — building science, heat and condensation
- Energy.gov.au — building energy efficiency guidance
- Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1170, 4600, 4100)
- 2025 Australian Steel Market Outlook (industry reports)
- 2025 HIA Outdoor Structures and Home Improvement Report