Portable Storage Pods
Deliver storage to the customer's doorstep
Portable storage pod businesses deliver storage containers to customers' locations for loading, then either store them on-site or transport them to a secure facility. This model combines the convenience of moving services with the recurring revenue of storage. It is a rapidly growing alternative to traditional self-storage.
Avg Revenue
$350K
Profit Margin
42%
Acquisition Multiple
3x - 4x
Startup Cost
$100K - $400K
Difficulty
3/5
How It Works
You purchase or lease portable storage containers and a delivery truck. Customers order a pod, you deliver it to their location, they load it, and you either leave it on-site or pick it up for storage at your yard. Monthly rental fees create recurring revenue. Moving services between locations add additional income.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 532490 · Other Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment Rental and Lea
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | MI | $1.6M | $1.9M | — | — |
| Aug 2025 | MI | $100K | $118K | — | — |
| Jul 2025 | CO | $5.0M | $5.9M | 8 | — |
| Apr 2025 | MN | $450K | $529K | 6 | — |
| Apr 2025 | MN | $50K | $59K | 6 | — |
| Feb 2025 | MN | $500K | $588K | 35 | — |
| Feb 2025 | MN | $3.6M | $4.3M | 35 | — |
| Jan 2025 | CA | $232K | $273K | 2 | — |
| Oct 2024 | CA | $2.7M | $3.2M | 10 | — |
| Jul 2024 | NV | $3.8M | $4.4M | 55 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Lower startup costs than traditional self-storage
- +Recurring monthly rental revenue per container
- +Growing market as consumers prefer convenience
- +Scalable — add containers as demand grows
Cons
- -Requires delivery truck(s) and a storage yard
- -Logistics and scheduling complexity increases with scale
- -Competition from PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and other national brands
Best For
Operators who want storage economics with lower capital requirements
Operating Costs
Key costs include container financing or purchase, truck maintenance and fuel, storage yard lease, insurance, and 1-3 drivers/staff.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find portable storage and moving businesses for sale
Browse storage-related business opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- physical
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Buy price
- $1.1M–$1.4M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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