Security O' Clock: A Construction Timeline for Building a Safe Self Storage Facility

Delayed planning can lead to problems like poor gate placement, non-compliant installations, exposed wiring, and a site that doesn’t inspire tenant confidence. In the competitive self-storage market, informed operators know that security should be treated like plumbing or electrical: essential infrastructure, not a last-minute add-on.

Here’s your construction-phase security timeline from pre-permit to grand opening. Use it to ensure your facility opens safely and securely, ready to serve maximum tenant capacity.

18–24 Months Before Groundbreaking: Build the Right Team

Before pulling permits, loop in a trusted security partner.

Security professionals can:

• Review architectural plans for blind spots or zoning issues
• Coordinate with electricians and civil contractors on wiring and conduit plans, along with keypad placement and secure egress/ingress.
• Advise on power and network needs
• Prevent expensive mistakes like misaligned gates or inaccessible camera angles

12–18 Months Out: Infrastructure Design Decisions

Plan for:

• Power: Choose clean, stable systems to avoid chronic problems
• Conduit: Install in-slab (not overhead or retrofitted later). Now is also the time to ensure there is enough space within the slab to run additional wiring in the future, if needed.
• Gate Placement: Ensure space for trucks to stop and enter without blocking traffic, especially if the facility is adjacent to public roads.
• Network Bandwidth: Prioritize redundancy and scalability, understanding that a healthy network is essential for any facility. It's better to overestimate bandwidth needs, given the growing demand from networked and wireless devices.

Also, confirm all security hardware will be compatible with your property management system. Don’t assume. Operators frequently face costly fixes from incompatible setups.

6–12 Months Out: Construction Collaboration

At this phase:

• Coordinate with contractors to prep curbing and islands for keypads
• Pre-wire for cameras, alarms, and access points before drywall goes up
• Install bollards to protect keypads from tenant truck mishaps
• Begin phased security installations (starting with wiring, ending with devices)

Ongoing communication between your security vendor and general contractor ensures seamless integration with your build schedule. Establish regular communication checkpoints or communicate at specific, mutually agreed upon milestones throughout the process.

1–3 Months to Opening: Finalize & Test

Before doors open:

• Verify camera angles and reposition if needed
• Train staff on all operational systems, including access control and property management.
• Review emergency response protocols and how to spot suspicious behavior, including how to use the access control system’s KPIs to identify loitering and other behaviors that could impact overall facility security.
• Review the process for assigning rental units and applying overlocks for delinquent tenants. Ensure all team members can use the keypad, check system diagnostics, and access control logs.
• Create playbooks and protocols for handling alarms and notifications. Ensure staff can interpret access control alerts and respond correctly to different situations. 

After Opening: Future-Proof & Maintain

Security is never “set it and forget it.” After go-live:

• Stay in touch with your vendor for updates and support
• Use cloud-based systems that receive over-the-air upgrades
• Monitor trends and consider added features as tenant expectations evolve

Cloud connectivity and smart devices make it easier to maintain and scale your security infrastructure.

Plan Early, Secure Smarter

Security isn’t a finish line item; it’s foundational. The earlier you bring security into your build plan, the better your outcomes: lower long-term costs, fewer delays, and a stronger reputation for safety. Successful self-storage facilities start with forward-thinking security. Plan early, and your site will be safer, smarter, and more successful from day one.