Self-Storage
Self-Storage Cost Segregation
Self-storage facilities are one of the highest-yielding property types for cost segregation — most of the build is land improvements, not building. Reclassify paving, fencing, security, and gates into 5- and 15-year property for a large first-year deduction.
Start your study
$4,000–$14,000
About 80% cheaper than the $40K–$70K a traditional engineering firm charges for the same IRS-compliant result.
Delivered in days
Upload your docs and photos; our AI-assisted engineering workflow returns an audit-ready study in days, not weeks.
IRS-compliant
Built to the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide, with full asset detail and supporting documentation.
Why self-storage reclassifies so well
A traditional office building is mostly 39-year structure. A self-storage facility is the opposite: the value sits in the site work — paving, fencing, gates, and security — which the IRS treats as 5-year personal property and 15-year land improvements. That front-loads depreciation and, paired with bonus depreciation under IRC §168(k), produces an outsized first-year deduction.
| Self-storage asset | Reclassified to |
|---|---|
| Asphalt & concrete paving / drive aisles | 15-year |
| Perimeter fencing & retaining walls | 15-year |
| Electronic gates & access control | 5-year |
| Surveillance, alarm & security wiring | 5-year |
| Exterior site & unit lighting | 5-year |
| Signage & wayfinding | 5-year |
| Landscaping & site grading | 15-year |
Self-storage cost segregation FAQ
How much does a self-storage cost segregation study cost?
Our self-storage studies run $4,000–$14,000 depending on facility size and document quality — roughly 80% less than the $40,000–$70,000 a traditional engineering firm charges, and delivered in days rather than weeks.
How much of a self-storage facility can be reclassified?
Self-storage is unusually land-improvement heavy. It is common to move 25–40% of the depreciable basis out of 39-year property into 5- and 15-year property — paving, fencing, security systems, gates, and signage typically drive the result.
Which self-storage assets qualify for accelerated depreciation?
Asphalt and concrete paving, perimeter fencing, electronic gates and access controls, surveillance and security wiring, exterior and unit lighting, signage, and landscaping commonly reclassify to 15-year land improvements or 5-year personal property under the IRS Cost Segregation Audit Techniques Guide.
How long does it take?
Most self-storage studies are returned in a matter of days once you upload your closing statement, construction docs, and photos — not the multi-week turnaround of a legacy engineering firm.
Ready to accelerate your self-storage depreciation?
Get an IRS-compliant study in days for a fraction of traditional cost.
Start your study