Where Can Tradespeople Safely Store Tools and Equipment?
A self-storage container provides a secure, dedicated space to keep high-value tools and equipment safe overnight and between jobs — far more reliable than leaving them in a van. Tool theft from vans is a serious and growing problem across the North East. According to the Federation of Master Builders, one in three tradespeople has had tools stolen from their vehicle, with the average loss running into thousands of pounds. Insurance often doesn’t cover the full replacement cost, and the downtime while you source replacements can cost even more in lost work. A [business storage](/business-storage) container at EXO in Cramlington gives you a lockable, CCTV-monitored space for your power tools, hand tools, specialist equipment, and materials. Every container is constructed from Corten ‘A’ Steel with a specialist padlock, and the site is gated with electronic fob entry. You load your van from the container each morning and return everything at the end of the day — no more worrying about whether your livelihood is safe in the back of a Transit overnight.
How Do You Store Bulk Materials Without Crowding Your Van?
Use a storage container as your off-site materials depot — buy in bulk at trade prices, store the surplus securely, and collect what you need for each job. Trade suppliers like Screwfix, Toolstation, and builders’ merchants across Newcastle offer significant discounts on bulk purchases. But if you’re a sole trader or a small team, you often can’t buy in the quantities that get the best price because you’ve got nowhere to put the extra. Your garage is full, your van needs to stay clear for the current job, and your partner is already unhappy about the spare room situation. A container at EXO solves this. Order your plasterboard, timber, pipe fittings, or fixings in bulk. Store the surplus in Cramlington. Drive to site each morning with only what you need for that day. It keeps your van lighter (better fuel economy), your home clutter-free, and your per-unit material costs down. For tradespeople working across multiple sites in Newcastle, Blyth, or Morpeth, having a central storage point off the A1 means you’re never far from your stock.
Why Is 24/7 Access Important for Tradespeople?
24/7 access means you can collect tools and materials at any hour — before a 6am start, during a weekend emergency callout, or late on a Friday when a job runs over. Tradespeople don’t work standard office hours, and storage that’s only open 9–5 is essentially useless for most of the times you actually need it. Early morning starts on construction sites, evening lock-up after finishing a kitchen fit, weekend catch-ups to stay on schedule — these are the realities of trade work in the North East. At EXO Storage, our Cramlington site operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Your electronic fob opens the gate whenever you arrive. There’s no booking a slot, no calling ahead, and no waiting for someone to let you in. This is particularly valuable for emergency trades. If you’re a plumber called out at 10pm for a burst pipe and you need a specific fitting from your container, you can be on site in minutes. That kind of flexibility isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s essential.
How Should You Handle Seasonal Trade Equipment?
Store seasonal equipment in a dedicated container during its off-season to free up van and workshop space for the tools you use daily. Many trades in Newcastle and Northumberland have a seasonal pattern. Landscapers and gardeners have mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and hedge trimmers that sit idle from November to March. Heating engineers have stock and components that peak in autumn and winter. Roofers and external decorators have scaffold fittings, pressure washers, and cherry picker accessories that are weather-dependent. Rather than letting seasonal kit take up valuable space in your van, garage, or lock-up, move it into a [business storage](/business-storage) container at EXO during the off-months. When the season comes back around, it’s clean, dry, and ready to go. Our weatherproof Corten steel containers keep everything protected from rain, frost, and condensation, so your equipment comes out in the same condition it went in.
How Much Does Business Storage Cost for Tradespeople Near Newcastle?
EXO Storage offers competitive monthly rates with no hidden fees, a minimum hire of just one week, and no long-term contract required — making it one of the most affordable options for tradespeople in the North East. Compared to renting a permanent lock-up or workshop, a storage container is significantly cheaper. You’re not paying for lighting, heating, business rates, or a commercial lease. You’re paying for a secure, weatherproof space that you can access whenever you need it. We invoice monthly with flexible payment options including Direct Debit, bank transfer, and card. If a big job finishes and you no longer need the space, just give us notice and return your key and fob — any unused days beyond the minimum one-week period are refunded. For tradespeople who are just starting out or expanding their business across Newcastle, Cramlington, or Northumberland, this flexibility means you can scale your storage up or down as your workload changes, without being locked into a 12-month commercial lease.
Why Choose EXO Storage?
- 24/7 access for early starts and late finishes
- CCTV-monitored site with gated electronic fob entry
- Short or long-term hire — minimum one week
- Easy access from the A1 and A19
- Competitive rates with no long-term contract
