Why We Charge Break-Even Rates for Furniture Storage (And What That Means for You)
How transparent pricing and white-glove service work together in our furniture sourcing model
If you’ve been shopping for furniture storage in Mexico—whether in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Ajijic, or Guadalajara—you’ve probably noticed that pricing is all over the map.
DIY self-storage facilities like Bodegas Vallarta charge $3,000–6,000 MXN per month for a room-sized space, while white-glove furniture storage in the U.S. runs $200–400 USD per item per month ($3,600–7,200 MXN).
So when we tell potential clients that we charge break-even rates for professional storage, the first question is usually:
“Why?”
The answer reveals a lot about how we think about our business—and what makes working with us different from commodity storage or typical furniture retailers.
Storage Rate Card Dec 2025
The Traditional Storage Model: Profit from Warehousing
Most storage facilities lease warehouse space, divide it into units, and charge what the market will bear. Their profit comes directly from the difference between costs and what you pay.
That model works fine for general storage—but when you’re storing high-value, custom furniture as part of a larger sourcing project, it creates a mismatch in priorities.
With commodity storage:
You pay premium rates for empty space
You coordinate all vendor pickups yourself
You handle (or hire) receiving and moving
You track everything on your own spreadsheet
If something goes wrong, you manage it
The storage company profits whether or not you succeed
Their incentive: keep you renting as long as possible.
Our Model: Storage as a Gateway Service
We make our money helping you source and furnish your home beautifully, not from storing the pieces.
Our storage service exists to solve a specific problem: during a 2–4 month production timeline, furniture is completed in stages. You need a place to consolidate everything safely before delivery—but you shouldn’t have to pay premium rates for it.
So we charge exactly what it costs us to operate our facility. Nothing more.
Our monthly fixed costs:
Facility rent: $16,900 MXN
Utilities and climate control: ~$1,700 MXN
Security and insurance: ~$850 MXN
Administrative overhead: ~$1,700 MXN
Total: $21,125 MXN per month
At 40–50 items capacity, that works out to $400–550 MXN per item per month depending on size.
Our incentive: help you complete your furniture project successfully—because that’s where we make our margin.
What Break-Even Pricing Actually Means
It’s Not Free
When we say “break-even,” we mean we charge you exactly what it costs us—no markup, no margin.
A typical client stores 15–25 items for 2–4 months:
Storage cost: $8,000–15,000 MXN total
Furniture purchases: $150,000–300,000 MXN
Storage as % of total: 3–5%
That 3–5% covers professional receiving, photo documentation, item tracking, bilingual coordination, and peace of mind.
It’s Still a White-Glove Service
Break-even doesn’t mean bare-bones. Every item that enters storage receives:
✅ Professional receiving and inspection
✅ Photo documentation and cataloging
✅ Database tracking with vendor and dimensions
✅ Climate-controlled environment for parota, rosa morada, and upholstery
✅ 24/7 security monitoring
✅ Bilingual coordination with all vendors
✅ Integrated delivery logistics
Compare that to renting an empty room at a self-storage facility for $5,000/month and doing it all yourself.
Why This Model Works for High-End Furniture Clients
You’re Already Making a Significant Investment
If you’re furnishing a home in Mexico, you’re likely investing $100,000–300,000 MXN or more. Paying $10,000–15,000 MXN for secure, professional storage over 3–4 months is less than 5% of your total investment—and it protects every peso of it.
The Hidden Costs of DIY Storage
DIY storage seems cheaper, but the hidden time cost is significant:
TypeCostCoordination TimeReal Cost (MXN)DIY Storage (18 m² unit)$5,000/month20–30 hrs vendor coordination$18,000–24,000FGD Break-Even Storage$10,000–12,000/month0 hrs (we handle all logistics)$30,000–36,000 over 3 months
You save hours of coordination, avoid damage or delays, and ensure every piece is ready for a single delivery day.
Our Transparency Policy: How We Actually Make Money
We believe clients deserve to understand how we price every part of our process.
Storage: $0 profit (break-even)
Receiving Fees: $100–200 per item
Logistics Coordination: 20% of freight cost
Furniture Markup: 60% on custom, 80% on catalog pieces
Our profit comes from expertise and execution, not from holding your furniture hostage.
Real Client Example: Cabo Project
Project: Furnishing a coastal home with custom Mexican furniture
Timeline: 4 months from first tour to final delivery
Storage: 22 items over 3 months, total cost $33,000 MXN (break-even)
Furniture Purchases: $245,000 MXN sourced, $147,000 MXN markup revenue
Project Profit: ~$100,000 MXN
Storage Profit: $0
The client received professional, climate-controlled storage and seamless delivery. We earned our profit through design and sourcing—the actual value we provide.
Why Not Include Storage in the Furniture Markup?
1. Transparency
We believe you should see exactly what you’re paying for. If we buried storage inside furniture markup, you’d never know the true cost.
2. Flexibility
Not everyone needs storage. Some clients receive pieces directly, others have their own space. Charging separately ensures you only pay for what you use.
What About Clients Who Only Want Storage?
Our storage model is designed for furniture sourcing clients only.
It’s small-scale, high-touch, and fully integrated with our sourcing process.
If you only need storage, we’ll gladly refer you to a reliable self-storage facility.
Comparing Our Rates to the Market
Puerto Vallarta DIY Storage
4 m² — $3,000 MXN per month
• $750 per m²
• What you get: an empty room
8 m² — $4,000 MXN per month
• $500 per m²
• What you get: an empty room
18 m² — $5,000 MXN per month
• $278 per m²
• What you get: an empty room
FGD Break-Even Storage
Small — $150 MXN per month
• $600 per m²
• Includes: full white-glove service
Medium — $300 MXN per month
• $600 per m²
• Includes: full white-glove service
Large — $550 MXN per month
• $550 per m²
• Includes: full white-glove service
XL — $1,200 MXN per month
• $480 per m²
• Includes: full white-glove service
US White-Glove Storage Comparison
Small — $50–100 USD per month
• MXN equivalent: $900–1,800
• FGD rate: $150
• Savings: 85–92 percent
Large — $200–300 USD per month
• MXN equivalent: $3,600–5,400
• FGD rate: $550
• Savings: 85–90 percent
XL — $300–500 USD per month
• MXN equivalent: $5,400–9,000
• FGD rate: $1,200
• Savings: 80–87 percent
Our break-even rates are 85–90% less than equivalent U.S. white-glove storage.
(Image alt text: climate-controlled furniture storage in Guadalajara with wrapped parota wood tables and custom upholstered chairs ready for delivery.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are you raising rates from older pricing?
A: We upgraded to a full, professional facility with higher operating costs. The new rates reflect real expenses, not added profit.
Q: Can I negotiate storage rates?
A: Since it’s charged at cost, there’s no margin to negotiate. However, we may adjust for long-term or large-volume projects.
Q: What if I need longer storage?
A: Month-to-month billing applies. We’ll hold your items safely until delivery—no penalties, no pressure.
Q: Do you offer insurance?
A: We coordinate third-party insurance for high-value furniture, typically $100 MXN per item per month.
Q: Can I visit my items?
A: Yes, with 24-hour notice. Rush same-day visits are available for $300 MXN.
The Bottom Line
Storage isn’t where we make money—it’s how we protect your investment.
Our break-even storage pricing reflects a simple philosophy:
We want to be your design partner, not your landlord.
When you work with Forrest Glover Design:
Storage is transparent and at-cost
Service is professional and bilingual
Coordination is seamless
Incentives are perfectly aligned
If you’re furnishing a home in Mexico, the right question isn’t “How much does storage cost?” It’s “What kind of experience am I paying for?”
With us, the answer is clear—peace of mind and professional handling at cost.
Ready to furnish your Mexico home with confidence?
📧 info@forrestgloverdesign.com
🌐 www.forrestgloverdesign.com
📍 Guadalajara, Jalisco
Current rates effective December 1, 2025. Subject to change with 30 days’ notice.
