NEW STARTUP DUBBED “TINDER FOR SHEDS”
Heybarn co-founders Tom Brownlie and Jaimie Hunnam says Heybarn was built because “we wanted to generate some extra income from spare shed space on our own properties.”
After struggling to find an online platform to advertise their shed space, they found there was nowhere they felt comfortable advertising our available this space. Turned out they were not alone.
The New Zealand lifestyle and rural property sector is experiencing unprecedented, year on year growth, with most new property buyers inheriting existing infrastructure, especially sheds. These Kiwi entrepreneurs spoke to the market a lot over the last year and found about a third of property owners are interested in earning extra income or being innovative with their available sheds.
If this third of the market was to rent out their available shed space, it would make up over 4.2 million square metres of shed. If rented out for only half the rate of local commercial self-storage, it represents a 311-million-dollar untapped market for New Zealand alone.
Currently, occupancy rates for commercial self-storage across New Zealand are over 90% and their representative body expects this demand for storage to rise.
When Tom and Jaimie asked renters which alternative options they would consider, over half suggested that they would rather rent from other kiwis than commercial storage operators.
“We're starting out focussing on vehicle storage (cars, boats and caravans), storage for tradies and small businesses as our target market for renters. We've done this as they have consistently supported the idea throughout our market research. That said, renters have already suggested some unique and clever alternative ideas!”
Currently keeping their focus on Manawatu, Otago and Southlands, they’re coming to the rest of New Zealand very soon, and have already made a start on Heybarn Australia.
Meanwhile, take a photo of your shed, or item you want to store, sign up to Heybarn, list your space or advertise your need, sit back and wait for a connection.
Story created in partnership with the Heybarn Team.