Change - Store Manager Extra Space Storage Employee Review

5.0
Nov 12, 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

ESS spends 2 weeks training you in person at a central location, and then continues to train and teach through e-learnings once you are at your home site. DM is very involved and will answer any questions you may have. Overall super easy job. A little overwhelming at first, but with all the support you figure it out within a month or so. Got to stay on top of a lot. Calling customers, cleaning, and online paperwork stuff. Lost of cleaning. I would like to continue to stay here as long as the opportunity to grow is there. Lots of freedom throughout the day to do what needs to be done.

Cons

End up working alone a lot. The algorithm that decides hours based on units is broken. A busy small site doesn't get as much hours as a slow large site. In a perfect scenario there should be 2 people at every property and the only considerations should be if a 3rd is needed. Shouldn't have to go days at a time without help and have to plan when things can get done based on coverage. Taking time off is a problem because of this. Dont feel safe alone when working at night, especially with day light savings time crap. Here for an hour in the dark until close. Can't really rent to customers or clean after 5pm. I think we need to change hours to 8am-5pm during the winter months.

Explore other reviews about Extra Space Storage

5.0
Jun 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

"Working at Extra Space Storage has been a highly positive experience overall. The company culture genuinely prioritizes work-life balance, providing predictable schedules and stable hours that are hard to find in retail environments. The benefits package is excellent, featuring a great 401(k) match, reliable health insurance, and helpful performance bonuses. Managers generally offer a lot of autonomy.

Cons

The only downside is that career advancement and regular merit raises can feel a bit limited, often depending heavily on your specific district manager and region. If you value independence, steady hours, and strong corporate support, it is a fantastic place to build a career."

3.0
May 14, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Solid schedule - 40 hours per week, not expected to be there more than that. No one looking over your shoulder constantly (unless you have a new DM, they can't seem to help it) Mostly great people to work with Local, immediate management does care and are helpful.

Cons

Very large rate increases really upset customers and that's just too bad. We are given word to tell them but it just isn't true. Putting more money in stock holder's pockets is the bottom line and it doesn't matter how much anger we have to deal with. You are absolutely expected to sell insurance to every renter. However, you must be careful because you aren't "insurance salesmen". You get a ding when you don't sell it. We are encouraged to use evasive language and rush through it so the renter thinks it's required without quite saying so. You would think this large of a corporation would have handymen available but it is so, so difficult to get the smallest repair done due to getting bids from vendors, turning them in, reminding the person you turned them in to what needs done maybe getting approval, then scheduling. By that time lights (or whatever) have been out for a month or 2. Benefits are very expensive and cover so little.

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