Your closets are full, the spare room has no place for guests, and your garage can no longer house your vehicles. You don’t have to get rid of your favorite things to make space. Hold on to your assets and rent a storage unit instead!
Each storage facility has its own set of features, but which will have a unit that will work best for you? Are you looking for price, convenience, or amenities? Here are a few things to consider when selecting a self-storage unit to hold your items for short- or long-term storage.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo! What Do I Do?
What you’re planning to store might steer your decision as to the type and size of unit. If you have heirlooms or antique furniture, a temperature-controlled storage unit may work best. Need to get seasonal decorations or sports equipment out of the way? A small unit could be all you need. Below are some of the different options available in a storage unit:
- Temperature controlled
- Non-temperature controlled
- Various sizes – tiny to gigantic
- Indoor storage
- Drive-up, ground level
A Good Value
If you’re going to pay for a rental storage unit, you want to believe you’re getting the most for your hard-earned dollars. Rents vary. Look into facilities that don’t have hidden rental fees and have amenities suited to your needs. Questions to ask:
- How long will my rental rate remain at the current rate?
- How often do you increase rental rates?
- Do I need to purchase your insurance? If yes, why?
Location
You might prefer to rent storage closer to the house, office, or a specific neighborhood. The convenience of a location that is easy to get to from home may be top of your list if you plan to store something you’ll need to get to frequently.
Self-Storage Amenities
You’ve thought about what type of unit you’d like to rent, the possible areas, and the cost of renting a storage unit. What about the types of amenities that are offered at most facilities? Some features in the lists below may be more important to you than others. Be sure to look for these when researching storage units for rent.
Storage Facility Security Features
- Perimeter fencing
- Electronic gated entrance with keypad
- Video surveillance
- Well-lit
Convenience
- Daily storage unit access
- Free parking
- Moving and packing supplies sold onsite
- Month-to-month leases
Trustworthy
When you store your belongings somewhere other than in your home, you want to know that you can trust the storage facility you choose. But what makes a trustworthy storage facility?
- Check their reviews – Look online at Yelp or Google for ratings and feedback from customers.
- Look for pictures – Do the photos on their website, social media, or from customers match what you can see in person?
- Speak to the staff – Whether you talk to them on the phone or in person, pay attention to the way they speak to you. Do they seem sincere and confident?