When your closets are overflowing with camping gear; your balcony is jammed with bikes; your bedroom is a vault for files, albums, and who-knows-what … it’s time for a storage unit. Lack of space is one of the most acute problems in our hectic modern-day world. In many cases, people find their homes packed and filled up with all sorts of items they don’t want to do without, but don’t have the room to keep either.
Especially when downsizing to a smaller home, moving in with a partner, or remodeling your place, the question of what to do with all the miscellaneous things that don’t fit may become an extremely troublesome issue.
Under such circumstances, your most viable choice is to find a convenient and trustworthy storage facility where your belongings will be safe and accessible. But how do you select the right one? Here are a few essential things to consider when searching for a self-storage facility – besides an affordable price.
How to Select a Storage Facility
Storage type
Before you can go hunting for a suitable storage facility, you’ll want to specify your needs and requirements.
Storage unit size. Determining how big a storage unit you’ll need can be a bit tricky. In the event you rent a unit that’s too large, you’ll be wasting your money; if you opt for too small a space, your belongings won’t fit in. In order to avoid such predicaments, make a detailed list of all of the items you would like to put in storage, and inquire several storage company specialists for advice and quotes.
Climate control. Climate-controlled units are somewhat costly to rent, however if you simply need long-term storage for delicate items, or if you are living in an area with extreme temperature fluctuations, you should consider paying a little bit more to ensure the safety of your prized possessions.
Location
Storage facilities that happen to be conveniently located inside the city limits are usually more expensive than remote ones. However, if you need regular access to your stored belongings, choosing a storage facility that is far away from your own home may turn out to be a bad decision. Not only will you waste considerable time on the road, but you will also have to pay for the fuel and the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle. However, if you are going to require your stored items only on rare occasions, a good self-storage facility within a more cost-effective area could be a very cost-effective and beneficial choice.
Accessibility
Depending on how often and also at what times you’ll probably need access to your storage unit, standard weekday access might or might not be enough to suit your needs. Not every storage facilities are open 24/7, so it’s recommended that you research the accessibility conditions made available from different storage companies before making your final choice. Find out if the business hours of the facility you are considering fit your schedule, and if on-demand access is possible.
Security
If you are willing to pay to store your items, chances are they must be valuable to you. In this case, you will certainly want them to be safe and secure. To ensure that you prevent accidents, theft and other potential harm to the stored goods, a storage facility really should be equipped with certain security features:
Surveillance system. There should be modern security systems and video security cameras installed in the facility to monitor and record any activities around the outside of the complex, as well as inside the storage buildings, to ensure that no illegal action goes unnoticed.
Fence. The entire complex really should be surrounded with a strong fence in good repair.
Gate. In order to keep unauthorized persons away, the facility needs to have a keypad-equipped gate that can be unlocked only with the right access code.
Live guards. Live security officers provide you with the best possible protection against any ill-intentioned acts.
Fire prevention equipment. Smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems need to be installed within the facility to reduce the risk of fire.
Storage unit features. There needs to be an efficient ventilation system within the storage units, or suitable gaps at the top of the walls, to enable air circulation and prevent the buildup of mildew. The floor needs to be slightly raised to help keep water out of the unit, as well as the door should be solid and equipped with a sturdy latch where you can place your own personal lock.
Facility condition
The excellent condition of a storage facility is a clear sign that the storage company is trustworthy and your experience with them will be problem-free. So, when searching for a storage facility, make sure:
The storage buildings are in very good condition with no structural damage. Any holes or cracks in the foundations, walls, or roofs can be a sign of leaks, pest infestation, or other problems.
The premises are clean, tidy, and well-kept. Scattered trash, dirty surfaces, and messy driveways mean lower maintenance standards, increased fire hazard, and other potential risk.
There are loading docks and other helpful equipment accessible for the clients to make use of.
There are plenty of convenient parking places with direct access to the storage units.
The illumination is sufficient and provides a good amount of visibility at any time of the day and night, so that you have no problems when handling your stuff.
There aren’t too many empty storage cells. Low occupancy is often a red flag indicating that something could be wrong with the facility.
The on-site staff and manager are responsive, courteous, and well-informed with regards to the facility’s operations.
Remember that you must never decide on a self-storage facility without having first visited it in person to discover all its strong and weak points. Only then will you be able to reach an informed decision and make sure that your cherished possessions will be in good hands.
Last but not least: To ensure your peace of mind, verify that the storage company provides adequate theft and damage insurance coverage for your possessions.
Should you prefer not to do any of this, Nick & Cindy Davis can assist you in finding your new home. We are always available at 813-300-7116 or simply click here and we will be in touch with you.