If you’re anything like me, more space means an excuse to acquire more stuff to fill it. Eventually all that stuff will need a home that isn’t the extra bedroom that has become a storage room or that closet in the garage everyone knows not to open for fear of being buried by its overflowing contents.
Whether you are renovating your home, have a bit of a “layover” before you can move into your next home, are changing relationship status, need a place to store a piece of equipment or some files, or are like me and simply run out of space because you have a shopping addiction, self-storage can be a huge help.
Finding the right storage unit for your needs comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few of the things you’ll want to consider when choosing which storage company to use.
1. Location, location, location!
Choosing a storage unit that is close to you will not only give you convenient access to anything you might need out of your storage unit, but will also give you peace of mind.
2. Plan it out
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go ahead and measure the larger items you plan on storing to get a more accurate idea of what size unit you will need. If you over or under shoot, it could create a costly problem. Keep in mind you will be paying for every inch!
3. Do the math
Crunch some numbers to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. Some places specialize in storage for businesses and commercial entities. Depending on the size of your home and how much you need stored, you might be better off renting a commercial sized space rather than several personal storage unit spaces. Vice versa, in some cases you might be better off renting a few smaller size units rather than paying up for a single larger sized unit.
4. Scope it out
Make time to go and scope out each storage facility in person to evaluate the security systems in place. Take things like lighting, security cameras, gated keypad access, and security personnel into consideration. This will give you the peace of mind that your possessions will be guarded and looked after with the same care that you yourself would look after them.
5. Amenities
Lastly, don’t forget to look into the amenities offered at each place. Some places will provide certain amenities like climate control, dollies, golf carts, moving and packing supplies, or complimentary moving trucks. You could save yourself a few bucks!