Things reproduce. Blink and that “temporary” stack of boxes in the garage has neighbors. A storage unit will sort it out-provided you pick one that’s actually suitable rather than the first vacant box available. Click our important link for more information!
Square footage confounds almost everyone initially. A 5×5 holds more than you’d imagine-think a cram-packed hallway closet minus the walls. Go for a 10×10 and it’s big enough to swallow the furniture you’d put in a tiny studio apartment.Rent too small and you are playing a losing game of furniture-tetris with your sofa. Rent too big and you will find yourself renting space you do not need.
Temperature control may seem like an added bonus-not a requirement-but ask anyone whose vinyl records melted during a August heat wave at a metal box storage facility.Heat can distort wood; cold can crack leather. Dampness turns any paper item into a moldy mess. If you value your stored possessions at all, renting a climate-controlled unit is non-negotiable.
Distance from home impacts storage costs significantly. If you live in an area with high demand, units will be more expensive closer to your home; driving half an hour each way to retrieve the one thing you stashed and promptly forgot it existed will soon feel like the most inconvenient inconvenience in the world. Be honest about how often you expect to actually access your unit and compare it to the additional cost.
Security should never be taken for granted; unfortunately, many storage facilities seem to assume the very same. Look for gated access, unit-specific alarms (not just central monitoring), good lighting (and evidence it is used), and functional surveillance cameras. A quick question about staff monitoring schedules will tell you a lot.
Flexible leases are almost always preferable to rigid ones. Circumstances change; an anticipated two-year move suddenly turns into three months of needed storage. Don’t get stuck paying rent on unused space.
Price shop around as you would a big purchase-it’s nothing like buying a cup of coffee. Those introductory rates are often short-lived and can shoot up unexpectedly after the first month or two. Read the lease carefully.
Hours of operation are another factor that most renters overlook. It is fine if your facility closes early unless, that is, you are accustomed to getting off of work late and need access at 10 pm.
Skip insurance-or the unit’s add-on coverage-at your own peril. Your renter’s or homeowners’ policy will only extend to storage units under limited circumstances. The storage company’s insurance is cheap and nearly always a smart investment.
The only thing storage provides is breathing room. What you do with that extra room is still entirely up to you.