Renting a storage facility can be helpful for a variety of situations you might find yourself in. You could be relocating for work or study, transitioning from one relationship stage or status to another, or simply in need of more space to store your stuff. Based on each individual case, self-storage options can be a worthwhile short- or long-term solution to your space needs.
Even though the concept of renting storage space seems a pretty easy and straightforward task, you might be surprised to find out just how many mistakes people are likely to make in the process of selecting a facility. Let’s look at a list of the most common ones you’d better avoid, if you don’t want to find yourself stuck with less than what you hoped for.
Picking The Wrong Size
It’s like buying a pair of shoes that don’t fit. Nothing like the inconvenience you will cause yourself by paying for a unit that is not the proper size to hold all your belongings. If the space is too small, you will have no choice but to pay extra for the additional room. If it’s too big, you not only waste more money on a monthly basis paying for something you are not using, but the odd space is also a fertile ground for breeding mold, mildew and pests you would later have to get rid of.
Inform yourself of the storage sizes available at prospective facilities you are considering. And, more importantly, make an inventory of everything you need to store in the place you will be renting. Put your belonging in boxes and measure their size. You should be able to get a final number in cubic feet to help you judge how big or small a space you are going to need. If you are still not sure how to get the correct number, take a look at this guide.
Not Enquiring About Storage Conditions
In terms of storage conditions, facilities might or might not offer climate control. The first kind provide air-conditioning, thermostats and/or humidity control, and are thus more pricey because of the equipment and power usage involved. If, however, what you are going to store there is both valuable and environment-sensitive, you should definitely keep that in mind and look for a company that can provide the service.
Another consideration related to this is the climate in the area where the facility is located. If there are severe weather conditions most of the time, then you definitely need to set aside enough budget for a climate-controlled unit. Especially if you are going to use the facility long-term.
Not Studying The Access And Security Measures
Apart from examining the papers you are about to sign, you also need to check out the terrain, safety and ease of access of your future storage facility. Examine the perimeter and judge how protected the safety and physical integrity of your belongings will be if you decide to move them there.
Look for good fencing, surveillance, computerized access control of the main entrance and personal storage locks. On-site security staff, if present, is even better. And if the staff is both helpful and informative, you can rest assured that you have found yourself a top quality storage facility.
Selecting Your Facility Only Price-Wise
Money matters, that is true. But not looking beyond the price tag when selecting any kind of service is a huge mistake. Don’t just open Google, type “storage near me”, and grab the cheapest offer you come across. What you get on the cheap might actually cost you dearly, if things go wrong. There is always a reason why you are paying a low price for something, so don’t fall into the trap.
It could be either the lack of maintenance, security measures, staff or climate control that make up for a very cheap storage offer. In order to see if you’ve really got yourself a deal, you need to investigate all of the abovementioned factors as compared to the rent that is required. The occupancy rate and presence of any customer reviews should also be able to tell you enough about customer satisfaction.
Not Insuring Your Stuff Until Something Happens
Make sure you insure your belongings before you put them in a storage facility. Why? First, because most facilities only take items which are already covered against damage or theft. And second, because if you don’t already have a policy, the facility company is likely to push you to buy insurance from them, but their policy is likely to be pricey and limited in coverage.
In order to avoid this, sign a comprehensive insurance contract with a reputable provider who will cover everything you need. Nobody wants to think about the possibility of fire, burglary, theft, earthquakes or floods. But you are better off prepared. Make sure you set aside some money to insure your stuff before you place it elsewhere.