Whether you’re remodeling your home, going between leases, moving across the country or caring for a loved one in a nursing facility, local storage can be a convenient solution. But how do you determine what storage size and features are best for your needs? Start by identifying the items that need to be stored.
Convenience
Whether it’s to declutter their home or make room for a hobby, people rent self-storage spaces for many reasons. The convenience of having access to their belongings when needed is one of the main draws. Many facilities offer boxes, locks and packing supplies for sale to help with the storage process, as well as truck rentals (for an additional cost) or free use of their own trucks (depending on location).
Most storage units have 24/7 availability so that tenants can come and go as they please. They also have flexible lease periods, ranging from month-to-month to several years. The facility itself will usually be located on a secure property with access controlled by either a key pad or personalized PIN. Guests may have access to their individual unit via an outside drive-up or by entering the building itself.
One of the most popular reasons people rent a storage space is for a move. It’s a great way to reduce stress and expense when preparing to move to a new house. It’s also a great solution if your move-in and move-out dates don’t quite match up, or if you’re downsizing from a larger house to a smaller apartment or condo.
Another reason homeowners may use storage is for seasonal items, such as boats, RVs or motorcycles. Keeping these vehicles out of the elements when not in use can make them easier to maintain and more enjoyable to use. Similarly, homeowners who are in the middle of a renovation project may store their tools and other equipment in a storage unit until the work is completed. This can save them the expense of renting a moving truck or paying for contractors to come in and clear out the area.
Security
Many self storage facilities feature advanced security measures to prevent unauthorized access. They may include gated access, video surveillance, and individual unit alarms. In addition, most of these facilities provide insurance options for their customers, which can protect against theft and other risks.
If you’re planning a home renovation or remodeling project, it might be necessary to move furniture and other items to temporary locations. If this is the case, a self storage rental can be a convenient and affordable solution. It can also help to free up space for contractors and keep your personal belongings safe from damage.
Another reason for utilizing a storage facility is to get rid of clutter and unwanted items that have overtaken your personal and professional spaces. If your home or office is stuffed full of old boxes, holiday decorations, kids’ toys, seasonal clothing, and other items, you can move them to a storage space until they are needed again. This will allow you to give a room, basement, or attic a new purpose.
Finally, a self storage space can be a good option for transitional situations such as downsizing for retirement, caring for an aging parent, or relocating to a different city for work. It can also be used by students living in temporary housing or on a relocating student program – click here to see some additional information as well.
Most residential and commercial storage rental agreements are month-to-month, which gives you the flexibility to upgrade or downsize your rental based on your needs. Many facilities offer online tools or a web app that can help you determine the size of storage unit you need, and they often offer optional services like climate control. If you’re unsure whether self storage is right for you, talk to the professionals at your local facility for more information.
Insurance
Many homeowners are unaware that the storage lease they sign with a facility also acts as an insurance policy that can cover property damage from fire or floods. Some storage companies will offer the coverage to their tenants for a fee or may even sell it as an add-on to your existing homeowner’s policy. Similarly, self storage facilities themselves have commercial property and general liability insurance that protects them against loss or damage to the items they store for their customers. This type of insurance is available for both big and small businesses, including contractors, retailers, manufacturing companies and professional offices.
Flexibility
Self storage offers individuals a place to store personal belongings for extended or temporary periods of time. Individuals can rent space in the garage style units you see lining highways or indoor spaces that are climate controlled. Individuals can access their storage during business hours and can pack up items at any time and make changes to the space whenever they choose.
Whether you are moving to a new house, renovating your home or dealing with an unexpected event like divorce or the death of a family member, life events often require short-term storage. Many homeowners use storage to get their homes ready to sell, while others may need a place to store things while remodeling, downsizing in a retirement community or caring for an elderly parent.
Seasonal storage is common with people storing lawn equipment, winter clothing and holiday decorations when they are not in use. Renovating a home can create clutter and if you don’t have enough space in your garage to keep all of the tools and materials needed to do the job, storage is an affordable option.
In addition, a lot of homeowners have vehicles that aren’t used every day such as a car or truck, and storage is an inexpensive way to keep them safe until they need them again. Some people even store boats, RVs and other recreational vehicles in self storage when they are not in use.
Most residential storage facilities have month-to-month leases and many offer boxes, locks, packing supplies and truck rentals for the convenience of their tenants. The cost of renting a space is also significantly less than if you were to rent an apartment, office building or shopping center and it takes much less time to ready the space for the next tenant.
Space
Whether you need space to store your car, tools and equipment for work or items you’ll be moving from your home, self storage has plenty of room. Some self storage facilities even offer boxes, locks and packaging supplies for sale to help make your transition smoother. Additionally, some stores may even rent trucks to help you move your belongings to and from the facility.
Many families use self storage for various reasons, including remodeling a house or business, downsizing for retirement or caring for an elderly family member. Some businesses also utilize self storage to accommodate their growing inventory or archived records. Self storage also can be helpful for students in college, who often find their dorm rooms aren’t large enough to fit all of their furniture and belongings.
When choosing a storage unit, it’s important to estimate how much space you need. One way to do this is by stacking your belongings in a way similar to how they would be stored in a storage unit and then using a tape measurer or your vehicle’s dimensions to compare that to available storage sizes. You can also check out this size guide to get an idea of what fits where.
