Things to Know About Renting a Storage Unit
Renting self-storage units can conveniently provide you with tremendous storage space to store property and merchandise. Storage units offer a quick and cheap solution for individuals lacking space in their homes or those who want to decongest their houses without throwing away any valued possessions.
Storage units have different sizes, and the service you’ll receive will also vary depending on your budget. One of the first things many people will do is try to locate a storage facility nearby.
A popular way of doing a search is going online and searching for renting a storage unit near me. Doing so will typically provide the closest storage units to your location. From there, you can do your research to see if they will be a good option.
If you’re looking to procure storage unit rentals, here is a detailed guide to renting from a storage facility.
What Are Your Storage Options?
Rental storage facilities allow you to store your stuff for short and extended periods, depending on your needs. Are you moving or do you require more space? Ezi Storage have highly secure storage spaces in a variety of sizes to meet your needs, whether they are short-term or long-term. When deciding what kind of storage unit is best for you, you’ll need to choose between the two primary storage unit types, which include the following:
1. Self-Storage
Self-storage rentals are a widely popular option that people pick when seeking extra space. Self-storage allows individuals and firms to rent cheap, convenient, and secured unit spaces.
Some individuals use this service when moving from one house to another or during home renovations. Businesses also use self-storage units for storing items and other business uses.
When it comes to self-storage, the client is fully responsible for bringing their stuff to the storage unit. If you choose to remove your belongings from the storage facility, you must also avail yourself physically.
You will also have to conduct proper documentation of your belongings. If you have self-storage needs this is one of the many things to plan for when moving.
2. Full-Service Storage
Full-service storage is when the storage company picks up the items you want to store and transports them to a storage unit. This kind of storage provides a valet-like service. You can plan pick-ups or returns using a mobile phone application.
Renting a full-service storage unit saves you the hassle of transporting your belongings to and fro the storage facility.
Most full-service facilities also document your property for free by taking photographs and noting down the type and quantity of the possessions. This process provides you with photographic evidence of what’s inside your storage unit.
So Which Storage is Better?
Most people looking for extra storage space opt for self-storage units. Such units provide a one size fits all solution that is affordable and widely available. This service also allows possession owners to retrieve their belongings at any preferred time, unlike in full-storage, whereby you’ll have to schedule and request a pick-up.
If you have ready access to a motor vehicle and you’re looking to store a few of several items, it would be best to consider renting a storage unit.
However, if you stay in an urban area where traffic and parking issues are prevalent, it would be better to choose full-service storage. Nowadays, most people living in urban areas don’t own personal vehicles and depend mostly on public transportation.
Moving your possessions using public transport can prove strenuous, and using full-service storage can provide you with convenience.
When it comes to size, storage unit rentals are available in a wide range of sizes. When renting from a storage facility that provides self-storage units, you can get at least five standard sizes, ranging from 5’X5’ to 10’x20’ in terms of size. However, larger storage unit sizes are also available.
Full-service storage facilities also provide various storage unit sizes, and you typically choose one depending on how many moving boxes you will want to store.
These storage units tend to have a wide range of sizes, so it would be best if you physically inspected the storage facility to see if it meets your standards.
What Should You Look For When Renting Self-Storage
The self-storage business is a billion-dollar industry involving over 9% of all American households. Since numerous storage unit rentals exist, it is often a daunting task to identify the best storage facility. Here are qualities to look for when renting a storage unit.
1. Affordable and Flexible Pricing
Self-storage companies typically rent out their units on a month-to-month contract that you can get on a short or long-term basis. When picking a storage facility, kindly consider choosing one with flexible payment plans and affordable pricing.
2. High-Tech Security Features
One of the basic requirements of a good storage facility is having top-notch security. It would help if you found a storage service that provides modern security options such as video monitoring.
Although most self-storage facilities provide you with a good lock, they also need to provide 24/7 surveillance and proper lighting to deter thieves.
3. Climate Control With The Storage Unit
Moisture found in regular storage units can prove devastating to any paper or wood stored in a storage facility. Nowadays, some storage facilities have technological features that allow you to monitor and adjust the internal climate.
Climate-controlled units provide consistent levels of humidity and temperature to ensure your belongings don’t suffer damages.
4. Cleanliness
An exemplary storage facility should always maintain high hygiene and cleanliness levels. Unkempt storage areas tend to attract pests such as rodents and bugs, which can be destructive to your stored belongings.
It can be horrifying to you find your stored books or clothes in tatters just because your storage facility is dirty and poorly maintained.
5. Storage Insurance
You can completely lose belongings stored in a storage facility when an accident or disaster occurs, regardless of whether it has high security and climate control. In this world of unforetold risks, it is always best to ensure your belongings before storing them.
Always ask your self-storage service provider if they offer insurance and what kind of risks do they cover. Some storage service providers provide complimentary insurance coverage for your belongings, protecting against losses or damages.
Additionally, it would be best to consult an insurance agent before purchasing any storage insurance policy. Your insurance agent will review your current insurance policies to see if you can extend them to cover your stored belongings.
For instance, trusted choice insurance can offer you a $1000 property value limit on off-premises home insurance coverage.
Final Thoughts
Understanding more about storage unit rentals can significantly ease the process of acquiring one. Whether you decide to pick a full-service or self-storage service, it will largely depend on your budget and preference.
Hopefully, you have found this guide renting a storage unit to be helpful. Above all else, make sure you do plenty of due diligence before making your final choice.
