You may be looking into renting a self storage for various reasons. But, there are a few things you should figure out before you rent a storage. It's true, you need a place to store your stuffs, but before you even start investigating the various options available, you should ask yourself this questions:
-Do I really need all this stuff?
-What if I get rid of this stuff?
-When was the last time I used it? (If you can't recall, the chance you will ever need it is rather slim)
- Does it have any sentimental or monetary value? Will this value increase with time?
Once you confirm that you really need this stuff and are going to rent a storage, you need to ask yourself this questions:
1) What are you storing?
Items such as wine, boats and vehicles all require special storage. Or if you're storing valuable papers, you may want to ask about climate-control facilities. Just keep in mind that climate-control storage costs more, but will prevent temperature changes from damaging your belongings. So, determine which items will be stored, take inventory, make a list and have this information ready when you start calling companies.
2)How much storage space do you need?
Now that you know how much and what kind of stuff you'll have to store, you need to determine the size of storage unit you will require. The information provided below is pretty standard for most companies, although most companies can accommodate what you need by rearranging moveable walls. (Note: the measurements below are represented as L x W x H in feet)
* 5 x 5 x 10 = Small items, boxes, books, etc...
* 5 x 10 x 10 = Small 1 bedroom home
* 10 x 10 x 10 = 1 bedroom home
* 10 x 15 x 10 = 2-3 bedroom home
* 10 x 20 x 10 = 3-4 bedroom home
* 10 x 30 x 10 = 5-7 bedroom home
3) Research and word of mouth
Do some preliminary research online or ask people around you for recommendations. Once you have decided on a few companies, you can visit the facilities in person. You may need to call ahead and ask for a tour. If it is not possible for you to visit in person, then you need to interview the person in charged over the phone.
4) Ask a lot questions
Either you are going on a tour or talk on the phone, make sure you ask a lot of questions. Some of the important questions that you need to find answers for.
- Do they have any kind of security system installed?4) Ask a lot questions
Either you are going on a tour or talk on the phone, make sure you ask a lot of questions. Some of the important questions that you need to find answers for.
- Do they have people patrolled the ground, how often?
- Are there smoke alarms, sprinkler system in each building?
- Is the the building smoking free?
- What are the limits to my access?
-Do they have any references?
-How many storage units do they have and what is the vacancy rate?
-Can you rent a space on a month-to-month basis?
-How long is the notice require to vacate the storage unit?
-Any break-ins occur and how did it occur?
If you are visiting the facility in person, there are some observations that you need to take note.
-Are the grounds and inside the facility clean, neat and well taken care of?
- Are there large bushes or overgrown vegetation along the sides of the building? This may be a deterrent if you plan on accessing your storage unit at night.
- Are both the inside and outside areas well lit?
-Is the security fence intact? Make sure you walk around the entire perimeter to make sure.
- What is required for someone to access the storage unit areas?
-Are the staff professional and courteous?
- Do you feel comfortable leaving your things in their care?
