Choosing the right Self-Storage Facility / Unit for your Storage Needs!
When it comes to self-storage there are several factors to consider such as location, size and access, the following list while not exhaustive offers a guide to making the right choice when choosing a storage facility / company to store your items!
Consider the following when choosing a self-storage provider / facility:
Location: When choosing a self-storage facility, location is very important. You want to be able to access your unit with as little hassle as possible. Consider the following, can I access the facility 24/7, 365 days of the year?
Who controls access to the unit / facility, can I come and go as I need or do I need to operate within business hours and working days? Is the facility in a large urban area where you may need to consider parking, high volumes of traffic and access for deliveries to the facility?
For sales representatives / merchandisers how is the facility located in terms of your customer base? How easy is it to access, store and retrieve your goods, ideally you want to choose a facility / unit which allows you ease of access 24/7, 365 days of the year, has ample parking, loading and unloading space and a large enough area for trucks / vans to deliver.
Space: The whole point of the self-storage unit is space. When deciding on a self-storage facility / unit consider the type of storage you need and the storage options available such as shelved units for storing archive files, an empty unit for household self-storage, are there climate control units available?
Consider if the facility offers boat, RV and automotive storage? And is there an option to increase / decrease storage space as you need?
Access: Accessing your unit is extremely important. If the self-storage facility / unit is only accessible during business hours, this may not fit your needs! Establish when and how the facility / unit can be accessed, how many days of the year and during what times of the day is the unit available to you?
Also consider are there any restrictions on deliveries such as particular times of the day or certain days of the week? Ideally a self-storage facility / unit offering access 24/7, 365 days per year with no access restrictions is the best option, but few companies provide this service.
Security: is critically important when utilising a self-storage facility / unit, avoid unsecured facilities. Check the security measures in place such as perimeter fencing, are there key cards, padlocks or codes to gain access to the facility / unit.
You also want to make sure the company have surveillance cameras in place, your safety and the security of your belongings are both very important.
Flexibility: consider whether short and long term lets are available, if you need to extend your time is this possible, what is the required notice periods for vacating the self-storage facility / unit.
Flexibility is important when utilising self-storage facilities particularly when moving house and waiting on the new house sale to close, this period is variable and your storage company need to be flexible.
This simple list will help you to pick the right self-storage facility / unit for your needs like a professional. Remember your storage needs may change. When considering your options try to find a facility that offers a range of storage options such as units to store household / business items and then larger storage areas / units for say vehicle storage.
