Statistics show that about 9.5% of American households rent a storage unit. Whether it’s because of a move, downsizing, traveling abroad, or another life event, storage units can be useful in the short or long term. But, what features in self storage facilities you should look for? Don’t worry, Park Moving & Storage is here to help you. If you’re looking for storage options, here’s a quick rundown on how to find a storage unit that will suit your specific needs.
1. Location of the facility
The first feature that would be very handy to explore is to check the location of the facility. While this doesn’t have to be a priority, you still need to think about how close the facility is to your home. This is especially important if you think you will be returning frequently for items in the unit. You should also check how much you are willing to travel in order to get cheaper or better storage.
Having storage near you will make trips to add, remove, or check on your things easier. If you store seasonal items, a vehicle, tools, or business documents, you may need to travel to your storage frequently. And, in that case, you will be glad you chose something close to home.
2. On-site management
When you decide to trust your business or home items to a facility, you want to make sure the staff is competent. To do this, look for a company that has someone on-site who can help you when you need it. A professional storage manager will listen to your concerns and ask about your needs to guide you through the rental process and make sure you choose the right storage size. It is an added bonus when the vault has a manager or caretaker who lives on site. This shows that the company is dedicated to customer service and safety.
3. Cleanliness and service
Be sure to look around before renting the property. If you see a poorly maintained parking lot, a messy office, or an uncleaned public toilet, you can bet that little attention is paid to the integrity of the entire facility, including your storage unit. Your storage partner must have high standards of service and cleanliness. You will feel more confident that they care about their business and their customers if they continually make efforts to keep the property in top shape. Take the time to inspect the facility and look into the storage before signing a lease.
4. Lighting and safety
Security is a common problem when it comes to storing anything, whether in your garage or storage Alabama. Additional precautions such as well-lit property, interior lighting, CCTV cameras, gates with access codes, and the onsite staff are important features in self storage facilities. Schedule a visit after sunset just to see how well the room is lit at night.
5. Type of a storage unit
Choosing the right type and size of the storage unit really depends on what and how much you plan to store. If you store tools, art, antiques, and other collectibles, the climate control inside the unit will be your best bet. For temporary home storage, an outdoor self-storage unit may be the right choice. Some tenants might start with a large unit and eventually reduce it to a smaller one. Renting from a storage company that has units of several sizes allows you to customize your self-storage experience so that you get exactly what you need.
What other features in self storage facilities you should pay attention to
Pricing and payment plans
One of the first things you need to check when renting a storage unit is the price and payment plan. You should also check if they offer a free trial or a free quote. You should also check if they charge you weekly or monthly and if they have a cancellation policy that suits your preferences. Make sure your budget is structured so that your monthly or weekly fees don’t surprise you.
Storage access and opening hours
If you store items that you think you will need to access quite often, be sure to check the storage access hours of your provider. Ideally, you should have 24-hour access to your items or your unit. At the very least, you should have access to your storage at the most convenient time for you. If you work full-time from 9 to 5, then you want to hire a self-storage provider that works even on weekends.
Insurance
To make sure your items are protected, even if they are stored in the unit, check to see if your preferred service provider has an insurance policy. If you rent storage units from a reputable service provider, then they will most likely have various insurance options. In the event of damage or even theft, you want your items to be covered. You can get third-party insurance coverage or ask your provider if they have insurance policies on their own.
Reliable customer service
Another thing you should check is whether their customer service is reliable. You would not want to deal with a load of trouble when you are trying to find out about your units and the items in them. Although you can try and check it out for yourself, you can also check online reviews of a particular facility to help you make an informed decision.
Trustworthiness
While this particular quality is quite difficult to discern, you still want to see if you think the storage provider is trustworthy. Sometimes you will need to rely on your pure instinct. However, you want to be able to leave your belongings somewhere you will not have to worry about.
Still not sure which device is right for you? By examining the important features in self storage facilities listed above, you can determine if the storage provider is reliable. With a little research, you can find exactly what you need.
