Self storage doesn’t have to be complicated. The idea of renting a unit to house unused items is designed to make life easier. By doing just a little upfront research, you can feel confident you are choosing the right self storage unit for your specific needs.
The key to self storage is choosing the right facility. By understanding exactly what the storage facility offers and what renting a unit entails, you can rest assured your items will be protected and your money will be well spent.
What to Ask a Storage Facility Before Renting
Remember, when searching for a storage facility, your best bet is to visit in person. This will go a long way in answering a lot of the questions you may have. Plus, you’ll be able to see exactly what size unit you need to rent.
Use our list below of the 10 most important questions to ask a storage facility before renting a unit.
Does the company website look reputable? Are they upfront about costs and do they provide detailed information about their offerings?
Is the facility well-lit? Do the actual storage units look clean?
Does the storage facility offer climate controlled storage to keep your items in pristine condition?
How does the facility prevent criminal activity? Do they offer 24-hour video monitoring of the storage units?
Is there a required length of time you have to rent a unit? Are you locked into a long-term commitment?
Are you able to access your items 24 hours a day? Is there a security code you need to enter/exit?
Are there any move-in specials you can use to save money on your rent?
What size units are available and what fits in each different size?
What kind of customer service does the storage facility offer?
Are there any hidden fees or deposits required to rent a unit?
Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Rent a Storage Unit
While finding the right storage facility is imperative to protecting your items, it’s equally important that you know exactly what kind of storage you need. By making sure you know what you are looking for, you’ll be able to find a storage facility that can accommodate your specific needs.
Use the list below to get yourself thinking about what kind of storage you need.
What type of items do you plan to store? Approximately how much space do you think you will need?
How long do you plan to use the storage unit?
How important is location to you?
Do you need packing supplies?
Recommended article:Do you know how to pack a unit to maximize storage space?
Where to Find Quality Self Storage Solutions
Once you have outlined all the important questions to ask a storage facility before you rent, the next step is to start looking. If you are still unsure about what type of storage unit you need, contact StorageMart. As an industry leader in the self storage space, we pride ourselves on making the process as easy as possible.
Trust our five star customer service to answer all of your important questions and to walk you through the rental process. Find a location and size that’s right for you.
Prepare to show some identification: you must provide a valid, government-issued form of ID to rent your storage unit. Here are your options:
You’ll also have to sign a storage unit agreement or contract (which you should definitely read from beginning to end!) and follow the rules it lays out.
What you pay for your storage unit will vary based on the size of the unit and how long you plan to store your stuff. Many self-storage facilities offer month-to-month contracts, but you could get a discount by signing up for a longer term.
Pricing is also affected by availability. You can expect to pay more if most nearby storage facilities are already booked. Similarly, that means you can also find bargains if there are lots of vacant units.
Learn the ins and outs with our detailed self-storage pricing guide.
Storage is for stuff
No matter how cheap the rent is, if you have a pulse, you don’t belong in a storage unit. Not only is it a violation of the lease to have humans or animals living in storage, but you could also get trapped if someone locks your unit from the outside!
While you can max out the trunk space in your Mazda, we suggest taking advantage of free truck rentals from select self-storage companies. A truck rental allows you to transport your bulky items in a single load, which cuts down the time (and headache) of moving into or out of your unit.
Storage unit companies like CubeSmart and Life Storage offer rental trucks at select locations. And if you’re storing with U-Haul, you can rent a truck for a day.
Don't ignore your TV
A storage unit has its uses, but don't store your TV just because you're not sure whether to get cable or satellite (or cut the cord) at your new home.
No, you typically can’t rent a storage unit for only one week. Most storage facility contracts require a one-month minimum. However, you can often save money by comparing quotes from several nearby locations. We’ve also found that Extra Space Storage generally has prices about $20 below the industry average.
While all of your belongings can benefit from climate control, it’s especially important for items like clothing and furniture to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Protect your most prized possessions from extreme heat, cold, and humidity with climate-controlled storage units, which usually maintain temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees all year long.
Climate-controlled units generally cost more than standard storage, but the extra cost is worthwhile to ensure temperatures and humidity never rise or fall dramatically enough to damage your goods.
Here are a few items that we recommend placing in climate-controlled storage:
Keep it cool
Protect your valuables from hot temperatures by renting a climate-controlled storage unit.
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