If you are looking into storage options and you have come across the phrase “self-storage,” but you are not entirely sure what this entails, then you have come to the right place. You may assume that self-storage involves having to store and look after your items yourself, but in fact, self-storage units are nearly always protected by 24/7 CCTV as well as intruder alarms.
Also referred to as simply storage or public storage, self-storage offers convenience, affordability, and security, making it a great option for anyone looking to store their belongings in either the short or long term.
Interested to know more about self-storage?
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about self-storage, including:
- What is self-storage?
- What are the benefits of self-storage?
- What to use a self-storage unit for?
- How to choose a self-storage provider?
What is self-storage?
As briefly touched upon above, self-storage is the process of renting out a space to store your belongings. You might like to think of it like having a spare room outside of your home where you can keep items that you want to keep but don’t currently have the space for.
Providing 24-hour access, you can come and check on your belongings in a self-storage unit as often as you like and remove items as you please.
What are the benefits of using a self-storage unit?
There are many benefits to choosing a self-storage unit to store your belongings, including:
- To declutter your home. If you want to have a clear out of your home but there are certain items that you are not sure if you want to keep or throw away, then self-storage is the perfect solution.
- To prevent theft. Home burglaries are all too common an occurrence and can be a particular concern if you store valuable items in your home. Self-storage units offer a very high level of security, with most including 24/7 CCTV.
- To store stock. If you run a business, you may be struggling to find the space to store your stock. This can be particularly problematic if you trade from your home. Self-storage units offer the ideal space to store stock. Plus, you could even run your business from within a storage unit.
- To transition between homes. If you are moving to a new house, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of moving all your furniture and belongings at once. So why not instead place non-essential items in a self-storage unit until you are ready to bring them into your new home? This is a good idea if you plan to renovate your new property as your furniture will be safe and away from any potential damage.
How do I choose a self-storage unit?
Once you have established that you want to rent a self-storage unit, you now need to begin the process of choosing the right unit for your storage needs.
Fortunately, this is a fairly straightforward process. Simply follow the below steps to find the perfect self-storage unit for you.
1. Choose a storage facility provider
There are literally thousands of storage facility providers for you to choose from, with options to suit all requirements and budgets. When choosing a self-storage provider, make sure that you read online reviews to see what real customers have to say about their services.
It can be a good idea to speak to your preferred provider before committing to a unit to ask any questions about their storage facilities.
2. Determine your storage size
It can be difficult to know how much storage space you need for your belongings, especially if you have not rented a self-storage unit before.
That being said, if you want to keep your storage costs down, you need to make sure that you are picking the approriate size space for your storage needs.
You can find storage units ranging in size from 25 square feet (roughly the size of a closet) to 300 square feet (about the size of a 2 car garage). If you are uncertain of the space you need, you can always call your chosen provider to ask for their advice.
3. Reserve your unit
Once you are happy that you have decided upon the right size for your self-storage unit, you now need to reserve your space. You can get a quote online in a matter of minutes for most self-storage units and can choose to reserve your space online or over the phone.
It is worth noting that you need to know your move-in date before you can reserve a unit, although you can change this at a later date if needed.
4. Pack up your items
Unfortunately, this part is all on you, although you can find some self-storage units that will supply you with packing boxes to facilitate this process. Make sure that you label your boxes as this will make the process of unpacking in the future much easier.
5. Check-in & move in
On moving day, you first need to check in with security at your chosen self-storage unit provider. This process should really only take a few minutes, and then you are ready to move your belongings into their new temporary home.
You should be offered help to move your items into your unit if needed, and then you can make your self-storage unit your own.
Once complete, simply lock up, drive off and enjoy peace of mind that your possessions are safe and secure for as long as you need them to be.
How do I find a self-storage provider near me?
When choosing a self-storage unit provider, you need to find one that offers the storage solution that you need and also one that you can trust to look after your possessions.
StorageArea.com offers the largest database of storage facilities in the United States, with over 15,000 facilities to choose from. Helping to save you time and money, all you need to do is enter your zip code or city and your planned check-in date, and you will be presented with a comprehensive list of self-storage units in your area.