We’ve all seen them. In fact, in some parts of the country they have been a part of the landscape for so long that we drive right on by them without even recognizing that they are there. However, in recent years there have been more and more people finding that they need some more space, and they are starting to take notice of where their local self storage facility is.
The purpose behind the self storage industry is a pretty basic one. Self storage facilities provide people with a very important commodity that can be very hard to come by at times—space.
There are a whole range of reasons why people find that they need self storage. In a study conducted by the Self Storage Association, the two most common reasons are a lack of space at home or a need for temporary space while changing homes. Some of the other common reasons for renting a self storage unit include simply storing things you don’t need (but don’t want to throw away), storing things for a friend or relative while they move homes, and college students storing their things over the summer. More and more people are starting to use self storage for business related reasons as well.
The hard part for many is in recognizing that they have too much stuff and it’s time to find more space. Once that decision is made it can be just as tough to figure out which self storage facility to go with. Just what makes a self storage facility a good self storage facility?
Renters should consider convenience and accessibility a must. There is no sense in placing your belongings somewhere that is tough for you to get too. If you are not concerned with access to the stuff you are putting in self storage than maybe it is stuff you should look to donate to charity instead. Assuming it is convenient it needs to be something you can get into 24 hours a day.
Now of course if you just need somewhere to put your stuff while you are out-of-town for a few months than security should be at the top of the list. A fenced in property should be a must with a gate, preferably electronically controlled. Proper lighting is essential as well; many facilities will come with video surveillance.
When it comes down to it, there cannot be too much security. However, keep in mind that the level of security will also be reflected in the facility’s rental rates.
Beyond accessibility, convenience, and security most self storage facilities will offer certain amenities, i.e. boxes, tape, packaging materials, moving supplies, trucks. These will likely not be enough for you to go with one facility over another, but if a facility does not have one it will be the exception.
Sources Used:
“Key Items When Renting Self Storage.” Cape May County Herald; 16 January 2012.
“Organization Experts Weigh in on Self Storage, Clutter.” SSA Globe; January 2012.