Once you’ve decided it’s time to rent a self storage unit for your household or business items, it can be difficult to know which storage company or individual unit would best suit your needs. Self storage is the ideal solution if your home or business has started to feel cramped or cluttered. However, we understand that you need to feel sure that you are investing in the right type of storage rental.
Unit Size
The most obvious place to start is with your own personal requirements. Make a list or inventory of everything you want to store, and then consider how best you could pack the items to maximise use of the storage space. Smaller storage rooms are often cheaper than larger ones, so it makes sense to pack efficiently. Multiple boxes can be stacked from floor to ceiling as long as they are not too heavy, and bags or boxes can often be packed inside any furniture you store, such as wardrobes or cabinets. It is also worth considering whether you will be adding additional items to the unit in the future, as selecting a larger unit from the start will avoid the need to move units a few months later.
If you will need regular access to everything within the unit, you should allow for wider gaps or walkways between the boxes or furniture to be sure that you can reach everything safely.
When you make your storage enquiries, a member of staff should be able to advise on the size of unit you might require based on your inventory. Some facilities also offer a visual planner or guide to help you work out how much space you might need. Speak to an experienced member of staff who should be able to advise you on which storage unit will best suit your needs. When you visit, ask to see the unit as this may give you a better idea of the space available to you.
Length of Storage
If you require storage for less than a month, it will be worth factoring this into your search criteria. Many storage facilities offer storage for a minimum of a month, but some will offer short term rentals. Conversely, if you know that you will require storage for a minimum of six months or a year, you may find yourself able to take advantage of long-term rental discounts or promotions. Whilst this might sound ideal, it is worth checking the small print as some facilities will ask for an upfront payment from anyone wishing to apply a discount of this nature.
If you are in a rush to rent secure storage, a company that offers in-house insurance could save you the time and hassle of setting up a private insurance policy. It is worth remembering that this type of insurance could, unfortunately, be more expensive.
Budget
Budget is likely to be one of your biggest considerations. For the tightest of budgets, it can be tempting to store items in an unused garage or shipping container. Whilst this is acceptable for some items, storage rentals of this type can be more prone to damp or poor air circulation, which can cause damage to books, antique or wooden furniture and soft furnishings.
Budget storage is available within larger facilities including Stop and Store in Fareham. The cheaper units might be smaller, have restricted headroom or be further from the loading bay, but will be suitable for many customers. An awkwardly shaped unit will not cause any issues if you are looking to store multiple smaller boxes, and could save you a significant amount of money. It is worth asking to speak to a manager about any cheap storage units available.
Out of town storage unit prices are often lower than rental prices within the city, and so if you do not need regular access to your items this can be a great way to save money.
Additional Requirements
It is not uncommon to require additional features from a storage facility. If you are storing business items or valuable personal items, a good security system is likely to be high up on your checklist. At Stop and Store, we offer monitored CCTV, and intruder alarm and individually alarmed units.
If you plan to work from within your unit, you may benefit from the inclusion of a power source to charge your laptop or printer, or permission to bring a powerpack into your unit with you. If you run an online shop from your unit, the presence of a packing shop on site may be useful for purchasing last minute boxes, tape or bubble wrap to get items into the post on time.
If you are storing antique or delicate items, check how well ventilated the storage units are and make sure the facility is climate controlled.
Regular Use
If you foresee yourself making regular trips to your self storage unit, you may want to consider the location of the room within the building. A storage unit tucked away on the top floor may be ideal if you do not plan to return to your items during the rental period, but may cause frustration if you need to access your items weekly or even daily. If you are storing bulky or heavy items, a unit that is close to the loading bay or main entrance may prove beneficial when moving in and out.
Whilst some facilities have set opening times, others are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Make sure you choose
a facility that will be open when you are most likely to need to gain entry. If you require regular access, 24/7 access may offer peace of mind that you can access your unit at all times.
Recommendations and Reviews
It can feel reassuring to have a storage unit company suggested to you by family or friends, and word of mouth recommendations are valuable to all facilities. If you do
not know of anyone else who has used a unit, take your time to read customer reviews on each company’s webpage. Positive reviews can help you feel satisfied about the self storage facility you choose.
Choosing the right self storage unit can take time, and you want to be sure that you select the right room for your personal circumstances. Call Stop and Store Fareham or visit us today and let us help you find the right secure