Choosing To Move

Questions To Ask When Choosing A Storage Facility

by Elmer Riley

If you have multiple storage facilities in your area, choosing which one to rent from may take some time and consideration. One way to make your decision is to call around, ask each storage facility a few questions, and see which one answers your questions in a way that best fits your needs. What questions should you ask? Here are a few to start with.

Does the facility offer climate-controlled units?

If you're just storing outdoor items, like bikes and lawnmowers, you can make do without climate control. But if you're storing furniture, clothing, decor, or anything else you would not leave in an unheated garage, you want climate control. Note that climate-controlled storage units are not only kept at a consistent temperature, but also a consistent humidity. This helps prevent things from molding or drying out.

What hours are they open?

Some storage facilities are open 24 hours a day. Others are only open during certain hours. Just make sure the open hours are the ones that you are available. If the storage facility closes at 9 pm but you work until 10 pm, that's not the right storage facility for you.

How long do you have to rent for?

Most storage facilities offer month-to-month renting, but occasionally you'll come across one that requires a 3 or 6-month lease contract, so it does not hurt to ask. Make sure the rental period suits your needs so you won't be paying for months you don't use.

What security measures do they have in place?

The best security facilities usually have cameras on every unit. They may also have a gated entryway. If you're not storing anything too valuable, you may not need this level of security, but it is still nice to have.

Is the rate fixed?

Some storage facilities lock you into the rate you pay when you first rent to them. Others reserve the right to raise the rent at any point. If you only plan on only using the storage unit for a month or two, this does not matter so much. But if you plan on storing your things for a year or more, it pays to look for a facility that has fixed-rate pricing.

If you ask the questions above, you will find out a lot about various storage facilities, which should make it easier for you to choose the ideal one.

Contact a storage unit center to learn more.

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