10 Tips and Tricks to Make the Most Out of SelfStorage
SelfStorage: Do you have a lot of items that are overflowing at your current residence? Are the basement, the attic, and the garage filled with items that you don’t use very often? Many people have items that they do not want to part with, even though they might not use them all the time. Instead of continually trying to find places where you can store these on your property, it’s a better option to look at proper self-storage units. When you choose a quality storage facility, you will be able to keep the items that you want, but you won’t have to worry about running out of space at your house.
Of course, if you are going to be getting a storage unit, you will quickly find that there seem to be an overwhelming number of choices. How do you know which one to choose, and how do you know how to make the most out of the storage that you get? The following tips and tricks will help.
SelfStorageChoose the Right Location
The very first thing that you will need to do when choosing your Self storage facility is considered just where it is located. You do not want to find a facility that is located too far away, as it will be a pain for you to get all of your belongings there in the first place, and it will be time-consuming to go and get items that you might need… or even just to visit some of your collectibles.
Therefore, you will want to find a facility that is within a short drive of where you live. You should also make sure that the facility you choose will be easy to get into and out of with your vehicle. If it isn’t, it could be somewhat more problematic to store larger items.
Choose a Quality Facility
Another fantastic tip is to make sure that you take some time to look into the quality and the reputation of the facility. You never want to do business with a storage facility that has developed a bad reputation and that does not keep their storage units safe from vandalism, theft, and other types of damage. Look at all of the features and benefits that the facility is able to offer to make sure that they are worth the time and money that you are paying them.
When you take some additional time to look at the various offerings from the storage facility, it can help you to rest a little bit easier. You can be sure that you are making the right choice when it comes to keeping your important items as safe as possible.
Consider Current and Future Space Requirements
Once you start to narrow down your selection and you find a facility that has great features and a great reputation, you will need to think about the space that you need for your stuff. The items that you have, dictate the space that you are going to need when it comes to your storage space. However, this is where many people make some mistakes that they come to regret later.
You will want to think about not only the items that you are going to be storing right now but also about all of the items that you might need to store in the future. This doesn’t mean that you need to have a massive storage space, but it does mean that you want to have some extra room to “grow”. Having that extra room will also ensure that you have plenty of space to walk around and get to what you need when you visit.
Consider What You Are Storing
When choosing a facility, it is also very important to make sure that you consider what it is that you are storing. If you are going to be putting in certain types of items or collectibles that need to be kept at certain temperatures, for example, you will need to be sure that you have a storage facility that can accommodate. Of course, the vast majority of people will not have this problem.
Still, it is always very important that you take the time to think about the items that you are storing and that they will be suited well for the storage space. You do not want them to suffer from any type of damage, after all.
When placing the items into the storage facility, you will want to be sure that you are storing them properly. This means that the heavier items should be stored toward the back or toward the bottom of a pile of boxes.
Boxes Need Labels
When you start to pack everything into the storage space, you probably have a very good idea of everything that is in each of the boxes that you just packed. However, over time, you can be sure that the knowledge is going to start to fade. You might be headed back into your storage space trying to figure out which of the boxes had your old comics, which one had the muscle car magazines, and which one had the records.
Instead of doing what far too many people do – opening up half a dozen boxes to find what you need – simply label them when you are packing them. Having some clear labeling right on the outside of the boxes is a fast and simple way to ensure that you always know what is in the boxes.
Make Sure You Can Get to What You Need
When choosing your space and packing all of your items into the storage unit, make sure that you are packing everything in wisely. Essentially, this just means that you will want to make it as easy as possible to reach all of the items that you might need. Do not pack everything wall-to-wall, as it will make it impossible to access most of the boxes. Instead, you will want to make sure that there are walkways that will allow you to get to all of the items that you store with as little trouble as possible.
By choosing a larger space and by labeling the boxes, as noted above, it will make this entire process much easier.
SelfStorage CabinsConsider Getting Insurance… Just in Case
You put belongings into storage because you love them and you want to make sure that they are safe. In addition to choosing a high-quality facility that can ensure they are kept safe, you will also want to consider getting insurance for the items in your storage facility. There are some homeowner’s insurance policies and renter’s insurance policies that can provide insurance coverage for stored items. Check out your options.
Keep It Neat
At some point, you are going to be coming into your storage unit to get something that you need or that you might want to see and check on. When you do this, you will likely be moving around a number of the boxes that are stacked in the unit. It is very important that you remember to put all of those boxes back where you found them. You went to the trouble of getting them into the space and in the perfect spots when you initially stored them. Make sure that you keep up with the organization, or else the place will end up a huge mess.
Do Not Share Keys or Access Codes
If you want to make sure that everything is safe in your unit, it is important that you keep your access codes and keys secure. Even though you might trust your friends and members of your family implicitly, you still want to reduce the number of people who have access to your facility. You might only want to provide one other person with this type of access, and then only to be used in emergencies.
Don’t Let Price Be the Only Factor Considered
One of the big mistakes that many people make when they are choosing their storage unit is letting price be the main or only deciding factor. Sure, you want to be able to save money on your storage space. However, you also do not want to make the price be the most important thing that you are considering. Remember, you need a secure location that has the features and the security that is right for the types of items you want to store. This should always come ahead of the price.
Find Your Own Self-Storage Unit Today
Self-storage units can be the ideal way to store all of your belongings that you might not have room for at your property, but that you simply can’t bear to get rid of quite yet. There are many options available with these types of units but be sure that you take the advice above when choosing a self-storage company. By taking some extra time and making sure that you are storing your precious items at a quality facility, you will be able to enjoy some peace of mind.