Oct
04

Self Storage 101, for Beginners

Everyone needs a little extra space sometimes, and if you're looking for a space to put extra stuff, a self-storage unit may be the right choice. Maybe there's too much in your closet, or the basement's filling up, and you can't get to your workbench. No matter what kinds of space-related issues you're experiencing, a storage unit can help you get some things out of your basement or other location and into a space that's out of the way but still accessible for you.

Another reason you might need to consider storage units, is if you're moving. You may want to sell some items or keep them tucked away in a safe place until you find a new home and can move them over to that location. Seasonal items often don't really have a place to reside at your house either, especially if you decorate heavily for a lot of different holidays. But you don't want to do away with any of those things. A storage location is a great way to make sure you can keep the things you want, and still have room.

What is a Self Storage Space?

Self storage is a big industry, with storage facilities all over the country. There are probably several close to your location. These spaces are designed to hold everything from a few boxes to cars and motor homes, depending on the type of facility and the kinds of spaces they offer. Customers (like you) who want or need extra space rent a space at a facility and put their things inside. When you do that, you can store all types of things you want to keep, but may not really have room for in your home.

This third-party location for some of your things gives you the option to access them at convenient times for your needs, but also keeps them safe from other people gaining access to them. Generally, you rent a storage space on a monthly basis, and as long as you pay your rent and follow the rules, you can rent the space for as long as you want to. The space you rent is generally called a unit, and they come in all kinds of different sizes.

Some people call these spaces mini storage or even public storage, but self storage is a more commonly used term today. In fact, some people just say storage, and almost everyone knows what they mean by that. There are some standard sizes that most units come in, and that can help make it easier when someone moves their things to a new state or city and needs to put them into storage. They can get a good idea of how much storage they'll need, especially if they had a unit of a specific size in their old city.

Most storage spaces have rolling doors on each unit, that are similar to a garage door. Some have a built-in locking mechanism that's only accessible by the current customer using that unit and the storage facility owner or manager. However, a lot of units require you to bring your own lock, and some have options for both types of locks on the same unit. The staff that manages a storage facility also looks out for anything that seems odd or out of place at the property, so they can help keep your things safe.

How is Self Storage Typically Used?

There are all kinds of uses for a storage unit, and that's part of the reason that these companies have become so popular. If you search online for storage units near me, you're bound to find several of them. A lot of them will have limited space available, simply because so many people want to use them to put extra items away for safekeeping that also offers them quick and easy access when they need it. Here are some of the great ways you can use a storage unit.

You're Renovating or Remodeling

There are a lot of great benefits to remodeling or refurbishing your home. Whether you're doing the whole thing at once, or just handling it one room at a time, you need a place to put your things while the work gets done. It can be difficult to work around big pieces of furniture, for example, and sometimes it's nearly impossible. You also don't want to damage your things, and having them out of the way is one of the best ways to reduce that risk.

You're Moving

When you move, you may need somewhere to put your things. That's common if you can't just move them from one place to the next without a delay, or when your new place is smaller or has a different layout. Some things you own might not fit or work in the space, or you may want to make some changes before you bring all your things into your new home. A long-distance move also often requires a storage unit, so you can find a place in the new location and then start getting your things.

You're Planning to Downsize

Among the biggest trends in recent years is relocating into a smaller home. People are looking for desirable locations, they want to save on rent or mortgage payments, and they like the easier upkeep a smaller house often brings with it. But if you're getting involved with this trend, you might find that you've suddenly got some stuff that won't fit in your new space. You may get rid of a few of the things you're not sentimental about, but if there are things you really want to keep, they can be stored.

You're Dealing with an Emergency

Sometimes, life just throws things at us when we're not expecting it. That could be everything from a death in the family to a natural disaster. Significant damage to your home, needing to store items belonging to a deceased loved one, or other emergency situations often mean that you need a storage unit where you can keep things until life settles down, and you can reassess. That could be a few months or even longer, but having items protected by a storage facility will help you have more peace of mind.

You're on a Summer Break from College

If you're in college and don't want the hassle of moving all your things out of the dorm and back home every summer, only to put them back in the dorm in the fall, you're not alone. Fortunately, you can just move them into a storage unit that's close to campus, so you can get to them easily and quickly put them back when the dorms open back up for the fall semester. Especially if you're going to college far away from home, it's much easier to move things into and out of storage a short distance away.

Do Other Things Get Confused With Self Storage?

Most people understand what the term 'storage' means, but there are still times when it causes some confusion. A couple similar types of services may be the reason for that. If you're talking about storage with someone else, or searching for self storage near me online, make sure you're finding what you're really looking for. Here are a couple of possible points of confusion.

Storage Sheds

A storage shed is generally installed on a person's property. It's an actual shed, and typically sits in the backyard or a similar location. They can be purchased at home improvement stores and assembled at home. There are also companies that build these sheds for you, or that build them and sell them already completed. They can bring them to your house on a trailer. Cost and assembly issues can be downsides of these options, as can a lack of a place to put one, depending on your living situation.

Storage Lockers

A storage locker is very similar to a storage unit, but generally much smaller. They can be rented at many storage facilities, but they only hold a small collection of items. They aren't designed for furniture, or for you to put a lot of things in while you're moving or remodeling. They're also much less expensive, which can make them a good alternative if you don't have very much to store and don't really need a full-sized storage unit for your things. Even the smallest unit is still bigger than a locker.

How Can You Find Self Storage Near You?

Phone books worked well for finding storage units in the past, as did driving around and looking for a facility that was in your local area. Today, the best place to find a storage unit that meets your needs is online. When you use a self storage marketplace like EZ Storit, you can get information on the facilities that are closest to you. That makes locating the best storage unit for your needs easier, and can also help you compare prices, sizes, and much more, all from the comfort of your computer.

By typing in your zip code or city, you'll get a list of storage facilities in the area that you can choose from. The amenities of these units will be listed, and you can see reviews from other renters, too. Sometimes a facility may seem like a good choice, but the reviews will tell a different story. You want to be sure you're finding a storage unit you feel good about, and seeing what other people say about that unit can be part of discovering whether it will be the right choice for the items you want to store in it.

How Do You Choose the Right Storage Options?

Locating a nearby storage unit is only the first step in the process of getting your things into a safe and secure unit at a facility you can trust. You'll also want to figure out the size and type of unit you want, along with the amenities that are going to be the most important to you. It's important that you protect the items you're putting into your storage unit, and that may be difficult to do if you're not familiar with the offered amenities. Understanding what's offered at the facility you choose is very valuable.

Is Drive-Up Access Important?

Some people really want or need drive-up access to their storage unit. That may be important to you if you're loading and unloading items directly from your vehicle. But keep in mind that the added convenient comes with the potential for issues such as pests and theft. You also generally can't get a climate-controlled storage option that has access directly from the outside. These types of storage units all have interior access only. That can make moving things more difficult, but will help protect your items.

Should You Get 24-Hour Access?

Most people don't need to be able to access their stored items on a 24/7 basis. But if you need to do that, for whatever reason, there are storage facilities that offer it. When searching for storage units near me, make sure to add 24-hour access to your search, or read the amenities list of the facilities you're looking at carefully. By doing that, you'll be able to see which facilities in your local area have what you need, so you can pick the one that's going to be right for you.

Is Electricity a Consideration for You?

Some storage units have a light inside them, but they don't have electrical outlets for you to use. If you want one that has electricity it will cost you more, but it's possible to find these kinds of units. Reading the list of amenities for the storage facility you're considering is very important, when you want to find a unit that offers electricity. Consider it carefully, since you'll pay a premium for it and may not really need to have things plugged in at the unit. It all depends on how you're planning to use it and for how long.

Do You Need Climate Control?

Climate-controlled storage is generally a good idea for most people's items. While it costs a little more than other options, it can be well worth the extra expense. Musical instruments, antiques, quality furniture, paper goods, and even clothing can all become damaged by the heat and cold a storage unit experiences. The humidity will also harm these items, but a climate-controlled unit stops all of that from becoming an issue and can let you store items for a lot longer period of time without worrying about them.

What About Other Amenities?

There are other amenities that might be important to you, depending on what you really need in a storage facility. Consider looking for options such as 24-hour video monitoring, gated facilities that only allow entry with a specific keypad code, and property managers that live on-site. Those are just some of the ways facilities can better protect you and your belongings, and it's worth considering how important those things might be to you as you look for a storage unit.

How Much Does a Storage Unit Cost?

Price varies based on several factors, including the size, whether it's climate-controlled, and the amenities that the storage facility has to offer. The average price, overall, is around $90 per month ($1,000 per year). However, remember that the size of the unit really matters. There are storage units that cost much more than this, simply because of their size. You may also be able to get a small unit for considerably less, if that fits your needs.

Finding the lowest price isn't necessarily difficult but shopping around is a good idea. It's also important to remember that there's more to the value of a storage facility than how inexpensive it is. The cheapest option isn't always the best one, and you may want to consider other factors before you decide to choose a particular unit or facility. Location, security, and the reviews posted by other people who have stored their items there are all worth thinking about before you sign a contract for a storage unit.

What are Some Common FAQs About Storage Units?

Still have questions about storage units, and whether renting one is what you need to do? Here are some of the most common ones, and their answers, so you can get the storage unit that's right for you.

Do I Really Need Storage Insurance?

That depends. Your homeowner's policy will cover items in storage, but not at full replacement value. If you're putting anything expensive or hard to replace into your storage unit, it's worth a call to your insurance company to find out about your coverage limits. You can also get insurance specifically for your rental unit, and the facility may offer insurance to you, as well. If you consider getting their coverage, make sure it's cost-effective. You don't have to accept their insurance, and can get a policy elsewhere.

Can I do Business From My Storage Unit?

Sometimes. There are facilities that allow offices and even workshops in storage units, but that's not true of every facility. You'll need to check with the specific storage facilities you're thinking about renting a unit from, and ask about their policies. Also, don't just go by what they tell you over the phone or even in person. Look at the wording of the contract they're asking you to sign, and make sure it says you can conduct business there, or at least that it doesn't say you can't.

Why Do I Need a Contract?

It may seem strange to sign a contract just to put a few things in a storage facility, but that facility needs to protect itself just like any other business. If your items are lost or stolen, the facility catches fire, or some other catastrophe happens, your contract will spell out what to do and any recourse you or the facility will have. The contract also covers what happens if you don't pay, or you're late, or if you cause damage to your unit or the facility itself. You can't rent a storage unit without one.

Can I Sleep in My Unit if I'm Homeless?

It's illegal to live out of a storage unit. You can spend a lot of time there, and some facilities even allow you to have a business you operate from your unit, but you're not allowed to make it your home. It's understandable that you could want to, but your contract forbids it and the facility could ask you to leave. Then you and your stuff would have to find somewhere else to be. Don't try to keep anything living in your storage unit (including you).

Ready to store your items safely and conveniently? By reaching out to EZ Storit, you can look for the right unit for your self storage needs.

By: Lee Preston
Lee is the Director of Marketing and Promotion for EZstorit.com. When she is not working with our storage facilities partners, she is writing about topics that affect our daily lives.