Choosing the Best Storage Unit For Your Needs

What do you do with your stuff when you don’t have any more room left in your house or garage?

After the attic and closets are packed to the brim, where do you go next?

When you want to free up some space in your home, getting a storage unit may be the perfect way to do just that. Storage units are incredibly handy when you need a place to store things away that you don’t use frequently or only use seasonally. A good storage unit gives you a place that you can store furniture, heirlooms, sporting equipment, clothes and anything else.

Finding the Storage Unit That’s Right For You

Renting a storage unit sounds like an easy process, right? Shouldn’t you just find a storage unit center somewhere near your home and get your own storage space?

That isn’t the case at all. In fact, there are thousands of people who get roped into storage spaces every year that aren’t right for them for a number of reasons. If you are serious about finding a quality storage space to store and protect your things, do a little research first. Here are some pointers on how to choose the best storage unit for your needs.

What Type of Storage Unit Do you Need?

Do you need a bigger unit or smaller unit? One mistake people often make when it comes to finding the right storage unit is that they will get a smaller unit, when they actually need a large one. Then, when it comes time to pack up their stuff and load it into their storage space, they’ve signed a contract and find they don’t have enough room in their space for all of their things.

One rule of thumb that we go by is that most people usually have more stuff to store than they think they do. Instead of getting locked into a contract in a storage space that isn’t big enough, get a slightly larger space.

Are you going to have any sensitive items in your storage space? Anything from photographs and important documents to electronics and wooden furniture will need climate-controlled storage units. Climate-controlled storage units will keep your personal items at a controlled temperature range so that they aren’t harmed by extreme weather conditions like heat, cold, and humidity.

Don’t Let Distance Dictate Your Decision

If you are only choosing a storage unit based on the proximity to your home, you may be making the wrong decision. Just because a storage unit is located in close proximity to your house does not mean that it is a convenient, safe place that you can store your things. You’d be surprised at how many people settle with the storage unit company closest to their house, only to find out that they have terrible service, are only open at inconvenient times, or don’t have adequate security around their units. It’s worth driving a few extra miles to get to a place that treats you and your stuff with care.

Check the Hours

As previously mentioned, make sure that the storage unit company you choose is open during the hours that you need it. Check what the office hours are versus what the gate hours are – a lot of companies will make the gate hours the prominent, hiding the fact that their office hours are limited. If you need help with your storage space or your service, some companies may not be easy to communicate with in person, which can be problematic if you have issues with your space.

Check the Reviews Online

The first place that you should start when looking for the right storage space is checking reviews online. Before you lock yourself into anything, get as much research and social feedback as possible on a storage company to make sure that they have a good reputation.

Visit Places in Person

After you have done your research online and mapped out your prospective storage locations, visit them in person. You will be able to tell a lot about a storage company based on the conversation that you have in person. If you can, make sure that you speak to the owner or the manager so that you can get the best idea of how they run their business.

Choosing Your Storage Space

Have questions about storage or moving? Contact us today to learn more about storage options in the greater Seattle area.