What do you normally do with items you no longer have space for? We're not talking about worn out jeans or broken toasters, but rather about items that are still in good condition, but you don't really have space for. Your home does not have endless storage space, but you do have the option of renting out a storage unit. You can choose an outdoor, garage-style unit, or a more indoor, climate-controlled unit depending on your needs. If you have never rented a storage unit before, you probably have some questions about the process, which is understandable. We think you'll find the answers here on this website.
If you've never put your belongings in storage before, you might not know how it works. Using a residential storage unit is easy. The hard part is packing up your belongings and stacking them in the unit. Otherwise, storage companies make it easy for you to rent, make monthly payments, and load a unit with household goods or whatever you need to store. Here are some decisions you'll need to make when you're ready to rent a residential storage unit.
1. Whether To Rent An Indoor Or Outdoor Unit
Depending on the storage facility you choose, you might rent a unit that's inside a big building with several other units, or you might rent an outdoor unit that's all your own. The advantage of an outdoor unit is that you can drive up to the front of it so it's easy to unload your truck without having to walk very far.
Indoor units have multiple stories, but they also have elevators and even indoor parking, so getting your things into storage is still easy—you'll just have to walk and carry things a longer distance. Indoor storage might be a little more secure than an outdoor building too.
If you have a choice between the two options, talk to the storage facility representative for advice on the right one to choose based on what you're storing and how long it will be stored.
2. Whether To Pay For Climate Control
Climate control is often best for residential storage so your furniture and electronics won't be harmed by temperature extremes and humidity. Consider the type of things you need to store and if they need the protection of climate control.
Try looking in owner's manuals for appliances and electronics to find the safe temperature range for storage. Climate control costs more, but the expense is worth it if you're storing electronics and other expensive household goods.
3. What Size Unit To Rent
Picking the right size might be hard if you can't visualize how much room your things will take up once they're packed. You might try packing first and planning out how to stack the boxes in advance to see how much room everything takes. You can also get advice from the storage facility. They can tell you what size unit is appropriate for a two-bedroom home and so on.
Bigger units cost more, but you don't want to cram everything into a small unit unless you won't need to get anything out until you move everything at once. If the unit is crowded, you'll have a hard time finding an individual item you need.
Share16 February 2023
