Useful Tips To Consider When Renting a Storage Unit
Statistics indicate that a growing number of households require storage space in order to hold excess because they do not have the space to hold these items in their homes. It is estimated that in the United States alone, there is in excess of 2.3 billion square feet of rentable self-storage space to meet this demand. But getting storage space entails much more than renting a space. Experts in storage needs suggest that there are a number of key tips consumers should first be aware of before investing in a space.
We suggest that before you pack away your items and relocate them to the nearest self-storage area, you may want to read about some important ways to save your money and protect your most prized possessions.
Pick The Right Size
One of the things that can be difficult when looking into a storage unit is determining what size is appropriate for the number of items you need to store. Thankfully, many storage companies have a calculator located on their website that can help you assess your exact size needs. As you might imagine, if you need a bigger space, you can expect to pay more. And if you need a smaller space, it’s likely the case that you will find a price-friendly space. One of the things to remember when attempting to maximize the space that you have invested in is to consider whether it might be worth your while to invest in shelving.
What About The Temperature?
Temperature is one of the key elements to consider – not only because of the price but because of the kind of items you are storing and what their needs are. Items are not only kept safe because of doors and locks but in storage units the temperature that items are stored also ensures whether or not they are safe from extreme temperatures. Experts suggest that if you will be storing photos, artwork, antiques, or the other precious items that are sensitive to a change in temperature, it may make sense to spend the extra money on a temperature controlled space in order to ensure that they are safe from damage. Many of these sorts of items are sensitive to temperatures below 0 degrees or above 30 degrees, and other weather components such as high humidity.
If you live in a place where the outside temperature is known to get quite hot or quite cold, you may want to strongly consider going with a climate controlled space which utilizes air conditioning and heating units that keep a more consistent climate in the building than that climate that exists outside of your unit. Once you find that perfect place to keep your items, it is usually the case that they remain there for a while, so make sure it meets your climate needs.
Indoor Versus Outdoor
When considering what unit to rent, another question to ask yourself is whether you prefer an indoor or outdoor unit. If you have an indoor unit, this means that you would enter it through the interior hallway of a building in order to get to your space. This option would give you the safety of mind to know that your possessions are both protected from the outside, as well as that it would be much harder for a thief to get to them. Outdoor self-storage units, on the other hand, are like a garage. These spaces require that you would pull right up to the door in order to load or unload your items. As a consumer, you may also want to consider whether you are interested in having a unit that is above the first floor (if this is an option). These spaces may be more desirable in terms of the amount of space, but you may have to consider other things like possible mobility issues. And so, while these spaces may less expensive than the ground floor, it could also be a nightmare especially if you have to move large items in and out.
Ask About Security
An important question to ask the facility is whether and how they ensure that your items are safe from harm and theft. Consider asking them if there are services such as video surveillance, individual alarms on each of the doors of each unit, and whether there are secure coded access points and electronic gates. Getting answers to these questions might not only help bring you ease and assurance, but it will also help make your decision easier of what storage service you are interested in going with.
Ensure You Know What Is Insured
One final point to look into is insurance. While it is true that some of your items in storage may be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance, this is not always a sure bet. What is a sure bet is giving your insurance provider a call and asking about which stored items are covered and what the coverage amount for them is? Also be sure to inquire as to what losses (of those storage items) your provider will cover. For example, do they cover fire and theft? Or should you request additional coverage for other scenarios such as flash flooding or earthquakes? These are important facts to know and consider if this isn’t something that you have already looked into. It is important to note that while self-storage facilities carry their own insurance, these coverage amounts typically do not cover damage to your personal items. Their coverage is pretty well exclusively to cover the cost of any damage to the building itself.
We’re always happy to talk about storage here at Acceptable Storage in Ottawa. So give us a call today, or fill out this form and we’ll get in touch with you. We’ve been serving Ottawa’s storage needs since 1963. Whether you’re looking for a basic storage unit or one that’s bigger and/or climate-controlled, we can help your Ottawa storage needs.