What to Look for in a Reliable Self Storage Company

1. Security

This is absolutely the very most important consideration when renting out a storage unit. Without security, there’s little point in renting a storage unit and you may as well just cover your stuff with a tarp in your backyard. Ask a lot of questions about the security when you take the tour. If they have lights to keep things illuminated at night, security cameras, and solid gates and locks, you’ll rest easier knowing your items are safe.

2. Accessibility

Some storage units let you access your stuff 24 hours a day, others close at 6pm. This is largely a personal consideration. If you never know what your schedule is going to be, then obviously you want flexibility. If you don’t get off of work until 7pm, then you can’t use a storage center that closes at 6pm. Find a storage center that fits your schedule.

3. Pricing

Pricing is important. A self storage unit that costs $60 a month might not sound like much, but that’s $720 a year, so you really need to consider whether it’s worth it. Most self storage units don’t cost nearly that much, but you always want to bear in mind that you’re not just paying your self storage bill once, you’re paying it once a month.

4. Location

You probably don’t want to drive to the edge of the city limits every time you need to access your self storage. Location is important. Try to find a storage unit within driving distance if you’re going to be accessing it on a regular basis. If not, you can go ahead and find a great storage facility a little out of the way. Location, like accessibility, is a personal consideration. Don’t worry about what’s best, worry about what’s best for you in this regard.

On the other hand, if you’re always getting lost on the way there, then you may want to look for another location. Even if you wind up being able to find it after making the trips enough times, that might not be the case when you send a friend to pick some things up for you.

5. Reliability

Reliability is a hard factor to put your finger on, so break it down like this: Are the staff friendly and trustworthy? Do they keep their promises? When the facility says that it’s going to be open, are they open? Trust is important in any relationship between a company and its customers and you need to make sure that the storage company you sign with has your best interests in mind. Make sure that they keep their promises. If you show up during business hours and nobody’s there, then chances are nobody will be there when you need to access your unit a week from now, either.

Renting storage space isn’t rocket science, but you should always be careful whenever you’re putting money down. Just keep these above points in mind while shopping around and you should do fine.