How To Choose A Storage Unit For Your Needs

Storage units can be pretty helpful in many different situations. If you are downsizing to a smaller home, you can put belongings in a storage unit and access them anytime you please while deciding which things to donate, keep or sell. Quite often, when you are moving to a new home, it’s not ready to move into yet, but you’ve left your old home. This is a perfect situation to rent a storage unit with Missouri movers to keep your items safe, and you only need to deal with one company to move your belongings to the storage unit and then to your new home.

What To Look For In A Storage Unit

If you are looking for the perfect storage unit for your needs, you’ll need to consider several factors when selecting.

Location/Accessibility

You should choose a storage unit close to your home or business, so you don’t need to drive a long distance when accessing your items. This makes it more convenient for you to go to the unit before or after work or from home. Accessibility and hours of operation are also important. Some storage facilities are only open for certain hours of the day, while others will allow you access 24/7.

Security measures at the facility should be taken into consideration as well. Some storage units supply you with a lock for the door, while others have guards on duty or surveillance features and an alarm system for your peace of mind.

Unit Size and Layout of The Facility

The unit size and layout of the facility are important too. It’s helpful to have parking close to your storage unit to save you a lot of footwork from loading or unloading things from your vehicle to the unit. Some storage units have accessibility from several entry points, and they may also have several different sizes of units. You need to ensure that all of your items fit in the unit, but you don’t want to overpay for a too-large unit.

Determine the size of the unit you need by taking inventory of all of your belongings that will be stored. You can package your belongings, put them in a pile together, and then measure them to find out what size unit you need, either square feet or cubic feet. You should also consider if you need a climate-controlled unit to store items, such as furniture and collectibles, so fluctuating temperatures won’t harm them. Most often than not, climate-controlled units are accessed from a central hallway inside a building, though standard units are accessed from outside.

Cost and Contracts

Compare the costs of different storage units while considering how long a contract you need to sign. Some are month-to-month, but most are for a pre-set term of a year or so. It never hurts to ask about a discount for a longer time, either. Make sure you understand all of the terms of the contract and read it over carefully. There is no standard contract for unit rentals so they can use different terminology. Compare the rates and discounts between different storage units and for different sizes of units.

If you plan to store more items in it in the future, you may want to rent a unit that is a size larger than what you need at the time. The insurance options and protections vary significantly from one storage unit to another. Make sure you know if and what damages would be covered in the case of a water leak or other weather-related factors that can ruin your belongings.

Customer Service and Reputation

Research the facility’s customer reviews and ratings to ensure they are reputable. You can check with Yelp and the Better Business Bureau for unbiased reviews. Ask about all of the facility’s policies and procedures. The details should all be in your contract, but if there is something not appearing on your contract, you will want to know of it in advance to avoid other unexpected costs. Ask about late fees on your payments and if there is a grace period for payments too.

Visit the facility in person to get a feel for the atmosphere. Calling around and choosing a storage unit by price alone is not a good idea. There must be good lighting sources so you can see well on the way to the unit in the facility as well as inside of your unit.

How To Choose A Storage Unit in St. Louis

Plan when you need to rent storage units in St Louis. Box up smaller items before storing them, and label each box, so you know what is in it. You can maximize the space in your unit by stacking boxes of the same size on top of each other and using all the vertical space possible. This alone can save you money by allowing you to rent a smaller unit.

If there are items you won’t need any time soon in your unit, place those boxes in the rear so you can have better access to the things you will likely need first in the front of the unit. This organization helps with some brainwork before you load the unit, so you won’t waste time and effort when getting something out of the unit. It also helps keep boxes of items together in one area of your home to make it easier for you when you take them out of storage.

How To Choose A Storage Unit: Final Thoughts

Still wondering how to choose a storage unit? Consider all the factors and weigh them against each other for pricing and convenience before you sign a contract. Dielman Moving & Storage Inc. is your premier storage facility in St. Louis for all of your needs and your peace of mind for your belongings. Our facility is well-lit, safe, convenient, and reasonably priced, with standard and climate-controlled units. Contact us for your storage needs!