Organization Tips – Picking a Good Storage Facility
Organization Tips – Picking a Good Storage Facility
Storage facilities are simply not created equal. Take the one up above in the photo for example. It is clearly not up to speed….
What about other storage facilities, however? Those are not quite as obvious. In fact, some of the worst storage facilities look rather professional to the outside eye. We have all seen businesses that shine on the outside but smell on the inside, right? How do you find the right storage facility when you truly need one? Here are some tips to consider:
Ask around where it matters
Many times people head out and ask questions in all the wrong places. For example, going to the business page of a storage facility is not going to get you very far. The reviews are moderated there and likely will get rid of any bad ones. Instead, question your friends and family about the storage facilities they use. These reviews will mean much more because they are validated. If you have no avenue that way, then check with the local Better Business Bureau and City for complaints.
Location Location Location
Having a storage facility that is all the way across town might seem like no big deal but it certainly can be. You want to find a place that is convenient to you and that you can keep an occasional eye on. Some people store their extras away and forget them for years on end. It is better to occasionally stop by and spot check your stuff for damages or problems. Location can make that easy or hard.
Visit the actual storage area ahead of move in
Never commit to a storage facility until you have seen the actual unit you will be using. Mold, smells and various other markers can be very telling and should be a red flag that you avoid at all costs. Spend the time to actually go in and find a unit that is odor free, mold free and water damage free. Old leaks are still a marker for problems so you should ask for a different unit or move on.
Compare rates ahead of time
Never go from place to place looking for prices. This actually applies to everything in the world of online living we live in. Get on the computer and look up the prices for every place in your area. Start with the least expensive and rule them out as you go up. Eventually you will arrive at a good balance between price and features you are looking for.
Put security at or near the top of the list of features you need
Security is everything when it comes to storage facilities. If they have little to none, you simply need to walk away. This becomes more and more important as the value of your stuff increases. Security is underrated at these places and many people never consider how important it is. Check with the local police to find out how many crimes have been reported from the location. That will tell you what you need to know.
Organization begins and ends with proper storage. When that storage requires off site additions, you have to go ahead and spend the money to get a decent place. What other organization tips can you share about storage facilities?
If you are in need of better organization skills in general, then we have some things here that will be sure yo help you out! Check out our guide to Getting Organized! If you find that you are still having organization problems, then you might want to try this book on organizing inside and out!
Hey, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing this helpful and informative article with us! I’m moving next month, so I’ve been trying to get all the help I can get! I appreciate your suggestions on choosing a storage facility. I’ll be sure to compare storage facilities’ rates. Do you have any tips on how to move things into there? I’m going to have to purchase a lot of containers—I have so much stuff!
There are a lot of things to consider before settling on a storage facility. My grandparents run a secure self-storage business and I have noticed many common mistakes customers have made. Like Jennifer says, it is so important to visit the actual unit you will be renting ahead of time. There is nothing worse than finding out your belongings won’t fit after you have already arrived!
Security is essential. Given time, most simple locks can be bypassed. It’s unlikely you’ll go to your storage unit often, and if thieves don’t have any other eyes to avoid, they’ll have all the time in the world. Make sure you get adequate security features.