Self-storage is a cost-effective and convenient storage option that can make moving home or abroad much easier.
Before you sign up for a storage unit at a reasonable price, make sure you understand what you are signing up for.
This article will list the most critical questions that you should ask storage facilities before signing on the dotted line. Although everyone has different storage needs, these essential questions will help to determine if a company’s storage services meet your needs.
- Which type of self-storage do your facilities offer?
Indoor vs Outdoor storage
Most self-storage facilities offer indoor and outdoor storage. Some larger facilities may offer both.
Indoor self-storage allows all storage units to be housed under one roof and can be accessed through the main entrance. This protects stored items from the elements and maintains a consistent temperature throughout the year. Indoor self-storage is not as easy to access because you can’t drive up to it.
Customers can drive up to their outdoor self-storage unit from their vehicle. You don’t have to carry your storage items from indoor storage facilities to your unit. Although outdoor storage is convenient, weather can pose a problem. Outdoor elements can make your storage items more vulnerable to damage. If the storage units aren’t fully waterproofed and secured, they could also be damaged by pests and water.
Climate controlled vs. non-climate controlled
Indoor storage units will usually have some level of climate control. This can be either natural or artificially through an air conditioner unit. Although some outdoor storage facilities might offer climate-controlled units, this is not a common practice. Because they are less expensive to maintain, non-climate controlled storage units are usually cheaper.
The type of storage you need and the length of time you intend to keep it will determine whether or not you choose a climate-controlled unit.
Climate control is not necessary if you store household furniture for less than a month while you move. If you store wooden antiques and important paperwork for many years, humidity and temperature control will be necessary to keep the wood from cracking or protect them from mold.
Self-storage options:
Warehouse storage is a storage facility that consists of large, open buildings in which all storage items are kept together. Although warehouse storage is cheaper than other forms of self-storage, it can also be more dangerous as fires spread rapidly in open-plan buildings.
Storage containers are storage facilities that permit customers to rent containers (typically shipping containers), to store their belongings. Container self-storage is usually outdoors and does not offer climate control. However, they are easy to access for cars or vans.
Lock-up storage is a garage-style storage facility where customers are assigned an outside lock-up unit. Although lock-up storage is one of the most affordable self-storage options available, they don’t offer as much security as a container or warehouse self-storage facility. The garage padlock is usually the only security measure.
- What security measures are you using at your facility?
Any Storage Facility in London should make customer safety a priority.
Although storage facilities may not be the same, there are certain security measures you should have in place before you consider renting one.
- 24-hour CCTV surveillance
- Alarms for security
- Fire alarms
- Padlocks for heavy-duty use
- On-site personnel
- Staff fully trained and vetted
- Access to code securely
- What accessibility would you like to have for your storage items?
It is one thing to rent a storage space at a high-security, professional storage facility. But, it is quite another to gain access from and within your storage unit.
Outdoor storage facilities are hard to beat when it comes to accessibility. This facility allows customers 24-hour access and requires a unique code to gain entry through security gates.
Accessibility to indoor storage units is often limited. These facilities are usually only accessible during business hours. This generally covers weekends and evenings but it does not offer the same 24/7 access as outdoor facilities.
Warehouse facilities and other indoor storage options will require more effort to move items from your vehicle to the storage building’s door and then to your unit, or vice versa.
- Are you able to offer self-storage insurance?
Even with all the safety precautions are taken in a storage facility, fires and theft can sometimes cause damage to stored items.
Although it is impossible to replace sentimental items or unique items, financial compensation may offer some consolation.
You will not be covered by traditional contents insurance for your storage items. To protect your items from theft and damage, you can get special self-storage coverage.
Although some storage facilities may offer additional storage services, such as insurance for your goods, it is worth looking around to find the best deal.
Coclusion
Storage units Orillia offers flexible self-storage insurance policies, as well as secure document storage to individuals and businesses. Contact us today for a no-obligation insurance quote and to learn more about our self-storage services.