What to consider when renting a long-term storage

You have decided on renting a long-term storage unit. It is a wise choice. Storage units are a great way to expand and gain more space in general. But people usually rent storage units when moving and they overlook the possibilities one storage unit can have. On the other hand, people rent long-term storage solutions but still lack the experience to choose the right one. Yes, your international movers or the storage unit provider will provide a piece of advice. But there is a lot more to it. Let us explain what to consider when renting your long-term storage. Let’s go!

Consider the reputation of your storage unit provider

The first thing to consider when renting a long-term storage unit is the company you are renting from. Surely you will do your research beforehand and find one of the moving and storage companies that can provide excellent storage solutions. Or you will seek companies that focus mainly on storage facilities. Nevertheless, whatever you choose, those companies must be licensed and reputable. So, your job is to browse the internet and find all the storage providers in the area. If you are moving, you should check the neighborhood you are moving to as well.

Compare prices, offers, and of course, read reviews. It would be smart to join one of the related social media groups to obtain previous customer experience. Once you are done with the research and you have a few companies in mind, give them a call. Schedule a meeting or simply stop by. Take it from there and be sure to check a few companies at least. Never rent the first unit you find. You must browse through your options before you make a long-term decision.

Mind the location when renting a long-term storage unit

The location of your storage unit matters a lot. If you want to use your unit as an extension to your garage or a workspace, it should be located near your home. This way you can easily and quickly access it at any time and do it frequently. But if you want to simply store stuff away and visit your unit once in a couple of months, then it does not matter. Actually, it would be even better for your unit to be located on the outskirts of the city because those units are usually cheaper.

Yes, moving stuff back and forth will be a bit harder but in the beginning, you will do it only once. Just hire a mover as an extra pair of professional hands. They will relocate all your items to the storage unit safely and affordably. And when you decide to leave your unit, repeat the process. Unless you have a big enough vehicle to do this part yourself. Then, the outcome is even more budget-friendly.

All the perks that can come with the unit

Your storage unit provider will explain what they offer but you should know in advance what is out there. There are some perks that can make the whole process ten times easier and more convenient. Consider the following:

• Climate-controlled storage unit.
• Indoor and outdoor solutions.
• 24/7 access.
• Complete surveillance system and a guard on site.
• High-security door features.

Now, you can make a combination that will suit you the most. If you have valuable items, obviously you would prefer an indoor unit with 24/7 surveillance, guard on-site, and all-around access. There are even storage units near colleges and schools designed for students so they can store their cycles, gym gear, or even create an indoor gym near the campus. But for something like that, you should consult your local dorm room movers. All in all, possibilities are out there but you must ask and obtain enough knowledge about them. Renting a long-term storage unit is not something you can do in a day so take your time and think about it.

Price matters as well when renting a long-term storage unit

Now when you know more about storage units you should know that those perks come at a price. High-security sites are more expensive as well as indoor units. But not so much to be honest. Differences are minor. Although, the location of the unit varies quite a bit. As we mentioned before, units inside the city are more expensive than those located on the outskirts. Therefore, be mindful of it and do not hurt your budget too much. This is a long-term investment and you can take your time and search for discounts, special offers, and negotiate a bit.

What is the size of your unit?

Depending on your needs, you will rent the appropriate storage unit size. But to spare you the trouble, you should know right from the start that there are three categories. Small, medium, and large. Small units are designed to keep boxes and small pieces of furniture only. Medium ones are there to store your entire apartment. Larger units are designed to store a complete family home along with the vehicle. Or you can store whatever you desire.

The point is that you should rent a unit that is bigger than you need. Yes, you must leave some space to move around and to have unobstructed airflow. But you should avoid renting a large unit to store a couple of boxes only. Those are far more expensive than the smaller ones. Hence, evaluate your items, figure out how much space you need, measure it, and then make the final decision. Hopefully, you’ll find a matching unit soon enough.

Cleaning and maintaining can be an issue

Yes, you must clean your unit regularly. Each time you visit, give it a nice scrub. You do not have to do a spring cleaning. A simple broom ride will do the trick. Although, if you are not visiting regularly, then be prepared to spend more time on cleaning once you do. Keep in mind that all storage facilities have a maintenance crew but they clean only on the outside. Simply because of the discretion and the safety of your items. No one will ever enter your storage. Lastly, you should pest-proof your unit in the same way you would your home. Especially if you are not visiting regularly. Bring in an air moisturizer, scented baggies, and that should do the trick. But if you have a climate-controlled storage unit, then it is all sorted out.

Now you know what to consider when renting a long-term storage unit. As you can see, the process is simple as long as you have the knowledge and a bit of time to search for the unit. Hopefully, you won’t roam too much and your unit will pop up straight away. If you are still not sure what you are doing, you can always consult Master Moving Guide for help. Good luck.