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Storage Rental Basics
An article provided by Simply Self Storage

There are many different reasons that you may look for a self storage rental. You may be moving and need to store some things from the house, you may have a business and need to store product or materials, you may have a hobby that requires more space than you have in your home, or you may need to store a boat, four wheeler or snowmobile for the off season.

Whatever the reason that you need storage rental, you’ll want to take into account few basic considerations before you sign a contract.

Physical Examination

First, examine the condition of the grounds, the buildings and the fences at the storage rental company. This can give you a good idea of how vigilant they will be in their care of your storage unit.

If they appear to be careful and diligent about upkeep around the facilities, then they are likely to be vigilant and caring in their attention to the units.

See if there is a fence around the self storage units. Is there a guard on duty at all times? Make note of any security patrols, fire alarms and smoke alarms.

Size and Configuration

Do a physical examination of the storage unit and see exactly how large the unit is. Although self storage units quote prices based on square feet, exactly what you can store how those square feet are arranged.

You also want to make note of the access to the unit. Is there a standard size door, or is there a large door that opens overhead? Will it be simple to drive a large truck up to the unit and unload it, or would it be a complicated process?

Do You Need Climate Control?

While it may not have occurred to you before, for some items and in some areas of the country, climate controlled storage is an important consideration. When temperatures go well below freezing for months at a time, it’s important to consider the items you are storing and determine whether or not they will be damaged by excessive cold.

Similarly, excessive heat can damage many products and finishes. Consider that when the outside temperature rises to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside an enclosed, metal storage unit is going to be 20 to 30 degrees higher than outside the self storage unit.

So if you are storing anything that will deteriorate, warp or become ineffective at extremely high temperatures, looking into climate control storage makes sense.

Examine the Contract

Before you decide on a storage unit provider, be sure to ask for a copy of the contract, and make certain to read it.

While you may be tempted to think that all contracts for mini storage are the same or that there’s nothing much to consider in a self storage contract, that kind of thinking can cost you.

Make note of any deposit. Determine how much the deposit is, and what you have to do to get the deposit back. Do you have to agree to a certain length of contract in order to get a mini storage unit? Find out what happens at the end of your contracted period. Some units require a renewed contract while others revert automatically to a month to month at the same rent.

Find out what the lock requirements are for the units. Does the company provide a lock? If you provide your own lock, do they have particular lock requirements?

It’s also good to see if you can change to a smaller unit or a larger unit if you find you misjudged you space needs. Find out if there are preparation fees before you move in or cleanout fees when you leave. Read the contract to see if you are required to pay another deposit or cleaning fee if you switch to a larger or smaller unit.

Moving Trucks

There are some self storage companies that will provide a box truck or a pickup truck for free to assist when you move your items into a storage unit.

Others offer a very low rental on such a vehicle. Depending on your needs, this can prove to be a considerable advantage to you.

Vehicle Storage Considerations

If you are looking for vehicle storage, at a self storage facility, there are additional considerations for you to make. For example, some businesses provide boat storage or RV storage in an enclosed space. Many places, however, simply have a fenced in area with a locked gate.

If you are storing a vehicle outdoors, then you’ll likely decide to have some kind of a cover over it to protect it from the elements.

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Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

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