Renting a storage space can alleviate a lot of headaches for a business manager or someone simply trying to declutter. But you should be thinking about renting a storage unit which offers you maximum space and amenities at the least cost.
Since the storage of things is a tricky business and so much is at stake, you need to be extra careful, especially when there are so many scams in the market. Still, there is nothing to be afraid of if you know what exactly to look for. So, here are the things that you have to know before you seal the deal with a storage space manager.
ANALYZE THE PRODUCTS TO BE STORED
Many clients just jump into a storage space and start unloading their products there without thinking about the requirements of those products. Some products are temperature-sensitive, while others are damaged by humidity. So, you need to take a few minutes and list down all the conditions that your products need.
A good start to begin with can be the temperature considerations and end at pest infestations. This will help you sort your things and the storage space better.
LOOK AROUND FOR COMPETITIVE OPTIONS
When you start searching for a storage space, everybody will come up with suggestions and recommendations. Listen to them, but do not let them influence your decision unless the space suggested is really good.
To come across the best storage unit, you should visit the units in your surroundings. This will help you compare the units based on their pricing, accessibility, and quality. Once you have found the storage space which stands closest to the ideal space that you imagined, only then should you settle for it.
DETERMINE A TIME LIMIT
Most beginners just go in without any prior planning. They sign the contract and then realize that they need the space for a shorter or longer duration. But then there is hardly anything that they can do. A wiser way to rent a storage space is to sit down and think about timings seriously.
Go through your plans carefully and then decide for how long you need to store things. Then sign a contract based on the exact time duration to avoid any issues later on. If you are not certain about the absolute time duration, then make a deal for a few months. And then extend the storage period if you feel the need after that time is over.
DO A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Gone are the times when you could risk some dollars as the market is getting fiercely competitive now. To avoid any minor or major losses for you, you should do a cost-benefit analysis.
Just remember that this will help you the most if you consider all the aspects of renting, including the duration and insurance.
READ UP ON THE INSURANCE POLICY
A common mistake that most renters make is to go through the insurance policy haphazardly. This then leads to confusions later on. So, to avoid any maltreatment or unprofessional attitude later on, make sure that you go through all the terms carefully.
Don't limit yourself
If your friends have had a good experience with a storage space, then it is not necessary that you will too. If you have different kinds of storage products, your needs for storage units will be different too. This is why you just cannot limit your options to the units that your friends have tried and liked.
They definitely hold a greater value as the people that you trust to vouch for them. Still, looking around for other options will not hurt. And you never know when you might find something just perfect for you.
Devise an increase policy
When you rent storage spaces, they are bound to have an increase in pricing after a while. So, no matter how much affordable a storage unit seems initially, you have to settle on a policy for increment at the beginning.
If the increased price is too much for you, you should bargain with the manager. But if there is no chance of a decrease in that, then the wisest thing to do is to go for another storage unit.
Consider the location and neighborhood
The neighborhood matters a lot as some areas have pest infestations and other such issues more than others. Location is also important because you need to see if you can access it easily.
Of course, you would want to keep a check on things, and for this reason, the storage unit has to be easily accessible. So, choose a storage unit which is in a safe area and is not too far from your place.
Choose a climate controlled unit
The storage facility needs to be climate controlled because you cannot keep shifting your things from one unit to another according to the demands of the weather. Climate controlled facilities have a lesser risk of getting your things damaged, even if you do not visit them very frequently.
While looking for climate controls, ask for humidity controls too as excessive moisture harms things too.
Look at the walls closely
While showing you the storage unit, the manager will prefer to let you have a glance at the unit. But you must be more careful than that. Look around for any evident leakages or any signs of damage.
You can tap the walls to see if they are strong enough to withstand the damage caused by any calamities too. Some insurance policies do not cover losses due to natural disasters, so you have to be more alert.
Renting vehicles
While considering the cost of storage, you need to keep the rent of vehicles in mind too. Since you cannot manually transfer the products to the storage facility, you will have to rent a truck too. This will not cost you a lot, but still, it is one of the things that is going to add burden to your budget. So, consider the traveling costs as well while outlining a storage budget for you.