How to Find Cheap Storage Units
The first thing you’ll need to do is determine how much storage space you need. It’s straightforward to calculate your garage or basement square footage by multiplying its length by its width. For example, if your garage is 40 feet long and 20 feet wide, you’ll need 2,400 square feet of storage space. But, of course, if you plan on storing large items such as furniture, appliances, or vehicles, you may need more than just a tiny storage unit.
You can also use the online calculator at www.squarefootage.com to figure out how much storage space you need. Simply enter your garage or basement dimensions, and the site will tell you how many square feet you need.
Once you’ve determined how much storage space you need, you’ll need to look for a storage facility near your home. Many storage facilities offer discounts for multiple units, so you may be able to save money by renting several smaller units instead of one larger one. You can find these types of facilities in your local phone book under “storage.”
If you want to rent from a company specializing in self-storage, check with your local real estate agent to see any companies listed in their directory. Also, ask around among friends and family members who have rented before. They might know about good deals.
Another option is to search online for cheap storage units. There are numerous websites available that list storage facilities throughout the country. Some sites allow you to compare prices between different facilities, while others only show you what they think you should pay based on their criteria. To get an idea of what type of facility you’re looking for, try searching for “self-storage” or “garage” in combination with the name of the city where you live.
When choosing a storage facility, it’s essential to consider security, cleanliness, convenience, location, and cost. Ask yourself: Do I feel safe leaving my belongings unattended? Is the facility well maintained? Can I quickly access my stored goods? Am I willing to drive some distance to store my possessions? How much does this place charge per month?
Finding Cheap Storage Facilities
Most storage facilities require a minimum rental period of 30 days. However, some places don’t even accept reservations until after the initial 30 days are up. This means that if you decide not to keep your storage unit for longer than 30 days, you won’t be charged for the time remaining on your reservation.
Some storage facilities charge extra fees for certain services, including moving trucks, movers, cleaning crews, and other amenities. So be sure to read the fine print carefully when signing up for a storage unit.
Storage Facility Security
Many people assume they don’t have to worry about theft or vandalism because they’re paying someone else to store their stuff. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true. Theft and damage are common problems at most storage facilities. Thieves often break into storage units to steal expensive items such as jewelry, electronics, and tools. Other thieves simply take advantage of the fact that most people leave their valuables unattended inside their storage units.
To prevent theft and vandalism, ensure all windows and doors are locked whenever you aren’t using your storage unit. Most storage facilities provide locks for each door, but you’ll still need to lock them manually. Also, make sure you padlock the keys to your storage unit somewhere outside your house. Finally, don’t leave your crucial ring hanging over the edge of your bed or kitchen table!
A few years ago, a man was arrested for stealing $1 million worth of gold bars from a storage facility in California. He had been hired to move the gold, but he decided to pocket the cash instead. The police found him hiding in a closet full of boxes. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.
It’s best to avoid storing valuable items in a public area. Instead, keep your valuables in a secure, private room. Use a locking cabinet or a safe deposit box to protect your belongings.
Storage Facility Cleanliness
Cleanliness is another issue that affects the safety and value of your property. For example, when you’re storing your belongings in a storage facility, you’re trusting strangers to care for your possessions. Therefore, the facility must maintain a high standard of cleanliness.
Check the facility regularly to ensure everything looks neat. Look for trash cans and garbage bags scattered about the premises. Check the floors and walls to make sure they’re free of dirt and debris.
Are the lights working properly?
Does the air conditioning work?
Are the temperature settings set correctly?
Make sure the facility has plenty of parking spaces. Parking lots should be kept clear of snow and ice. Otherwise, you could end up damaging your vehicle.
Storage Facility Convenience
Convenience is another factor that determines whether or not you’ll choose a particular storage facility. For example, will you have to spend too much time driving back and forth to pick up and drop off your belongings? Or would you prefer to have easy access to your storage unit 24 hours a day?
One way to improve the convenience of your storage experience is to locate your facility close to your residence. A short walk or drive will help you minimize travel expenses. Another benefit of locating your storage unit nearby is that you can visit it whenever you need to retrieve something.
However, if you’re planning to store large objects such as furniture or vehicles, you may want to consider finding a storage facility farther away. Also, if you’re going to store something heavy, you probably shouldn’t rely solely on the strength of your legs. Instead, hire a professional mover to transport your belongings.
Storage Facility Location
Location is yet another factor to consider when selecting a storage facility. Ideally, you’d like to store your belongings in a place that’s convenient for both you and your neighbors. But you also want to make sure that you’ll be able to reach your storage unit without having to deal with traffic congestion.
If possible, select a storage facility that’s located next to your home. This will reduce your commute time and eliminate the possibility of getting lost on the way to your storage unit.
Storage Facility Cost
Finally, you’ll want to weigh the price of renting a storage unit against the benefits you receive. As mentioned earlier, many storage facilities offer discounts for renting multiple units. In addition, some places offer special rates for students, military personnel, seniors, and veterans.
Also, remember that the size of your storage unit directly impacts the amount of monthly rent you’ll pay. Therefore, smaller units tend to be less expensive than larger ones.
Before making a final decision, contact the storage facility and ask about their current pricing policies. You can usually call ahead and reserve a specific date and time to view their facilities.
Tips for Finding Cheap Storage Units
There are many ways to find affordable storage units. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your choices:
Ask your landlord if she knows of any storage facilities in the neighborhood. She might be able to recommend a reputable company.
Contact your local real estate agents and ask if they know of any storage facilities in the area.
Search online for storage facilities in your area. Try typing “storage” or “garage” in combination with the name of your town.
Look through your phone book for listings under “storage.”
Call local businesses and ask if they know of any storage facilities.
Visit your local library and check out the yellow pages section.
Use the Internet to research storage facilities in your area.
Consider contacting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. They may be able to give you information about storage facilities that operate within your state.
Find Out About Your Local Storage Facilities
While it’s tempting to skip this step, researching the storage facilities in your area will help you find a trustworthy provider. After all, you wouldn’t buy a car without checking out the dealer’s reputation. So why would you trust your precious possessions to anyone without doing the same?
Start by calling your local DMV office. Ask them which storage facilities are licensed in your area. They should be able to point you toward the records of any unlicensed operators.
Next, speak with your local real estate agent. Ask them about any storage facilities in the area. Tell the agent that you’re interested in learning about storage options.
Asking your friends and relatives for recommendations is another great way to learn about local storage providers. Just be careful whom you talk to. Someone who rents a storage unit from a shady operator may spread false rumors about the business.
