At times you need a storage facility – it’s often the best way to ensure your belongings are secure. Whether it’s to store your belongings for a short term during an important relocation or move, due to house renovation, or for the longer term, it’s important you choose the right facility. Your items may vary – clothes, business items, furniture, vehicles, or personal items – but they need to be housed in a safe place, and in a safe way.
Picking the right facility is not always easy, however, and there are a few things you have to watch out for when making your selection. Ever wonder how to pick the right one for you? Here are some top factors to consider when selecting a facility for self-storage.
Analyse what you’re storing
Some items could be stored forever – gold and other precious metals can pretty much last forever, regardless of the environment they’re in. Other items, however, need a lot more care and an environment that keeps your belongings in optimum condition (away from dust, mould, heat, and so on). Know what you’re storing, and make sure you relay this information to the potential facility so they can help you make the right choice.
Determine the frequency of your visits
If your belongings don’t have to be retrieved and replaced or checked up on frequently, the location of the storage facility doesn’t really make a big difference. On the other hand, if you feel you need to check up on them often, you might want to choose one that’s close to you.
Determine the size of your unit
How many items do you have to store? Don’t just go by the volume your boxes in total take up – consider also the way they are stored (maybe some boxes should not be stacked), and consider also the ease in which you can locate certain items (meaning, space to comfortably move around).
Value for money
Cheap doesn’t necessarily mean bad – but it’s also true that you often get what you pay for. Think about issues that are often not seen but very valuable: atmospheric conditions (humidity, for example), or security (guards, CCTV), and insurance, as suggested by Gloucester storage specialists like Advanced Removals & Storage.
Get a tour
Visit the facilities. Don’t commit without seeing what you get – and ask questions when you do.
The best thing to do is to take a look at your belongings and list down your needs. The next step to take is to do some background research about the possible facilities and to see to what extent they can meet your needs. Remember that cheap is not always ideal – you may require security, CCTV, and so on. Go for quality and make sure your belongings are safe.
