When you are moving home, downsizing, or looking for business storage, there are many reasons to opt for a storage facility.
They are usually easy to find and easy to physically get your items to, and they also have friendly and reliable staff who are always happy to ensure that your belongings are kept safe while you find a new home or move office.
But when you have found a storage unit that seems suitable, there are some questions that you need to ask to ensure that your peace of mind is maintained and to double-check that your items will be kept safe.
The following questions should ideally be asked before you decide on the right storage facility for you.
Is the environment stable?
This sounds like an odd question, but when you consider that the majority of storage that most people have will be clothing, bedding, books, or wooden tables, it suddenly becomes more important. You want a unit that offers climate controlled storage which means that your belongings will be free from the elements and will be kept at a stable temperature in all weather. After all, if you are storing candles for work, you don’t want to come to collect them after a heatwave to find that they have melted, as this could lose you money and customers if you are storing them for your business! So, always be sure to check this aspect of the storage unit first.
Is the rent month to month?
Next on the list is how the rental system works, as your needs may be different from another customer. This element of renting a storage unit varies from facility to facility, but you will need to assess any flexibility in the agreement before deciding on which storage unit is right for you.
If you do decide to choose a storage facility that offers a contract, then be sure to check the other parts of the agreement too. As some storage facilities offer an initial monthly payment which is designed to attract new clients to their business, but, as your contract runs on, the price may increase as well as additional add-ons. Always be sure to enquire about every aspect of the rental contract in relation to payment so you are not met with any unpleasant surprises down the line.
Is a deposit required?
Some storage facilities will require deposits, and you don’t want there to be any unnecessary surprises when you arrive with all of your items to begin the rental. You will need to ask about hidden fees, deposits, and any other additional add-ons that the facility may have, so you can better assess how much it will cost.
You also need to ask about the cost of ending any potential contracts early, as there may be additional fees in this area too, which may be deducted from the initial deposit, or you may need to pay on your own.
Do you offer insurance?
The good news is that before you ask if the storage facility offers insurance, most of them do, but it may not be free insurance! They may have additional insurance options for an additional price. Many will even require you to purchase insurance as part of the rental agreement, so that should the storage unit become damaged in a fire, your belongings will be covered.
How good is the security?
You will want to ensure that your belongings are kept safe, and therefore, it’s vital to ask about the security systems. This may not necessarily be a patrolling guard, but you will need to check that any storage unit you choose is kitted-out with CCTV and is always being monitored. That way should the worst happen, you will know that there will be evidence that can be used to reclaim your possessions or use in an insurance case.
It’s also worth assessing the area that the storage unit is in. Is it one that is renowned for being a safe area overall, or is there a high crime rate? This will be a key thing to research on your own, so you can have better peace of mind. Alternatively, you can choose to look at the next storage facility on your list.
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