How to Find an Affordable Self Storage?

Anyone can require a self storage facility at some or the other points of life. For example, the shrinking space of your home can lead you to store certain household goods in a self storage facility or lesser space in your office storage may result in storing some files and documents in a self storage unit. Further, students who would need their bulky books and notes in the 'not so near future' may also use a self storage facility to store them. However, not all can afford expensive self storage facilities that can ensure security and safety for their stored goods. So, how to find an affordable self storage? Read the following tips to know the same.

Find a right size self storage unit- Look for an affordable self storage in form of right sized storage unit. You will save some rent on it. Much space goes waste in bigger self storage units and you pay more for that without using the space.

Ask for any hidden charges- This you should do before hiring a self storage unit. Security deposit, charges for cleaning the unit, administration fees, etc. are some hidden charges that are not disclosed initially by some self storage facilities. If you think that some charges are undue, bargain for the same otherwise you have the option of finding some other self storage unit.

Look for promotional offers by self storage facilities – Many self storage facilities announce promotional offers for their customers. This can be in any form- coupons and discounts, inaugural offers, pre-payment discounts, students discount, armed forces discount, half price storing, etc. Self storage facilities do this for retaining their customers as well as promoting their business. To have a clear idea about this, read Customer Retention Strategies for Self Storage Facilities. You will come to know what self storage units can do and what services they must provide to their customers? This will make you capable of effectively negotiating with the self storage facility while searching for an affordable self storage.

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Climate Controlled Self Storage- to hire or not to hire!

People who plan to keep their belongings in a self storage for the periods for which they will be away, always find themselves in a dilemma about whether to rent a regular self storage or a climate controlled self storage? As is obvious, the climate control self storage are far more expensive than the regular ones due to the expensive equipment installed in them. However, if someone is planning to store certain valuables like antique furniture, art works, musical instruments etc. they must try to pay for the rent of specialized climate controlled self storage. This is essential for the safety of their prized possessions. What facilities are provided by an average climate controlled self storage and what all should be stored in them can be read in the article 'Climate Controlled Self Storage- Required or Not?'

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How to Choose a Self Storage?

The facility of self storage is being utilized by a good number of people- not only by those who Relocate from one place to other but by many others like those who want to create extra space in their homes. Offices too use these self storages for keeping their documents and other records. However, when it comes to selecting a proper self storage, most of the people find themselves puzzled. Lets analyze the points to consider when choosing a self storage.

• First of all, decide whether to go for a self storage or not? If you are moving temporarily, for say a couple of months, it is wise to store your belongings so that you will not have to spend a fortune to buy everything when you come back. However, if you are going away for a year and more than that, the cost of self storage should be considered prudentially. Think twice about whether it is beneficial to sell the things away and buy new ones when you come back or storing the things by paying a good amount of money?
• The location of self storage should be decided carefully. If you are not moving and just keeping away certain belongings in the storage that you might need frequently, a self storage nearer to your place is ideal. However, if you are going away and relocating in other city or country, location will not matter so much. You can then go for the best deal after comparing the quotes of various self storage companies.
• Size matters, in case of self storage too. Take an estimate of the things you are going to store and have opinion from someone who can guide you about the space required for storing away the things.
• Next decide whether you should go for regular self storage or do you need climate controlled storage? Generally climate controlled storage units are more expensive as the storage facilities have to spend a lot on equipment for maintaining temperature and humidity. However, if you have valuable things like antiques or artworks, you might not be uncomfortable paying more charges.
• Always find out the security provisions of self storage facility. While you are away, you must remain assured about the safety of your precious belongings. Read more about security and other aspects of self storage

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Do You Need Climate Controlled Self Storage?

During your relocation, you might be looking for warehousing or storage in transit facility if you decide not to take some of your belongings with you to the new location. You will definitely not wish to store your precious items in such storage facility where they can be eaten by termites or be damaged beyond repair. So, when do you require a climate controlled storage? Here are some pointers for you to consider.

• When you need storage space for a short term only, you can look for any option available to you at affordable prices. However, long term storage needs climate control for keeping your belongings secured.
• Such items as books, documents, pianos, guitars, antiques, wood furniture etc. need an environment where temperature doesn't fluctuate and humidity levels are also controlled.
• When the place, where you plan to store your things, experience extreme hot or extreme cold climatic conditions, you sure need a storage whose temperature is kept under check.
• Humidity enables the growth of mold and mildew to spread over the tops and undersides of boxes, furniture, books, documents and other belongings. If the place is humid or becomes humid for certain portion of year, you will want to keep your things in controlled atmosphere.
• Humidity has damaging effects on electronics such as computers and as such they need climate controlled self storage.

It is true that the climate controlled self storage facilities charge extra amount but then they have to be maintained with extra equipment for controlling temperature and humidity. How these climate controlled storages keep your belongings intact, that you can know from my next post but now you sure know as to whether you need such storage or not based upon the nature of items to be stored.

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Get Maximum Benefit from Self Storage- Tips for Expats

Self storage has been a useful option for businesses requiring extra space for their inventory, records, files, seasonal promotional materials, raw materials and product samples. Nowadays, moving and packing companies are using these warehousing facilities for temporarily storing their clients' belongings during the relocation process. Self storage facilities are also becoming popular among the expats who now prefer to store all or some of their household belongings instead of carrying them along to their new location. So, it seems apt to give some tips about obtaining maximum benefit from such self storage facility!

Pack Properly: Use such packing supplies as cartons, paper, tape, bubble-wrap and plastic covers so that they remain protected while the whole storage period. Place the things in cartons in proper ways. For example, pack the books flat and not on their edges. Place the paintings, mirrors, window screens and other framed items on their edges and not flat. Wrap them up with bubble-wrap or in a flat-pack carton.

Precautions for Heavy Items: Thoroughly dry and clean such items as fridges, freezers, water filters etc. before storing. Place a deodorizer inside them to avoid any odor and maintain freshness. Keep them empty, do not store anything inside fridge or freezer. Empty your cupboards and drawers. Store your clothing in strong, secure cartons. Place some naphthalene or mothballs to protect them. Where possible, disassemble furniture to avoid damage and save space. Vacuum before storing in order to prevent them from bugs.

Precautions for Metal and Fragile items: Wrap the breakables such as dishes and glasswares individually in packing paper. Fill any gap in the cartons with crumpled paper or linen. Label the cartons containing fragile items. Don't store them with or below heavy items. Wrap silver items in non acidic tissue paper or plastic bags to avoid tarnishing. Treat chrome or cast iron with a little machine oil to prevent them from rust.

Packing of Electronics, Computers, and Machinery: Remove the batteries from any battery operated appliances and toys in order to avoid leaking batteries. If possible, pack your computer in its original cartons otherwise use bubble wraps and also fill up the gaps in the carton. Most of the latest models of computers have “self parking heads” which automatically park themselves whenever you shut off their power. If you are unsure, check the computer manual or consult your retailer, especially when storing them for longer than six months. Drain fuel and oil from all machinery to avoid any leakage, spillage and damage like fire hazard to other goods in your space.

Tips for Storing Properly: Keep the heavy items at the back of the storage unit, working forwards and upwards with lighter items. Those items that need to be accessed often must be placed in the front of the unit. Leave some space as walk ways. Read the Self Storage Agreement documents thoroughly. Clarify any doubts before hiring such service. Observe self-storage restrictions. Don't store any hazardous, dangerous, illegal, perishable, environmentally harmful or explosive goods in the self storage unit. Insure the items sored in such facility. If your insurance cover has provision for items in storage, its well and good otherwise consult your self storage consultant to get an insurance cover.

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