Self-storage is a convenient solution when you need to store items from your home or office off-site. Maybe you’re renovating or relocating; either way, there are some scenarios where you can’t keep personal items in their usual spots.
Although storing your items in a self-storage facility is convenient, it’s still important to know what you’re getting into when partnering with any given facility. After all, not every storage company is equally reliable. Similarly, not all facilities offer the same storage options.
Therefore, we have put together this extensive list of important self-storage tips for new renters to avoid some of the typical mistakes you’ll want to avoid. Read these tips if you’re ready to store your items in a professional facility with peace of mind.
Learn the Facility’s Security Standards
Before leaving your belongings at a storage facility, you should always learn how they will take care of everything. Understandably, many newcomers wonder what’s stopping someone from sneaking into the facility and stealing their personal items. Thankfully, there are many ways to prevent such events in high-quality storage facilities. For example, at Capitol North American, our Las Vegas commercial storage facility has safeguards, including 24-hour surveillance and burglar alarm systems.
Any professional storage facility should be happy to take you on a tour of the facility, showing off their security measures so that you can see them first-hand. At the end of the day, there’s no reason to hide their ability to keep your items safe, giving you the peace of mind that you deserve.
Consider Optimal Storing Conditions
Beyond preventing robberies, storage facilities need to create a comfortable environment for personal and commercial belongings. While this storage unit tip might sound silly since we’re talking about inanimate objects, but some items, such as furniture, need the right conditions to prevent mold growth. For example, climate control is essential in any self-storage facility.
Climate control ensures your belongings don’t encounter temperature fluctuations, which can warp or otherwise damage certain items over time. Besides the temperature control, ask your storage facility about their fire prevention methods; are there sprinklers present to readily put out any flames?
Understandably, not everyone thinks to ask about a storage unit’s fire safety because when you’re talking with a professional service provider, it’s easy to assume that they’re doing everything by the book. However, taking time to learn the details like this is particularly paramount when storing personal items. In some cases, homeowners will store items while relocating, making it easier to transport certain items at different times. As a result, they have more control over their relocation.
That said, imagine if the homeowner leaves their belongings in the hands of a facility without proper fire safety measures. As you can guess, there is no guarantee those items will be there when the homeowner returns to pick them up.
Don’t worry; we don’t say this to scare you away from self-storage because professional and reliable companies will have safety precautions for fires in place. These problems are easily preventable, so ask the storage facility what they do to ensure the safety of your belongings.
Uncover Customer Feedback
One of the best ways to learn more about a storage facility is hopping online and uncovering customer feedback. Similar to the security measures, a storage company for renters shouldn’t hide their customer reviews if they’re a reliable service.
So take some time to sift through the company’s website and track down any feedback or testimonials that give you a glimpse into what you can expect. If you know someone who has previous or current experience with a storage service, that’s even better. Reach out and ask about their experience, from accessibility to pricing and beyond.
Don’t Assume You Can Store Everything
Self-storage units for renters can provide ample space for putting away many different items. That said, you can’t store everything. For this reason, always talk with storage companies about what they prohibit customers from keeping on-site. For example, they’ll typically say no to potentially dangerous items, such as propane tanks, gasoline, firearms, ammunition, paint, fertilizer, and more.
Moreover, don’t expect to store illegal items in self-storage facilities. Remember that your storage unit isn’t exempt from local, state, and federal laws. You also shouldn’t expect to store your plants in a rented space because, suffice it to say, closed storage containers aren’t where flowers flourish. If you’re unsure if something you want to store is against their policy, don’t hesitate to consult the storage facility directly.
Organize and Strategize
When placing belongings into a self-storage unit, you should avoid doing it in random order. Instead of cramming everything together, have a game plan for how everything will fit. For example, if you know which items you’ll need to grab first when you return, make them more accessible than other items.
Likewise, if you’re storing some items that you’ll use more frequently than others, place them toward the front of the unit so that you can quickly remove them each time. This might sound laborious to plan, but it’s an excellent way to avoid stress in the future. The more intricately you organize the unit’s layout, the more efficiently you can retrieve and return items when necessary.
Ask About Available Space
Although it’s at the bottom of this list, it’s undoubtedly one of the most important self-storage tips for new renters; always know the available space. In other words, make sure the facility can fit your belongings properly. This detail is particularly important for those storing a large number of objects because you shouldn’t have to cram everything into the unit. Instead, you should have enough space to easily pull off the aforementioned organizing and strategizing.
If you have to disassemble everything like a Tetris tower every time you visit the unit, that’s a problem. Remember that high-quality storage companies exist, but you have to take the time to make sure you’re talking to one of them before signing a contract. Start searching for eligible storage facilities in your area today if you’re ready to find one that meets your security and storage standards flawlessly. Call us today.
to learn more about our professional storage services and to learn more about everything Capitol North American has to offer.
