Self-storage is useful for so many reasons. Whether a homeowner needs to rent a unit because they’re in the middle of transitioning homes or an office is currently downsizing, self-storage comes in handy. Everyone has the right to place their belongings in a location that’s dependable and secure. Let us make sure you get the most out of these services by offering this ultimate guide to local self-storage.
Reasons To Use a Storage Unit
The reasons for using a self-storage unit are vast. Self-storage is a big commitment—considering all it entails—so you should know whether a self-storage unit is right for you before renting one.
Remodeling
Homeowners dealing with a home remodel have a lot going on. A total renovation means moving furniture around and switching things out. You may want to keep some furniture items inside your home, but that’s not always the safest option. And sometimes, covering them up with tarps isn’t enough.
The contractors need space to maneuver and work on the remodel. Instead of constantly moving the furniture to accommodate different tasks, eliminating the problem completely is the best choice.
Everything won’t fit inside the garage or the attic; that’s when self-storage comes into play. Rent out a unit to protect your furniture. However, be sure that the rental agreement and period match the timeline for the renovations.
Moving
Moving from one home to the next sometimes means downsizing. Let’s say you’ve just bought a new house, but the sale hasn’t closed yet. However, the rental agreement at your current location is up. You may need to find temporary housing, whether that’s crashing with a friend or staying in an apartment for a few months.
Unfortunately, all your furniture can’t go with you. While you’re looking for a place to crash, your furniture needs a location, too. Only take the essentials and move all the big pieces to a storage unit.
Choose a location that’s in good proximity to your new home. When it’s time to move out, you don’t want to travel too far in the opposite direction of your destination.
College
College is for four years or however long a student’s degree program runs. And no one—especially parents—want to deal with lugging all those items to and from college at the end of every school year.
Choose a local self-storage unit near the school. Students can rent out the space and keep things they don’t need on a daily basis inside the unit. Don’t forget to leave your winter clothes inside, too. You won’t need those for the summer, and they’ll take up space inside the suitcase.
Decluttering
Sometimes when we start to declutter our space, we don’t have the compulsion to throw out everything. Decluttering doesn’t always mean throwing things away; it means making more room and space in your home. You can sell the things that you no longer want but still hold some value. However, you never know when you may want to bring some of those pieces back.
Rent a storage unit to secure your belongings that you don’t want to sell or donate. You can keep your most precious items inside a storage unit, so whenever you want to bring them back into your home, you can.
Don’t place the items inside without any order or organization, though. Label all your boxes and keep similar items paired. Organize everything based on the designated room. This will ensure you can easily find an item the next time you look for it.
Commercial
Not every reason for self-storage is personal. Businesses and commercial properties take advantage of these units, too. If your commercial property is dealing with a renovation, consider renting a self-storage unit to store away all the office supplies while employees work from home.
Another reason might be downsizing the office and wanting to redecorate. Keeping your items in self-storage can free up space for the renovation and keep your items safe. That way, you can put them back in place after the renovation, or you can sell them if they no longer fit in with your decorations.
What To Look For
This wouldn’t be a guide to local self-storage if we didn’t tell you what to look for before renting out a self-storage space. You want to get the most out of all the services and amenities offered.
Security
The security needs to be airtight. Thieves target self-storage facilities because they think there may be valuable items inside the units. Therefore, the facility you choose should provide 24-hour surveillance and security.
There should be cameras at the entrance of the facility and cameras located on the outside of the units. A facility with an alarm system and a security guard is a plus, too. However, you should know that most units don’t have cameras inside to protect the privacy of the renter.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is vital when choosing a storage unit. You’ll be responsible for the upkeep of the unit after renting it; however, before selecting a unit, you should ensure that it looks spotless. There should be no previous items left over from the last renter.
The unit should be clear of dust and other debris, too. Ask the facility if they have rodent and pest prevention plans in place. You don’t want to visit your unit one day and see some uninvited guests residing inside.
Proximity
Closeness matters. Too often, renters choose a unit too far from them because of pricing. Even if you don’t plan to visit your unit often, you still want close proximity. Because when it comes time for you to visit the unit, a further distance is a huge inconvenience.
Choose a unit that’s close to the end goal. If you’re moving, the facility needs to be close to your new home. If you need space for office storage, it needs to be within a few miles of the commercial property.
Sizing
Don’t choose a unit that’s too small or too big. Find one that’s just right. Measure your items before placing them inside.
When you go to survey the unit, ask for the unit sizes and tell the provider all that you plan to store away. Here at Capitol North American, we have Las Vegas commercial storage units to accommodate all sizes. For more information, visit our website.
