You need your space. We get that! There are fewer things more frustrating than having your garage full of nicknacks, bric a brac and general tomfoolery. Sure, some of that stuff needs to go to Goodwill. But a lot of it you’re holding on to for a specific purpose. Grandma’s china cabinet that was bequeathed to you? It doesn’t fit in your current house but you can’t exactly get rid of it, that’s a haunting waiting to happen.
So you decide to do some spring cleaning: good call! But where do you figure out how to choose a storage unit? There aren’t any wikiHow articles on that, we checked. So here are 5 ways to figure out if you’re getting the best storage unit.
1. Location
Your storage unit should be in a location that is convenient to you and that doesn’t remind anyone of New York in the 80’s. Storage units are sitting ducks for theft so the complex needs to be in a good part of town. More about safety later on.
2. Ease of access
How hard do they make it to get in and out? Depending on how often you will be visiting your unit, the efficiency of getting to your stuff can really make a difference. You don’t want to be relying on Hank the security guard who is never in any particular hurry.
3. Size
Your unit needs to be big enough to fit that china cabinet, yet small enough that you’re not overpaying. Units come in a variety of sizes so don’t just sign up for the first thing you see. If you don’t have big furniture but just need space for a few boxes you can save a lot by getting a smaller space.
4. Security
A lot of storage complexes have that prison yard barbed wire surrounding it. Your unit doesn’t have to look like San Quentin but it should have some protection. Ultimately it’s up to you though if you feel your possessions will be safe.
5. Maintenance
And finally, it doesn’t hurt to look at how well the company keeps up the place. Are the units rusting out or are things relatively clean? All the locks and doors should of course be impeccable. Overall, knowing how well the facilities are taken care of will indicate how well your possessions will be taken care of.
Follow these steps and you are sure to find the best storage unit to fit your needs. Check out our offerings to see if one of our locations is right for you!