Self Storage Units Guide

Self Storage Step 1: Identify the size of the self storage unit you'll need and how long you'll need it.

Just to point out the obvious, you'll save money and time by putting fewer, smaller items into self storage.  That means you're better off doing one or more of the following with excess items:

·         Sell them at a moving sale.

·         Donate them to charities such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army or The Purple Heart.

·         Give them away to people who can use them now and value them.

·         Store them with family or friends IF it's for a very brief time and they're willing.

Once you've eliminated what you can, it's time to figure out how much space you'll need.  Self storage units vary from one location to another, but here are some basic sizes and guidelines, adapted from "The Storage Place Inc" website:

• 5' x 5': holds a small number of boxes or small bedroom furniture.
• 5' x 10': holds a few pieces of furniture, including a couch.
• 10' x 10': holds the contents of a small, one-bedroom apartment.
• 10' x 15': holds the contents of a small, two-bedroom apartment.
• 10' x 20': holds the contents of a small, two-bedroom house or a small car.
• 10' x 25': holds the contents of a larger, two-bedroom house or a larger car.
• 10' x 30': holds the contents of a three-bedroom house, or the contents of a 36-foot moving van.
• 10' x 40': holds the contents of a four-bedroom house.

Use this list to narrow down the size of space you'll use.

Self Storage Step 2: Make a "Self Storage Feature List."

After deciding on the size of self storage unit you'll need, to identify what features you want to go with it.  Think of it as a "shopping list" for comparing self storage units. 

It's a good idea to break down the features into 3 categories based on how important they are to you:

• A - Absolute musts.  If a self-storage unit does not have this feature, you won't consider it.
• B - Better to have than not.  These are features that would be plusses, but not required.
• C - Couldn't care less.  As the name would imply, these features may exist, but don't really matter to your decision.  

Here is our list to help you get started:

• convenient location
• climate control
• 24-hour direct access
• monitored security cameras
• security guards on premise
• sprinkler system
• alarm system
• insurance available
• payment methods accepted

Self Storage Step 3: Develop a list of potential self storage facilities.

Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to begin the search process.  You can kick off the process by investigating five of the most popular self storage companies:

• Public Storage
• U-Haul (yes, the same company that offers truck rentals)
• ExtraSpace Storage
• United Stor-All
• U-Store-It

Check your self storage candidates against the Self Storage Feature List that you created earlier.  Any facilities that are missing “A – Absolute must” features should be crossed off.

Self Storage Step 4: Visit top self storage locations and compare them against one another.

Yes, I realize that actually taking the time to visit each of your top choices isn't convenient.  However, there are things you will discover by visiting that you wouldn't otherwise.  How does the location look?  Does the neighborhood seem stable?  Is the facility as easy to reach as you imagined?  What's the condition of the existing storage units?  Does the place seem well-maintained?

Take notes at each facility and clearly mark which property you're visiting.  Eliminate from your list any of the locations that seem sketchy.

Self Storage Step 5: Make your final choice and sign the contract.

If you've followed all the previous steps in this article, this final step should be relatively easy.  Try to order each of your final candidates by how well they did in each category.  If you're finding it difficult to choose your top pick, try eliminating your least favorite option first, then repeat the process until you have your final pick.

Please note that the price of the monthly rate is a very important factor, but it isn't the only factor.  There's something to be said about paying for peace of mind- if you lay awake at night worrying about the safety of your belongings, you've made the wrong choice.

Speaking of rental rates, be sure to ask your self storage facility manager if they provide any of the following discounts, programs or bonuses that might apply to you:

• First or last month free
• Rental discounts for seniors, students, or military personnel
• Discounts on related items or services such as moving boxes and supplies, rental trucks or moving companies

When signing the final contract, you may be offered insurance coverage.  Make sure that you aren't already covered by your homeowner's insurance, and be very clear about exactly what is covered, whether damaged or stolen items are reimbursed at replacement cost levels, and what any deductibles may be.  Ideally you wouldn't be storing anything of value in an unattended storage unit, but if you are, you want to make certain you aren't paying for insurance coverage that doesn't fully protect you.

These steps should allow you to have a successful self storage rental experience.

Self Storage: The Rules

Remember that the owner of a self storage unit has ownership rights over every storage unit on the premises, including the one that you may be renting.  That means that most of the rights, as well as the responsibilities, of ownership still belong to that owner.  When you rent a self storage unit, you are agreeing to abide by all the rules of that self storage company.  Every storage location is different, so be certain to check the regulations at your individual storage facility.  Here are some of the basic items your storage unit company is likely to prohibit:

• Animals (including pets):  While this would seem to be pretty obvious, you'd be shocked at what some people try to store.  Despite being outright cruel and irresponsible, keeping animals in storage units is very likely to kill them, and at minimum the animals are likely to severely damage the units.
• Firearms and ammunition:  There are a few problems with storing firearms or ammunition in a storage unit.  The first problem is that in the event of a fire these items can be explosive, endangering the lives of rescue workers and others.  The second problem is that these items invite potential theft.  The third issue is that many state and local laws expressly prohibit these items from storage units.
• Flammable liquids:  Again, fire is the main concern here, and therefore all kinds of flammable liquids (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, motor oil, turpentine, oil paints, etc.) are prohibited, and usually by law as well as your rental contract.
• Perishable items:  Food is the most obvious culprit in the perishable items category, but it also includes beverages and plants.
• Hazardous items or waste:  While I am a bit puzzled as to why someone would risk storing hazardous waste in a self storage unit, it does bear to keep in mind that anything that might be hazardous is likely to be prohibited from being stored.  A general rule of thumb is that if an item can cause harm if someone is exposed to it, it isn't allowed to be stored in a storage unit. 
• Illegal items:  While I would think that this would be obvious to everyone, I include this for the sake of completeness.  Illegal items such as drugs, drugs paraphernalia, stolen items, or any other property that is illegal to own may not be stored in a storage unit.  You'll want to check with the manager of your specific storage unit for a complete list; however, if you're in doubt, you should assume that you shouldn't be putting it in your self storage unit.
• Objectionable items:  The objectionable items category is a broad one, and includes anything that they produce undesired odors or sounds, especially if those odors or sounds can be detected outside of the storage unit.  The storage unit owner may expand this category to include other items.