When you book a storage rental unit, it can be easy to think it’s a standard process, there’s nothing you need to think about, and you simply book a unit, confirm duration, and you’re good to go.
It’s actually a bit more complex than that, and getting your storage unit needs right means that you can avoid many of the issues people have. Especially when doing this for the first time.
So what do you need to know before you book your first storage rental unit, so you get it wrong?
Size Matters
Simple but true. There are numerous different-sized storage rentals you can choose from, and knowing how big a unit you need to comfortably house all of the items you’ll be storing before you start filling it will remove a lot of the stress from the process.
While not strict guidelines, after all, everyone will have different amounts of belongings, but typically a 10×10 unit will hold the contents of a one-bedroom apartment, while a 10×20 unit will fit a standard 3-bedroom house’s worth of items into it.
If you’re not sure, most facilities will let you see the unit before committing to a size, and they’ll be able to help you out if you’re unsure of what size you need, if you share with them what exactly you’ll be storing. Don’t go at it unarmed, research and pick what you think is right for you.
What Is Going On In It
Next up is knowing what is going on in the unit, especially if you’re going to be keeping it in there for longer than a few weeks.
An inventory is the answer here. A collection of information that details everything inside.
Start by taking pictures or writing lists of everything on a per-box basis and then labelling the box to match the system you’re recording the information in. i.e., box 1 contains small kitchen appliances, or box 10 has dinnerware. Do this box by box and ensure that you’re happy you’ve recorded everything before putting it in storage.
From here, you can keep the inventory with you or in storage, wherever you can access it, so that when you empty the unit, you know exactly what is in there and where it is.
How to Pack
A unit that’s not been loaded correctly will not only be wasting space but potentially causing damage too. And if you’re going to be frequently accessing the unit or you’ll need to add more or remove items as you move home, for example, or you need seasonal items like Christmas decorations, things will get messy really fast.
But how do you properly pack a storage unit? If you’re unsure, the company you use can help you out here.
But for the most part, keep all large furniture dismantled when applicable and put heavy items at the bottom, and put those things you don’t need to access easily at the back, so you can keep the things you do need or more fragile items to the front.
A great option here is to use a storage pod rental so you can load it up at your home, and it is then taken to the facility for ongoing storage. This means you’re not trying to load a van to get it to the unit, then unloading and filling the storage pod. You’re doing it at home, and it’s transported as is until you need it.
Not Decluttering First
If you’re putting things into storage you don’t want or need, you’re essentially wasting money and space. You should not pack anything until you have decluttered first.
The trick is to pick a room or a section of a room and go through everything you need while you pack up. You can choose what you want to keep here and pack it up to go to the unit, while separating anything else to be redirected to either a charity, to sell, or to dispose of.
The last thing you want is to be wasting paid space to hold junk you have no use for. This is a waste of storage space, materials, and your time packing and unpacking them.
What The Facility Covers
When you book a storage rental, it can be easy to assume that all facilities are the same, offer the same things, and provide the same protections.
They don’t. Sure, some features will be standardized across the board; all facilities, for example, will have insurance. But the details can vary.
You will also need to know how often you can access the unit, what restrictions there are and what you can store, and the security details. There might be value limits on what is stored in the unit for insurance purposes, and you might require additional insurance to cover things outside of the company policy, i.e., for specific high-value items or to increase value if your belongings exceed limits.
It might be that you need additional security, or the option is there for you to add on, or you might find you need packing materials to facilitate safer storage, or they might be included. Always ask beforehand so you know what to expect.
Choosing on Price Alone
You might find a storage facility with a really good offer. But the general rule of “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”, is applicable here too. Just because it’s cheap, it doesn’t mean that it’s going to give you what you need or is suitable for the items you are storing. A low upfront cost could come with various fees added on or a more informal agreement, putting your belongings at risk.
There might be a lack of CCTV coverage or no on-site staff. Low prices might mean you can’t access the unit when you need to, and there’s no climate control, meaning if you’re storing electronics or anything covered in fabric or wooden furniture they can be at risk of damage from the environment.
While the lowest price isn’t necessarily the worst, nor is the most expensive the best, always check what the price includes — individual unit alarms, gated access, on-site staff to help, etc. It’s about value, not cost.
