subject: Pointers In Hiring A Good Storage Company [print this page] When you find the need to store some extra household items, financial paperwork, or your entire household, finding the proper storage unit can be important, depending on what you are storing. If you have fine wooden furniture and important documents, you will want a climate controlled unit to prevent humidity damage, for example. One the other hand, if it is old lawn and garden furniture, tools and home improvement leftovers, like tile, you can get by with a cheaper storage unit, that is not climate controlled.
How to find and choose top storage companies might mean you look for one that is close to your home, allows 24 hour access, yet is secure and well-lit, and is insured or personally manned at all times. You want it to be close to where you are living, if it is for extra storage space on things you only use occasionally, but if you will be on extended traveling far away, then security is going to be the top priority. Analyzing your needs can determine where you decide to store your items.
Be sure to look at the storage unit you will be renting before you sign anything. Make sure it is in good working order and in a good location, where it is visible from the office or in view of security cameras, at least. It should be a place you feel comfortable going alone at night. Alarm systems are even better, especially if you are going to be away for an extended period. Security is a large consideration with storage units.
Read storage agreements carefully and make sure you know the terms. Some storage units won't tolerate you being more than a couple days late before they lock up your unit and you might find your things auctioned off before the end of the month.
Also, note that some storage unit contracts provide for a thirty-day notice or a set time period under the lease agreement, such as a year. If you terminate before the period is up, you might encounter an early termination fee that can be quite large. If you don't fully understand the lease agreement, have an attorney look at it, although the majority of them are standard. Just be sure that you understand it fully and pay your storage fees on time, or you could risk losing your things.
Sometimes, getting recommendations from friends is a good way to find out about storage units, but it isn't always possible. Sometimes, it comes down to pricing, if location, security, and availability are equal. If you need a climate controlled storage unit, be sure you find out about utility fees because some storage facilities will charge a flat fee and others will base it on the monthly utility bills, which can make it hard to budget.
The important thing to remember about self-storage units, climate controlled storage units and any other kind of storage is that your belongings will be living there, so you need to do proper research to make sure they are protected and there when you need them.
