Advice on Choosing a Storage Unit Provider
Choosing a storage unit to fit your needs and the needs of your family can be stressful especially if you must find storage at the last minute. Thankfully, with a little bit of common sense and good advice picking a good storage unit provider does not have to be difficult. When picking a good storage unit provider a person must keep their needs and wants separated in order to avoid clouding their judgment or missing out on important details.
Location should play a major part in your decision. People are often tempted to choose a storage unit provider that is close to their job or a friend's house. In reality the storage unit should be in a location that is close to your home or the place where the items in storage will be moved from or to. When you are running on a tight schedule having to go out of your way to get to a storage facility can be inconvenient at best and disastrous at worst. Always pick a storage unit provider that you will be able to quickly move items to or get items from even at the last possible second.
Next, you should find a storage unit provider that has a good local reputation. No matter where you live in the United States you will have noticed that bad news gets out fast. Listen out for news that involves the storage unit provider you are interested in. Find out whether or not the storage unit provider has reported any break ins, robberies, or other crimes on or near the property. Also find out what sort of people usually rent at the location.
This might seem like an unpleasant or impossible task but try to find out how many liens are placed on the storage units by the provider. Liens are usually placed on storage units when the renter can no longer afford to pay their monthly fees. When the liens are placed on the property the storage unit provider can auction of the contents of the property to anyone who wants to pick up some used goods for a cheap price. If the storage unit provider is constantly auctioning off property then you might want to consider renting from another provider.
Price should be another factor taken into account. Always remember that price should not be the only factor but it will always be an important one. Find out how much the storage unit provider charges for monthly and yearly storage. The price of the storage unit is usually determined, or influenced, by the size of the storage unit being rented. In addition to the base price you are quoted ask about any additional fees you can expect to pay.
These fees should include taxes, deposits, and any other fees that the storage unit provider might be charging. If you notice that one storage unit provider is charging a bit more than another it is important to find out what additional features the more expensive storage unit provider might boast if any. Also, do not be distracted by free or extremely low first month rental prices since these discounts will often cost you much more in the long run especially if you are renting from a more expensive storage unit provider.
Cleanliness should also be something to look for when choosing a storage unit provider. Most people do not think that a storage unit being clean is important but after a month or two of having your belongings in storage you will understand why cleanliness is so important. A dirty storage unit, or several dirty storage units, can attract a variety of vermin. Insects such as roaches are usually only one concern of a renter dealing with a dirty storage facility. Rodents can become a major problem ruining clothing and anything else in storage. Worst, when moving items out of your storage unit and back into a home you can easily transport rodents and insects into your new home. While it is possible to clean a storage unit yourself before moving belongings in, and in fact that is usually recommended, you should avoid a storage unit provider that is obviously unsanitary and/or filthy.
The advice mentioned above is only a few things to keep in mind when choosing a storage unit provider. The needs that you and your family have along with your location and budget will probably end up having more of an impact on your decision than any other existing factor. It is important that you do not let these factors cloud your natural judgment or force you into making a bad decision. Using patience and intelligence will help you make the best decision that will suit you and your needs.