We all have stuff. Sometimes that stuff is sentimental, or seasonal, or soooo 1982 but we just can’t seem to part with it. The perfect out-of-the-way place for that extra stuff is in a self-storage facility. Will a guard dog and a padlock be enough to protect your prized possessions? Goodness, no. Below, you will find a few tips to help you choose the self-storage facility that’s right for you.
Take a Tour
Whether you stroll in off the street or make an appointment first, you should request a tour of the facility. A few things to look for on your tour include:
- Cleanliness – The office, parking lot, and storage area should be free of trash and debris.
- Size matters – The facility should offer a variety of units in various sizes.
- Kick the tires – Inspect the building for holes, rust, and general signs of disrepair. Make sure the door is easy to open/close and shuts tight.
Security Features
- Lighting – Whether you visit the facility at noon or dusk, you should be able to see clearly while navigating through the rows of units and feel safe walking to and from your car.
- Fence – Strong fencing should surround the property for added security.
- Always watching – Security cameras are not only a crime deterrent they also help capture images that can be reviewed at a later date.
- Keypad entry – Entering the facility should be done via keypad entry on a locked gate.
Property Management
Rental office – This is often the first impression of a self-storage facility so it should be clean, neat, and set the tone for the rest of the property.
On-Site management – Having a manager live directly on the property ensures you’ll receive the highest level of customer service.
Rental Trucks and Supplies
U-STOR Wichita features Penske Truck rental at three of our locations, and all seven locations offer a wide variety of packing and moving supplies. Trucks and supplies are not deal-breakers when choosing a storage facility, but they certainly are a nice bonus.
Focus on Best Dollar not Bottom Dollar
Choosing the cheapest self-storage facility in town may save you a dollar or two, but you might be compromising safety and peace of mind. The old adage, you get what you pay for applies here. With the extra dollars you spend, you’re paying for security cameras, building repairs to keep your belongings safe and dry, and on-site management.
It does make sense to select a self-storage facility that guarantees the safety of your valuables while providing ample space for them. My friend is looking for a way to hide his action figures from his cousins when they pay a visit! I’ll be sure to relay this information to him so he’d consider this as an option!
It helped when you wrote that self-storage space should provide access on keypad entry on a locked gate. My friend wants to store his collectible in a safe place. I should advise him to look for a self-storage facility that offers strict security.
I’m happy you brought up the importance of finding a storage facility that has strong surrounding fencing. My younger brother and his wife want to rent a storage unit to hold some of their things so they can free up space in their apartment. I’ll make sure they look into the different security solutions that a storage facility offers, including fencing.
I like that you talked about how the security cameras will be able to capture images that can be checked in the future while also deterring criminals. I should look for a self-storage unit that has that kind of feature before renting one area from their facility. It will give me the assurance that the pieces of furniture that I plan to store away would be safe with them until I want to use them again.
Thank you for pointing out that the self-storage facility should have a range of units in different sizes since size is important. My mother wants to rent a self-storage unit to store her tools. I’ll advise her to purchase self-storage that is appropriate for the size of her office supplies.
I found it helpful when you said to tour the unit. My sister was at my house last night for a visit, and she talked about how she and her husband are planning on remodeling their basement this month, so they need to take out all of the boxes they’ve been storing down there and put them in a storage unit. I’ll pass these tips along to her so they can know how to find a good self storage unit.
In a few weeks, my sister is launching her business and adding new shipping options for her goods. I liked what you said about selecting a storage unit with on-site management to ensure we get good customer service. My sister said she wanted to find a storage facility for her inventory, so I’ll email your tips to her now.
Thanks for pointing out that criminal activity can be prevented if there are security cameras that you can review at a later date. I can imagine how looking for a self-storage facility with those systems would give us the assurance that we can trust our belongings to them. And we might get back on those items after many months once we put our belongings their starting next year.