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13 Things You Should Know Before You Hire a Self-Storage Unit

At a glance

There are several things you should know before renting a storage unit. For example, you need a photo ID to rent a storage unit of measurement—and you must buy mandatory insurance coverage. While in that location are unlike types and sizes of storage units, you can normally save big bucks by getting several quotes from the best storage unit of measurement companies.

Common storage unit questions

1. What should I look for in a self-storage unit?

Making sure the unit of measurement you rent is prophylactic and secure is a superlative priority, but hither are a few other self-storage services to check for before you lot commit:

Accessibility: Does the facility offer 24-hour admission and weekend availability? Ensure you lot can become to your goods when yous demand them virtually.
Security: Locks, video monitoring, in-person surveillance, and security gates or doors all offering protection for your priceless items.
Pricing: Enquire for specials and online discounts, and annotation any pricing variability in the contract to become the best bang for your buck.
Availability: If you demand a specific size or type of unit, exist certain your storage location has ane open.
Location: While a facility closer to a metropolis may be more convenient, information technology can cost you more. Residue convenience with price based on how often you lot need access to your unit.
Reviews: What electric current and former customers recall matters. Surly staff, robbery reports, and one-star reviews should knock whatsoever self-storage facility off your listing.

2. What do you need to rent a storage unit?

Set up to show some identification: y'all must provide a valid, government-issued class of ID to rent your storage unit. Here are your options:

Driver's license
State ID
Passport
Armed services ID

You'll also have to sign a storage unit agreement or contract (which you should definitely read from beginning to finish!) and follow the rules it lays out.

3. How is the toll of a cocky-storage unit determined?

What y'all pay for your storage unit of measurement will vary based on the size of the unit and how long you plan to store your stuff. Many self-storage facilities offering month-to-month contracts, but yous could get a discount by signing upward for a longer term.

Pricing is likewise affected by availability. You tin can await to pay more if almost nearby storage facilities are already booked. Similarly, that means you can likewise find bargains if there are lots of vacant units.

Acquire the ins and outs with our detailed self-storage pricing guide.

4. How practice you get your stuff to a storage unit?

While yous tin max out the trunk space in your Mazda, we suggest taking advantage of free truck rentals from select self-storage companies. A truck rental allows yous to send your beefy items in a single load, which cuts downwards the time (and headache) of moving into or out of your unit.

Storage unit companies like CubeSmart and Life Storage offer rental trucks at select locations. And if you lot're storing with U-Haul, you tin can rent a truck for a solar day.

v. Can you rent a storage unit of measurement for a week?

No, you typically can't rent a storage unit for merely 1 week. Most storage facility contracts crave a one-month minimum. Still, you tin can ofttimes salve coin by comparing quotes from several nearby locations. We've also found that Extra Space Storage generally has prices near $20 below the industry boilerplate.

6. Do you need a climate-controlled storage unit?

While all of your belongings can benefit from climate control, it's especially of import for items similar habiliment and piece of furniture to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Protect your most prized possessions from extreme heat, common cold, and humidity with climate-controlled storage units, which usually maintain temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees all year long.

Climate-controlled units more often than not cost more than than standard storage, but the extra cost is worthwhile to ensure temperatures and humidity never ascent or fall dramatically enough to damage your goods.

Here are a few items that we recommend placing in climate-controlled storage:

Wooden and leather furniture
Habiliment
Photos
Artwork
Electronics
Instruments
Stamps
Household appliances
Antiques

7. Can you work in a storage unit?

As tempting as it may be to utilise your storage unit as an office, don't. Living or working in a storage unit of measurement is illegal and a violation of the terms of your lease.

You tin, however, employ your unit to store files and stash many other business-related appurtenances. Plus, many storage facilities have on-site business centers where you can work, print documents, and mail packages. That'south a serious upgrade from working in a dark, windowless cavern!

viii. Can y'all work on a machine in a storage unit?

Since flammable and chancy chemicals are no-nos in storage facilities, virtually reputable companies aren't down to let you use your unit as your own personal motorcar torso shop. Plus, the lack of electricity in storage units could make fixing a car inside a claiming.

That said, many top self-storage companies offer vehicle storage. So whether y'all're stashing a vintage hot rod or keeping a auto safe while you're on an extended trip, cocky-storage units can exist the perfect place to park your ride.

9. How do you salvage space in a storage unit?

Did you know that merely packing your belongings more efficiently may hateful you tin can hire a smaller storage unit? This is 1 of the easiest ways to save on storage unit costs—so knowing how to pack is central.

Stack your stuff. Storage units typically have high ceilings. Use stackable bins and arrange furniture to fill the space all the fashion to the top.
Detach bulky furniture. Remove chair and table legs to stack and store article of furniture in less space.
Fill 'er upward. Don't leave hollow spaces empty. Fill dressers or wardrobes with smaller items to maximize infinite.

Exit an aisle. The final thing you desire to do is have to unload your whole storage unit of measurement whenever you need something. Leave space to become at your goods easily.

Follow our time-tested packing tips for loading your storage unit.

x. What can/can't you store in a storage unit?

Storage units are congenital to hold household and business goods like piece of furniture, files, and clothing. They are not designed for anything toxic, unsafe, or alive. Here are a few examples of what not to store:

Flammable or combustible items
Hazardous materials
Nutrient or items that attract bugs
Living things (due east.g., plants, animals, humans)

11. Do you lot demand insurance for a storage unit?

Aye, yous demand insurance for a storage unit. However, what's covered—and how much it costs—varies from visitor to company. Self-storage insurance options range from in-firm coverage offered past top-tier storage facilities to using your personal insurance policy. Coverage usually protects against things like fume damage, vandalism, and theft.

12. What do you lot practice if your storage unit is broken into?

Your storage facility can have all the latest and greatest security features, and theft tin can still occur. If y'all're a victim of a storage unit robbery, y'all'll but be able to make an insurance claim if you've purchased a policy before placing your items in storage.

If you lot opted out, yous're likely up a creek without a paddle every bit the facility is not liable unless the theft was due to neglect (i.east., visitor staff left a gate or door unlocked). If y'all're insured and a theft occurs, brand a claim every bit presently as yous discover out what's missing.

13. When can I access my unit?

Most storage units can be accessed only during standard business concern hours. Some companies like Extra Space Storage offer 24-60 minutes storage access. But even then, the hours might not be the same at the company's thousands of locations. So nosotros recommend playing it rubber and not expecting access hours to last into the middle of the nighttime.

Storage unit FAQ

What are self-storage unit access hours similar?

Cocky-storage units are typically open during business concern hours, but many have 24-hour access. Check with your local self-storage facility for more details, including role hours and gate hours.

What is a climate-controlled storage unit?

A climate-controlled storage unit is an indoor unit that monitors the temperature and humidity. This storage option is best for renters who need long-term storage, have valuable property, or live somewhere with extreme temperatures.

Do temperature-controlled storage units price more than?

No, temperature-controlled storage units usually don't cost more. While base prices are higher, these specialized units are almost always on sale. Motion.org's analysis of more than 2,500 quotes institute that climate-controlled units price about $x less than normal units.

Practise I need to buy a lock for my storage unit of measurement?

Yep, you need to buy a lock for your storage unit of measurement. Size requirements vary, then bank check with your storage facility's store manager for more information.

Tin can I utilise a disc lock on my storage unit of measurement?

Yes, you can often employ a disc lock on your storage unit of measurement. However, because not all storage unit of measurement companies allow disc locks, you should check with a storage manager earlier buying your disc lock.

What is tenant insurance?

Tenant insurance (too chosen renter's insurance) refers to mandatory insurance required to rent storage space at a cocky-storage facility. Y'all tin can typically buy tenant insurance from the storage unit company or your insurance broker.

Can I purchase packing supplies at a self-storage facility?

Yes, you lot can typically buy packing supplies at a self-storage facility. Some storage unit companies even have storage experts to aid you maximize your storage space.

Do storage containers have outlets?

Nearly storage units don't come with electrical outlets. However, some self-storage companies will often install an outlet for an extra fee.

What happens when yous get out something at a storage unit?

Cocky-storage companies list your items in a storage auction if you don't retrieve them when your charter expires. Notwithstanding, storage companies don't like auctions, and so you may be able to work something out if you call the facility manager.

Practice storage units go on your credit?

Failure to pay your storage unit neb can negatively affect your credit score. Information technology'southward one reason we recommend comparing storage quotes to observe the cheapest cocky-storage options.

What type of information is needed to hire a storage unit of measurement?

Your self-storage facility requires photo identification (like a driver's license). In addition, you'll besides need to sign a contract agreeing to the company's rules.

What is the difference betwixt an indoor and outdoor unit?

Indoor units are traditional storage spaces that aren't exposed to the weather. On the other hand, outdoor units are typically used as parking spaces.

What do you mean past interior and outside access units?

Your storage infinite volition be inside of a storage facility if information technology has interior access. You tin can access the storage doors without entering a building if information technology has exterior admission.

Can you put a mirror in a storage unit?

You tin can put a mirror in a storage unit. Withal, it's essential to store information technology carefully, so the mirror doesn't break. Many customers use climate-controlled storage for mirrors to forestall harm from moisture and extreme temperatures.

Tin you store cleaning supplies in a storage unit?

Almost facilities have storage restrictions that forbid y'all from storing cleaning supplies inside your storage space. Other prohibited items include firearms, food, money, and tires.