Perhaps you’re moving home, or you’ve outgrown your home storage options, or you’re just looking for somewhere to store those bulky, rarely used items. Whatever the case, you’re looking into storage solutions, and you want to know how to choose the right storage company for you.
Here are some questions worth asking to ensure that you end up entrusting the right storage company with your valued possessions.
How much storage space do you need?
Storage companies usually charge by both space and length of time you need something stored, so an important question to ask yourself is exactly what you really need to store, and what can be gotten rid of in the meantime.
If you’re hiring out storage space just because the idea of doing a proper clean-out is too daunting, then you may want to rethink your storage needs.
Before committing to self-storage or professional storage options, you should go through your possessions and figure out what really needs to be stored, and what you’re better off selling, donating, or throwing out. This will allow you to determine your storage needs, and will probably save you money as well.
What kind of storage options are provided – and are they secure?
When choosing a storage company, one of the most important things to ask is exactly what kind of storage space you’ll have access to, and whether this space is able to safely store your goods. For example, some storage companies my provide mesh cages, while others may provide room-like spaces with roller doors.
If you have items that are light, temperature or humidity sensitive, then this may factor into your decision about the storage company that best meets your needs. Similarly, if your items are rare or valuable, then a high-security option might be required.
How and when can you access your items?
The ease of accessibility of your items may play a key role in determining which storage company you choose to store your valuables and possessions. Some storage facilities are accessible only within business hours, while others may offer out-of-hours access so that storage-hirers can come and go as needed.
For items such as surfboards and skiing equipment, you may wish to see whether public holiday access is easily available.
Is insurance offered?
If you’re entrusting a storage company to look after your belongings, you’ll want to know what the insurance arrangements are in order to have complete peace of mind.
When choosing your self-storage option, see whether your storage company includes storage insurance as part of your payment plan, or whether you need to factor in an additional fee for insurance – or whether you need to take out a separate insurance plan yourself
If insurance is offered by the company, be sure to check whether there are any items, such as expensive jewellery or fine art items, that aren’t covered by that insurance.
What are the payment terms?
Finally, when choosing your storage company, be sure to ask what the payment terms involved are.
Some storage companies may offer month-by-month contracts, while others may require you to sign up for a longer-term contract. Find out when you’re required to pay, how much, and whether these terms are likely to change during the duration of your storage requirements.
By doing so, you’ll be well placed to know exactly what you need to pay – and for how long.
By asking these five simple questions before choosing your storage company, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about who to entrust with your valued possessions.