When selecting the right self storage provider for you, it can be easy to make the wrong, often rushed decision, with such a varied range of very different facilities out there, you need to know what to look for to avoid making potentially costly mistakes.
Ranging from knowing the levels of security, whether you’re getting the best possible value, or whether your facility has the right levels and types of insurance. You also need to weigh up the different values of convenience, whether you should use a nearby, or more distant self storage facility.
First off, you want to consider the ease of access. What size vehicles does the facility allow in? Is it twenty-four hour a day access, via a computerised gate-access system, or will you need to go in the day? Is it well-lit and safe? These are all key considerations when planning which self storage facility to use, and you need to think about all of them to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
Getting quotes from multiple facilities can save you a whole bundle of cash and guarantee you the best value. This should pretty much be your rule of thumb whenever getting any service, regardless, but it is especially useful with self storage, where you can compare security features, distance to the facility and offers and deals, offset against overall cost. It can sometimes be awkward, cutting through all the offers and services to actually find which service is the best value, and as such noting down specialties, costs, and offers is always going to be the neatest and easiest way of finding the best storage unit for you.
Also so crucial is security. When you are selecting your facility you should examine the levels and quality of the security offered. Are there on site staff? How frequently are the security cameras monitored and is it well-lit enough for the cameras to be effective? Are the storage units individually alarmed? What insurance on your possessions, equipment or stock is offered? You need to think about this kind of thing so you can rest easy, knowing full well your items are completely and utterly safe and protected.
Consider how close the facility is, as this can really alter your decision as it can sometimes be necessary to dip in and out of your unit, especially if you’re using it to store stock, equipment or personal possessions. You really don’t want somewhere too far away if you’re going to be dropping in frequently, but if you’re only going once a month or so you can afford to use a cheaper facility in a more rural or distant Gloucester area. Rural area facilities will generally be cheaper because they don’t have the overheads to cover of more city-centric or suburban self storage businesses, but obviously a city-based self storage unit could prove much easier to access regularly. It’s really up to you, you just need to work out the degree of convenience you require when moving into your unit.
Really it just comes down to doing your research as thoroughly as possible. There are mistakes and pitfalls within the self storage area to be avoided, but as long as you follow our basic tips then you can’t fail to go too far wrong. Self storage can be a huge asset to your individual ventures, or business needs, and it would be a mistake to neglect its myriad of benefits based purely on worry about the potentially costly mistakes that can occur if you’re not careful.
As ever it just comes down to research, and making sure you choose the right facility based on the questions you ask.