Self-Storage Solutions: 5 Things to Look For In Your Self-Storage Facility

Moving out of state requires extensive organization and planning in order to do efficiently, particularly if you are moving to a city that is known for its small living quarters (I’m looking at you, NYC!) There are many things to consider: what to take with you, what to leave behind, what to throw away, what to give to family and friends, etc. While in the middle of the process, it is also important to make a list of things you want to keep, but need to put in storage until you are more settled into your new home. So here are 5 Things to Look for in Your Storage Facility when finding a safe home for your belongings.

1. Climate Controlled

It is important to know that what “climate controlled” does not mean is that there is a humidifier that you can set to 68% so you can store that really expensive cigar collection you have. What it does mean is that if you are looking for self-storage in New York or moving storage in Florida, or some place with extreme temperatures, you can protect your items from the elements with central AC or heat. So if you are storing expensive artwork, musical instruments, or wooden furniture, make sure to find a place that is going to shield them from mold, bacteria growth, or anything else to which extreme temperatures contribute.

2. Moving Services

When you tell people you are moving, you will get sympathetic looks but probably not many offers of help. Everyone knows moving is a hassle, but no one wants to do it. And who wants to be that person who asks their friend to help them move on a Saturday? Some self-storage facilities offer amenities such as Mover Concierge Services, truck usage, packing supplies, and many other things that can take much of the burden off moving. You can even find some that will come to your house, look at your belongings, and tell you what size unit you need, for free!

3. Price

You might happily walk into a self-storage facility that advertised a great price on their website only to find that there are egregious administration or registration fees. Many storage facilities will even advertise one rate for the first month’s rent and then hike it up after that. Make sure to find a facility that has a guarantee to keep their price the same and confirm that is says as much in the lease.

4. Safety and Security

Even if the facility is in a safe neighborhood, you want to make sure they take extra precautions to look out for your safety. Look for a place that has closed-circuit cameras, locked gates with access codes, and is well lit. An extra bonus would be having someone on the premises that is easily accessible should any problems arise.

5. Customer Service

It’s the little things in life that matter. When you have been on your feet all day packing, you have gone to the store 4 times to buy packing tape, and you haven’t showered since last Tuesday, the last thing you want is to deal with an inexperienced storage employee. Don’t take for granted the power of a helpful storage professional , especially one who is trained and knows what they are doing. They can take much of the burden off of the whole experience.

With these 5 factors in mind, find yourself a storage facility that is going to fit your needs and make the process go smoothly so you can feel confident about where your items are being held and pleased with the experience.

BIO: Stephanie is a freelance writer on a variety of topics including economic issues, organization, family, and exploring new places. When she isn’t writing, she can be found running through Central Park with her dog, Darcy, or exploring delicious NYC vegan restaurants.