There are plenty of different self-storage facilities to choose from, but how do you find one that meets your needs? These are Store and Insure’s top tips for picking the best storage facility.
Tip one: We strongly recommend visiting a few different storage companies as this is the best way to work out which one is the right one for you.
Tip two: Look for membership of the Self Storage Association (SSA) or British Association of Removers (BAR). Store and Insure’s policies cover household goods stored with facilities that are members of one of these organisations. That’s because we know their members meet certain standards. And that means they should provide you with a good service.
Tip three: Know roughly what you’re going to store and for how long. This will make it easy for you to get quotes that you can compare, so you can work out what you’ll have to pay each month. We’ve got some ideas to help you with this in our post, How much does storage cost?
Once you’ve picked a few likely-looking storage facilities, ask the following questions about each one.
Is the location right for me?
A self-storage company with a central location might be convenient – but this convenience could push the price up. Or, if you’re planning to bring things in and out of store often, then pick a facility that is close to your home or on the way to the activity at which you use the equipment.
Does this storage company accept the items I want to store?
Not all storage facilities will take all types of goods. And some facilities specialise. For example, there are specialist motorbike storage companies. Ask to see the company’s list of prohibited items, and ask for clarification if you are not sure whether some of your goods are allowed in storage.
Is the access right for me?
Some storage units offer access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All very convenient – but of course it comes at a price. If you don’t mind accessing your unit only during business hours, you might be able to save money by opting for company that is not 24/7. But do ask what would happen if you needed emergency access to your property.
Another type of access to think about is whether you need step-free access, or lifts. And would you like the company to pick up and drop off your goods?
Do I like the look of it?
As we’ve mentioned, you should always visit beforehand. Have a good look around. Do you like the appearance of the site? Is it clean and tidy? Does it look secure? Are the staff friendly and helpful, or are there sketchy-looking characters hanging around? Ask yourself if you’d feel comfortable coming here alone to pick up your goods.
Do self-storage units have insurance?
When you come to read the contract between you and the storage company, you will probably see a clause saying that you need to insure your property while it is in storage. That’s where Store and Insure comes in! Give us a call and get a quote.
