Questions to Ask Before Storing With a Self Storage Facility

Before deciding upon whether to store your good with a self storage facility or not you should ask some important questions that will help you make your decision. It is advisable that you get all the information possible. This article deals with a few questions you must answer so as to decide what is best for you.

Ask the Right Questions:

Qs. Are there any hidden charges in the cost of the unit?

To avoid any unpleasant surprises it is advisable that you confirm with the storage company about all the charges they will be taking from you. Most self storage facilities will charge you for cleaning, security, administration etc before the first month which can end up doubling your initial pay up. Another thing you need to confirm is that how much you will have to pay in case you cancel your rent period. If you cancel before the time then you will have to pay a certain sum so it is advisable that before you sign on the dotted line you confirm everything.

Qs. What about access to the storage facility?

Another thing you need to consider is the access to the storage unit. It is important that the storage unit where you store the goods is easily accessible and there aren't any bottle necks as this can be very frustrating especially if you are paying removalists by the hour, then you will end up paying them a lot. Also you need to make sure that you can access your storage unit when you want to make sure that your goods are well taken care of.

Qs What about Security?

It is very important that you take care of the security measures so that your goods are well taken care of. Ask for the best kind of security they can offer so that you have nothing to regret over in the future. Sometimes bolt cutters can cut through padlocks so make sure that your facility has tamper proof locking system. It is a good option to ask for individual door based alarm systems for every storage unit. Disc locks are the best option where locks are concerned. Ask if the storage facility has security alarms, video surveillance, fire alarms, if there are security personnel, etc.

Qs. Is there a solid roof over my storage unit?

Inspect your storage unit before finalising everything. Make sure that the storage unit has 4 walls and a solid roof overhead for maximum security. Don't settle for wire mesh roof or no roof at all.

Qs. What are the available Storage Unit Sizes?

Make sure the facility you choose has plenty of storage space options so that you can choose accordingly. Why pay more for a space you don't require or over stuff a certain unit? Also make sure that you pack all your good in a correct manner so that you utilise the space correctly.

Qs. Do I need insurance?

Insuring your goods even if it is only for a certain while is a very good idea as incase there is a mishap you have everything covered. You can either get it insured yourself or you can ask the self storage facility to help you out.

Qs. Do Storage Facilities help you move?

Self storage facilities mean you have to move the goods on your own, but some self storage facilities offer to rent out moving trucks to help you move the goods. These can either be charged or then some companies offer this service free of cost which helps in saving on costs.

These are just a few things to keep in mind when storing your goods in a self storage facility. If you are looking for a good quality self storage facility then you could consider the name Store More. For more info please click here http://www.storemore.com.au Dawn Lopez has been working in the self storage business for the past four years. She writes articles about her field of work in order to make more and more people aware about the work it entails. For more info please click here http://www.storemore.com.au.

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How to Pack Pots and Pans for Moving

Learn a quick and easy way to pack your pots and pans and keep them safe during your move, from the Web's top authority on moving

How to Pack Glasses for Moving

Learn a quick, easy way to pack your glasses so they can withstand the rigor of moving, from the Web's authority on moving

Reasons Why Homeowners Prefer the Use of Self-Storage

Most people relate self-storage facilities for commercial use only. It is a fact that business owners benefit a lot in using self-storage units. However, a surprisingly great number of homeowners also depend on the convenience and cost effectiveness of these facilities in expanding their homes.
Homeowners prefer to use self-storage for these 5 reasons:

MOVING AWAY

Families, particularly those who are just starting, keep their valuables in self-storage for the purpose of avoiding heavy loads when traveling. Establishing families often have several relocations, until such time that they can finally stand and live in a home they can call their own. Usage of self-storage facility benefits moving families by avoiding the hassle of carting their valuables on the road every time they move.

RENOVATION

Some homeowners launch extensive home renovations, and during such events family's precious possessions are susceptible to possible damages. Self-storage is a perfect way to prevent damages and to keep safe any valuable family belongings especially when these precious items are family's art collection, wine or rare spirit collection.

TO MAKE ROOM

Maybe the family is anticipating the homecoming of a child form college? Perhaps a new baby is expected? Or maybe relatives or friends need a room to stay and your storeroom is available and can be converted into a guest room? In any instances, homeowners can be quick and ready to make room by leasing a self-storage unit to keep some of their valuables.

EMERGENCIES

Emergencies happen anytime and no one can plan for it. There's flood in the basement due to heavy rains. Parts of the home may be damaged by fire and to relocate the home's content is needed. Renting a self-storage is easy, quick, and convenient so homeowners can be helped to respond to emergencies. Since there's no need to deal with long-term commitments, units for self-storage is ideally used to tackle unexpected needs for emergency storage space.

PRIVACY

Homeowners who are craftsmen, collectors, or hobbyists sometimes search for the old plain "privacy". They want a place where they can be alone and enjoy working in their best-loved pastime. And a self-storage room can be their sanctuary in doing what they love to do.

STORE ROOM AND MORE

A self-storage can be more than just a storeroom for homeowners. It can be a safe place to keep family heirlooms, precious memorabilia, and spare furniture. And most homeowners never forget these kinds of belongings. They will visit and check on their precious valuables often in the storage unit. Sometimes they will come simply because they want to see the item that represents a family history.

If you need a safe and affordable self-storage unit, visit ABC Self Storage Perth by following the links provided: http://abcselfstorageperth.com.au/our-storage-facility/.

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Three Basic Tips For Self-Storage

Storing all of your furniture in your basement will only work for so long. Eventually you will run into problems whether they are that you can't find what you're looking for, or you have a flood and ruin your precious things. For you maybe it's not your basement but your extra bedroom that you love to use as your hiding place for your hand me downs. The truth is that you would like it to be a nice decorated guest room, but instead it's full of all the stuff that has been passed down from your parents. It's time to get your house in order, not in a biblical sense, but in a house keeping sense. Find a self-storage facility for all of your extra stuff, so that you can feel comfortable inviting your in-laws over for dinner.

When looking into a storage facility there are a few tips that you need to be aware of. The first tip is to find one that is within close proximity to your home. If it's not conveniently located by your home than you will regret the decision to store it there in the first place. You never know when you might need to make a trip to the facility for some random emergency. The good thing is that it's easy to go online and find all of the close self-storage facilities near you.

Tip number two is for you to do some homework on the facilities that are conveniently located near you. Your homework should contain information about prices, what type of security they use, and what type of access you have. The 24 hour facilities are beneficial for obvious reasons, you never know what time of the day you might need to get into your unit.

The third tip is for you to take a tour of the facility and sit down with someone that works there. By taking a tour of the place you can see how clean and secure the facility is. Have the manager show you the units so that you can see what size they are and if your contents will fit. One of the most important things you can ask is if the facility insures your contents. Often times self-storage facilities will insure your contents up to a certain dollar amount. If you do your research you are destined to find a great storage facility near you.

Loft Development http://www.strongboxselfstorage.com/ is a storage facilities Chicago. for more info visit strongboxselfstorage.com.

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Railroad Ave Self-Storage FAQ

Are there any restrictions to the length of stay?

We have a month-to-month rental agreement with a one month minimum.

When do I have access to my storage unit? 

7 days a week, 365 days a year, 7am to 7pm.

What type of security does your facility have?

Controlled keypad gate access, video surveillance cameras, on-site resident manager, and well lit facility.

Do you offer Boat & RV Storage? 

Yes, we have a paved Boat & RV parking area that is well lit with separate keypad access.

Are my items in storage insured? 

We do not provide insurance for your possessions; however insurance is available and recommended.

Self-Storage - A Practical De-Cluttering Option

The emotional attachment of many people with their personal belongings is quite common on this day and age. Even with personal and business lives all cluttered up by a preponderance of possessions, most are not willing to give them up. The next best alternative to a fully-packed home or office which leaves nothing much to do but wonder where everything is, is the self-storage option that can store possessions that are rarely used but owners are unwilling to give up.

For anyone to succeed in de-cluttering themselves of material possessions, a designated time to segregate between what is to remain in the home or office from those which can be sent for storage should be given. Depending on the amount of possessions to handle, this time can range from a half a day to a certain number of days. The good news here is that the segregation part is the hardest part. All the rest that has to be done are comparatively easy.

Unless owners can trust someone else to do the segregating, they should take an effort to sit down and accomplish the task themselves. Designating someone else to do it always present the possibility that possessions intended to be kept in the home or office end up in storage and vice versa. After all, if such possessions were that important, they should have the time to make sure that each one ends up exactly where they should be.

Once this step is over and done with, owners have the luxury of having more space at the home or office as well as the peace of mind of knowing that stored possessions are safe and can be accessed at any time. This is one remarkable advantage of the self-storage option. This is the very reason why more and more people are considering this storage option compared to the traditional one.

The traditional storage option was quite inflexible. Removal companies and other large storage companies used to be the only entities that offered the service. This means however, having to abide with their regulations which usually comprise of long-term contracts, limited access, and high charges. Self-storage is a more customer-friendly option because it seeks to sidestep the existing issues against traditional storage.

Self-storage is a practical de-cluttering option even for the busiest people. It only requires a one-time segregation process to put everything on order. Of course, all additional possessions will have to be swiftly classified as for frequent use or for storage so another pile-up will not result. Since customers provide their own lock and key, they are free to come and go to their rented storage space whenever they want. It actually does not feel like putting precious possessions beyond the owner's reach. It is simply providing owners the luxury of enjoying added space. There is one primary beneficiary of a de-cluttered life and that is the owner himself. By putting all things in their proper place, owners can live a more orderly life and focus on other important details that need their attention.

For more information on self storage, visit: http://www.storagedepotpa.com.

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Why College Students Value Self Storage Units

College students are notorious for their uncanny ability to acquire vast amounts of "stuff" in their door rooms and apartments. When they move back to their parent's home for the summer or graduate into a new home, some of the belongings they have accumulated may not fit or be welcome. That is why every college student (and parents of college students!), should consider self storage as a way to ensure the safe storage of their student's stuff.

Self Storage for Students:

Looking for somewhere to store all the collegiate memorabilia you've accumulated over the year? Perhaps your parents won't appreciate or allow some of your coveted college "decorations"? Self storage provides the perfect solution. With self storage, your parents don't even have to know what sort of out-there collections you've amassed--in fact, no one does. Part of the security of self storage units is that you are the only person who has a key. So you and you alone control who has access to your belongings.

Many self storage facilities use closed-circuit video surveillance systems to monitor the comings and goings of all customers and associates. Plus, modern storage units are equipped keypad-controlled access and individual door alarms, providing additional levels of security.

For college students traveling for a semester abroad, a self storage unit provides a great alternate to moving everything back home. Simply store your items at a storage facility near campus and when you come back from traveling, you'll have everything you need to re-establish your college home. The beauty of a storage unit is it provides an excellent option to keep your things safe and secure--allowing you to travel and explore the world without worrying about whether your parents are 'helping you' get organized by throwing away a bunch of your things.

Self storage is not just for your school's summer and winter breaks, however. Many students securing jobs out-of-town after college are faced with the prospect of having to throw out many of their prized collegiate possessions because of apartment size and storage restrictions. If you cannot bear to part with your collection of memorabilia, and know that you will regret selling it when you eventually purchase a home with enough room to house it, securing your belongings in your own self storage unit is the perfect way to keep your things out of sight, but certainly not out of mind. You'll find residential storage to be a great way to remove clutter from your home.

When the summer is over, or you finally can afford that big apartment, you can pick up your things from the self storage facility and bring them home to enjoy.

Self Storage for Parents:

Your home is your haven and having a college student at home for the summer can definitely create a little chaos. Add boxes of 'school stuff' that litter his/her room or worse your prized garage, closet or attic space--and you're organized home just got a little "unlivable."

Using a self storage unit to keep these items close to school (and out of your house!) is a great way to save your own home's organization, while allowing your student to keep his/her belongings and save the effort of lugging all that stuff home! It also gives your student the opportunity to assume some responsibility. He/she will be responsible for moving in and out of the unit--and while the items are stored, he/she will be the only one with the key to his storage unit. Giving your child the responsibility to store his valuables while away at college is good 'training' as a future homeowner, as he/she learns the lesson that clutter can be remedied without having to throw away priceless memories.

Self storage is the perfect solution for both parents and college students. Self storage units provide a safe, secure, and affordable way to store every valuable belonging--even when it's that famous bottle cap collection.

Mr. Kleindienst is a self storage company executive. He works for Safeguard self storage, a self storage facility that offers various self storage units.

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Do You Need Self Storage Insurance?

Self storage insurance is something that a lot of people either don't know about or assume that they are automatically protected. The truth is that the scenario is different with every storage location, so there are a few important facts to always keep in mind. Here is a quick introduction to self storage insurance, what it is and how you can make sure that you are protected.

What is Self Storage Insurance?

Self storage insurance provides the same type of coverage that you get with renters insurance or home owners insurance. You are essentially a tenant of that unit because you are renting it and keeping your possessions in it. The key thing to remember is that you are not automatically covered, just because you are renting a storage space. Most storage facilities will have some very basic coverage such as flood and fire insurance, but it may not provide you with enough coverage to replace your items. More importantly, this isn't always the case.

How Much Self Storage Insurance Do You Need?

It can be difficult to decide how much insurance you need for your self storage unit and a little bit of research needs to be done in order to find the answer. The first thing that you need to do is talk to the company or person that owns your self storage unit. This will let you know if there is any insurance that you get automatically. If you do, it will probably be very basic coverage such as fire and flood. By knowing what insurance you will get automatically, you can make sure that you purchase as much additional coverage as necessary, without paying for coverage that you don't.

Another variable to consider when you are deciding how much self storage insurance that you will need is the value of the property that you are storing. The key is to make sure that you have enough coverage that all of your property is safe, but at the same time not paying for extra coverage that will not provide you with any real benefits. Obviously, you don't want to change your amount of coverage every time that you add or subtract something from storage, so make sure that you have a small cushion of coverage, normally between and additional 5% and 10% of the total value of your current property in storage should be enough.

You also want to make sure that your property is covered, regardless of what type of event damages them. The most common way that your property will be damaged is theft, so it is critical that you have theft coverage. Depending on the area that you live in, different types of weather could be factor as well, especially if it is wet or high in humidity fairly often.

Self Storage Insurance in Review

In the end, it is your job to decide how much and what kind of self storage insurance is best for you and your property. It is always a good idea to talk to the owner of the storage unit before buying insurance because they will let you know if any insurance is automatically included. Once you know what you have, it is much easier to determine what you need.

Jason Kay recommends that you find, compare, and reserve self storage units at http://www.easystoragesearch.com

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Top 10 Reasons For Homeowners to Use Self-Storage

Even a little extra space offered by a self-storage unit can make life easier on a day-to-day basis for most homeowners. Having room to breathe, organize, relate, work and play at home brings peace of mind and freedom to solve life's bigger problems. Here are 10 ways self-storage units can help with household issues:

1. Not enough room for day-to-day items

Limited space inspires organizational skills and creative problem solving, but even the most organized of homeowners can run out of space at some point. Freeing up space within your closets, rooms and garage will literally give you breathing room.

2. Saving family heirlooms and hand-me-downs

Perhaps you are struggling like many families to find space to keep valuable antiques or heirlooms to pass on to their children and grandchildren. Or your family is young and you're living in a smaller home, hanging on to hand-me-down clothes and furniture for growing children and future new arrivals. Even if you just want to hang on to valuable personal belongings that don't suit the current décor of your home, a self-storage unit can provide the "archival" space you need to keep valuable space in your home free for new growth and change.

3. Downsizing to a smaller home

If you are reducing the number of bedrooms, basement or attic space where you can store extra furniture, a storage unit is a great place to store extra mattresses and bed frames, dressers and mirrors, coffee tables and couches, and TVs and stereos.

A new home, condo or apartment can come with appliances and furniture that you already have. Until you have time to sell or donate your unwanted appliances, or if you wish to keep them until you're sure what your plan is, a self-storage facility can be an ideal option. A drive-up garage-style self-storage unit works well for storing an extra car, motorcycle, truck or van.

4. Extended absence

Being able to take a long trip without paying rent or a mortgage can free you up to explore the world, or give you peace of mind as you leave for military deployment or temporary work assignment. Self-storage units are an affordable way to be flexible and adaptive during these extended absences.

5. Life in limbo

Whether you're caught between two house closings, living in the upheaval of major renovations, or a student preparing to move home for the summer, a self-storage space can be a convenient answer for storing your belongs in the interim.

6. More room for toys

If you love the outdoors, you probably have lots of equipment that you use during certain times of the year. A self-storage unit can give you the extra square footage you need to keep the kayaks AND the jet skis easily accessible while keeping room in your garage for toys you use frequently or all year long.

A self-storage unit is a great place to store:

o Camping and climbing equipment
o Boats, inner tubes, rafts, canoes or kayaks
o Skis, snow boards or surf boards
o Jet skis, ATVs and other small-engine vehicles
o Golf carts and clubs
o Recreational vehicles (RVs)
o Classic and show cars
For hobbyists, a self-storage space can mean more room to keep:
o Photos and photography equipment
o Musical instruments and DJ / production equipment
o Collections of books, magazines, wine, comic books, collectibles, videos, etc.
o Craft and hobby supplies

7. Selling a home

As you prepare to sell a house, a self-storage unit can be useful in hiding away personal belongings for proper staging.

8. Seasonal storage

A self-storage unit can be used to store away household items you only during certain times of the year, such as:

o Artificial Christmas trees and holiday decorations
o Patio furniture
o Pool equipment and supplies
o Lawn mowers and other yard equipment
o Off-season clothing and outerwear

9. Offsite security

Storing copies of important documents and data in a separate physical location is a smart idea. In case of flood, fire or other catastrophic damage affecting your home, having a second set of medical, legal, financial and insurance-related documents, as well as backups of computer hard drives and software in your self-storage unit can prove critically important.

Keeping a stock of canned and other non-perishable food, a generator and other emergency supplies can be beneficial not just in your home, but also in a self-storage unit, especially in areas prone to natural disasters.

10. Paying the bills

If your home is also your place of business, a self-storage unit can give you the equivalent of an inexpensive warehouse to store:

o Inventory for home-based businesses
o Home office supplies
o Farming equipment
o Saws, tools and equipment

Storage facility managers are pros at putting self-storage space to the best use. Be sure to ask them any questions you may have about making your extra space work for you.

Jim Stevens works for Extra Space Storage a team of experts in the self storage industry. Collectively, they have been helping consumers and business people find and efficiently utilize offsite storage units as a company for more than 30 years. These experts know how to do things like store furniture and valuable possessions until they are needed as well as excess business inventory and give storage advice on surviving a move to a new house.

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