5 Things to Look for in a Good Storage Facility

What are you looking for in a storage facility? Aren’t they all basically the same? Not quite. Starting your journey into self storage doesn’t have to be a lengthy process. And at the end of the day, you just want to store your things in a safe, affordable, and convenient location.

Life is unpredictable. You can plan and organize all you want, but you still have to be flexible. Life also comes with inevitable events that are unexpected and difficult to navigate. Some of the biggest life events include birth, death, and believe it or not, moving.

Moving, downsizing, remodeling, and reorganizing can be stressful and seemingly overwhelming. It all comes down to your belongings and what you will do with them. While it’s good to have a plan for “packing day,” or “move-in day,” it won’t be nearly as neat as when you put the plan together in your head. Make the transition easier by renting a space to store your belongings.

This post will give you a brief guide and a handy starting point about what you should be looking for in a good storage facility. Security Features
A standard facility should offer more than the bare minimum to protect your belongings. Some companies provide locks with the purchase of a rental. You can also invest in your own lock if that is something you want to upgrade. Look for companies that offer features such as video surveillance and electronic gates that are only accessible by a unique, personal code.

Many establishments will offer extra protection such as insurance for your belongings in case of extreme circumstances and inclement weather. Look for facilities offering professional pest control as an option. Some facilities will provide this at no charge, but not all facilities are run the same way, so check with the local business you’ve been eyeing, to see if they offer this to their tenants.

Accessibility
Having access to your items is a crucial factor when considering whether the facility of your choosing is the right fit. Facilities differ in their policies of when office hours are available or how often you can go through the gate. A good facility doesn’t just mean 24/7 access to your belongings; although that is a convenient feature. You should have enough of a window that accommodates your schedule.

When factoring in accessibility, it’s also important to consider features like are the buildings available ground-level or on the second floor. Do they have both stairs and elevators to access those spaces that aren’t ground level? How easy is it to access the units? Are you able to drive up directly and unload? Consider the physicality of your storage requirements, and choose a facility that aligns best with your needs.

Variety of Storage Units
The type and size you will need depend heavily on what exactly you plan to store. Different companies have different types of standards. A lot also offer amenities such as air-conditioned and climate-controlled spaces. There are also several sizes from storage lockers and mini storage to parking spaces, to store larger vehicles. Check with local facilities to see what they have to offer.

Payment Processes
A good facility will have a streamlined payment system that you can use online and on your mobile device. Most of the time, rentals can be paid for on a month-to-month basis, and deposits are dependent on that specific facility’s policies. This means that you don’t have to sign a long-term agreement or lease, giving you flexibility. Your local facility should have an option to set up an automatic payment online, to make that process easy and secure.

Customer Service and Online Reviews
When you look at a facility’s website or social media, what are people saying about it in their reviews? There don’t have to be thousands, especially if the facility is small, and all of the reviews don’t necessarily have to be glowing. However, a good facility has the option for potential customers to determine for themselves if that company is the right one for them. If there are any negative reviews, how does the storage facility handle them? Professional handling of unsatisfied customers is a glimpse into the facility’s policies regarding customer service.

There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding which facility is the best for your needs. With a little research, finding good options is a simple process and one you won’t regret later.

We know what it takes when it comes to the best self-storage solutions. Here at ClickandStor® Online Rental Suite, we make the self storage rental experience easy. Browse through our website to rent storage, sign an agreement, pay your bill, and move in on the same day. Do more with ClickandStor®.