There’s no denying that moving can be work. That’s because it entails turning your life upside down, and the fact that you’re leaving the familiar for the uncertain only serves to exacerbate the anxiety.Why should store your belonging with a reputable company that has your best interests at heart.Here’s tips for How to Choose a Storage Company
For those of us who love their routines, this chaotic period can especially be stressful.
Now, sometimes, moving entails getting out of town for reasons such as work, for example – a common one particularly in some lines of work such as military, diplomatic, or NGO missions – or even for personal reasons such as the need to explore the world.
If you’re leaving for a considerable length of time – say, a year – sometimes it doesn’t make sense to leave the house as is.
If it’s a rental, the costs can add up quickly, especially in more expensive cities like New York or San Francisco. If you own the house, the costs could also rack up through money drains like maintenance and security.
In the case of the latter [owning the house], it’s never a bad idea to rent the house to a responsible tenant for the length of time you’ll be away. Not only does this earn you some extra funds on the side, but also means you’ll avoid the aforementioned costs such as maintenance.
Plus, having someone occupy the house means there is less risk of the property turning derelict, whether it’s from overgrown lawns, broken windows or roof leaks caused by factors like storms (if you live in such climes), broken-down systems such as AC, and so on.
In both cases (renting and owning the home) it makes sense in instances like these to hire a reputable storage company to hold your possessions for you for the time you’ll be away.
If this is an option you’re considering, then it’s important to know what to look for in an ideal storage company to ensure you’re not only getting a good deal, but also for the peace of mind that comes with knowing come rain or shine, your belongings will be in good hands no matter how long you’ll be gone for.
Here then, are some of the things you need to consider when choosing a storage firm to keep your items with.
Reputation of the company
If you intend to store your possessions in a storage facility, you want to be sure that the company you’re dealing with is reputable, double so if you intend to store your belongings long-term.
You don’t want a shoddy outfit that might fold barely after you’ve left your items with them, neither do you want one that will play underhand tactics or be difficult to deal with.
Before signing up, consult unbiased reviews to see what previous customers have to say about them so you can get a feel of the kind of people you’ll potentially be dealing with.
Type of storage unit
Storage units are not made equal.
For one, there is the size to consider. Second, there are different types of storage facilities available which fall under either indoor or outdoor storage.
Narrowing our focus to indoor storage units, it’s worth noting that there are regular indoor units and climate-controlled storage units.
If you have sensitive items that could be susceptible to damage caused by extreme temperatures, moisture build-up, or pest concerns, it’s best to keep them in a climate-controlled environment. These include furniture, electronics, artwork, important documents and so on.
Monthly storage fees
The cost of storage units will differ from one storage company to the next.
When evaluating your options, keep in mind that the cheapest is not necessarily the best. Differentiating aspects include factors like size of the unit, duration of storage, and additional features such as climate control or 24/7 security.
When getting quotes from the providers, make sure you properly understand what’s included, as well as ensuring there are no hidden fees.
Security
Speaking of security as part of the offering, it doesn’t need telling that the security of your valuables is of utmost importance.
Security entails a lot of things – protection against possible theft, unwanted access, external factors like fires etc.
When choosing a storage company, ideally you want one that doesn’t compromise on the security of your personal possessions.
In addition to having their own security measures in place such as around-the-clock CCTV monitoring and fire sprinklers, a good storage firm should also be able to provide you with different insurance options.
That’s why again, we’ll wind up by saying you should only store your belongings with a reputable company that has your best interests at heart.
