Renting a storage unit to store belongings temporarily can be tricky. If done right, a storage unit provides an excellent, space-saving solution. However, if you make the wrong choice, you risk ruining whatever you’ve stored for safekeeping.
However, finding a secure, convenient, easily accessible storage unit isn’t tough. Many US counties and cities, including Marysville, WA, have several businesses operating within their boundaries. An excellent way to decide is to analyze your needs and compare different options to understand which storage facility fulfills those needs. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before renting the ideal storage space near you:
What storage unit type should I invest in?
You can choose between two main types of storage units: A full-service storage unit can be described as a valet-style service unit. The service provider offers to pick up and drop off your belongings as per your instructions. A self-storage unit is less pricey than a full-service storage unit as it doesn’t provide the luxury of valet-style services. People have to deliver, store, maintain, and take note of their belongings themselves.
How can I find a storage unit near me?
You can run a local search query to identify nearby options. For example, residents in Snohomish County or the greater Seattle metropolitan can search ‘storage units Marysville‘ to locate storage options a short drive away from their homes or workplaces. Residents in other parts of the US can use similar tactics to locate service providers near them.
How should I rent a storage unit?
You need to abide by protocols when reserving a storage unit. This set of protocols may vary from one service provider to another, but they usually include the following:
- Showing a government-issued social security number when renting a storage unit
- Making a reservation for the storage unit online, by phone call, or in-person meeting
- Informing about lease start and end date at least one month ahead of time
- Signing a rental contract that details rules and regulations about using the storage unit
- Paying a monthly fee for using the storage facility’s services to store personal belongings
Be sure to read through these guidelines carefully and only sign the dotted line when everything checks. It would also help to ask the service provider about insurance at this point.
Which storage unit size should I rent?
Many storage facilities in Marysville, WA, offer five different types of storage unit sizes to people, including 5’x5′, 5’x10′, 10’x10′, 10’x15′, and 10’x20′. When choosing between the multiple sizes a storage facility offers, you must understand what you want to store in the storage unit and how much space your belongings would take. So choose your size carefully – too small a space may not fit everything neatly, and too large may burn an unnecessary hole in your wallet.
How long should I rent the storage unit for?
Are you renting a unit to store off-season belongings? Are you renting one to store furniture you want to donate or sell? Or do you need extra space because you’re relocating to a smaller home? Understanding the ‘why a storage unit is needed’ can help people figure out the answer to ‘how long a storage unit is needed. Once you know how long you need the extra storage space for, you can evaluate lease options.
What should I look for in a storage unit?
It would be wise to look for the following facilities and amenities when choosing a service provider:
Climate control: Climate control will keep your belongings safe from heat, humidity, rain, and other environmental hazards. Some service providers also provide pest control, which prevents insects from ruining clothes and furniture.
Accessibility of service: Apart from the location being close by, check for availability of 24-hour service so you can retrieve or deposit stuff whenever you want.
Security: Check for biometric security, 24/7 video monitoring, in-person surveillance, and other security standards. You don’t want to store your valuables in a place where there’s a chance of them being stolen.
Infrastructure: Check if the building is in good shape or not. You don’t want to put your stuff in a shoddy building. Also, check the condition of the lighting and ventilation. Not only will this keep your stash safer, but it will also improve your overall experience.
Tech-integration: Automation, cloud-based storage management software, self-service kiosks, and robots can significantly enhance your overall experience.
Conclusion
Renting a poor-quality storage unit will be a mistake you’ll regret for the rest of your life. Therefore, you must take advantage of the tips mentioned above to rent an ideal storage unit that fits your needs. Be sure to spend time online doing research. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations; they’re likely to recommend something worth your money.
