Americans own a lot of stuff. In fact, the average household in America contains over 300,000 items. That’s a lot of stuff!

It’s no wonder that you may feel like you’re running out of space in your home.

But it isn’t necessarily convenient, or prudent, to get rid of things that you’ll still use. For those things that you use on a seasonal basis, renting a storage unit can be a great idea. Your home will feel less cluttered, but you don’t have to give up items that are still useful.

Here are 7 tips for choosing the right storage unit for your needs.

1. Size

The first thing you’ll want to think about is the size unit you’ll need. Most storage companies have a variety of sizes available, but you’ll want to make sure your chosen company has what you need.

If you get too large of a unit, you’ll be paying extra for space you don’t need. And it’s an obvious problem if the unit is too small.

To determine how big of a space you’ll need, pack up the items you want to store in sturdy boxes. Avoid tossing stuff into a bunch of big garbage bags. That may be an easy way to pack, but it doesn’t protect your stuff and doesn’t stack well. Not to mention the bags don’t allow for ventilation which can lead to mildew and mold.

Keep in mind that most units have 8-foot ceilings. Depending on your items you can stack your stuff high if safe to do so.

Now, put it all together and measure the space it takes up. Keep in mind that if you want to be able to get to your items, you’ll need a little extra space to move around in. Now you have the approximate size unit that you need.

2. Location

Next, you want to consider the location of the storage lot. Going with the convenient option and choosing the nearest facility to your home isn’t always the best idea. Neither is going with the cheapest option.

You should choose the company that best fits your needs. A cheap lot with crappy security won’t do you any good if your stuff gets stolen. Conversely, the closest option may charge a premium for that convenience, especially if you live in an urban area.

Decide how far you’re willing to travel and check out all your options within that radius. You don’t want to have to go too far, but you want a secure space to store your stuff. Keep the rest of this list in mind as you make your decision.

3. A Climate-Controlled Unit?

The next thing to decide is if you need a climate-controlled unit. You may ignore a climate-controlled unit simply because of the higher price tag. But depending on what you want to store this could be a mistake.

In areas with harsh weather conditions or that are prone to moisture and mold problems, your stuff could get ruined. This is especially true if you plan to store it long-term. Check out more about climate-controlled units here to help you decide if you need one or not.

4. Budget

An obvious thing to consider is how much your unit will cost. You’ve probably already got that covered.

But there are some things you may not have thought about. Be sure to read the fine print when renting a storage unit. Some places have very strict policies.

If you are late on your payment, they may have the right to start auctioning off your stuff. Most companies have grace periods, but they may be quite short. You’ll probably also incur daily late fees, which can add up quickly.

None of this stuff is necessarily a problem, as long as you pay on time. But it’s good to know the policy so you don’t get caught unaware.

5. Accessibility

Another thing you’ll want to consider is the unit’s accessibility. We don’t just mean the distance from your home. Some units are more convenient to access than others.

What are the storage company’s hours? Be aware that there are usually two schedules at a storage company. The gate or access hours refer to when you can access your unit unassisted. The office hours refer to when someone is on site to answer questions or help with a problem.

6. How’s the Security?

Security is a very important consideration. Most companies offer at least basic security measure to ensure that your stuff stays safe. However, if you are storing valuable items, it may be worth it to you to invest in beefier security.

Some security measures that a company may offer include

• Limited access
• Security fences
• Surveillance cameras
• Beefy locks on the unit itself
• 24-hour security guard

Not every company offers the same thing. You’ll need to decide how much security is necessary for your situation, and know you’ll have to pay extra for it.

7. Insurance

One more thing to think about is insurance. Find out what the company’s policy is on lost, stolen, or damaged items.

Your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance may extend to your items in a storage facility. But you should check to find out what’s available on your specific policy. They may also give you the option to add a storage unit to your policy.

If that’s a not an option, find out what policies the storage company offers. Bigger companies often offer reasonable insurance plans.

Renting a Storage Unit

As you can see, renting a storage unit isn’t difficult. But there are some things that you should think about. Keep these 7 tips in mind and you should have no trouble finding the right facility for your needs!

For more useful tips about just about anything, feel free to check out our informative blog!