Whether you are moving, downsizing, staging your house, remodeling, or organizing, you may need to look for a storage unit at some point. Self-storage facilities seem to be on every street corner, but how do you find the best one? More importantly, how do you discover the best deal? How do you find the best deal?
We've spent the effort researching and compiling the top 5 strategies to save money with affordable storage units. Our list is organized in decreasing order, beginning with the most substantial savings and ending with the smallest.
1) Select the correct size
Storage units range in size from a modest 5' by 5' area to a big 10' x 30' room, with several variants in between. Although the majority of well-known self-storage firms provide conventional sizes that rise in 5-foot increments, several storage facilities offer unusual sizes such as 5' x 7', 5' x 12', and 10' x 14'.
It's important to select your size carefully since the monthly cost of a bigger storage unit will be more. In other words, a 10' x 15' unit will often cost more than a 10' x 10' unit.
Unfortunately, we often find cases where a client has hired a storage container that is far bigger than required and has been inadequately packed. Instead of squandering money on unnecessary space, the client might have saved money by selecting the optimal unit size and packing the unit effectively.
This is why, rather than packing your storage facility yourself, you should consider hiring hourly moving assistance. You'll pay a bit more for the movers up front, but your storage unit will be properly packed, enabling you to rent a smaller unit and save money every month that you use it.
Are you relocating soon? On our mover marketplace, you may find low-cost local movers to perform the heavy lifting for you.
2) Placement
Storage rents will, of course, be more costly in more convenient locations as well as dense population regions. The new storage facility on Main Street, which is near to everything, will be more expensive than the storage facility in the suburbs along a country road.
But did you know that the monthly rent for a storage unit varies depending on where it is located inside the facility? Yes, this is entirely correct! The 5' x 7' apartment on the third level in the rear may be substantially less costly than the same-size unit on the first floor immediately next to the entrance. Although the cheaper alternative is less convenient, it may be a possibility for you if the price is your major priority.
3) Compare insurance quotes
Few people are aware that most self-storage facilities require you to have insurance while you are renting. This is much too frequently concealed until you arrive at the storage facility to sign the papers. Conveniently, self-storage facilities sometimes have their own insurance that they will offer you on the spot.
If you take the time to search around for self-storage coverage before signing your rental agreement, you may still meet this need while saving a large amount of money. If you have homeowners or renters insurance, it may already cover belongings stored in a self-storage facility. Make sure to verify with your particular insurance provider to see whether you have this coverage.
4) Avoid interest rate increases
These increases are normally minor, they may quickly mount up if you are renting a space for an extended length of time. Although avoiding a rate rise is unlikely, you may reduce your risk by selecting a facility that is less likely to do so, or at least does it less frequently—say, once a year. Begin by inquiring with the management of each storage facility you are considering about their fee rise history, and then check online review websites to see what other people have experienced.
Are you relocating soon? On our mover marketplace, you may find low-cost local movers to perform the heavy lifting for you.
5) Avoid unneeded features in favor of benefits
Make the most of your storage facility by selecting one with the amenities you want as well as cost-saving benefits. Do you, for example, need a climate-controlled facility? If the answer is no, you should only look for storage facilities that do not provide that option; why pay for something you do not require? Other popular amenities that are likely to increase rent include a gated entrance, 24-hour security, indoor vs outdoor living, and so on.
