In their most basic form, self-storage units are variously sized rectangular units in which you can stow belongings. When selecting a self-storage facility to use, however, there's much more to consider than the storage unit itself. If you're looking for a place to store belongings, here are some other factors to consider when choosing which self-storage facility to rent a unit at.
The proximity of a self-storage facility to your location is of the utmost importance, for this has a direct impact on how much you end up spending to use your storage unit. Although location doesn't directly impact how much a storage unit costs, it does influence how far you have to drive when putting belongings into or taking them out of storage — and driving has multiple costs.
If you only use your own vehicle to bring belongings to and from the storage unit, how close or far the facility is from your location will affect how much you pay for fuel. It'll also impact how much your vehicle depreciates, for every mile adds wear and tear. The influence on these factors will be especially pronounced when moving heavy loads of lots of items.
If you plan on renting a truck to move lots of belongings at once, how proximity impacts costs will be even more evident. Most local truck rentals come with a per-mile charge, so every extra mile you have to drive to and from the storage facility will add to your expenses. You'll have to pay that additional cost each time you rent a truck to go to the facility.
In sum, a self-storage facility that's located near where you live will be your most affordable option. Using one that's farther away will have a noticeable effect on your costs every time you go to drop off or retrieve something.
Make sure whatever vehicle you'll be transporting belongings in can easily access your storage unit.
This isn't a concern if you can fit all of your stuff in a sedan or hatchback, but you should review the path in and out of the facility if you'll be driving anything larger. Moving trucks and trailers need enough space to make wide turns, so you don't want to rent a unit that can only be accessed via right or hairpin turns.
If you find that a particular storage unit is difficult to access, talk with the facility's manager. They may have another unit closer to the front or on the end of a row that you can get to more easily. Alternatively, they might offer to help spot you when you need to get a larger vehicle in and out. Having a spotter on the ground can make driving trucks and trailers in tight spaces much easier.
While not as essential an item as location or access, the lighting in and near a unit also ought to be considered. When a unit is well lit inside and the exterior surrounding it is also lit, you can stow and retrieve belongings more quickly during dusk, night, or early morning hours.
Even if you don't expect to be accessing your unit during low-light hours, still take this into account. You don't know what the future holds, and you might have a job change that only gives you time in the evening and at night to access the unit. Also, you may have an unexpected emergency that necessitates retrieving a stored item in the middle of the night.
To rent a self-storage unit in the Reno area, contact All American Storage.
