Some cities like Los Angeles have traditionally been one of the highest-cost cities in America and although prices dropped during the housing crunch they are rebounding rapidly. In areas like this, storage units have become a popular method to help combat those costs by allowing residents to live in smaller spaces. With some Tetris skills and the proper research, a storage unit can save a lot of money around the house and give you more space to work with.
Cleaning
Renting storage frees you up to do more with the space in your home. With less clutter, your space looks more attractive and you have more room to move around. Some ideas for what to fit in your storage room, disassembled of course, are:
- Seasonal items like Christmas Decorations
- Furniture you plan to restore
- Speakers and other bulky audio equipment not in use
Remember to stack boxes atop one another and get used to stacking furniture vertically to save time. Wrap everything in industrial packaging to keep it safe. Wherever possible, store items like folding chairs and dishes together to conserve space.
Security
If you’re worried about theft, you might be interested to know that storage break-ins are inside jobs. The would-be burglar poses as a customer to gain entry using the usual methods, then proceeds to raid units as he chooses. Usually he enters the gate code like any other customer, then uses bolt cutters to cut the locks and replace them with his own.
Armed with this knowledge, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
- Inquire about facility security, specifically whether the operator can tell when someone accessed a unit and whether surveillance cameras are set up to deter thieves.
- Use “cylinder locks” instead of the standard locks as they are harder for thieves to remove without damaging the unit itself.
- The Self Storage Association outlines how to identify threats and report them to law enforcement. Be especially wary if you smell a strong chemical smell coming from a unit, as it may signal hazardous materials.
If you’re trying to keep your valuables safe, off-site storage is generally a good choice. Especially if you live in a big city, you need to scout out the right locations and ask the right questions before signing a contract.
Climate-Controlled Storage
One consideration that many people don’t pay enough attention to is climate control. Heat, cold, and humidity can damage many items that ate placed in storage units. That makes climate controlled storage units great for collectible cards and other valuables that are sensitive to temperature and humidity. Understand that climate control in and of itself will not protect your items, so you will need to preserve your items yourself. Use acid-free paper on scrapbooks, laminate posters whenever you can and wrap everything in industrial packaging to protect it.
Run a Business
If you’re an apartment dweller, the privileges you have in your complex are usually fairly limited. It would be difficult to run a furniture refinishing business from your complex, not so with a storage unit.
Just line the walls and the flooring with plastic wrap so you avoid damaging the inside of the unit, and make sure that the owner of the property makes allowances for work done in the storage unit. If necessary, explain what you do and see what he says. Remember to get any agreements you make in writing.
Discounts
Before moving your things into the storage unit, talk with the owner about the rates and make sure it’s not an introductory teaser that goes away after 30 days. But not all discounts are bad. Sometimes you can save on packaging materials and moving vans or trucks just by renting space from the storage company. Be sure to ask about bundled deals and incentives before you move in. The Better Business Bureau suggests you get everything in writing and review it before agreeing to anything. If you’re unsure, or the owner won’t supply a written guarantee, move on.
Unit Sizing
Make sure that you can pack all of your belongings into the unit, and that there are no restrictions on space. Buy the space you need to save money, but that can be difficult to estimate if it’s your first time. Work with your representative and explain what you want to store. Ask to see the space if you’re still unsure, and bring a tape measure with you so you can be sure your estimates are accurate.
See Also:
- The Wealthy Buy Assets, the Poor Buy Liabilities, and the Middle Class Buy Liabilities Believing They Are Assets
- Garage Sale Warnings
- Money Essentials for These Chaotic Times
- How to Save Your Money And Your Life
Resources
Image courtesy of Chelsea Gomez | Flickr.com