Posts Tagged ‘Mini Storage’

Deciphering Self Storage Terms And Conditions

Posted by on Thursday, January 7, 2010. Leave a Comment

When you are planning to use self-storage, deciphering self-storage terms and conditions can be a challenge, especially if you just want to store your items and worry about other things. You want something that is cheap and reliable, which will not damage your stuff or cause you undue worry. You also want something that is inexpensive and will not cost the same as a second apartment.

Self-storage, by nature, is a storage unit that you yourself rent out and keep your items stored. It is your responsibility to keep an eye on your items and to maintain them if maintenance is required. This form of storage is not for someone who needs a security guard watching his or her items constantly. If you are leaving the area for a time, you may not wish to choose this option due to the lack of someone regularly checking in on your items.

If you do not need to store a great deal of items, you may wish to choose a mini storage and cut down on the expense you will need to face in storing your things. If you have need to only store a small number of items, mini storage may be a great way for you to go. For instance, safety deposit boxes are considered mini storage and are only needed to secure important items that require only a minimal amount of space.

If you need storage for only a short amount of time, you may wish to choose a storage rental. This is best if you need to rent a space month to month. However, if you need to have a location long-term, you may wish instead to lease a storage location. This is best if you have something you need to store long-term like a vehicle or other large item. You would not wish to choose this option if you need to withdraw your items halfway through the term you have paid for as the storage center will often not refund you for the time you did not use, as they expected you would continue leasing for the rest of the term.

Long-term storage is especially useful if you have need of vehicle storage or other items. You are able to store your car or truck for an indefinite amount of time so long as you pay for this duration. If you go abroad for a number of years, or do a contract job for a year, this is a great option for you as it offers a flat rate and usually has security to watch whatever you decide to place inside your storage space.

If you have a boat, boat storage may be the option that is best for you, especially if you do not have a large home or garage where you can safely store your boat. This is a great method if you rent an apartment and wish to retain a boat that you can use in the summertime. Boat storage can allow someone to live wherever they wish, and then visit the beach where their boat is waiting to be picked up nearby.

Even if you do not have a boat, you may need a larger storage center if you need RV storage. If you enjoy recreational vehicle traveling, you know how large some of these RVs can be. Often very few individuals have the space at their homes available to keep an RV. For instance, if you live in a homeowner’s association, often you are forbidden from keeping an RV in your driveway or on your lawn year round. For the individuals who like to travel with their families in an RV, this is the way to go if you do not have the space to store your RV on your land and you wish for it to be secure.

Although the different storage terms are easy to figure out depending on your needs, often there are special conditions you must keep in mind. For instance, if you wish to have a storage center keep an eye on your items, you must allow access to security guards. Even if you do wish for this to happen, a storage center will deny responsibility for anything that is taken, requesting you to sign a disclaimer while you use their services.

In addition, if you use climate-controlled self-storage, you are solely responsible for maintaining the temperature at an appropriate level. This is especially important, as often the reason you want this kind of storage is to preserve something.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Mini Storage in Washington

Posted by on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Leave a Comment

Mini storage in Washington can be useful and beneficial for many different reasons for both you and your family. Washington State has many different self storage possibilities which you can use to store any item or vehicle you wish including boat storage and RV storage. Vehicle storage is also helpful if you do not have a garage and you can choose long term storage if you need storage rental for any longer period of time. Although self storage costs money to store your items, it is in many ways cheaper than other possibilities including areas where you have to have people retrieve your items for you.

Self storage is also beneficial as if you have a smaller home or one that is already cluttered, you are able to store your items in a climate control storage unit to allow you to have more room at home, yet you can retrieve your items whenever you wish. In Washington State, you will be able to find mini self storage items available in most major cities and in smaller areas. This is not limited to a portion of the state, which makes it easier for everyone to get access to self storage if they need it.

Some feel that self storage is an extravagant choice, but in many ways it is helpful to the individual or family. Many homes and locations are smaller in nature due to increased cost of living, which is also true if you live in an apartment without any form of outside storage where you can place things on your own land. In addition, Washington State is one of the most humid locations in the United States, making it very important to use a good climate control system if you wish to avoid having mildew growing on your personal items. In addition, in some instances you are able to save money by requesting a self storage unit for a longer amount of time than most would need.

Self storage units are usually more protected because they do not have individuals who examine the individual units. If you live in an area where you are concerned about your items possibly being stolen, this can help to relieve any worry you have as many of these locations have tall fences which are patrolled frequently. In addition, many locations have security cameras and a system where if any alarm is trigged the police will respond immediately. Furthermore, there are high security self storage centers where you can place precious valuables in order to protect them.

Depending on your need for them, you can also write the expense of self storage off on your taxes. This can help some individuals offset the costs involved and help them to justify the extra expenses. During an era where saving money is important, this can help many individuals who require storage space immediately but do not have a large budget to work from.

Be sure to check the agreement you make with the storage center in order to find out where liability ends and begins for the center. Some storage unit centers insist you sign a release form making them not responsible for your items. If you have a problem with this, it is best to choose a different center which will take responsibility for their actions. If you are unsure if an agreement is fair, have your lawyer look over it in order to provide his or her opinion.

It is a good idea to notify your insurance of your plans to use self storage and to look into possible insurance to cover these actions. This will further help to protect your investments and give you more peace of mind. In addition some insurance policies already cover self storage and may not increase your monthly insurance costs. If you are unsure if your insurance plan will cover areas like climate control storage units, you may wish to contact your insurance company to make sure.

It is also a good idea to look into eco-friendly storage units as a number of new businesses have opened offering these options at a lower cost than other storage centers. This is assisting in helping to reduce carbon footprints while also encouraging individuals to use as many eco-friendly alternatives as possible given the current state of the world. If you are unsure if your storage center is eco friendly, ask the manager of the location as he will be able to tell you what the center does and does not offer in this area.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Self Storage Units in Pennsylvania

Posted by on Wednesday, January 6, 2010. Leave a Comment

Self storage units in Pennsylvania can be found throughout the state, especially in the city regions. These storage units allow non-homeowners and homeowners the ability to store items that are too big for the areas they in. For instance, if the individual owns an apartment and a boat, he or she would be able to use boat storage or vehicle storage to store the boat until it was time to use it. This is also true if the individual or family owns an RV and needs the services of an RV storage unit.

However, you do not need to have a large recreational vehicle to need a storage location to store your items. Mini storage is available as a storage rental if you need a place to store small items while you are elsewhere. If you plan to be gone for some time, long term storage is available for you to store your items for weeks, months, even years. If your items are fragile, you can request climate control storage in order to protect your fragile items from the temperatures, which can be found in the summers and winters of Pennsylvania. When it comes to a storage unit, the possibilities abound for any need you might have.

Some individuals believe they will be unable to afford a storage unit for their items. However, a self storage unit is far cheaper than other storage possibilities as it will allow you to store your items yourself and to take it on yourself to care for those items. This means you are completely responsible unless something drastic happens to the location like an earthquake, fire, or flood. If you are storing food in a climate control unit, be sure you verify the temperature you need to store the food at in order to prevent you food from spoiling.

Many individuals also believe their items will not be safe at a self storage center due to there never being anyone there at night. However, the police often patrol areas where self storage units are located and there are always security systems. Despite this, it is important you verify all black and white print concerning what the storage center will claim responsibility on. For instance, many self storage centers will not state openly they are not responsible but it is clearly visible in their contracts, which makes it vitally important you read your contract thoroughly and understand what each part means.

If you believe you will need it, you might wish to look into rental insurance for the items you will be storing in the storage unit. Always use photographic evidence to back up your claim to your insurance company and be aware that some limitations may apply. Question the limit on how much your insurance will cover if anything is stolen or damaged, and consider a manned storage center if you believe you will need something more secure for your valuables.

For some people there is nothing more valuable to them and more important than a family car. You can pass them down thorough generations, fix them and have a great time. Or you may even get a great car and want to give it to your child but they are not yet old enough to drive. It this happens you are able to use vehicle storage. This way you will know the car is safe until they are old enough to be able to drive and that your child is safe a not able to use the vehicle ahead of the time when you feel it is right.

In addition, some of the time because of marriage or for other reasons a car collector may move to a place that does not have nearly enough garage room for their collection or perhaps even their favorites. That does not mean that you have to give up your collection but simply that you have to find another safe place for your cars. Vehicle storage is great for this.

You can keep your old antique car that has been passed down to you or you can keep you wonderful new convertible. The type of car does matter but not nearly as much as that the vehicle is safe and sound. No collector of an item wants to give up what took them so long to be able to collect and with the help of self storage they do not have to let their cars go, their wine or any other items hat they may not be able to take with them.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Vehicle Storage in New Hampshire

Posted by on Thursday, December 31, 2009. Leave a Comment

If you are an individual who stores his or her 4x wheel drive in a self storage during the summer months, you may wish to consider possibly using a vehicle storage rental. This will help to keep your home and garage free of a large vehicle, but help you to make sure that when fall and the winter months are looming ahead you have it when you need it. In addition, if you enjoy using an RV during the summer months but not having it in your way where you will need to dig the snow out in the winter months

New Hampshire has gentle summer and strong winters, with snow plows and shoveling being a must during the winter months. Due to this, it is really best store all of your vehicles in some kind of storage rental location. Long term storage is available for any individual who wishes to use self storage to store his or her vehicle. Each storage unit ranges in size from mini storage to high tech climate control storage if you worry about your vehicle.

If you do not have a suitable location on your property for your vehicle, it is a good idea to store it at a vehicle storage unit. Although it does cost money to rent a storage unit, there are many advantages that make up for the costs involved. In addition, you may be able to use your storage rental on your taxes and receive tax back.

Something some individuals never plan for is having a fire happen at their homes. When this occurs, many individuals lose a place to put their vehicles until things are rebuilt. When this happens, you can store your vehicle at a self storage location which will keep a hold of your vehicle until you are ready to claim it. For individuals who worry about the security of their vehicles once they no longer have a garage this may be an excellent option. In addition, compared to the costs involved at replacing a vehicle this is by far a less expensive option to pursue.

If you have currently been selected by your employer to travel to another location in the country or elsewhere, you might want to place your vehicle in self storage to keep it safe from harm and to have a location to keep it at. Many individuals do not plan for a sudden promotion but if it does occur, you will be closing down your apartment rental and will need a place to store your vehicle. If you do not have a friend you can leave it at, your best option will be a vehicle rental.

Although most self storage will not offer possibilities for maintaining your vehicle, some self storage centers which specialize solely in vehicle storage will offer options for mechanics. Even though this is rare that this is offered, it is a good idea to consult the manager of the center in order to find out what is offered. You may be able to find out information on who is a good mechanic in your area who is cheaper and more efficient than others you have found.

If you have a sports car that is very important to you, the winters in New Hampshire can be very damaging due to the snow and the products put on the roads to keep ice down. For these owners, a vehicle self storage is the only way to protect their vehicles properly until the spring and summer months return when they can continue to enjoy their vehicles. Expensive investments like higher end cars should not be risked due to snow drifts which can quickly damage a vehicle. If you feel protecting your vehicle is worth the costs involved in storing it at a self storage unit, be sure to look for one in your area.

Storage rental units are also now offering locations where they can provide pro-green centers. These centers rely on earth safe alternatives to the normal used in years, and will often be far better in insulation than traditional methods. If you require a bit of extra protection plus you would like to do your part for the world, look into one of these centers near you. In addition, many of these centers are offering special discounts and lower prices to encourage new renters. This will help to protect your vehicle and your wallet while also doing your part for the environment.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Using Self-Storage During a Move

Posted by on Wednesday, December 30, 2009. Leave a Comment

So a move is in store? Congratulations! There are so many items that you need to consider when you are getting ready to move that it is difficult to keep track of everything. It’s a great idea to purchase a small planner or move-planning sheet that will help you organize all the tasks that are ahead of you.

For many of those tasks, a self storage unit will be an invaluable asset.

Sometimes called mini storage – particularly at businesses that offer only smaller storage units – a self storage unit is extra storage space, away from your home or business, that offers you a space to store any items you need to pack away for a period of time.

This kind of storage unit is perfect for short or long term storage, since they are typically monitored 24/7 and provide you with extra security, such as computer-controlled entry, electric gates, and personal locks of whatever strength you wish to utilize.

Preparing for a Home Sale

When you prepare to sell a home, one of the first things a real estate agent will do is walk you through your own home and help you see the home as it will be viewed by potential buyers.

The agent will point out not only dated carpets and curtains, but also the clutter and mess that accumulates through normal life and fails to appeal to potential buyers. The agent will likely suggest that you remove any clutter.

Many times, removing clutter means eliminating extra furniture from living space, cleaning closets and thinning out the clothing and shoes in the closets, and winnowing out children’s toys. If you have an extra car in the garage or an RV or boat in the driveway, the agent will likely recommend removing these vehicles to increase the curb appeal of the home.

You’ll be told to remove any storage boxes business records, tax records, receipts, old magazines or books, college papers, the kids’ artwork from grade school; it should all be removed from the home to add to the visual appeal and roominess.

Some people transfer these items to the garage and fill it so much that the cars can’t fit into it. This defeats the purpose of de-cluttering the home, makes it look like the garage is very small, and creates the feel that the home isn’t large enough to handle all of a person’s belongings.

After a sale, there are many situations that may demand self storage. If the buyer needs to move in before you can transfer to your new home, you’ll need somewhere to stash your belongings. If you are moving to a new location but do not yet have a home, this also presents a difficulty.

The answer to these dilemmas is a storage rental.

What to Rent
First look at how much you need to store. The easiest way to look at this is by boxes or by pickup loads. For example, a 5′ x 5′ storage unit will hold about 1 pickup load of material or about 50 standard file boxes. A 5′ x 5′ unit is 25 square feet (relatively small), so you can figure the larger units based on this standard.

A 10′ x 10′ unit, then, is 100 square feet, or four times as large as the 5′ x 5′, therefore it can hold 4 pickup loads or 200 boxes.

Climate Control Storage
Decide if you need climate control storage. Storage units with climate control are in a self-contained building with heating and cooling units to maintain a steady temperature and humidity.

If your items are valuable, sensitive to temperature changes, or irreplaceable, then you may want to consider climate control. You may have a small unit featuring climate controlled storage for photographs, electronic equipment and important tax records, and a larger, less expensive unit for the clothing, books, and toys.

Long Term Storage
If the market is bad or you’re not sure how long it will be before you find a new home, you may want to make arrangements for long-term storage in a unit. This generally means you have limited access to your items, but often at a lower price.

This is an option many people use after they arrive in a new area and still need to find, close, or build a home in the new area.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Climate Controlled Self Storage

Posted by on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Leave a Comment

Most people think of climate control storage as something that food service companies need to keep food refrigerated or frozen. For the average user, they think of self storage as a large building made of rooms that are about the size of a one-car garage or smaller, with a garage type door and no special features at all. And some self storage units are just that a medium-sized concrete room with a garage type door that allow large items to be put into the storage unit easily. The temperature inside the unit varies with the season; they’re boiling hot in the summer and frigid in the winter. These types of storage units are ideal for items that aren’t affected by changes in climate or for short term storage.

Some self storage facilities offer covered outdoor storage for certain items, and some offer indoor storage designed for specific purposes, so your choices don’t just range from mini storage to units that are large enough to house every piece of your furniture. You can get specialized self storage for your other storage needs, too.

Climate control storage is offered at many facilities and can be used for a variety of purposes. Some companies will have climate controlled self storage units just for storing wine, for instance. They’ll be able to tell you how many cases will fit into each unit, and should offer the temperature they keep the unit at 24 hours per day and 7 days per week-for wine, it should be right around 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

This type of special self storage will cost more than a standard storage unit of the same size that doesn’t have climate control. It will probably also cost a little more if it’s designated for a specific purpose – like wine self storage p than if it’s merely advertised as air conditioned and heated to maintain a certain temperature and therefore keep items from melting or freezing.

For the wine aficionado, wine self storage offers the benefits of keeping fine wines at the ideal temperature year round. Many people who enjoy wines don’t have the optimal storage space in their homes for the bottles. A wine cellar is ideal because of the built-in coolness of rooms that are underground, but if you don’t have a wine cellar, having one built can be expensive. Self storage is a good, cost effective solution for storing wine properly.

Storing wine isn’t the only good application of climate control storage. If you need to store wooden furniture, for instance, you could store it in a regular self storage unit that has a temperature that can vary widely according to the season. Or you could pay just a little more and store it in climate control storage, which will much better protect your furniture investment.

Wood furniture might not be affected much by the heat or cold of the air, but climate control storage doesn’t just control temperature. These units control the amount of dust in the air by their very nature. Because heating or cooling is used, air filters are also used, which can keep your storage unitcleaner and better protect the surfaces of your furniture or other items.

When you rent a regular storage unit, the changes in temperature can cause condensation and “sweating” on some surfaces. This moisture can cause damage like mold, mildew, water stains, discoloration and even warping, in some more extreme cases.

With climate control units, which are typically kept at a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, this condensation is prevented, protecting the items from moisture damage. Climate control units are also, by their nature, humidity controlled. So the dryer air also protects your items from the damage that can be caused by being in a moist environment.

Many items like artwork or antique items can be preserved longer and better in a climate control storage unit. Think of the museums and archaeological societies when they uncover a treasure-it’s immediately put into a climate controlled environment to minimize any further decay and damage. Your valuable items deserve no less attention.

Even items like clothing and paperwork can be damaged by humidity and moisture caused by rapidly changing temperatures and extreme temperatures. Your clothes and papers could come out of storage with a musty smell, or even show signs of mildew if not in climate control storage.

A final benefit to climate control storage is that, along with the units, the hallways in the building are likely climate controlled too, so that you’re more comfortable when accessing your items.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Comparing Types of Self Storage

Posted by on Sunday, December 27, 2009. Leave a Comment

Self storage rental comes in many different shapes and sizes. Mini storage can be a small storage unit the size of a tiny closet, or large enough to store everything in your house. It can even be large enough for RV storage, boat storage and vehicle storage. You can choose short term or long term storage, and you even have a choice between three basic types of self storage like outdoor storage, indoor units and the kind of storage you can drive right up to.

Each type of storage is ideal for a certain item, but usually able to hold other items as well – with the exception of outdoor storage, which is most suitable for vehicles, boats, RVs, motorcycles and other large equipment like lawn or farm equipment, and not suitable for most general items. But with indoor storage, you can store some large equipment, as well as things like valuables and paperwork, and drive-up storage is suitable for just about anything you need to store, including boats, RVs and other vehicles.

Drive-up storage units are probably the most common self storage available. These units are about the size of a small garage, with the standard size typically coming in at about 10 x 10. They can be smaller or larger, with varying ceiling heights. These units are usually not climate control storage, so anything stored in them will need to be able to stand up to possible extreme temperatures, based on the climate in your area. A drive-up storage unit is convenient because you can back a truck right up to the unit and unload it there. You don’t have to carry items through a building to get to an indoor storage unit. And because the door is like a garage door that rolls up and out of the way, the opening is large enough to easily accommodate things like appliances and furniture, and even allows some vehicles to drive right in, if the facility allows vehicles in their drive-up storage units (and most do).

You may even be able to find climate control drive-up self storage, but don’t assume that the facility offers them. Ask so you can be sure to get the right storage for you needs. There are some possible drawbacks to this type of self storage, whether you’re using it for boat storage, vehicle storage, or general storage.

Because the door is accessible from the outside, there’s a higher risk of theft or a break-in than you’ll find with indoor self storage. It’s important with drive-up storage facilities for you be aware of their security measures before you commit to storage rental. You’ll want to make sure someone can’t just walk up to the building, cut off your lock and gain access to your belongings. Check their security carefully. Also, be sure not to put anything in the unit for long term storage that could suffer under hot and cold conditions, if the unit isn’t climate control storage. Anything that could be ruined by the slightest moisture, warp, or mildew isn’t a great candidate for long term storage in this type of unit. You should never store food or anything perishable in any storage unit, but be sure you’re aware of everything you put inside and that nothing that could possibly draw insects or vermin might be in any of your boxes. Since the door is easily accessible from the outside, items like this could present a real problem.

Indoor self storage offers you a storage unit inside a building that might contain several floors of storage. These are the most likely to be climate control storage, but be sure to ask because not all indoor storage is heated and cooled. Most mini storage units are found in indoor storage facilities, too. The doors can be roll-up doors like a garage or ordinary doors. These have better security than drive-up and outdoor storage, and are good for people who need climate control storage or just prefer to house their items in an indoor setting, rather than a warehouse or garage-type storage unit.

Outdoor storage usually costs less than both indoor storage (which is the most expensive in almost all cases) and drive-up storage. You can rent storage units big enough for huge RV storage or small enough for a one-person recreational vehicle, like a motorcycle or four-wheeler. The might be covered with a carport, featuring cement or gravel floors. Security of the entire storage area is of utmost importance when you choose outdoor self storage.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Remodeling Made Easier With Storage Rental

Posted by on Sunday, December 27, 2009. Leave a Comment

Remodeling your home can be quite stressful, especially when you are on a budget and you may not know where to put your items for while the remodeling is being done. You could ask a family member but then your items would be in their way and be much harder to get back and put in place. One of your options is to use storage rental. Storage rental is perfect for when you are remodeling your house because not only do you have an area to put the items that were in the part of your house that is being remodeled, but you also have room if you need to store supplies. In addition, you could store other items that you could keep there on a more long-term storage basis.

There are many other reasons to go with storage rental also. For instance, there is the fact that you know that your items will be safe and will be in the same condition as they were when you left them at the facility. There are also many different types of storage that you can chose from depending on what it is that you need stored. The different types of storage that are most commonly used include self storage, climate control storage, mini storage, vehicles storage, RV storage, boat storage and long term storage. There are positives to each side of these storage units and different reasons for each one separately.

The main reason for climate control is if you have food items that need to be stored while you remodel your kitchen or if you have a wine collection that may need to be stored while you remodel you cellar or the area where you store your wine. Wine is a very popular item to collect and there are many different types but there is one thing that is the same no matter what the type of wine is and no matter where it has come from. All while must be stored at a specific temperature or it will over time turn into vinegar which would mean your wine that you put so much work into collecting would essentially be no longer worth the cost you may have paid due to no longer being in good condition.

There are also people who would like to remodel their garages. When a person remodels their garage it can be so that they will be able to fit more inside of it or it can also be for other reasons such as making it the perfect place to store their vehicle or other items that they store in their garage. Many people may have RVs in their garage or vehicles and boats. When you are remodeling your garage the last thing you would want is for any of these items to get hurt making RV storage, vehicle storage or boat storage perfect for you depending on what you own or what was being stored in there. Other people also store items or food in their garage meaning that they may need self-storage or even climate control storage, which was talked about in the previous paragraph.

Any types of storage could be needed but every type of storage could be useful. You may need storage for supplies, the items that you own or other things. You could even not want to through out the parts that you used to have in the area that you are remodeling. Many people may take a bathtub out of a bathroom so that another can be put in when they are remodeling but that bathtub may be bigger then one in another area of the house meaning that they may want to replace that one with that larger one that used to be ni their own bathroom. When you want to do this after the expenses of your own remodeling it may have to wait until you are ready for the expenses that would be needed meaning you may want to put the bathtub in storage so that you will still have it to replace the other when the time comes.

Another part of a house that is commonly remodeled is the bedroom. In your bedroom, not only do you have many items that you own but you also have your bed, your drawers and any number of other items of furniture and you may end up not having a place to pout them during the remodeling which can mean optimizing storage units such as self storage.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.

Long Term Self-Storage Options in Alabama

Posted by on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. Leave a Comment

There are many long-term storage options in Alabama to choose from. It is now possible to store your boat, car, RV or personal items with ease. With options like climate control we can store difficult items (like pianos) without worry.

Let’s face it, at one time or another many of us will experience a storage crunch. Certainly we have all seen storage centers dotting our highways and landscapes. The rows of rectangular buildings offer to store whatever we can’t cram into our garages or attics. Fortunately for us, there are self-storage options for every need. Options include stand-alone storage unit facilities or units that are delivered to us.

When using a facility you should expect them to take reasonable precautions to secure your property. This may include security cameras, a gate and adequate lighting.

Before you decide on which type of storage meets your needs the best it is helpful to be familiar with at least a few terms.

Self storage is any type of storage that you do yourself. It is a catch-all term that includes just about all types of storage. Other common phrases are mini-storage, storage, public storage etc. Mini storage these storage units are about the size of a household room. They may be as small as a 5 x 5 closet, the size of a small room or even up to the size of a two car garage. Storage rental refers to the storage unit you are renting. Vehicle storage is storage for your car or vehicle. If you have an antique car, classic car or an extra vehicle this is the place to store it. Boat storage is the perfect spot for off-season boats. Boats storage facilities can handle everything from canoes to speedboats. RV storage facilities can store any size or make of RV. Instead of taking up driveway or yard space RV storage can offer the perfect solution. Long-term storage is just what the name implies. Whether you need to store for a few seasons or a year or more this is the place. Storage unit or facility refers to the individual room or cubical space that is available for rent. Storage units come in everything from mini-units to tractor-trailer size spaces. They can be climate controlled, delivered and set up on your property to be rented from a storage facility. No matter what space you rent the term storage unit can apply. Climate control storage offers heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer. This makes it easier for you sort through your belongings that are being stored. It can also provide better protection for previously hard-to-store items such as documents or pianos.

Most places allow you to rent on a monthly basis. Some storage facilities will let you rent a storage unit and pay by the quarter or annually. Move-in specials or other incentives are often offered. Some storage units will even allow the free use of a large moving truck to better enable you to move your belongings into the unit.

Almost all facilities will require that you purchase a lock for your unit. Some units will have a password setting on a main gate or on your storage unit. This added security feature helps keep whatever you are storing as safe and secure as possible.

In Alabama people often seek storage for household and personal belongings as well as RV storage and boat storage.

There are special considerations for long-term storage of any vehicle or boat. Check with your manufacturer for how to properly store your boat or RV. Don’t forget to check with your storage facility. They may also have certain requirements or a list of helpful tips to help you prepare your RV or boat for long-term self-storage. Basic suggestions include:

Be sure to remove anything that you value from the vehicle or boat being stored. This common sense approach can save you heartache later. Remove any extra belongings that you may need. There is nothing worth than looking for an item only to realize that it is safely stored in a winterized boat or RV! Check any fluids that are in your vehicle or boat and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing them for storage. This may include using fresh antifreeze or other fluids. Remove your battery. Wash and wax your boat or RV. Make it as clean as possible inside and out. If you have leather interior apply a protectant to prevent the leather from cracking. Cover and place in long-term storage knowing that your property is safe and secure.

Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.