According to a recent survey, one in 11 American households
rent self storage space. The first self storage facilities
originated in Texas in the late 1960s and now nearly 50,000
self-storage facilities have been developed throughout the
United States.
Self-storage's popularity comes from several sources. A
recent industry survey indicates that 44% of clients use
storage because they are moving, 34% don't have enough
space currently in their homes, and 15% of clients are
people with business needs.
The biggest element in the use of self storage is America's
mobility. It is a fact that more households are in
transition, whether its because of job opportunities,
moving to be closer to grandchildren, or divorce The
average American will change residences 11 times in his or
her life.
And so many times when moving your household goods you just
may need to store your possessions temporarily. Timing is
always a factor, whether it's complications with closing
on a house or difficulties in locating a permanent home in
a new city, you may find it necessary to store your
belongings for a few weeks, a month or maybe even longer.
Or sometimes the move involves family members who just
temporarily join your household. For example, what does one
do with the recent college graduate's futon or what happens
to Grandpa's toy train collection when he needs the spare
room after an operation? You may find what so many others
have that self storage is the answer.
The other way self storage comes to the rescue is by
providing extra storage space for those houses with
precious little of it. So many older houses have small
rooms and even smaller closets. There's simply not enough
room for today's modern family's acquisitions. And many of
the small houses and ranches so popular in the Sunbelt
states, an area that has seen the most population growth in
recent years, come without basements. And because it is
cheaper for contractors to use trusses rather than rafters,
we no longer can spend an afternoon rummaging through
Grandmother's hot and cluttered attic, because attic spaces
have all but vanished.
So when reality shows such as The Learning Channel's Clean
Sweep inspires people to get organized, how can they
achieve that lean look and still have access to items they
are not ready to sell off at a garage sale for fifty cents.
Self storage is once again the answer.
And when you're thinking about self storage: don't think
small. Many of today's facilities have options to store
boats, motorcycles, wave runners and recreational vehicles.
So instead of dealing with the complaints and frowns from
your neighborhood association, because you parked your
camper in your driveway, it's so much easier to use the
self storage solution.
Also, businesses as different as film companies to small
stay-at-home-mom offices may need space from time to time.
Also with the emergence or so many people selling items on
E-Bay, self storage makes sure the business doesn't consume
the home with books, computers or other collectibles. The
self storage solution once again is the perfect solution.
So whether you're looking to store just a few items,
selected pieces of furniture, archive your paperwork, save
precious mementoes from your youth, get the boat out of the
driveway or put most of your possessions in a safe place
for a few weeks or more; it's clear self storage is the
answer.
In addition, self storage offers both personal and business
users a storage solution that they can almost control
themselves. In the past, large storage companies offered
limited access, no flexibility, long-term contracts and
high charges.
But unlike traditional storage methods, self storage now
allows easy access to your storage space free-of-charge.
And that means you can take your Christmas decorations out
of storage and replace it with your summer camping gear at
your convenience. Or you can take Junior's furniture, books
and gear out when he finally gets a job and moves out of
the house.
If you're looking to use self storage, the first difference
you'll notice is that it's your responsibility to get your
stuff to the self storage facility and then pack your goods
into the space provided. But this is a great option because
it means you can pack your storage space in the way that
best suits you. That way you can easily access items
without having to unload everything in the unit when you
need to get extra lawn chairs for your next family reunion.
And here are a few hints to make storing you items in self
storage more efficient. Box everything that you can and
make sure you label it for easy identification. If items
are in a box they will stay cleaner and free of dust. And
make sure you don't fill large boxes with heavy items such
as books. They'll become impossible to carry and who needs
the extra backache? Also, using cardboard boxes or paper
bags will keep your items from mildewing. Sealed plastic
bags, should be avoided when possible. Remember to store
books flat to protects their spines, and remember fragile
items such as mirrors and china need the extra protection
provided by bubble wrap. Also, make sure your keep an
inventory. Make sure to place your inventory list near the
front of the unit. That way you know which box the bread
maker is in and you can get it out easily to make your
favorite loaf of bread for the Thanksgiving feast.
Also, keep in mind most facilities will sell you packing
supplies and may even offer removal vehicles to make the
whole process quick and simple.
Another big advantage self storage has is that your
belongings will be secure. In most cases, the storage unit
you lease can only be accessed by yourself and you'll be
the only authorized key holder. Though of course you can
authorize others to access your space. In most cases,
you'll be expected to provide your own lock for your self
storage space. This gives you an extra guarantee of
security.
And keep in mind in the competitive self storage industry,
many operators now offer state-of-the art security with
such security devices as secured fencing, code-access
gates, individual unit alarms, video cameras, security
lighting and even guard dogs. Each of these measures
focuses on keeping unauthorized people from entering a
facility and gaining access to units. This means your
personal possessions will many times be safer in self
storage than in your own home or business.
And remember, facility operators do not have casual access
to the contents of your space. A self storage operator
never takes possession, care, custody or control of the
contents of the storage rental space unless the issue of
non-payment of rent becomes a problem.
Another advantage to self storage is that the units are
clean, dry, safe and vermin free. In addition, many
facilities offer climate controlled units that allow
storage of fine wines, furs, antiques and prescription
drugs.
And you can store almost anything in self storage,
everything from pots and pans to the mounted deer head your
new wife won't allow in the den. Do keep in mind there are
some very basic limitations as to what objects or goods you
can store in the self storage units and these vary from one
storage company to the other depending on the services each
one offers. But, most do not allow their clients to store
flammable goods, chemicals, toxic material or anything
hazardous. Most storage companies also do not permit
storing food or other perishables. So expect to be asked
to drain the tanks if you're storing items with fuel tanks
such as lawn mowers. Fuel is one of the few things that you
cannot store in a storage unit facility.
If you are like most people, you'll prefer storing your
family belongings as close to your home as possible, or
someplace convenient to the roads you use to get around
town on a day-to-day basis. At one time the most efficient
way to locate a self storage facility was to use the Yellow
Pages and then call company after company until you found
the right match for your needs. Now you'll find the
Internet is a good place to find units close to home. And
websites can often provide you with an easy-to-use,
efficient means of obtaining free self storage quotes. You
will usually have the opportunity to choose from a vast
selection of self-storage facilities. Not only is this a
convenient way to quickly locate a self storage facility,
but it is also an excellent way to obtain discount moving
boxes, and various other packing materials.
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Self Storage
http://www.selfstorageowner.com/documents/home.html
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