What to Look for In A Storage Facility When You Need A Storage Unit?

When choosing a storage facility, there are a few things you want to look for to make sure you're getting the most for your money. Check out the space around the unit before you rent. The right storage facility should offer these amenities to their tenants:

Clean and Well-Maintained Grounds
If a storage facility appears clean and well-maintained it speaks to the level of care the owners have for their facility and therefore their customers and their belongings. They are more likely to keep up with maintenance to buildings which will in turn keep your items that much safer. You will also have a more pleasant experience visiting a clean facility.
Good Lighting
It is important to pick a storage facility that is well lit. This makes it easier for you to maneuver when you come and go to the facility.
Protective Fencing
Choose a storage facility that is fully fenced to deter crime.
Electronic Gate
Look for a storage facility with an electronic gate that requires a code to enter and exit as an extra level of protection.
Convenient Location
Consider the storage facility’s proximity to areas you frequent. Is it convenient to where you live or work? If you are storing a boat or storing an RV, is it on the way to your favorite vacation destination? You may want to occasionally transport things to and from your unit, so make sure it is not too far out of the way.
Hours of Operation
Are their hours of operation at the storage facility suitable for your needs? Some spaces offer 24-hour access so you can always get to your belongings when you need to.
Payment Options
Does the storage facility offer online bill pay or do you have to present payment in person?
Room to Grow
If you end up needing more storage space at a later date, does the facility have larger or smaller sizes of units depending on your needs? All of these are important questions to ask.
Good Online Reviews or Referrals from Someone You Know
Be sure to read reviews online, as they can shed some light on the experience you may have as a customer of the storage facility. After all, you will likely be storing things that are important to you, so it is key to ensure that you are putting them somewhere where you feel good about.

What Are the Different Types of Storage Units?

There are a variety of different types of storage units, and it's important to learn about each type so you'll know what best suits your needs. These are the most common types:

Outside or Drive Up
Outside or drive up storage units can be accessed from outside of a building, they are like a garage. This can be convenient if you need to unload large or heavy objects because in many cases, you can drive directly up to the storage unit to unload.
Business Storage
This type of storage can be used for keeping your business's extra inventory safe and secure.
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Indoor or Hallway
To access indoor storage units, you will have to walk inside of a building. This can be convenient for storing smaller items or boxes, or if you want the added security of an extra door between outsiders and your property.
Boat and RV Storage
This option is perfect if you are looking to store a recreational vehicle when you are not using it, and do not have enough room on your personal property to do so.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent A Storage Unit?

The price you'll end up paying for a storage unit will vary depending on size, location, and other factors, but in general, don't always simply choose the cheapest option, as you may not be getting the best service available. Most storage facilities will offer both short- and long-term options, so you can pay monthly or sign a contract for a longer period. At Idaho Storage Connection, we offer month to month storage rentals; therefore, you can stay for only one month or for years. For convenience, look for a storage unit facility that offers online bill pay.

Keep in mind that some facilities may impose fees that are discussed in your contract, so read over it carefully. In many cases, a one-time admin fee needs to be paid upfront. If you run into trouble down the line and cannot pay your bill on time, you may face late fees. If you ever get locked out of your unit, you can expect to pay a fee for a locksmith. And if, when you are done using your unit, you do not clean it out well, you may be hit with a cleanup fee as well.

What Size Storage Unit Is Right for You?

The right storage unit size will vary greatly depending on your needs. Take inventory of everything you plan on storing before choosing a size. It never hurts to choose a size slightly larger than what you currently need in case your needs change in the future. There are a few storage unit sizes that are standard throughout the industry.

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  • A 5x5 storage unit is roughly the size of a closet and is great for storing things like a Christmas tree and decorations, a full-sized mattress, or smaller furniture like a desk or dresser.
  • A 5x10 storage unit is about the size of a smaller walk-in closet and will comfortably store queen or king-sized mattresses, larger dressers, appliances like refrigerators, and motorcycles.
  • A 5x12 storage unit is the size of a larger walk-in closet and can fit the boxed contents of a studio apartment, or items including couches or sofas, kitchen tables and chairs, and washers or dryers.
  • A 10x10 storage unit is about half the size of a one-car garage, and you can store plenty of furniture, a grand piano, or larger appliance.
  • A 10x15 storage unit is a bit smaller than a typical one-car garage, which will fit compact cars, most furniture, or plenty of large boxes.

Of course, there are plenty of larger sizes available for vehicles, boats, and the contents of entire homes. 

What Insurance Is Available for A Storage Unit?

Your renter's or homeowner's insurance may cover personal property while in storage, so be sure to check your policy. If it is not covered, you may be able to purchase additional or separate storage insurance through your insurance company or the storage facility.  It can be a good idea to do this to ensure that you will not lose out if your property gets damaged. You would not be storing your belongings if you did not want to keep them safe in the first place, so investing in extra insurance might be smart.

Common Reasons People Rent Storage Units

If you think you may need a storage unit in the future, now is a great time to start looking rather than waiting for the last minute. People need to use storage units for a variety of reasons. People who are in the process of moving may need a temporary place to store extra furniture or appliances while they wait for their new place or may need somewhere to put things when staging their home for potential buyers. Or maybe you are simply looking to declutter your living space but do not necessarily want to throw things away. A storage unit is a great option anytime you are looking to tuck some objects away for later use.

What Shouldn't Be Kept in A Storage Unit?

There are a few things that should never be kept in a storage unit. These items include:

  • Food or perishables that can rot or spoil. This would include seeds, grains, pet food, or canned food. Not only would this lead to a bad smell, it will attract pests like rodents or bugs.
  • Hazardous materials like gasoline, propane, paint, or chemicals. These items are flammable, and if they leak, they could pose a fire risk. Other hazardous materials include fireworks, asbestos, biological waste, fertilizer, and anything that may give off radiation.
  • Human or animal occupancy. A storage unit is not the place for occupancy.
  • Irreplaceable items. A storage unit is not the right place to keep anything sentimental.
  • Weapons. Because weapons pose a risk, most storage units do not allow them to be stored. Ask your facility for more details and specifics.
  • Unregistered vehicles. Only store vehicles that are registered to you, so you can assure that they are being kept legal.
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What Documents Do You Need to Get A Storage Unit?

If you are ready to rent a unit, you will need to provide a valid form of government-issued ID first, like a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. You will also have to sign a contract or agreement with the facility. Be sure to read over this document carefully so that you know what rules you will need to follow as you move forward. Keep a copy of your contract on hand so you can reference it if you have any questions in the future.

How Can You Get the Most Out of a Storage Unit?

Once you have chosen a great storage unit that meets your needs, it is important to make the most out of it. When storing things in your unit, make sure to keep everything clearly labeled so you will always know what is where in case you need to quickly access something.

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Pack and wrap everything securely so nothing is damaged in the moving or storage process. And if you are storing long-term, be sure to check on your unit regularly. Even if your storage unit facility provides general amenities (i.e., cameras, electronic gates, etc.), never share your key or access code with anybody. 

If you're looking to rent a storage unit, Idaho Storage Connection offers top-rated storage units in Boise, Eagle, and Nampa, Idaho. We have a wide variety of storage space sizes so that you will find the size you need to fit all your belongings at a price that will fit conveniently into your budget. Get a storage unit quote by contacting us.

Storage Unit Reservation Policy

Idaho Storage Connection is committed to ensuring the ability to honor agreed-upon self storage unit reservations. As such, Idaho Storage Connection does not currently offer online reservations. However, we remain dedicated to rapidly responding to all inquiries and potential reservation requests (often within 1 hour of contact). If you're interested in storing your belongings at Idaho Storage Connection, please utilize one of our various methods to contact us (phone, email) and you can be assured we will be in touch soon.

Get Started With Idaho Storage Connection

If you are looking for affordable self-storage in Southwest Idaho, contact us through our form or call us today.

(208) 376-0700
info@idahostorageconnection.com