Moving is probably not on anyone’s list of “things you want to do today.” But sometimes, life necessitates a move to another house in a different location. Maybe you got a promotion at work. Perhaps you want a change of scenery. Sometimes, you’re just upgrading to a new home. Whatever the case may be, moving is not easy and it takes quite a bit of time. Taking all the pictures off your walls, packing up your precious goods, coming to terms with the fact that you have a lot of stuff, and dealing with changing out your utilities are all some of the common headaches associated with moving.
Finding a place to keep your stuff while you are moving or while you’re settling into your new home can be much easier. Using self storage services offers a way to keep your precious items safe without cluttering up your home. Here’s a guide on how to decide if self-storage is right for you.
Understand What It Is and What It Isn’t
Deciding on whether or not you’re going to rent out a self-storage unit isn’t a complicated process. But you do need to understand what it is and what it isn’t. Self-storage is a handy, convenient place for you to store your belongings. What it isn’t is a place to abandon things you don’t want, dump goods you no longer use, or a place to live. In fact, it is illegal to live in storage units in most states. Self Storage can also be great for storing vehicles or other large furniture items that you may decide to use at another point but are not currently needing to have around your home. Ultimately, self-storage is a great tool for when you need additional storage for items that won’t fit in your house.
Ask Yourself Why You Need Self Storage
So, if you decide to acquire or subscribe to self-storage, it’s prudent to understand why you need storage in the first place. Are you seeking a self-storage solution to temporarily hold things while you acclimate to your new surroundings? Do you need storage for XS vehicles that you don’t plan on getting rid of any time soon? Is there another compelling reason to go for self-storage? If you can answer all of these questions with a high level of certainty, you’ll know whether or not self-storage is right for you. Ultimately self-storage is a great tool for organizing your life, so answering these questions should come quickly and easily. It’s also a good idea to understand the area, crime statistics, and what’s nearby before ultimately determining your self-storage solution.
Assess Your Storage Needs
If you’ve decided you need to go ahead and get self-storage, then it’s time to assess your storage needs. What are you going to store in that unit? Furniture, knick-knacks, old magazines? How about a vehicle or a boat you’re not presently using but plan to down the road? Do you need to store a vehicle? How about some boxes of clothes or old CDs/records? Is it something that’s going to need climate control? That’s a pretty important consideration. Something such as documents and media can suffer severe damage if there’s too much or too little humidity in the unit. Do you need to store something that might be adversely affected by extreme heat or cold? In that case, climate control is going to be necessary. So ultimately knowing what you need to store and whether or not it requires climate control is integral to finding your self-storage solution.
Pick The Right Unit Size
After you have a good idea of what type of storage you’ll need and what you’ll be storing, it’s time to select the unit size. For most things, a 5 x 5 or a 5 x 10 unit will probably suffice. These are approximately the size of a closet and can accommodate a lot more than you might think, especially if you stack things vertically inside boxes. Larger units can be as big as a small room or as large as a master bedroom. For vehicle storage, there are usually outdoor accommodations that work for such things. Depending on what you need to store, how you’re going to store it, and how long you wish to keep it in storage, there is sure to be a conveniently sized storage unit for you.
Budget
Moving is already an expensive endeavor. But finding places to store your precious goods and mementos shouldn’t break the bank. You should figure out a budget for the unit you desire. Storage units are assessed usually at a monthly rate, but some organizations might offer discounts for yearly usage. When you are looking for a self-storage solution, be sure to find the right ones in your area that fit your needs. In Washington state, you can find plenty of phenomenal Seattle storage units that not only can suit your needs but won’t be hard on your wallet. Ultimately, your self-storage solution is easy with the right attitude, mindset, and tools.
