When you’re moving to a new home, it may become apparent just how much you own. This is a good time to
start working on decluttering. However, you will likely find many items that you don’t wish to part with, but you don’t have the space for. This is where storage becomes an option.
You’ve probably heard of or seen storage facilities before, but there are actually multiple storage options in existence. Knowing what’s available can help you decide what’s best for you.
Self-storage
Perhaps the most common form of storage, a self-storage facility is a building with multiple units (essentially rooms) of varying sizes. A person can pay to keep their items (here’s some examples of
what you can keep in self-storage) within one of these units for a certain amount of time. The
cost of a self-storage unit will vary depending on many factors, such as the size of the unit and the amount of time you use it for.
When you keep items in a self-storage unit, you can access them at any time that the facility is open. This means it’s ideal for anyone wishing to have easy access to their items, for example if you are storing some things for a week while you move house, or you are redecorating and need to move stuff around.
When
choosing a self-storage facility, it’s important to make sure you are satisfied with its security and the condition in which your items will be kept.
Warehouse storage
Using warehouse storage is not so different from self-storage. Items can be stored in a container of various sizes, which will be kept in a warehouse for a certain period of time. Again, the cost of warehouse storage will depend on the size of your container and how long it will be kept in storage. However, it is often much cheaper than self-storage due to the fact that it doesn’t need purpose-built rooms, facilities and staff etc.
The key difference between warehouse and self-storage is accessibility. Unlike self-storage, items stored in a warehouse cannot be accessed whenever you like. This is because the special containers will be stacked up and will need to be manoeuvred to allow you access. You will often need to book an appointment ahead of time if you want to access your container.
Warehouse storage is therefore ideal for anyone wishing to store items that they don’t need ease of access to, for example if you have a lot of items relating to your business, or you are going to be renovating your home for a long time.
Mobile self-storage
One final option for storage is the use of mobile self-storage. This is much the same as self-storage, your items are kept in a unit for a period of time, but this unit is on wheels. Mobile storage units are loaded onto trailers and brought by the company to your home or business, where you can load or unload your items. When they take it away, the unit will then be stored securely at a facility.
Much like self-storage, your items can be accessed whenever you want, but you will of course need to account for their driver’s schedule and how long they will take to get to you. You should also be aware of size, as the size of the units will be dependent on what can legally fit on the roads. So, you will need to do what you can to
maximise your space.
Some mobile storage companies also have to option to keep your mobile unit on your property, so you have easy access to it. This might be useful if you’re redecorating one room and just want some extra space to store things for a couple of weeks.
Mobile storage is ideal for anyone who will have difficulty travelling long distances with things to store, for example due to their schedule, their health or not having a decent way to transport items.
As always, when choosing the method of storage that’s right for you, you should follow the golden rule. Always compare what’s available (not just in terms of the kind of storage, but what companies are about) to find the best deal, and the service that is right for your needs!