Why do you need car storage?

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 16:39:40 GMT

There are many reasons why you need car storage. Self storage companies are growing in number and the competitive market for your share of car storage rises. Many self storage companies now offer extra benefits like car storage to complement their other amenities.

Car storage generally comes in three types. Inside car storage, outside, and covered parking round out the three types that most self storage company’s offer. Consider what your needs are, what your budget will allow and choose your car storage needs wisely.

Inside car storage usually is offered in two types. Some individual self storage units are built big enough to accommodate a vehicle being pulled inside for storage against the elements. But, big units aren’t enough; the doors to these units must resemble a roll up type garage door to be able to allow the vehicle to enter. The unit must also be ground level with not much lip on the rise of the unit. Sometimes customers will request a large unit to hold a vehicle and some personal home items that need storage. Concrete floors make these units perfect for storing an extra vehicle. The other type of inside car storage is the warehouse setting. Some car storage companies opt for a large warehouse building instead of the traditional individual self storage units that can house cars. Why do you need car storage in a warehouse? Depending on the area, it could be cheaper because the space is designed especially for car storage and not just individual personal storage. Warehouse car storage companies have parking spaces and sometimes offer climate controlled storage for your nicer or collectable vehicle. This type of car storage might also be the way to go if you are storing several vehicles, as the company might be able to offer you a discount on multiple vehicles.

Outside car storage generally has less frills than the other two types of car storage. Self storage properties often include areas where car, RV, truck and trailer parking can take place. It’s a great way for the self storage property to make some extra money by taking advantage of all unused paved or unpaved areas. Depending on the which part of the country you are in, parking spaces are like gold, with many self storage companies in the larger markets having waiting lists for people wanting parking spaces. While outside parking will generally cost you less, it might be in you best interest to invest in a car cover to protect you vehicle from the elements. Why do you need car storage outside? You might choose this type of car storage because it fits your budget and the vehicle you need to park doesn’t need any extras in the storing process.

Covered car storage is one step up from the basic outside car storage. Some self storage companies will offer covered car ports that vehicles can pull into. This type of car storage will not provide as much protection as inside car storage but it will shield your car from the damage the sun can do to your vehicle. Because personal vehicles seem to be getting bigger, some sites offer different heights of covered parking and depending on the length of your vehicle is how it is stored. Covered parking can also protect your vehicle from snow accumulation depending on the way the wind is blowing. Why do you need car storage that is covered? You might pick this type of car storage to provide a little extra protection against the elements. Again this type of car storage would benefit from a car cover to help shield your vehicle on all sides. Many airport extended parking lots offer covered parking as an upgrade. In some parts of the U.S., commercial property can be very expensive per acre. To be able to make self storage companies investments pay off, many companies have opted to go up instead of out to gain the most square footage to rent. By offering multiple levels of parking, you can increase your total rental space quickly. The levels also offer some protection from the elements as an added bonus. The top level of the parking structure may offer parking to oversized or taller vehicles that might not fit in the low ceiling regular parking. This option is a great alternative for larger cities and municipalities that may suffer from lack of properties available to renovate a property to parking spots. Large city parking is at a premium and while many rely on public transportation, many residents still maintain a personal vehicle. The people who keep a personal vehicle are often willing to pay a high price to park or store their vehicle. These spaces must be secure and offer generous hours to accommodate the comings and goings of the big city folks.

When looking for car storage in your town or city, you might have to call a few self storage or call storage properties to locate the ideal car storage that fits your needs. First, you will encounter some self storage properties that don’t offer car storage at all. Keep calling around. Then you will have a few that offer car storage like the three types listed above. Before calling around, determine what car storage you would like to have and always have a plan B. Remember the more bells and whistles you need will likely end up costing you more. Be sure to ask if there are any special items you will need to bring to complete your car storage rental. Some self storage companies require a current title and registration on the vehicle you will be storing. Other companies make their inside car storage tenants store their vehicles with just a little gas for safety.

Why do you still need car storage? Now that we have discussed the basics of car storage, let’s discuss why you need car storage? The first place I think of when I think of car storage is a home garage. Some homes offer one or two car garage spaces that are either built attached to the home or are detached. Some homes offer a carport type parking while others don’t offer any type of parking protection for your vehicle. People that rent apartments or condos may be limited to one space or no spaces depending on the location of the residence. Big city high rises are the same and either offer a space or no space per resident. But the other problem is that even though some homes may offer a garage, the residents don’t park their vehicles in the garage because they are using the garage for storage. Herein lies the problem; too much household or lawn equipment placed in the garage makes the garage not useable for its intended purpose of parking a vehicle or two. If you can’t seem to part with the items in your garage you may opt for car storage for that car that is left outside that just wants to be at home. Street parking can be dangerous or costly depending on the neighborhood and the parking hours that should be posted. Many cities post strict parking hours or offer meter parking. When these are violated, an expensive ticket or towing can result. That is why you need car storage away from your home, apartment, townhouse or condo that is safe and reasonably priced.

Why do you need car storage for that classic car or fixer upper? Many weekend mechanics are faced with the same problem; not having room in the garage to store that classic car or work on that ’57 Chevy you bought on the Internet. Many people look to find car storage for an older, historic car or that car that needs to be worked on. If you are trying to store a classic vehicle make sure the self storage or car storage property feels safe and ask to see a unit like the one you would be renting. You might even store your classic car on a trailer in a storage unit. Many people choose this option so the mileage is not run up when the car is in transit. Be sure to ask the self storage property if the lanes are wide enough to pull a trailer in and be able to maneuver it safely. You might need car storage just for that special vehicle that you want to take on a weekend drive or maybe enter into a parade. Some car owners like to store the convertible in the winter and the 4 wheel drive in the summer. Inside car storage would probably be best for this type of vehicle. Some people like to work on cars and cannot do so in their own home garage or driveway. Because of many neighborhood homeowners association or that picky neighbor, people will look for car storage that will allow them to work on their vehicle and store it at the same time. Make sure to ask car storage sites if they will allow you to work on vehicles inside the units. Because of liability reasons some insurance companies sometimes ban properties from allowing customers to work on vehicles on the property or in a storage unit. At the same time there are self storage companies that will rent you a unit that you can work on you vehicle. These self storage or car storage properties may even offer lighting inside the unit and electricity for power tools. This allows you to be able to work on the vehicle even after dark. The goal of the self storage company is to get you to stay a renter for as long as you can and by providing these extras, you may stay a long time.

Another reason you may need car storage is if you are keeping an extra vehicle for a teenager that will soon be ready to drive or perhaps an elderly relative that cannot drive any longer. Both of these storage situations will probably not require a very long term lease because of the situations. A teenager might want access to the vehicle to clean and wash it or just to admire the vehicle that will soon be theirs. There is also a big demand for older vehicles that have been kept in good condition, perhaps by that elderly adult who bought the car new and kept it all these years. Many custom car shops look to buy these types of car so they can restore the car and add in many extras. It’s very hip to have an old car restored to drive around town in.

Why do you need car storage if you are selling a car? These days you can’t be too over cautious about where you live and your home life. A great idea for car storage properties is to offer day to day rentals. This idea would work for people that might be selling a car and don’t want the car in front of their home. By advertising in the newspaper or the Internet, anyone can get access to your home address. By renting a daily space, you are having the potential buyer meet you on neutral ground. And with most self storage or car storage properties offering a gated area, the potential buyer can’t leave the property unless you let them out with your gate code. We have all heard of the potential buyer leaving to test drive the car and not coming back. Don’t let this happen to you.

Why do you need car storage if you are going out of town? Like many of the above mentioned reasons, you may want to look into car storage if you are going out of town for an extended period of time. It can cost less than parking your car at the airport and it is often safer. Many self storage companies near major airports will offer short term parking that is significantly cheaper than parking at the extended lot. Plus you will feel safer leaving your vehicle on a secure lot instead of a gigantic parking lot. Finding your car when you return will prove to be a lot easier in a self storage parking lot.

Because there are so many military personnel being deployed overseas, they might find the need for car storage. Often military personnel will choose to get a large unit so that personal items can be stored along with the car. This allows the soldiers to be able to pay for car storage and self storage instead of rent. Many self storage companies will offer military discounts on top of discounts offered to tenants that stay for an extended time. If you can pay in advance, some self storage companies will even discount your lease.

Needing car storage shouldn’t be a hassle. Picking up the phone book, driving around, asking friends, co-workers or checking the Internet should yield several companies that offer car storage. When you think you might have found a self storage or car storage location that is convenient, make sure you ask the manager about any questions you might have. Ask to see a unit if the manager doesn’t offer to show you one, and ask how many other people currently store their vehicles on the property. You don’t necessarily want to be the only one on the self storage property needing car storage. Check out the other vehicles and see what kinds of condition they are in, some properties require that the vehicle be in running order. This rule is made to prevent people from towing rundown vehicles to the property only to leave them for the self storage company to dispose of. A self storage company that offers car storage should not look like a junk yard. Inquire what the policy is if you need to have your car towed out of the lot or jumped to get it going. Many times after long term storage, cars will not want to start because they have sat for so long. Basic lease agreements will cover any problems the renter or the lessee may have.

If you are trying to figure out why you need car storage, take a look at your car storage needs current situation. Do you have the room to store or park a vehicle on the property that you own or rent? Will your budget allow for some extra dollars to be spent on getting that car off of your property and cleaning it up? The neighbors will appreciate it if your yard doesn’t look like a used car lot or the corner garage. Some of the options for car storage can provide reasonably priced solutions to your car storage needs. Always trust your instincts when it comes to deciding on car storage. Look around, ask questions and go with the car storage company that feels right. Once you get all your car storage needs met it will be like getting the weight of your car off of your shoulders.

Self Storage Article Directory- Car Storage

Why do you need car storage?