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Sun, 22 Jul 2007 16:08:58 GMT

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How to determine the size of your next self storage

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:44:10 GMT

As a newcomer to the self storage industry, you may find that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to renting a storage unit. After selecting a location that is convenient for you, you will need to determine the most appropriate self storage unit size. Where can you go for help to find out how to determine what size storage unit you need?

Self storage managers have a lot of expertise when it comes to finding the right unit size for your assortment of items. They know what works and what doesn’t and they can often offer self storage tips that may help you fit into a smaller and more economical self storage unit. There are a few things you can do to prepare your belongings, which will make using self storage easier.

You probably already have an idea of which items you will need to put in storage. It is best to make sure you’ve thought of everything by doing a little extra cleaning and sorting through forgotten boxes. Donate unused or unwanted items to charity or have a garage sale.

After you have gotten rid of unused, old, or broken items you can begin looking at what you have. Choose what things will move with you and what will go into storage. Then pack the items going into storage in small boxes. Be sure to label them clearly.

How you pack your items will determine what size storage unit you need. Several small boxes may stack differently than several larger boxes. Therefore, when you are boxing your goods consider how manageable the box will be. Also, think of how heavy it will become and if it can be stacked or if other items can be placed on top of it. The more boxes you can stack, the smaller your self storage unit will need to be because you can take advantage of the height of the storage unit.

There are a few self storage tips that can save the lifespan of your items. For example, storing books flat, as opposed to upright, will protect the book’s spine. Also, use pallets or skids so that books are not directly on top of concrete floors. This will protect them from any condensation in the concrete. Books can quickly fill a box and become heavier than you can carry. Try using small boxes so that the weight is manageable. Also, do not store fragile items in the same box as books.

When storing dishes and glassware, you should begin with a small layer of packing material such as shredded newspaper or packing peanuts in the bottom of your box. Wrap each item individually in tissue paper, newspaper or bubble wrap. Nesting wrapped plate and bowls together will save a little space in your box. Be sure to fill in any empty places in the box with packing material. Label the box as fragile and make sure not to stack other boxes on top of it.

Tools and metal objects should be cleaned and wiped in detail. You can also rub a few drops of machine oil on them in order to prevent rust due to oxidation. When storing tools, it is sometimes better to stack or bundle like items rather than boxing them. Tools are usually heavy and may not fit into boxes well.

Storage electronic equipment is easiest if you still have the original boxes and packing foam. If you don’t have them, pack the items in a box slightly larger than the item and use foam or bubble wrap. You should also pack any papers such as warranties or owner’s manuals in the box with the item. Keep each item in separate boxes to avoid damage.

Furniture may seem like the easiest item to store because it doesn’t need boxed. While it is okay to store some furniture for a few months without any protection, some materials and pieces should be covered. It is important to place a pallet, skid, mat or plastic sheet on the floor. Not only will this keep the furniture clean, it will keep moisture away from the surface. Some self storage providers sell mattress covers that you can use to keep mattresses clean and protected.

Furniture can be big and bulky and so it is best to disassemble as much furniture as practically possible. Bed frames and posts should be taken apart and stacked. Table legs can be removed when possible. If table legs do not easily come off, you should place padding on the floor and lay the table on the floor with the legs pointing up. Now you can stack boxes and other items within the table.

Using dresser drawers for linens and other delicate items is a way to keep them safe and conserve space in your storage unit. Sofas can also be stored on end when the sofa style will allow it. It’s usually a good idea to put the larger items in the back of the storage unit and then fill in the empty spaces with boxes, totes or bags.

A week or so before placing a freezer into storage, you should unplug it and let the ice thaw from it. It’s also best to store it with the door slightly open. If you plan to store a washing machine, make sure the water has drained from the machine, which will lengthen the lifespan of your machine. Also, make sure the dryer is free of lint. Large appliances take up a lot of space, but remember that items and boxes can be stored inside the appliances as well. The shelving of a refrigerator is a great place to stack boxes of fragile items in your storage unit. Boxes can also be stacked on top of washing machines and dryers, stoves, freezers and other appliances.

When placing your items in storage, put the larger items in the back of the unit so that you can maneuver and access what you need easier.

Another great self storage tip is to make a list of the entire inventory you’re placing in the storage unit and along with which box each item is located in. Keep the list near the front of your storage unit so that you can find items quickly.

Businesses may use storage to keep files and client data for tax purpose and more. In this
case, assembling cabinets or shelving will allow uniform filing and a sturdy base on which you may stack boxes. Keep in mind that shelving can take up some space so you should consider choosing a larger storage unit. Choosing a larger storage space when finding the right storage unit will also allow room for growth as you acquire more boxes. Shelving or cabinetry should also be freestanding and not installed into the walls or floor of your self storage unit. Also, mark boxes clearly so that you can quickly find what you’re looking for. Placing older files and closed accounts in the back of your office storage unit and keeping the most recent files near the front will also provide more efficient filing.

Now that you have some tips on how to prepare and place your items into self storage, you can make an educated decision on what size of self storage unit you need.

When choosing the best self storage unit sizes there are some factors to consider. If you plan on placing your items in storage and not accessing them until you’re ready to move out, then you can pack things more tightly. However, if you intend to visit your storage unit often and need access to boxes, it may be best to leave an aisle and not stack boxes too high.

The kind of items you are storing will also help determine what type and size storage unit you need. If you’re storing items that you would feel comfortable leaving in the climate of a garage or shed, then standard self storage will work for you. If you have items that might be sensitive to humidity or temperature, then a climate controlled unit will work best. Climate controlled units are storage units that are kept at a constant temperature throughout all seasons and keep out humidity. Climate controlled units are ideal for items such as electronics, papers, paintings, leather items, some metals, photos or similar items. A climate controlled storage unit is also a wise idea if you intend to store for more than four months.

Self storage facilities offer sizes ranging from locker sized units to commercial storage spaces. The vast difference can seem overwhelming to an inexperienced renter. Sometimes the best place to begin is with what you know you do not need. For example, if you are only storing a few things that will not fit in your closet then you know you do not need a garage sized space. Similarly, if you are storing the entire contents of your two bedroom home, you know that a walk-in closet sized space is definitely not enough.

Storage unit sizes vary from company to company however these are some universal sizes that are standard within the industry.

A 5x5 unit is similar to a half-bath or closet. This space offers 25 square feet or 200 cubic feet. It can typically hold a chest of drawers, several boxes and other small items. It may also hold several chairs and small boxes. This size unit is suitable for office and personal records and/ or work tools. A 5x5 storage unit will also hold 30 standard file boxes on shelves with an access aisle, or 36 standard file boxes without shelving or an aisle.

A 5x10 storage unit (50 square feet or 400 cubic feet) will hold some furniture such as a couch, chair, chest or dresser, mattress plus boxes or small items. It is comparable to a large walk-in closet. This size storage unit is appropriate for outdoor furniture, one or more bicycles and/ or a motorcycle, garden tools and small items. When used to store paperwork, the 5x10 will hold 48 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 84 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

A 5x15 storage, with 75 square feet or 600 cubic feet, can hold the furnishings of a one bedroom apartment, without appliances, plus some small items. It is about the size of a large walk-in closet or pantry. It is narrow and long, so it is appropriate for a mattress and box spring, fold up tables and other furniture plus boxes and other items. This size unit can hold 66 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 132 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

A 10x10 storage unit is the size of an average bedroom. This space will hold the furnishings of a one bedroom apartment, including appliances, and several small items such as bags or boxes. It is about half the size of a standard one car garage. A 10x10 unit can hold 108 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 168 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles. A 10x10 space offers 100 square feet or 800 cubic feet.

The next step up from a 10x10 unit is a 10x15 unit and is equal to 150 square feet or 1200 cubic feet. A 10x15 storage unit is the size of a large bedroom or small garage. It is capable of holding the furnishings of a two bedroom apartment or house plus some boxes. A 10x15 unit can hold 156 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 294 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

A 10x20 storage unit is the size of a one car garage or average living room. The 10x20 unit has 200 square feet or 1600 cubic feet. This space will hold the furnishings of a two bedroom house with appliances, plus miscellaneous items. This size storage unit is appropriate for storing vehicles and a few other items. The 10x20 unit is equipped to house 204 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 378 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

The 10x25 storage unit is equal to 250 square feet or 2000 cubic feet. The size is comparable to a large one car garage. It is appropriate for storing a two bedroom home with appliances plus boxes, bags and other items. The 10x25 is also suitable for storing a car, truck or small boat. This unit is capable of storing 252 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 504 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

A 10x30 storage unit is about the size of a deluxe or one-and-a-half car garage. The space measures out to be 300 square feet or 2400 cubic feet. It can hold the furnishings of a three bedroom house, including boxes. You could say it can hold the contents of a 40 foot truck. You may also store a car, boat, truck or van along with some furniture or other large items. A 10x30 unit can hold 300 standard file boxes on shelves with access aisles, or 588 standard file boxes without shelving or aisles.

The average height of self storage units is 8 to 10 feet. Some storage facilities offer taller ceilings as high as 12 feet. This is often available in refurbished warehouses and factory buildings.

Some storage facilities offer special sized units such as lockers. These units are typically 4x4 spaces and four foot tall. They may hold a few boxes, bags or small items.

Commercial rental space ranges from 10x40 and larger. These spaces are suitable for businesses wanting to keep off site inventory or as distribution center for a small business. Keep in mind that each facility offers different access hours so extended hours may need to be discussed with the property manager.

Many storage companies also offer P.O. boxes. A P.O. Box at your self storage facility is a great way to combine daily tasks. Accessing your mail at the storage facility is often quicker and more convenient than driving to your local Post Office, where parking is often times a hassle.

If you still find yourself unable to come to decide what size of storage unit works best then ask a professional for help. Self storage managers are eager to help you decide what unit size will work best for you. In most cases, you can give the manager a quick rundown of what you plan on storing and they can narrow your search down to two unit sizes.

They will also be able to tell you some of the other features self storage units have. For example, will you be able to drive up to the door of your storage unit? Is the unit location on the first floor or second floor? And is there an elevator or freight lift or will you walk up stairs.

Self storage managers are always happy to tell you about the security and amenities at their facility. Any reputable storage facility will offer you a gated storage unit with video surveillance and more. Storage facilities are also a great place to buy boxes and moving supplies for all your storage needs.

How to Get a Free Local Self Storage Quote

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:05:02 GMT

How to Get a Free Local Self Storage Quote

In this fast paced world of dynamic rapid-fire high speed, high tech information services we often suffer time poverty. It can be difficult to find the time to gather information but there are some simple and helpful hints to help get a free local self storage quote.

Most people start a search for pricing and availability in the telephone yellow pages. These can be accessed in the local telephone directory book or on Internet sites that offer yellow pages categories. When starting to get a free local self storage quote a comfortable chair with good lighting will make the process more comfortable. Also have a note pad and pen or pencil as there can be quite a selection of companies in any area and it is easy to get confused about what is which.

To get the best information with a free local self-storage quote, make a list of questions. Also list what you are going to put in storage. The person in the office will have a list of questions for you as well but make certain that all of your questions are answered before the call ends. Using your questions and the store employee's questions and answers will help determine the most useful and cost effective size storage unit for you.

Starting with the first listed company, note any special offers such as discount coupons or free truck to use with move along with the company name, address and phone number before you place the call. When local staff answers make note of the person's name and the time of the call for later reference. A skilled and knowledgeable store employee will walk you through an organized plan to help you determine which unit will best work for you. Any employee with superb customer service skills will gladly give you a free quote on local self storage that will include recommendations for size and type of unit. If you receive only curt, abrupt answers punctuated by long silences perhaps this is not the facility for you.

There are several factors that can increase your satisfaction in your self storage experience. There are several factors that can make it difficult and unpleasant. Most of these factors are in the hands of local staff. It is very important in this initial stage to eliminate the possible sources of frustration. This is why good notes on each facility that also reflect the demeanor and professionalism of the staff member are important.

As you continue your search for a free quote on self storage make note of the location. You will need to judge if the lower price at a facility across town will be a better bargain than the facility just down the street. This should be measured not only in the cost of driving but in the time cost to get to the facility. You may be able to put your things in storage and never have to get something out but if you do need to visit your self storage unit it will be a much more pleasant experience if it is more conveniently located.

Talking directly with store personnel can give a wealth of good information but it is also very beneficial to obtain information from current or former tenants. Working on the referral from a current or former tenant can aid in cutting through some of the leg work of obtaining a free local self storage quote. It is well and good to take the advice of a store employee but the best source of information about a self storage facility is a former or current tenant. Comparing the price quote your were given with the price information from a tenant can expose a company which first quotes an inflated price to give “wiggle room” to store managers. If there is a significant difference this may be an indication of a less than fair price policy. Remember the best way to get the best free quote on local storage is to consider all possibilities. After all, you are placing personal property that you value enough to pay to have it in storage in the hands of strangers. The lowest price may not be the best.

Another way to get a free local quote on storage is in the local neighborhood newspapers that offer advertising space. Money saving coupons and offers usually fill a large portion of this space and it is an excellent venue to find your nearest self storage facility. The facility may be offering discounts on moving and storage supplies, truck rental, or storage units. The ads may offer a loss leader special on a first month rental, free locks with move-in, or waiver of administrative fees.

Many self storage companies maintain a web site that offers directions to the facility, a zip code locator to help find the facility most convenient for you, pictures of the facility and a list of amenities such as, free truck with move in, and special offers on first months rental or specials fees for longer term rentals. Many of the web sites also offer a size calculator to help decide the most effective size for your needs. Some offer a pricing schedule or give the contact information for local stores and hours of operations.

The really efficient operations employ an off site sales force call center that is staffed while the facility is closed, on holidays, and after hours to speak directly with prospective tenants to give this information with a human touch. If it is a roll over call center a prospective tenant can obtain a free quote on local self storage even when the on site personnel are working with other customers or on the phone. A company so dedicated to first class customer service that they will pay a call center just to catch the calls that might go to voice mail is very interested in gaining and keeping customers. In our fast paced world speaking to a skilled professional on the phone can save you time and money.

Of course, it is always best to go into the self storage facility. This will give you the opportunity to see for yourself how the facility is maintained. Is it clean, do all of the buildings appear to be properly repaired with no broken glass, no visible damage to walls or roofs. Do you see any evidence of rodents or insect pests? Is the lot free of trash and debris? Do they have a well stocked line of moving and storage supplies? Is the store manager professionally dressed and well groomed? All of this can tell you a lot about what your self storage experience will be. When you are looking for the best deal in a free quote on local storage no matter how low the price if your possessions are exposed to potential damage it is no bargain.

The next important step in getting a free local quote of self storage is to match your need to size of the unit(s) offered. A conscientious manager will try to find a unit size that will best meet your needs rather than try to pressure you into taking a unit too big or too small. While it is a waste of money to rent something too big, there is nothing worse than being on site, after office hours, with everything loaded on a rental truck that you have to return in the morning and finding out that everything is not going to fit in the unit. It is also good to have a bit of elbow room in the unit in case you need to find something at a later date or need to sort through what is in storage.

With so many things to consider it becomes apparent that the best way to obtain a free quote on local self storage is to deal with a skilled professional. If a manager is not willing to spend the time to give you solid information or to spend the time necessary with you on the phone the manager can always invite you in for a tour of the facility. One of the best ways to judge the service you will receive is in this first contact. If the manger seems bored, intolerant, condescending, or arrogant this may not be the place for you.

Whether you are on the phone or meeting the store personnel face to face you are looking for a self storage experience that will be hassle free. If is like pulling teeth to get answers to the most elementary questions about self storage how easy will it be to get help if you are having problems with your gate entry code? How easy will it be to get answer to a question about your bill and will the manager return your call if you leave a voice mail message? These may sound like minute and unimportant issues but if your credit card is billed twice for monthly storage, if the roof in the unit has been damaged, or if you are locked in (out) of the gate do you wish to be in the hands of an uncaring incompetent or a consummate professional dedicated to your needs? If you receive a free local quote fro self storage keep in mind what should go with the storage unit.

Now that you have eliminated facilities that do not offer all you need or do not seem to meet your needs you may wish to redo the list that you started making in the beginning of the search. Revise your checklist to include all of the features, benefits and amenities of the storage facilities that had the best price, were most conveniently located, and had skilled professionals who made you feel secure and welcome. Work out your budget for self storage using the information you have gained. Ask yourself such questions ad “How much money will the free truck save me?” “Are the extended gate access hours worth the extra cost of this unit or the other?” “Do I trust the store manager to give me the service that I need?”

If there is not sufficient time for all of this there are real estate professionals, renting agents, moving companies and related industries that have business history with self storage facilities. It is often well wroth your time to ask for a recommendation from any of these before you expend the time to seek a free quote from any local self storage facility. If a mover, for instance, reports to you that they have moved several dissatisfied customers out of a company location then it could be considered a waste of time to seek a quote from that store.

The self storage industry is so competitive and there are so many companies to choose from that the best of them will be every thing to make sure that you feel welcome, secure, and relaxed doing business with them. You will be paying good money to store your belongings and you deserve good value. The lowest price may not be the best value. In fact nearly all of the storage facilities in any given area will be within a dew dollars of each other if they have the same investment in security, maintenance, amenities. When calling for a free quote on local self storage it is important to make certain that you are comparing apples to apples. If everyone in town is offering a 10 x 10 drive up self storage unit for $85 per month and you are offered a 10 x 10 drive up storage unit for $39 per month there may be a reason why not to trust your valuable belongings to them. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is every bit as true in self storage as any other industry or product.

A good self storage manager, working in a facility with a commitment to excellence will not only be trying to keep a satisfied customer but will also appreciate the good word or mouth advertising that a happy customer generates and the future business that will bring in. Self storage companies spend a great deal on yellow page and news print advertising, on construction, maintenance, and amenities. They know that if you are not happy you can go a little down the road to find another place. A bit of time on the phones, on line or talking with professionals can certainly add up to a best deal and best experience.

With that good experience under your belt you can be of service to others in your family, at you place of employment, in your community organizations that may also be in need of a free quote for local self storage. You can relate your experiences (good or bad) and help to steer them to a self storage facility that will serve them with professionalism and good customer care.

There are many people who use self storage only one time but there are people who need self storage on multiple occasions. Once a customer has been through the experience it is then easier to know exactly what to look for when getting a free quote on self storage in any location.

How to find local self storage

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:54:54 GMT

How to find local self storage is a question you might have asked yourself in the past or perhaps you will need to ask it in the future. Even the best organizers and planners cannot always prepare for the need of self storage. Self storage can be needed for lots of things like; decluttering, extra space storage, craft storage, kid home from college storage, breaking up a household storage, loss of a loved one storage, cleaning out the garage storage, storing exercise equipment storage, moving out storage, getting ready for a yard sale storage, wine storage, remodeling home storage, business storage and more. If you are looking for local self storage in the near future, figure out what your self storage needs are. Your needs are more than what you are storing. Self storage needs include things like, gate hours, door dimensions, secure parking, security, availability, accessibility (drive up or interior units), elevators, carts and dolly usage and more. If you are having a hard time figuring out what your needs are a manager on site will probably be able to help you. Finding local self storage can be easy and helpful if you utilize many different ways to find out information about local self storage rentals. Here are 10 ways to find local self storage:

1. Driving by self storage location on your daily commute might be a way that you can find local self storage for rent. Whether it is nestled in your quaint downtown or you can see it from the busy freeway, driving by self storage is a great way to find a location that will suit you. The fact is if you have already noticed a self storage location on your drive, it probably is going to be a convenient location for you to store. Studies show that convenience is the number one reason people pick the storage location they choose to rent in. Driving by storage facilities is a great way to find storage in your small town or bustling metropolis. If you don’t drive a car, then you might notice self storage locations in your daily commute with public transit or taxi. Either way, take notice of the self storage locations around you to help you find local self storage. Many local self storage developers will try and secure properties that have good face value. Meaning that the placement of the site will help with frontage and access. Many local self storage developers will build on a busy highway or industrial park that people can see. The local self storage signage then becomes its own advertising device. Many cities have sign requirements and restrictions and most builders do what they can to get the most out of their sign.

2. If you have a computer and access to the internet, you will be able to find out about local self storage units for rent. Many self storage companies have gone to the internet in search of potential customers. Individual self storage company websites can pack in the information like; directions to the property, sizes of units, moving and packing supplies, office hours, rental payment information, gate hours, security features, size determination and more. Some individual self storage websites will include photos of the property or virtual tours of the area. You can often “meet” the staff and even contact the local self storage site by clicking on a link or filling out a form to be submitted. It seems that as technology grows and more people are accessing the internet for personal use, the numbers of self storage websites are booming. Self storage websites are becoming more interactive by offering searches for local self storage in an area that you pick. You can usually search by state, zip code or region to find local self storage. Sometimes these sites will be hosted by a neutral party and can provide information about several different companies allowing you to choose the best fit for your storage needs. Some sites ask you to submit your information, like name, phone number, address and where you will need self storage. The web site program can then search the area that you need and email or call you back with the results for self storage inquiries. This method of finding local self storage has been especially important since the recent rise in gasoline prices. People looking for local self storage are using other methods to find storage that doesn’t cost per gallon. The internet search for local self storage is very helpful if you are from out of town or out of state. Searching the internet for local self storage can be helpful when you find yourself having to relocate or find self storage in a family members’ city. This saves time on the phone and gives you a general idea of what to expect when you get to the area.

3. The phone book holds it own when it comes to finding local self storage. Self storage companies will often pay big bucks for large ads in the yellow pages enticing you to call their self storage property. The ads placed by local self storage companies won’t be as information packed as the self storage web sites, but the basic information is usually covered. The phone book and yellow pages have been a standard and trusted way to find information about businesses including local self storage properties for many, many years. Most households and businesses have at least one phone book lying around. It’s easy to access, it’s free and you can take your time looking at it. Many computer shy people will defer to the phone book to find the information they need about local self storage. Finding local self storage is as easy as “letting your fingers do the walking”. Regular phone book listings don’t cost very much, but yellow page advertising can be expensive depending on the size of the advertisement and the market in which it is placed. The phone book search of local self storage is also a great way to save on gas money while shopping for storage. Most local self storage businesses can be searched by online yellow and white pages, which include national listings. These sites will often include a map of the area so you can check and see if that local self storage business will be in the location you need. Information from the local self storage search will include the company name, address, phone number and a web address. (if the company has a web site)

4. Print media is a great way to find local self storage. Often print media advertisements about local self storage companies are directed to customers that could need storage in the future instead of the person that needed storage yesterday. They put a little seed in your mind with the ad about a cleaner garage, a near empty closet, and extra storage at home. Print media will often paint a picture of uncluttered living and the “perfect” home, of course achieved with the help of local self storage. While an actual self storage isn’t that glamorous, many people poor to rich need self storage. Print media can include newspapers, magazines (there are self storage magazines for the self storage industry), flyers, and inserts. This option for finding future local self storage customers can be costly depending on the market. If you budget allows print media, go for it.

5. Advertisements on the radio, TV, and billboards might be a way for you to find local self storage. Listening to the radio in the car, watching your favorite TV program or traveling the highway are great ways for local self storage companies to get their name out there. Again these types of advertisement are meant to get you to start thinking about self storage. Like a light bulb going off in your head, you might say, “Oh yeah, I think I need local self storage.” By airing local self storage commercials at specific times of day, a certain target market is reached.

6. How to find local self storage might be as easy as calling your local mobile storage company. Many self storage companies offer mobile storage (or pods) which can either be brought to your home and stored on your property or the company will come and pick up the unit and store it in their warehouse. You will not have to rent a truck with this type of local self storage. All the transporting of items is done by the self storage company. This is a great option for those remodeling parts of a home or a situation where you won’t need immediate access to your stored goods. Access can be scheduled but the company usually needs a few hours to a days notice to retrieve your unit in the warehouse.

7. A great way to find local self storage is to ask around. Ask friends, coworkers, family members, store clerks or anyone that will listen. You will find that when you start asking around about local self storage, many folks will either have stored something in the past or are currently renting a storage unit. If you have several local self storage properties and cannot decide which one might be better, it’s best to ask around. Typically local self storage properties with the same benefits will be competitive in their pricing. Keep in mind some local self storage companies have call center that answer for their business when they cannot. Self storage call centers will answer most questions you have about storage and most of the time, reserve your unit over the phone. When asking around about local self storage be sure to ask, “Where shouldn’t I store?” This gives the person talking to you a chance to share any stories or first hand experience about some of the places in town you wouldn’t want to store at. Unfortunately the local self storage businesses are not immune to crime, drug production, hazardous waste, vandalism, and terrorist activity. Ask the people you are talking to if they know if the site they are telling you about has had any break-ins, manager problems, overall security or posting payments on time. By knowing where not to store can give you a better idea of where you should store. This is where asking around comes in handy.

8. Asking around for local self storage is part of local self storage referrals. Many self storage companies reward their current tenants who refer a customer that ends up renting sometime in the future. And often, the future customer may receive a reward also. Self storage managers that keep their properties clean, safe and secure will do better with referrals than those properties that are rundown or not clean. Referral business can be a great asset when trying to raise your occupancy rate. Referral’s can be low cost compared to the money you will receive in return for future customer rentals. If you are a current tenant, be sure to ask if your local self storage property has a referral program.

9. When calling around to “shop” different local self storage sites to see which one would be better for you don’t forget to ask if they offer any small discounts. Small discounts can include, senior, military, student, chamber of commerce member, church affiliations, schools are some that might apply to you. Because it is considered a small discount, local self storage sites will often offer a percentage off of your monthly rent that can range anywhere from 5% and up depending on the area and occupancy rate. A small discount could be the ice breaker on your decision on where you want to store.

10. Many towns and cities have a Chamber of Commerce, or Welcome Center. This city run department will have information about local self storage sites. Because it is part of the Chambers duties to promote the local businesses, they will often have much information available. Some cities will offer a welcome packet to new residents. These packets contain information about the city, activities, schools, churches, maps, important phone numbers, restaurants, parks, transportation and any other information that would be important to a person new to the area. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce by phone, internet or in writing and I am sure they will be glad to help you with your local self storage needs.

As you can see there are many ways to find local self storage in whatever area of the country you are located. After you have found several locations that would be convenient to you, drive by or see if the manager will take you on a site visit. Many local self storage properties have golf carts and the managers will take you on a little tour of the property and your future storage unit. Because many self storage properties take up many acres, a golf cart is the way to go for a site tour. Local self storage managers also use their golf cart to do lock checks, clean up the property and get from one unit to another.

Local self storage businesses are “beefing” up their properties to try and gain the market advantage. Competitive pricing and offers of move in or extended stay deals are one way local self storage sites are keeping up with the other local self storage businesses in their area. Some self storage sites will offer a few more amenities than their competitor to try and gain a few more rentals. Some of these extra amenities might include a business center or conference room, post office boxes, restrooms, child’s play area, inside walking areas and more. Often companies will get into “rental” wars and try to see who can outdo each other with offers of free truck rental or $1 move in. This tactic can often backfire and end up costing you more than if you were to charge regular price for the unit. Many future self storage customers will call around asking for your specials. But the fact remains that the cheapest self storage is not necessarily going to be the best self storage.

How to find local self storage can be effortless when using the above ideas. It might take a couple of different ways to gather all the knowledge you will need to make your decision. Keep an open mind at the start about pricing. If you haven’t ever rented or it’s been 10 years since you rented don’t have sticker shock. I guarantee the prices have gone up since you last rented, but so has everything else in the economy. Be sure to add all of the features and benefits into the price of the unit for the full value. Talk to the manager, ask to see the site or unit, ask about payment types and check out how clean the property is. The best advice of all is to trust your gut instinct. It’s your belongings and you should feel safe leaving your items in that local self storage unit that you picked out.

How to find self storage online

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:03:57 GMT

Have the Yellow Pages and phone book directories been outdone by the world wide web? Finding a local self storage unit use to require thumbing through a list in the local phone book. Customers sat at the phone with their pencil and paper as they went down what could sometimes be a very long list of self storage providers.

While the phone book is an essential tool when you know exactly what you’re looking for, it can be a mystery to a customer who is just shopping around. Have you ever been new in town, or on vacation and tried looking up a church or doctor? You can easily become overwhelmed as each listing begins to look the same as the next. Many phone book users fall prey to the “close your eyes and point your finger” method as they hope to land on what they’re looking for.

Telephone directories have improved their ominous listing method by inserting advertisements and blocks of graphics for customers willing to pay the price. These boxes break up the monotony of listing after listing and offer some more insight into the service or good you may be looking for, but they don’t offer a consumer much more than the hours of operation, a phone number and a few highlights of what the business has to offer.

Finding the right doctor, church, restaurant or self storage provider doesn’t have to be an accident that you stumbled on in the phone book. Self storage customers looking for a more efficient way to weed out the bad to find the best self storage location can find their answer by searching online for local self storage. A majority of self storage facilities have web pages dedicated to educating their customers about what their properties have to offer. A consumer not only finds phone numbers and addresses online but may also view maps, search nearby locations, take online tours, find the right size of storage unit, look up self storage unit prices, determine what type of self storage they need and discover what amenities the property has to offer. In some cases a customer may even be able to reserve a storage unit online. You won’t find all that in the phone book, even in a full page ad.

Online research eliminates the confines of having to shop or make phone calls within normal business hours. Consumers can browse the Internet at their leisure and take as much or as little time as they want when locating self storage online. This is another strong advantage that looking online for local self storage has over the phone book. Research shows that a generous 50 percent of prospects look online for self storage after regular business hours.

Consumers looking online for self storage can create a short list and narrow down their list in order to make just a few phone calls. Data reflects that a consumer’s primary research is done online, but when it comes to making a decision, 80 percent of internet shoppers will make a phone call. A self storage customer doesn’t have to spend time calling each and every local self storage facility and so they are able to inquire to the facilities they are most interested in. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that telephone inquiries are being made most often by prospects who are serious about their need for self storage, as opposed to those who may just be browsing.

Searching online for self storage, and almost anything your heart desires, has become a normal practice as the internet has been integrated into our culture. Customers quickly search online while on break at work, in between classes at college, late at night, early in the morning, waiting in the airport and nearly every place imaginable. Because of the flexibility and convenience the internet offers, it has become an integral part of sales and the shopping experience. Self storage is based on the idea of convenience- a convenient place to put things while customers are in transition; a convenient place to keep the furniture, clothing and items you don’t have room for in your home; a convenient place to park your RV when not in use. So it seems that the convenience of the Internet and the convenience of self storage were made for each other.

Shopping for self storage online is most effective when prospects perform a vertical search, which is part of a larger sub grouping known as specialized search, and is a relatively new tier in the Internet search industry consisting of search engines that focus on specific businesses. While broad-based search engines such as Google or Yahoo dominate the online consumer search market, researchers say that many specialized search engines are emerging to address the particular information needs of niche audiences and professions.

Niche search engines have been around for a long time and are not new. Web sites that help users find people, shopping, goods and services and get business information have existed for years. However, the number of these search engines being introduced has greatly increased in recent years. The reason for the sudden increase of specialized search engines is directly linked to the increase in broad-based traffic as well as an increase in the amount of data and individual documents contained within a broad-based search engine. As broad-based search engines gather an increasing amount of various data, specialized search engines gather an increasing amount of data that applies to its niche audience.

Like consumers, businesses use the Internet for a variety of needs. In some cases, they’re looking for all the information they can attain. Consumers conducting in-depth research or users shopping around to see what’s our there can benefit from the vastness of Google and Yahoo search engines. However, consumers are more often looking for something very specific in relation to their need. That’s where vertical search engines come in. Vertical search engines deliver to businesses what the big sited can’t without the use of complex algorithms. The result is relevant and essential content versus an exhaustive return of information. For example, customers looking for local self storage can avoid sifting through results related to other types of storage such as electronic storage, closet organizers, plastic containers and more, which are all common results found when users search “storage” through a broad-based search engine. Specialized search engines are intended to offer relevant and useful information related to the query.

Broad-based search engines fetch a very large number of documents using a web crawler. Another program, called an indexer, then reads these documents and creates a search index based on words contained in each document. Each search engine uses a proprietary algorithm to create its indexes to that, ideally, only meaningful results are returned for each respective query.

On the other hand, vertical search engines send spiders out to a highly refined database, and their indexes contain information about a specific topic. As a result, they are of most value to people interested in a particular area. Moreover, the companies that advertise on these search engines reach a very focused audience. For example, there are search engines for doctors, job seekers, home buyers, travelers and even self storage search engines.

As the broad-based search engine grows even broader, their results have done the same. This has become increasingly frustrating to users who have turned to search engines to find information on a specialized topic, be it local self storage, travel sites or specific business channels.

Vertical search engines will benefit a self storage customer by allowing them to search online for self storage and gather only the most relevant results. Several self storage search engines allow a consumer to search by Zip Code and receive results listed in order of proximity. This is an excellent tool in finding the most convenient location for a consumer.

As complex and the algorithms, indexers and practices of broad-based and vertical search engines can seem, a user only need know what he or she is looking for. Locating self storage online is as simple as typing in a few keywords. Once you’ve entered a query, the search engines do the rest.

Learning how to search online for local self storage is simple. You may begin by searching “self storage”. However, those results may lead to locations far from your local area. You may then decide to search, for example, “Self Storage in Kansas City, Missouri”. The results will then relate to self storage nearby.

Internet users have developed a keen eye when evaluating web pages. They have a trained eye and use some quick critical thinking so that they may decide which websites are worth exploring and when to move on to the next.

When searching online for self storage there are a few things to keep in mind in order to locate a suitable storage provider. You should begin by reading the URL. If the site is somebody’s personal page it is likely to contain a personal name, or variation (e.g. johndoe or jdoe), in which case you may decide to move on to a more solid source of information.

Businesses most often use professionals to design and/ or host their web pages. The business name, or variation, is usually incorporated into the URL and the page will appear to be well-organized and should offer several tabs, or links, to extend information or go beyond the website to related web pages. Official business web sites also contain links in which a customer can find contact information. The link is usually found at the very top or very bottom and is labeled as “Contact Us”. However, self storage web pages usually link to or provide a pull-down menu in which users may browse between several locations. In this case, each facility’s contact information should be easily seen in each respective link or menu option.

Shopping for self storage online brings time saving advantages to consumers. A self storage customer can not only locate a local self storage provider, but find advice and charts which will help them gauge what the best sized storage unit would be based on their individual needs.

Self storage web pages often include a chart which identifies the various sizes offered and what typically fits into each size, respectively. The Internet even offers self storage unit calculators in which a customer may enter the types of items they intend to store and the calculator will tabulate the appropriate sizes. This is especially helpful for self storage consumers who have not used self storage before.

Self storage seekers can also learn about the different types of self storage units. These types may include specialized storage such as wine storage or food storage. They often differ between climate controlled storage and standard self storage. They may also feature several levels of storage in multi-level storage facilities. Web sites will specify which of their locations offer these types of self storage units.

Self storage is not limited to four walls. Truck, RV and car storage is a popular service and storage spaces may vary from garage-style parking, covered parking, or outdoor parking spaces.

Corporate self storage web pages often list the availability and vacancies they have at each location and sometimes offer prices online. This is beneficial to a self storage shopper because it eliminates the need to make a phone call in order to query about the pricing.

Self storage businesses reward their online consumers by oftentimes offering a printable coupon redeemable for a discount on their monthly rent or a percentage off other supplies offered by the company such as moving boxes, packing tape, wardrobe boxes, mattress covers, bubble wrap, shelving, organizers, plastic totes and more.

When online self storage customers take a closer look, they’ll find that the self storage industry has much more to offer than an empty space. The security features and amenities among self storage providers can vary. Searching online allows self storage customers to compare what each of their local self storage facilities has to offer.

Some common and often standard, self storage security features are things such as a fenced area complete with an access controlled gate, which allows only tenants to enter the perimeter and keeps passersby off the property; a well lit area which provides good lighting for dusk and nighttime hours; on-site managers to provide added security and keep a watchful eye out. Self storage security can also include features like video surveillance, which provides peace of mind and extra security; police patrolling, individual door alarms and more.

The self storage industry also offers amenities to their customers that can make the self storage experience easier and more convenient. Features such as drive up storage units, which have garage style, roll up doors allow easy loading and unloading. Loading docks allow customers to stay protected from and out of the elements while moving in and out of their storage unit. Some storage providers offer dollies, carts for customers to use while moving their items. Skids or pallets can also be used in the storage unit to keep items off concrete floors, which protects it from condensation.

Storage facilities often rent moving vans and trucks in addition to storage space. Several storage providers also offer free or discounted trucks as an incentive to new customers. Information like this can be viewed online and often motivates tenants to act quickly on such a great special.

The advantages of surfing the web don’t end with shopping; self storage customers can enjoy the ease of bill pay options via the Internet. This option is offered by several self storage companies and makes paying your monthly bill as easy as it was to find local self storage. The Internet has many benefits over print advertising. Does that mean that phone directory advertisement, local advertisement, flyers and similar ads have become old fashioned?

Despite the hype built up by search engines and online advertisers, print is not dead. In fact, self storage and property management leads are generated almost equally between online and print- about 28 percent by each. Many self storage providers take advantage of the power of printed ads by including their website in their phone book advertisements. Doing so allows a consumer to gather more information than they otherwise would have and also attracts more attention than ads without online resources.

Self storage is much more than renting an empty space. The Internet allows customers to step inside the world of self storage and discover a growing industry. The sites and sounds the Internet has to offer allow users to locate the excellent amenities, security and peace of mind that local self storage facilities have to offer.

Whether you locate local self storage online or find a storage unit near you by using the phone book, calling the office and speaking with the manager is a great way to get to know your local self storage provider. Talking with them on the phone will allow you to get a first impression and also learn some of the characteristics that might not be given online. Self storage managers are always happy to answer your questions and reserve a storage unit for you so that you’ll have a place to put your belongings when the time is right.

Self Storage -- Self Storage Basics

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:27:29 GMT

The Self Storage Industry has consistently seen the fastest growth rate of any commercial real estate industry for the past three decades. The latest self storage statistics report that, as of the beginning of 2007 there were over 51,000 self storage facilities in the United States.

Along with the fastest growth rate comes an even more impressive growth in revenue for the self storage industry. As of 2006, the storage industry’s national average growth rate was nearly 23 billion dollars. This means that local self storage businesses averaged $441,000 in revenue per storage facility per year.

According to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2008 report, commercial real estate developers and investors should prepare for more uncertainty as the market and interest rates continue to be unstable. However, the annually conducted bellwether survey polled 600 US real estate executives who indicated that up and coming hotspots in commercial real estate for 2008 are expected. These hotspots should see continued growth for markets such as the Seattle, WA self storage market, the Los Angeles self storage industry, local self storage in San Francisco, Washington, D.C. self storage, San Diego local self storage and Denver, CO self storage. Along with these predicted commercial real estate hotspots, the self storage industry will still remain the most impressive commercial real estate investment, offering the most return on investment.

The fact that self storages, mini storages and public storages have saturated every major city, suburb, and a good deal of the rural regions in the US means that it is easy for storage customers to compare self storage and find the best local self storage facility in their area. Self storage customers have endless avenues for getting a free self storage quote including surfing the internet for a self storage directory, thumbing through the phone book or Yellow Pages, seeing a billboard or flyer advertising a local self storage facility and more.

The needs of local self storage customers vary with region, climate, population and other common factors. For example, local storage units in Austin, Texas may offer only climate controlled storage units to protect tenants’ items from the heat. Whereas, Basalt, Colorado local storage units would offer climate controlled units to protect renters’ items from the cold.

The demand for self storage also determines what the average storage unit size should be and how many smaller or larger unit a local self storage facility should offer. Typically, the average self storage unit is a 5x10 or 10x10, with a 5x15 storage unit being the median of those two more popular sizes.

Along with climate, other factors such as tourism can affect what kind of self storage local storage facilities offer. Napa Valley, CA has more wine storage available than is necessary for Kansas City, MO. However, local self storage facilities in the Kansas City area do offer some wine storage because wine collectors span the nation. Wine storage is has become increasingly popular in areas where vineyards and wine making are scarce because wine storage allows connoisseurs the convenience of having their favorite wine from anywhere in the world safely stored just a few minutes away.

Tourism and recreational activities such as camping or boating also determine what services are available at various local self storage sites. RV storage and boat storage are widely common across the States. As travel agencies and dealerships promote these types of recreation, families begin to see the value of investing in a boat or RV.

However, they may find that after purchasing such a large item, they don’t have a place to safely park it. Self storage facilities often have outdoor parking, covered parking or garage self storage units available. Families who may live far from a lake or river commonly use local self storage near the river or lake they most often visit.

Finding local self storage and comparing storage facilities in your area may leave you wonder what the difference between one guy and the next one may be. Typically, in the self storage industry, what you pay for is what you get.

If you are looking for a storage unit there are some terms you should know. Once you are familiar with common self storage jargon, you can determine what is most important to you and look for a local self storage facility that will meet your needs.

These are some of the most common self storage terms and characteristics that may set apart self storage facilities in your neighborhood.

Climate Controlled Storage - This type of storage unit is designed to regulate humidity and temperature and protect items from mold or mildew. Climate controlled storage is ideal for antiques, paintings, furniture, electronics and other sensitive items. It is important to clarify what your local self storage facility classifies as climate controlled, as the features may vary from location to location. A climate controlled storage unit should never fall below freezing in the winter or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. It’s a good idea to read the fine print of what is defined as a climate controlled unit before storing your items.
Access Controlled Gate - This term refers to a large gate which usually requires tenants to enter their personal access code to enter the fenced-in premises of the storage facility. Access controlled gates provide added security for tenants and keep unauthorized persons from entering the property.
On-site Manager - A self storage facility may have an apartment or living space on the property. Typically, one or two managers (often a husband and wife) live on the storage property and manage it. This is a feature that many consider a bonus to security.
Video Surveillance - This feature is appropriately named and easily understood. Some local storage facilities may have cameras in plain sight, which discourages would-be criminals from vandalizing or stealing. Storage businesses may also choose to use hidden video surveillance to catch unsuspecting violators in the act. Many storage facilities use a combination of both.The benefits of video surveillance allow tenants a sense of security and peace of mind while they leave their treasures under lock and key in a self storage unit.The fact that there are cameras shouldn’t be a red flag, but rather a boost in value and confidence that such a storage facility runs a respectable business.
Anniversary Billing - This means that the date you sign the lease for your self storage unit is the date your rent will be due each month. For example, if you sign a lease agreement for a 5x10 unit on January 15th, your rent will be due on the 15th of every month.
First of the Month Billing - This means that your bill is due on the first of each month. If you are learning how to find local self storage, you should ask if your rent will be pro-rated for the move in if you start in the middle of a billing cycle. Likewise, will it be pro-rated when you move out. Some storage facilities may also require the pro-rated amount plus the next full month’s rent at the time of move-in.

Billing cycles can also vary. In the United States, it is most frequent that billing cycles run on a monthly basis, resulting in 12 billing cycles each year. However, in Canada it is more common that billing cycles run on a four-week period, which results in 13 billing cycles per year.

Some states and provinces also require a tax on the monthly rent of local storage units. These are the kinds of questions you should ask when comparing storage units.

Local self storage facilities may also offer discounts beyond national advertising campaigns or corporately advertised prices. The self storage manager can help you find the best price for storage and rent a storage unit that will meet all your needs. Chances are, you’ll have at least three or four storage companies to compare in your neighborhood and a few more in the surrounding area.

The competitive self storage market will develop even more high-tech and secure self storage facilities in the future. The total market capitalization value of the complete self storage industry in the United States has soared to an astonishing 220 billion dollars. Projections are that the self storage industry will continue to growth at record rates and exceed this forecast in the 2007 fiscal year.