Fri 28th Mar 2008 03:37PM
National self storage chains have popped up across the country and have even begun to filter into Mexico and Canada. The popularity of national self storage has flourished over the past decades as Americans began collecting more stuff than they could keep in their home. Several lifestyle, cultural and economic trends could be factors in the rising popularity or national self storage facilities.
One trend that could be contributed to the growth of national self storage is the do it yourself homeowner. Such homeowners typically have one or more home renovation projects going on at once. For example, the kitchen remodel may have crept its way into the dining room and before you know it, half the house in under construction and the furniture needs to be placed in a national self storage facility.
In addition to home remodeling, national self storage facilities have seen an increase in families who are relocating or moving. While in transition, national self storage units offer an inexpensive and convenient way to clear out some clutter while the home is on the market and then store items while the homeowners are in transition from one home to the next.
Another cultural trend that may have contributed to the increase in national self storage business is the aging baby boomers. As they begin to relocate to condos or a smaller home for retirement, they probably give some of their heirlooms or furniture to children or grandchildren. Maybe those children and grandchildren do not have room for it at the time or do not feel it fits the style of their home, yet they do not want to get rid of it. Self storage is a great solution for borrowing a little time and space until one has use for Grandma�s secretary desk. Another possibility is that once a child has inherited furniture, they move their parents furniture into their home and place their old furniture in storage for a later time. In any case, this could be one factor that has created need for self storage.
National self storage facilities have also seen a spike in storage leasing to members of the Military. In this time of war, soldiers may find that national self storage units are much cheaper than keeping a lease at an apartment. In many cases, national self storage facilities offer Military discounts to active soldiers as well as veterans.
The benefits of choosing a national self storage facility over a singly owned and operated self storage facility are that there may be a higher level of security and amenities. This is because the national self storage company wants to create a brand name and quality associated with its company. So security such as video surveillance, alarms on each storage unit door, police patrol and amenities such as fax, email, delivery and pick-up services and even luxuries such as conference rooms may be part of the national self storage deal.
Typically, a national self storage chain will have a standard that the company holds all owned, franchised or affiliated self storage facilities to. This means that the customer should expect a higher quality of customer service. The self storage managers of a national self storage company will be managed by regional or district supervisors who answer to the corporate office. With a national self storage structure, there is more accountability and a higher standard for each store.
However, it does not discredit the locally owned and operated self storage facility. Local self storage facilities should also offer great customer service and tenants may be able to negotiate price more so than with a national self storage facility.
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The original article is located at: Culture and Economy Contribute to Storage Growth