The Top 10 FAQ Questions About Self-Storage Facilities
This article will cover some of the most basic questions people have about self storage facilities. As the American population shifts to a consumer society, the need for more space increases each year. The purpose of this article is to help answer some of the most basic questions that arise when deciding to rent a storage space.
1. Who Rents Self-Storage Space?
2. What Items Can Be Stored in a Self-Storage Facility?
Almost anything that can stored in your home can be stored in a storage facility. This could include furniture, toys, books and other personal belongings. One should be careful not to store any perishable items (like food) as without refrigeration, these products would expire. Also, its important to keep in mind that certain items such as paintings require a maintained type of temperature. One needs to be careful about the temperature requirements for products before storing them.
3. How Good is Security?
Most self storage facilities are very well secured. This could be in the form of gates around the premises and sometimes even manned patrols. Most facilities close at a certain hour, so as to avoid any theft or break into the units. Timings are generally from morning to evening. Always call and ask about operating hours of the facility.
4. What Unit is a Good Size For Me?
This depends on how much stuff you have. The best way to determine this is by measuring exactly the space you require. This should be done in square feet and height. As the storage space is a room, the measurements can be quite accurate.
5. What Are The Costs?
This depends on the size and the length of the contract. Most storage facilities are rented on a month to month basis, but discounts are given for those that sign a 6 month contract or longer. Again, this will depend on the facility you decide to rent from.
Hopefully, this guide has answered some of the most basic questions people have about self storage spaces. They are very easy to rent from and usually located close by all major neighborhoods. There are some self-storage units in Aurora, Colorado that even allow renters to store their RV's. This is a cost effective method of storing your over sized recreational vehicles.
The above image was taken from www.igpinstitute.org. I do not own the image, nor do I claim any rights over it.
1. Who Rents Self-Storage Space?
- Homeowners
- College Students
- Businesses
- Hobbyists/Enthusiasts
- People/Families relocating
2. What Items Can Be Stored in a Self-Storage Facility?
Almost anything that can stored in your home can be stored in a storage facility. This could include furniture, toys, books and other personal belongings. One should be careful not to store any perishable items (like food) as without refrigeration, these products would expire. Also, its important to keep in mind that certain items such as paintings require a maintained type of temperature. One needs to be careful about the temperature requirements for products before storing them.
3. How Good is Security?
Most self storage facilities are very well secured. This could be in the form of gates around the premises and sometimes even manned patrols. Most facilities close at a certain hour, so as to avoid any theft or break into the units. Timings are generally from morning to evening. Always call and ask about operating hours of the facility.
4. What Unit is a Good Size For Me?
This depends on how much stuff you have. The best way to determine this is by measuring exactly the space you require. This should be done in square feet and height. As the storage space is a room, the measurements can be quite accurate.
5. What Are The Costs?
This depends on the size and the length of the contract. Most storage facilities are rented on a month to month basis, but discounts are given for those that sign a 6 month contract or longer. Again, this will depend on the facility you decide to rent from.
Hopefully, this guide has answered some of the most basic questions people have about self storage spaces. They are very easy to rent from and usually located close by all major neighborhoods. There are some self-storage units in Aurora, Colorado that even allow renters to store their RV's. This is a cost effective method of storing your over sized recreational vehicles.
The above image was taken from www.igpinstitute.org. I do not own the image, nor do I claim any rights over it.
Self-Storage Trends
Its amazing what the trends in the self-storage industry (yes, there is a such a thing) can tell us about the US economy as a whole. The increase in self-storage facilities is directly in line with migratory patterns being experienced in the US. The number one reason for storage units is relocation. So when people start moving, the need for self storage units increases exponentially. And with the present state of the US economy, a lot of people are moving. The trend seems to point to the Western and Southern states where unemployment is not that bad as the rest of the country. This directly coincides with the increase in self storage units. For example, the largest expansion of self storage units is currently being experienced in Texas (#1), Washington (#7) and Virginia (#8). Texas has seen the largest growth in this industry due to its strong economy based on oil, gas and real estate. Washington has experienced a great deal of growth due to its high-tech based economy. Both of these states have a great deal of immigration, especially the Houston, Dallas and Austin.
Another metric to measure the increase the of self storage spaces is the tendency of the younger generation to relocate. With jobs decreasing in most states, a lot of new college graduates are putting their belongings in storage and looking outside their home state for employment. Again, this migration pattern points towards students migrating to states which have a strong economy and a better job market.
Another contributing factor to the rise of storage spaces is the increase in consumer spending over the last 20 years. Americans have become huge purchasers of consumers goods and this has led to a rise in the amount of products people have accumulated. With personal belongings pilling up, people and families have no choice but to rent additional space to store their newly acquired products. This trend will also increase over the years as the newer generation show no signs on decreasing their spending. The current slow growth of the US economy may slow down purchasing for the moment, but it will certainly pick back up over the next few years.
The above image was taken from www.businesslocalarticles.com. I do not own the image, nor do I claim any rights over it.
Another metric to measure the increase the of self storage spaces is the tendency of the younger generation to relocate. With jobs decreasing in most states, a lot of new college graduates are putting their belongings in storage and looking outside their home state for employment. Again, this migration pattern points towards students migrating to states which have a strong economy and a better job market.
Another contributing factor to the rise of storage spaces is the increase in consumer spending over the last 20 years. Americans have become huge purchasers of consumers goods and this has led to a rise in the amount of products people have accumulated. With personal belongings pilling up, people and families have no choice but to rent additional space to store their newly acquired products. This trend will also increase over the years as the newer generation show no signs on decreasing their spending. The current slow growth of the US economy may slow down purchasing for the moment, but it will certainly pick back up over the next few years.
The above image was taken from www.businesslocalarticles.com. I do not own the image, nor do I claim any rights over it.