12 Questions to Ask Before Renting a Self-Storage Unit

Whether you’re moving, downsizing, decluttering, or simply looking for a little extra space, renting a self-storage unit can be a great solution. But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to determine what exactly you need and how to find the perfect storage unit for you.  

Not sure where to start? We can help. Here are 12 questions to ask to figure out everything you need to know before renting a self-storage unit. If you still have unanswered questions, please feel free to contact us. We’re here for you whenever you have questions.

1. Do I really need a storage unit? 

When you think of self-storage, you may think of boxes of old documents or things that you don’t need now but might want in 20 years—but there are lots of other reasons people use and love self storage. Whether you’re a college student studying abroad or in between apartments over the summer or you’re a homeowner doing a renovation or making a move, self-storage is really for everyone. It’s also a great option for collectors, adventurers, holiday-decor enthusiasts, small-business owners, or anyone who wants to downsize or declutter their space.

2. How much do I want to store? 

Before choosing a self-storage unit, create an inventory of everything that you need to store. This will help you determine what size space you need and will also be a great resource to keep track of everything that’s inside your storage unit.   

3. What types of things do I want to store?  

If you’ve got it, we can store it—cars, boats, seasonal home decor, your world-famous wine collection, weekend surf gear and more. We have both indoor and outdoor storage units for whatever you need.

4. What size unit do I need? 

Once you’ve assessed what you’d like to store and created an inventory, it’s time to figure out what size storage unit you need. Don’t spend more than you need to by overestimating how much space you need. Save money and store more efficiently by choosing the right size space. Check out our storage unit size guide videos to help pick the perfect space for you.

5. What type of access to the unit do I want?

If you’re storing weekend fun gear like surfboards and camping equipment that you’ll want to access more often, consider a unit with drive-up access. If you’re storing things you won’t need to access as often, like family heirlooms or antiques, a drive-up unit may not be an essential.

6. Can I rent a storage unit online?

To rent a storage unit with us, you won’t even have to pick up the phone or get in your car. With our contactless eRental, you can pick the perfect space for you online and move in right away. Skip the wait and the hassle and rent online to start storing faster. If you’d rather go in person to tour the facility, give them a call to set up a time to come by and check it out.

7. Is the storage unit for personal or business needs? 

A storage unit can be a great solution for small businesses, too. Renting a storage unit is significantly cheaper than renting an office space, and with so many businesses going remote, self-storage is a great option for storing office furniture like desks, chairs, file cabinets, and more. It’s also a perfect place to store inventory or even furniture from that spare bedroom that’s now your home office. If you are storing supplies or equipment needed to run your business, you may be able to write off your storage fees on your taxes.

8. What's the security like? 

Before renting a storage unit, do your research on the security of the facility. All of our storage facilities come standard with electronic gated access, individually alarmed units, surveillance cameras, video monitoring, and on-site resident manager to protect your priceless items.

9. What kind of supplies do you offer? What supplies do I need to bring?

When you're looking at storage units, find out if they offer any assistance to help you move into your unit. Do they have a moving truck you can use? What about rolling carts or packing supplies? Many facilities don’t offer transportation or packing supplies, so you’ll want to factor in those costs. (If you do need a moving truck, we’ve got you covered. You can easily reserve one of our move-in trucks for fast and easy transportation on move-in day without spending another penny.)

10. Do I need to get insurance?

Yes, most facilities require you to have your own insurance to rent a storage unit. Some do not. Make sure to find out exactly what type of coverage you need ahead of time so you’re prepared and ready to go.

11. Will I get locked into a long, expensive contract?

Nope! Self-storage doesn’t have to—and shouldn’t—break the bank. If you choose to store with us, you can store on your schedule with no obligation or long-term commitment. We offer month-to-month storage options customized for your unique needs and are the home of the one-year price guarantee to give you the most affordable self-storage solution. 

12. How much does it cost to rent a storage unit?

Storage units cost anywhere from about $71–$420 per month based on storage features. You can rent a storage unit month to month or lock in your rate for a full year with our 1-year price guarantee per your budget. You may pay more for larger units (bigger units cost more) and more features (climate controlled and drive up units cost more). Based on availability, you may pay more when there is storage unit shortage in the market. You can save 10 dollar monthly when you rent online with us. 

Are you ready to start storing? Visit our website to rent and move in as soon as you’re ready.