There are many reasons home owners and business owners make use of self storage facilities. Self storage offers numerous benefits and in this article, I will talk about some of the main benefits of using self storage facilities.
Benefits Of Self Storage For Home Owners
Hoarding – when we have the desire to hold on to things, we want to create some space for those things so we can use them later on in our lives. Many people have this fear of throwing things which they think may be useful for them in the future. There are numerous examples of people in the self storage industry of renting a storage space which they can use to collect items which they cannot store in their homes anymore. In most families, hoarding can cause a real problem because it creates an actual reduction in the living space. When we make use of self storage facilities, we can clear that space in our homes and at the same time retain those items.
Reduce Clutter – whether it is home or office, storage space can help reduce clutter and free up the much needed space.
Security – there is more security offered by self storage facilities than we can find in homes. Apart from a simple lock, there are security fences, gated entry, surveillance cameras, exterior lighting, limited after hours entry and security guards. If you have valuable items in the house which you are going to use later on, it is best to put them in self storage facilities.
Safety – the safety of your family is important and for this reason, it is not a good idea to have tools and other renovation related equipments in the home. This is especially true if there are small children in the house. If you have tools such as drills, saws, ladders and other power tools lying around, consider keeping them in a storage facility. This will reduce risks of accidents and injuries.
Space For Large Items – most people like the idea of owning ski boats, vintage cars, canoes, etc. If you do not have enough room for these items or if you are looking to provide protection against the weather conditions, then renting a self storage unit can be the best choice for you.
A self storage facility which is professionally run will allow you free access to your belongings at any time. They will provide you a code to enter the facility gates and your own key to the storage unit you have rented. Home owners often use these self storage facilities for peace of mind that their valuable or sentimental belongings are stored securely and safely. In a storage facility, you will find a secure environment which is clean and dry. The storage facility will be protected with various security systems ranging from 24-hour guard protection to CCTV security.
Benefits of Self Storage For Businesses
Before looking at the benefits, let us check out some of the main business uses for self storage. These include:
– product and sample storage
– archive storage
– home office storage
– office relocation furniture and stock storage
– emergency storage such as in case of storm, flooding, smoke damage and fire
– seasonal stock storage such as Christmas stock during the festive season
– business stock overflow storage
Self storage gives businesses increased flexibility. Whether it is a small business or a large business, they all need some kind of storage. There are many reasons for this which range from creating a mini warehouse to take care of trade supplies to creating a distribution point for a sales team.
Some of the main reasons why businesses need self storage include:
Making the most of office space
Office spaces are quite costly these days and when you pay so much money on office space rental, you must ensure that the space is being used to achieve maximum benefit. Offices which are filled up with less frequently used paperwork, excessive equipment, and unused furniture items or archive files can make work difficult. Moreover, a survey has revealed that an average company may end up paying about 1,200 a year to maintain space that is occupied by a medium sized filing cabinet. When you compare this amount with cost of renting a self storage unit to store that unnecessary or rarely used filing cabinet, you will see that you can save close to 600 on just one filing cabinet. Today most companies have recognised the benefits of storing paperwork, rarely used furniture and equipment offsite by making use of self storage facilities.
Easy expansion
Are you looking to relocate just because you think that the current office space is not adequate to meet your needs? If so, why not consider freeing up some space by removing those unnecessary file cabinets, unused equipments and loads of paperwork which are rarely referenced. If you make use of self storage facilities to store these rarely used items, there will be no need for an expensive relocation. Instead you will be able to free up the much needed space that will provide for easy expansion.
Costs benefits
– rental is paid on a month to month basis which means that no yearly lease is required
– when compared to the cost of office space, self storage rental rate is competitive
– businesses also get assistance when they need to move their items for free
– to make the best use of the storage unit, shelving can also be made available
– you can also receive discounts
– it is better to use office space to generate income rather than use it for storage
Security
– keeping valuable documents offsite protects against natural environmental damages such as fire
– only you have access to your individual space
– you get 24 hour security for your valuable items
Convenience
– Trolleys and pallet jacks making it easy to move your items
– It is easy to receive pallet deliveries
– You can access your items 7 days a week
– Packaging materials are available on site
Flexibility
– provides a flexible storage option for businesses which are stock based
– flexible in terms of space as well as facilities
– there are a number of self storage facilities which require just a day or 7 days notice to reduce or expand your storage space depending on your requirement
– flexible rentals
– no long term lease
– flexible facilities such as bulk storage, forklifts, loading bays, drive up units, etc
– short term commitment
However, before you choose a self storage facility, consider the following eight essential questions.
1. What security measures are in place?
2. Does the facility offer 24/7 access?
3. Are there different sized units available?
4. If the self storage facility close to my home?
5. Can shippers drop off or pick up shipments?
6. Are there any kinds of discounts available?
7. Is the management professional and the facility clean?
8. Are there any hidden costs apart from the monthly rental?
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