Americans have a lot of stuff! Many individuals have approximately 300,000 items in their home. While many of these items are needed, some of them are only utilized every once and awhile. If you are in this situation, you may be looking for an out of the way place to store these items so you don't have to get rid of them. Fortunately, there is a solution that will allow you to store your items in a safe and convenient way. Self storage can be the answer that you are looking for. A “storage unit near me” will provide a place to put rarely used items, but it will allow you to still have access to them whenever you want to. If you’ve never used a storage unit before, you may have a lot of questions about them. Here are some of the five most commonly asked questions that many individuals have when trying to decide if a self storage unit is the right solution for them.

The Five Important Questions

1. How Does Self Storage Work?

A. The process of storage rental is fairly simple. You first need to determine the size and type of unit that you want. Then you will need to decide how you want to pay for your unit so that you can secure it. Often times, you will be paying for your unit monthly. You may be able to get a discount by paying for your unit for 6 months to a year at a time. For the most part, you will get to decide how long you’d like to keep your storage unit for.

2. Who Has Access To My Unit?

A. You will need to secure your unit with a lock. A lock will not be provided for you. This means that you are in total control of who has access to your unit. No employee will go into your unit for any reason. Only people you give a key out to will be able to unlock your storage unit and go inside of it. By you having total control over who has access to the contents of your storage unit, you can rest assured that no one can enter your storage unit without your permission. You won't have to worry about theft, and you will know that your items are safe at all times.

3. Which Type Of Storage Unit Is Right For Me?

A. The two most common types of storage units are outdoor units and indoor units. Outdoor units do tend to be cheaper. However, they aren’t temperature controlled. What this means is that items that are susceptible to temperature fluctuations, such as artwork and wood furniture, may not withstand being in an outdoor unit long-term. Indoor units are a more suitable choice for these types of items. They do consistently remain at acceptable temperatures for most items.

4. How Much Time Can I Rent A Storage Unit For?

A. In many instances, you can determine exactly how long you can rent a storage unit for. If you are just looking for a short-term solution, you may be able to rent a unit for as little as a month. Use the classic search term “storage places near me” to try and find a local storage unit. If you are wanting a long-term option, you can rent a unit for a year or more. When you are ready to vacate the unit, you will just need to provide notice that you are no longer in need of a storage unit.

5. Will My Items Be Insured?

A. Your items will not be insured by the storage facility. If something happens to your items, the storage facility will not reimburse you for any of them. You will need to insure your items on your own. Fortunately, this type of insurance tends to be cheap. In many instances, you can get it for under $10 a month. Some homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies will cover the items in your storage unit. You will need to check your policy to see whether or not they are covered.