By Vanlines.com Staff
New to storage? Sure, you can just find a place and dump your stuff in a room. But if you care about what you are storing (which you should, otherwise why are you paying to keep it?), you’re going to need to ask some questions to be sure you choose a reputable facility.
No worries. We’ve come up with the seven questions you must ask before you sign on the dotted line. Here they are:
Are you a member of any industry associations? If they are a member of the Self Storage Association (SSA) for example, it shows that the company has been in business for a while and takes their business seriously. Some storage facilities are part of a larger moving company, this is also a good sign.
Are there weight limits on my storage? You need to know how to pack the moving boxes you will be storing. Many facilities will allow small boxes that weigh no more than 75 pounds and large boxes that weigh no more than 100 pounds.
When do you drop off the containers and do you have packing supplies? If using mobile storage, you can expect containers within 24 to 48 hours from when you make the request. If you need any moving supplies like bubble wrap, shrink wrap or moving boxes you'll need to request them when ordering the container.
What kind of insurance do you provide? This is a key question. Most facilities will include details of their plan and rates in the welcome kit. But if you are storing anything of value, you might want to have the contents insured under your homeowners insurance policy if they are not already covered.
What is your pest control policy? Ask to see the pest control log books, which show how regularly the facility is sprayed and if there have been any infestation issues in the past.
How quickly can I have access to my items in storage? If your mobile storage units have been taken to the storage facility, you will need to request that the units be brought back to your home, which will usually take 24 to 48 hours. For self-storage and full-service facilities, access will depend on the hours the facilities keep.
What kind of security system do you have? You want to find a place that has 24-hour security with digital cameras inside and outside the facility.
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