Questions To Ask Before Renting a Storage Unit
There are a variety of reasons why people choose to rent storage units. For some, there’s just not enough space in their home or apartment to easily keep all of their holiday decorations, out-of-season items, childhood memorabilia, family mementos and more. Others may be in the process of selling and buying a new home in Cleveland GA. In this case, people may empty out a lot of the clutter from their home to help it sell, or may be using it to store their possessions while they wait for the closing on their new home. Whatever your reason, here are some tips on choosing the right storage unit for your needs.
First, you need to know how much you’re going to be storing and the resulting size of the storage unit you’ll need. Storage rentals come in a wide range of sizes, from small closets to full-size garage spaces that could easily fit an average home’s items. An 8’ x 8’ unit will typically hold one to two rooms worth of goods. Don’t forget you can stack upwards, making the most of all of the space. Unless you’re absolutely sure, you can always ask the advice of people who work at the storage companies, as they deal with this day in and day out.
Of course, the next question is about how much it costs to rent a unit. They can range from $100-$300 a month, depending on size and location. However, the price does vary depending on the time of year. If you can plan in advance, December through February are the best times to get a good price as they’re less in demand then. Just be aware that you need to be out before the first of the month, as you will be charged for the whole month, even if you move out on the first.
You’ll probably want to spring for climate-controlled storage, even though it is more costly. Clothing, sheets, rugs, paintings and other items sensitive to humidity can end up ruined, especially with Georgia humidity. If it’s only going to be for one month when the humidity might not be as high, you could chance it, but you may want to keep an eye on things.
There are some restrictions on what you can store, so keep that in mind. Obviously, anything illegal is out, but so are hazardous materials and flammable substances like gas, though gas-powered machines can be stored if drained. Food, whether for people or pets, should never be stored, no matter how well sealed, as it easily leads to pests. Most storage places will have a list of non-acceptable items.
If you’re storing a lot of items or valuable items, make sure you have some sort of insurance. In some cases, your homeowners or renters insurance may cover your storage unit, but verify with your agent. You can purchase insurance for around $12-15 a month from the storage company that will provide you with between $1,000 to $4,000 of coverage. Once again, keep in mind the value of what you’re storing.
As for storing things safely, plastic sealed tubs are your safest bet. Vacuum sealed bags are actually a bad idea for clothing. Also, don’t overpack your plastic bins, as it’s good to allow some air to circulate. When packing clothing use clothing bags, not plastic. Moving blankets are the best for furniture and when packing the storage unit, start with the heaviest items first and then build up. The stability of the plastic tubs is another benefit.
Finally, purge before you store. Storage units do not keep trash cans and dumpsters on site. You will need to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit or that you don’t want on your own.
Storage units are great for people in the process of moving, especially if they’ve sold their home, but their new home isn’t ready yet. Some realty companies in Cleveland GA may also be able to recommend storage units close to where you’ll be moving, especially if you’re moving in from out of town or state.
Tags: homebuilder in Cleveland GA, homes for sale in Clevelend GA, new homes in Cleveland GA
