How to Pick a Great Self Storage Company

If you suddenly find yourself moving from a larger home into a substantially smaller one, you will have to decide what to do with the personal belongings that no longer fit into the space of your new domicile. Typically, a self storage option is your best bet.

1. List your requirements and be sure to ask every company you interview prior to selection. Are they close to your home? Do they provide 24 hour access to your property? Is the area secure? Do they provide compensation programs should anything happen to your goods while in their care?


2. Check in your local yellow pages to find self storage companies in your area. Make a list of those closest to you and pay them an unscheduled surprise visit to ask for a tour of their facility. Pay attention to how the staff treats you personally. Select a company that employees polite, helpful staff that remains unflustered when you drop in on them unexpectedly. Pick five of the most suitable companies near you and search for their businesses online at the better Business Bureau. Any grievances against their company are listed there as well their overall listing within the bureau itself.


3. Let them know you’re looking. It does no harm to let the self storage companies you are looking at know that you are shopping around for the best price. Ask them if they have any initial storage coupons or discounts or if they can beat the prices of their competitors. Helpful service and excellent prices are your primary lead. 


4. Ask them what security measures they are providing to ensure the safety of your goods. This includes not only security measures such as software and cameras, but also any installed burglar alarms and fire department alert systems. 


5. Check your payment options. Some companies will have a hard and fast rule of payment due on the first of every month. If your pay period falls outside of this period, ask the company if they allow flex payment plans to allow for this discrepancy.


6. Be sure to check into what means the company has in place to ensure prompt payments as well as this could mean they maintain a constant lien against your goods that provides them the right to auction off any stored property to recover their costs should you default on your payments. Remember, most companies provide contingency plans to assist you in making your payments on time. Any company that defaults directly to an auctioned repayment system is to be avoided.