15 Ways To Save Money With Self-storage

Most people know that a little extra room goes a long way to improving home or work life, and self-storage is an affordable way to expand. What might be surprising, though, is how many ways self-storage can help save money. From simple cost saving steps to important ways to prevent significant loss, the following tips can pay off with both pennies and peace of mind.

1.Streamline ahead of time Review what you plan to store, asking yourself whether each item is worth the cost and effort of packing, moving and storing. Consider selling, giving away or donating items that do not hold great value to you or that you have not used in over a year.

2.Properly estimate the necessary space Most self-storage facilities follow standard sizes ranging from 25-300 sq. ft. of enclosed space. When deciding how big to go:

oInclude extra square footage for future growth
oConsider sharing space with family members, friends or neighbors
oFactor in room for shelving that will allow you to stack boxes and containers from floor to ceiling
oUse Extra Spaces size estimator

3.Compare cost per square foot Rental of a self-storage unit is generally much cheaper than leased office, retail or warehouse space. In the case of retail or restaurant space, where every square foot means potential profit, the savings is even greater.

4.Take extra steps The rate per square foot can differ depending on the location of a unit within a self-storage facility. Units that are farther from the entrance or on a second or third floor are sometimes less expensive.

5.Dont be boxed in by inconvenience Save time, gas and space by purchasing quality boxes and packing materials at the storage facility. Sturdy, same-size boxes stack well, making good use of space, and can last for years. Your storage facility manager may be aware of other customers who are looking to dispose of used boxes or packing materials.

6.Track what you pack Keep an inventory list of what you pack including a unique number for each box, and label the box with the number. Take pictures of valuable items. Documenting your belongings will help you keep track of what item is in what box, double check that everything makes it during transport, and estimate value for insurance purposes.

7.Think preservation Taking measures to protect fabrics, furniture, electronic equipment, leather and other belongings can prevent drying, cracking, fading and warping. These steps are especially important if you will be storing your items in a geographic area subject to extreme temperatures, humidity or dryness. Consider climate-controlled storage (when available, for an additional fee) to keep the temperature in your unit similar to your home.

8.Store backups of your backups Take advantage of having a separate physical location where copies of important electronic information and paper documents can be stored. Taking time to make and take these backups can prevent the cost and heartache of trying to recover data and documentation lost through flood, fire, power surges and other unforeseeable destructive events.

9.Maximize vertical space Build or assemble heavy-duty shelving to make use of space from floor to ceiling. Shelves can be used within storage units as long as they are not affixed to walls, ceilings or floors.

10.Save on transportation If you will need to rent a truck to transport your belongings, check with the storage facility first. Some storage facilities offer trucks for free use or rent.

11.Do business as usual Remodeling, redecorating or downsizing a home or business can make simple business activities difficult. Some storage facilities lease office space as well as storage space, and may have business centers in the main office with wireless Internet, copy/FAX machines, coffee and conference tables.

12.Smart parking Rather than deal with parking garages, pay lots or meters, consider using an outside storage lot or drive-up unit for parking near work.

13.Divide and multiply Leasing several small storage units rather than one large one may cut down on commute time and transportation costs.

14.Direct delivery Storage facilities will sign for packages on your behalf, and per your preference, either hold on to them temporarily or allow the delivery driver to put them in your storage unit.

15.Make sure youre covered Homeowner or business insurance policies may not provide sufficient coverage for your stored belongings, or may be expensive. Insurance offered through your storage facility can save costs by offering:

oa low cost / low deductible
oa separate deductible
osupplemental coverage
oin-transit coverage

Being diligent about this preparatory work can save you lots of money and time now and in the future. Be sure to ask your storage facility manager for additional suggestions when it comes to cost savings through self-storage.