3 Factors to Consider Before Using a Self-Storage Company
In most instances, proximity and storage quotes dominate the self-storage hiring process. As expected, you would want to know everything there is to know about the company in question before entrusting your personal belongings into their care. Besides, with intense competition in this industry and the UK accounting for 41% of Europe’s self-storage market, it helps to be circumspect in who you hire. So before you go ahead and register with a local self storage company, here are some important things to consider.
- Security at the self-storage facility
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The level of security available at a self-storage facility speaks volumes about how important the company values its customers’ and clients’ belongings. Although theft used to be a critical issue in the UK’s self-storage industry some years ago, that has reduced considerably in recent times. This is primarily because of a massive increase in self-storage businesses and the need to upgrade services to attract more clients. Nevertheless, you cannot play down this critical factor before hiring a company of that sort. How can you tell that what you paid for offers that peace of mind?
As a tip, visit the facility in person to take a tour. Most companies will allow this because it offers better publicity and marketing. Avoid being deceived by attractive security features you see on their website and other online platforms. As the saying goes, ‘seeing is believing.’ Examples of some security features to look out for include:
- 24-hour surveillance and adequate lighting at the facility.
- Enhanced steel disc door locks
- Individualised unit alarms
Additionally, look out for perimeter fencing and possibly renewable digital passcodes for new clients. As an enhanced security measure, some self-storage facilities provide regular property checks with the clients’ consent. Sometimes self-storage burglaries are perpetrated by criminals posing as customers.
- Self-storage units with climate control elements
Every self-storage company is required to have climate-controlled units as a proactive measure against item damage. Before you hire that company, can you determine if all storage units are optimally conditioned? The idea behind climate-control units stems from the recognition of the weather’s impact on stored items. As the weather changes and affects the temperature in the environment, your stored items are left vulnerable if the unit isn’t controlled.
Typical damage to stored belongings are;
- Rust
- Mould formation
- Water destruction
In a storage unit not designed to control heat, soft and pliable plastic items tend to melt and stick together. For example, business documents stored in plastic files can deteriorate and consequently damage printed leaflets.
- Cleanliness
A self-storage facility must conduct regular cleaning to keep its premises in tiptop shape. Once again, you may be deceived if you rely solely on images posted on their websites and social media platforms. Therefore, take time off your busy schedule to inspect the facility in person. Furthermore, apart from actual cleanliness, look out for specific areas of the building. For example, do you detect leakage from the ceilings? Secondly, are there adequate sewer drains to convey water away from storage units in the event of a storm? All these zero into cleanliness, and that must be part of your inspections.
The UK’s self-storage industry is performing exceptionally well, and even in 2020, when the pandemic hit, it has been able to brave the odds. Indeed, it is quite a lucrative business and explains why more entrepreneurs are venturing into it. Therefore, do your bit by choosing carefully and wisely.
Laura x