Top 6 Qualities to Look for in a Storage Facility

Storage facilities can come in handy in a variety of situations. If you are changing cities and want to have someone look after your belongings while you arrange a place to stay, you can rely on storage facilities to get the job done.

Similarly, if you frequently travel, mostly stay in hotels, and would like to keep your belongings somewhere safe, you can leave them at a self-storage facility. People worldwide use storage facilities, and it has steadily grown into a billion-dollar industry. Many people use it for their needs, and the facilities are also categorized accordingly.

Types of storage facilities

Before we get into the specifics of the qualities you need to look for in a storage facility, we must discuss the types that exist.

Short-term storage

Short-term storage is for people who do not plan to leave their belongings in a storage facility for a long time. This is suitable for people who are changing cities but are too short on time to sell off their belongings. It is also suitable for those renovating their home who want to temporarily keep their belongings somewhere safe. Short-term storage facilities usually offer the same facilities as long-term storage facilities.

Long-term facility

Unlike a short-term facility, a long-term facility caters to those looking to keep their belongings there for a longer period. This can apply to people moving away to another city or country for months or years. This can also apply to those moving to a smaller place.

Whether it is a long-term storage facility or a short-term storage facility, a self storage unit can come in handy for a variety of reasons. This industry has grown steadily worldwide, and places like Hong Kong have quite a few facilities that offer excellent services. For example, SC Storage boasts more than 18,000 self-storage units for personal and commercial use. They do not weigh too heavily on your wallet, either.

So, if you are clear on the details mentioned earlier, let us now get to the qualities you should look for in a good storage facility. This list is not in order of priority.

1.  Customer service

Many of us turn down places if we find the staff uncooperative or uninterested in our queries. This is because it is a major red flag. If the staff is not considerate enough to behave cordially with you, they are unlikely to offer you good services.

On the other hand, some go out of their way to give you better services. This helps build trust in the company. So, opt for a facility with excellent customer service because if you entrust them with your possessions, you want them to be responsive to your concerns.

2.  Location

Location is an important factor when it comes to choosing a storage facility. You do not want the place to be far from where you reside. The unit should be in your proximity so you can go in and check on your possessions whenever needed. For example, if you have some extra chairs in the unit and need them, it would be ideal to conveniently visit the facility to retrieve them.

3.  Security

Security is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a storage facility. If you entrust your goods to a company, you want them to protect them from harm or theft. Any professional storage company would invest in proper security to address the concerns of its customers.

Ideally, you should opt for a place that offers round-the-clock surveillance, lighting and motion sensors, gate and unit access control, perimeter fencing, perimeter intrusion alarms, etc. These security features can keep your possessions safe and offer peace of mind.

4.  Unit specifics

Once satisfied with the facility’s security, you need to evaluate whether it fits your needs. Are the units available spacious enough for your possessions? Do you need them to be larger or smaller? This evaluation depends entirely on your needs, and it is always good to opt for slightly larger units to hold extra items when needed.

Moreover, you need to see if the facility is good on cleanliness. The last thing you want is to have pests infest your precious furniture or to walk into dirty units to check on your items. Moreover, the unit should also be climate controlled to preserve temperature-sensitive items.

5.  Collection and delivery service

While we discussed the need for a nearby storage unit earlier in this article, a good collection and delivery service is also important. If you are changing cities and have packed all your important items, the last thing you would want is to spend time arranging movers to shift your belongings to the unit. A professional storage facility that offers collection service can responsibly transport your possessions to their units, thus sparing you effort and providing you peace of mind.

Similarly, a delivery service comes in handy when you have just returned to town and would like to retrieve a couple of items from the unit. Moreover, if you are permanently retrieving your items, you can just have the company shift them to your new place. This would save you a lot of hassle.

6.  Insurance

Many storage facilities require you to have insurance on your belongings, even if they offer excellent security. This is simply another security measure to protect you in case of undesired circumstances. Some natural catastrophes are unstoppable, and you may incur heavy losses if your goods are uninsured.

Therefore, you should choose a place that offers a good insurance plan. The premium should be reasonable, and the coverage should be according to your needs.

Conclusion

While choosing a storage facility may seem tedious, it can be simple if you know what you are looking for. Evaluate the facility based on its customer service, location, security, unit specifics, collection and delivery service, and insurance plan. This should help you make the right decision because these elements constitute the core of storage operations. If you have any other suggestions, let us know in the comments below.