Who Are The Best Self-Storage Companies
When you move from one home to another, there is a lot of stuff to do and a lot of stress. So if you need storage facilities, finding the time to research your options can be difficult.
You have to think about the items you are going to store and if the self-storage facilities match your requirements. If you have valuable and irreplaceable possessions, you will want to be sure they have climate-controlled units and great security.
Making sure the storage company properly meets your needs is important to make your experience better and trouble-free. There are a handful of companies that have the best storage facilities.
There are many self-storage companies available, and checking them all out to find the best one for you isn’t going to be a quick task. Maximum Real Estate Exposure has an excellent resource, but we are also going to take a detailed look here as well.
Before you start putting all your things into storage, however, it would be wise to get rid of things you don't need. Doing so will ultimately help you save on moving expenses. One of the first places to start will be hiring a junk removal company like 1-800-Got-Junk. They will come and take away most things you no longer have any use for.
If you have items with some decent value and aren't really junk, it will make sense to have a charity come by and do a donation pickup. Many companies will take your things away for free! You will be helping someone in need, which is a great feeling!
Let's dig into the best storage companies to give you one less thing to worry about when moving.
Self-Storage Facilities to be Reviewed
- Extra Space Storage
- U-Haul
- Public Storage
- Life Storage
- Cubesmart
Extra Space Storage
If security is a big concern for your storage unit, Extra Space Storage could be a winner. They offer around-the-clock surveillance, individual floor access, and more insurance options.
There are also on-site managers, and they use electronic gates to restrict access and improve security. However, while these security measures look great, they might not be available at all of their locations.
Another potential problem that varies between locations is opening times. This could be an issue if you need access out of business hours, and you will need to check the hours at your nearest location before reserving a unit.
What Extra Space Storage Offers
The second-largest storage business in the US, Extra Space has its headquarters in Salt Lake City. They operate less than 2,000 storage facilities in most but not all states. This equates to over a million units and 585 million square feet of storage. They can also store vehicles, as well as personal or business storage.
Extra Space Storage offers some important features to make them one of the best overall picks.
U-Haul
If your particular focus is on the need for security, U-Haul offers more than most. Every unit has an alarm that will protect your possessions 24/7, along with video cameras and access controls to different sections of their storage facilities.
U-Haul is known for their truck rentals, so if you need that service too, you can get everything from the same place. They also have good availability with a lot of facilities in the US and Canada.
They have self-storage and mini-storage facilities at affordable prices. The first month’s rent could even be free in some cases, and there is no money down options when you reserve a unit.
Protection for Your Unit
Along with the industry-leading security measures, they have fire sprinklers, intercoms to contact the on-site manager and contactless entry. There are a few insurance options to make sure your items are covered.
If you have valuables you want to store, with great availability, U-Haul looks very attractive.
Public Storage
If you are looking for availability, Public Storage could be the right choice. They boast of more locations than any other storage business, though they aren’t in every state.
They offer other benefits, too, like contactless storage, where you can pay online and use their app to gain access to their facilities and your unit. Renting a unit could start from as little as just a dollar for the first month. They also offer no-obligation contracts where you don’t have to commit to a long-term rental.
Security at Public Storage
They only have facilities that use leading security measures. Their facilities use electronic entry with individual key codes, for example. Their units are completely enclosed, and typically access is from 6 am to 9 pm.
Though you can’t access your unit in the middle of the night with Public Storage, overall access to storage is good from a large number of facilities.
Life Storage
With self-storage facilities to meet most people’s requirements, Life Storage should have everything you need. They can store vehicles, including RVs, boats, and motorcycles. If you have a collection of wine, they offer custom wine storage to make sure it is kept in the ideal conditions.
Climate and humidity controls make sure the possessions you place in your unit won’t become damaged due to extremes of temperature. And they also provide truck rentals to make moving your items in and out of storage more convenient.
Limited Availability
One downside to using Life Storage is the lack of locations. They offer less than 1,000 facilities, making it less likely that you will find one near you. You also might find that access to your unit isn’t as good as you want, with some locations not providing 24/7 access.
Life Storage could be the best choice if you need something slightly more than a standard unit.
CubeSmart
If cost is your biggest concern, CubeSmart should be on your short-list. They have a lot of discounts to help you save on your storage costs. They also have partnerships with labor providers and moving truck rental companies to make moving easier and cheaper. Discounts are available for college students and active-duty military personnel too.
They offer flexible options from their more than 1,200 locations, and you can rent by the month or opt for longer terms. They have indoor and drive-up units and climate controls to help you protect your items.
Saving on Insurance
Part of the reason why you might pay less at CubeSmart is that they don’t include insurance. You can pay for this as an extra, but if you don’t feel like you need it, you have saved an expense. Though you are taking a risk, they do have 24-hour security and gated access, making theft less likely.
If you want the best value for money from self-storage companies, CubeSmart is a sound choice.
Other Storage Options Besides Self-Storage
The other option you have besides a self-storage facility is going with a portable moving Pod instead. There are numerous well-respected portable moving and storage pod companies worth checking out. Going with a Pod will give you the convenience of being able to access your things right from your front yard. Check out some of the vital questions to ask when renting a pod in our helpful resource.
If you are undecided on which storage option to choose, take a look at the comprehensive comparison comparing self-storage to storage Pods. The information will help you decide which is the best storage option for your needs. The pros and cons of each are laid out in extensive detail.
Final Thoughts on Storage
There are many storage companies to choose from when you need somewhere to put your stuff. However, not all self-storage is the same. If you know your priorities, you can better work out which company will be your best option. Hopefully, our self-storage guide will make your decision clearer.
You should now have a better understanding of who the best self-storage companies are for your moving needs.
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