Do you need a place to store some prized possessions? Self-storage experts say that in addition to considering the size and price of a unit, you should look for the following six attributes in a storage facility.

1. Super Customer Service

The first time you contact a self-storage facility, whether by email, phone, or in person…you will find out how customers are treated. A good manager should greet customers in a friendly manner and answer all questions thoroughly and efficiently. Things to watch for: a failure to give a straight answer and a lack of organization in the office.

2. Hands-On Manager

You should see a manager that is interacting with customers and solving problems, and having a manager that lives on-site, is ideal. With the apartment on-site and directly above the office, the tenant can feel confident that the manager will be available if a problem arises.

3. Squeaky Clean

The main office at a storage facility should give you an indication about the overall cleanliness of the place. The office should be dusted, have a clean floor, a spotless bathroom, and a well-groomed, neatly dressed manager. A clean office shows that the facility is well-maintained and that the staff will care for their tenants’ belongings in the same manner.

4. No Pesky Critters

A good self-storage facility will contract with a pest control professional who visits regularly. It’s extremely important to prevent infestations because pests can do plenty of damage to tenants’ belongings. Make sure and ask the facility that you are considering how they handle pest control.

5. Tight Security

A secure self-storage facility should have a gate with computerized access, security cameras, and good lighting. It is also helpful if there is an on-site manager present.

6. A Good Fit

All self-storage facilities are not the same, so your choice should depend partly on your own needs. For example, if you’re storing things you almost kicked to the curb because you’re not sure you want to keep them, price may be the only consideration. If you think you’ll want to retrieve items at night or on a weekend, you will want 24 hour access. So, keep your own needs in mind.

Estimating how much space you will need for your storage items can be simple if you know what you want to store. Here are some simple steps to help you plan, and size recommendations based on commonly-stored items.

Step 1: Start by making a list of the items you plan to store.

Step 2: Group the items according to how you will organize them.

Start by identifying items that will be packed in boxes and stacked. Next, prioritize boxed items you will want to access most frequently (they’ll go closer to the front of the unit). Then group by fragility or weight – heavier, sturdier items should be stored on the bottom of stacked items, fragile items on top. Then consider awkwardly-sized items that won’t stack well, including how often you will need to use them, and how heavy they are.

Step 3: Make note of how these items will be packed and organized.

Boxes and containers should be of uniform size, and should be stacked no more than three- or four-high, depending on the size and strength of the containers you use.

There are several basic sizes of storage units. Below is a quick-reference guide to help you plan what size unit you will need for your personal or business storage:

Storage of Personal Items

5′ x 5′ (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold a chest of drawers, a small mattress set, boxes and small items. Useful for garden tools, or seasonal decorative items.
5′ x 10′ (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold furnishings of a mid-size bedroom, including a queen-size bed, dresser, TV, and a few storage boxes.
10′ x 10′ (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire family room or two full bedrooms.
10′ x 15′ (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of up to three bedrooms in this unit. Recommended for larger items such as pianos, couches, tables, or large-screen TVs.
10′ x 20′ (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a five-bedroom house, including a refrigerator, washer/dryer, dining room table, chairs and large boxes.
10′ x 30′ (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a 5- to 7-bedroom house, including large items such as a couch, bed, fridge, and entertainment center.

Storage of Business Items

5′ x 5′ (25 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of a large office closet filled with files, books, office chairs, and a few storage boxes.
5′ x 10′ (50 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of one office room, including desks, bookcases, filing cabinets and large storage boxes. Ideal for storing equipment and tools.
10′ x 10′ (100 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of an entire office, including desks, chairs, computers and a few storage boxes.
10′ x 15′ (150 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of three office rooms could fit in this size unit, including several desks, computers and boxes.
10′ x 20′ (200 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five office rooms (desks, computers, bookcases and file cabinets) in this size, or a five-year supply of business and tax files.
10′ x 30′ (300 sq. ft.) – Will hold the contents of five office rooms – many desks, several large boxes, seasonal storage, a few sets of large storage shelves and/or a few pallets of inventory, depending on how high you stack them.

It is always a good idea to visit potential storage units to get a visual sense of the space you will be working with.

At 126 Self Storage, we can answer any questions you may have, and give you suggestions on how to store your items to maximize space.