Self Storage Guide of Canada
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Self Storage Basics
Types of Self Storage
Storage Unit Size
Self Storage Costs
Choosing a Facility
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Self Storage Basics

Self storage facilities allow customers to rent storage space in which they can store items that they have no place to keep. This is the perfect storage solution for many personal and business needs. People often look to self-storage when downsizing or between the sale of their current home until the closing on their new home. Students from out of town often look to self storage as a cost-effective way to store their minimal furniture over the summer. Self storage is also great for storing seasonal items as well as cars, boats and other vehicles. Business owners store extra furniture and supplies and often rely on climate-controlled storage for archiving documents. Self storage is also ideal for contractors and home-based businesses to store supplies and merchandise. Storage spaces are available in many different sizes to suit the customers needs from the size of a gym locker to a space big enough to store a school bus.

As the phrase might suggest, self-storage is a do-it-yourself approach to storage. The customer is responsible for transporting their belongings to the storage facility as well as loading and unloading in the storage area. Most storage companies sell packing materials to aid customers in preparing their belongings for storage. Some will even lend or rent moving blankets to allow for added protection.

Self storage facilities also offer different levels of security and access. Most are equipped with closed circuit video surveillance and alarm systems as well as card-access security gates or doors. Some storage companies even employ security guards. Furthermore, the individual units are secured by a lock provided or purchased by the customer adding an additional element of security by allowing only the customer access to the unit.

There are generally two types of self storage buildings; indoor and shed-style. Climate controlled space is usually only available with indoor storage areas. Indoor units usually resemble small rooms and are located in a warehouse which may only be open during certain hours to the public. Some of these warehouses offer garage-type bays that open to the outside of the building for ease of access. In these buildings, the humidity and temperature are monitored and regulated. Outdoor spaces usually resemble large lockers or garage-type sheds in rows with limited or no access to the inside of the narrow building structure. These areas usually offer little in the way of temperature and humidity control but are more likely to offer 24-hour, 7 day per week access.

When choosing your storage company, you should inquire about access to your unit. Many indoor facilities are multi-level buildings that may require use of an elevator. Some also have long hallways leading to some units. Having to use an elevator and walk a fifty foot hallway will lengthen the time it takes to load and unload your unit. This can make a difference, especially if you are paying a moving company by the hour to do this for you.

Self storage units can normally be rented by the month although some locations rent by the week and even the day. Often, these companies will offer discounts or incentives based on the length of time the units are being rented. Usually a deposit will be requested by the management to cover any damages that may occur to the storage unit while the customer is moving belongings in and out. This deposit is often equal to one month's rent of the unit.

Next, it's time to choose the Type of Self Storage that suits your needs.