General Articles

Finding the Best Self Storage Prices

When you need a storage unit, you also need to make sure that you get one at a worthwhile price. This may be more difficult than it seems because there are a lot of storage units out there that appear to have a nice low price, but are lacking in features. You may not think some features are important, but in all honesty they are essential. Obviously the monthly self storage unit prices will determine how much you end up paying for the service overall.

For instance you might need a storage unit that offers heating and air conditioning. Maybe in the beginning you won’t think about the temperature of your items, but if you have something that does not do well in cold weather, then finding a good climate-controlled unit is essential. You also have the issue of snow and rain. You want a storage unit that is watertight because the last thing you want is to walk into your storage unit to find that everything inside is actually frozen.

With that in mind you need to make sure you are getting a certain level of service. If something goes wrong or malfunctions, the maintenance crew needs to come out and fix it right away. If you are paying a lower price then you most likely won’t be getting this level of service.

As for finding the right price, that is a question of doing your homework. As you might expect, pricing is directly tied to the unit’s size. Naturally you will pay more in certain geographic areas, especially if storage units are in high demand. You will need to do your research on self storage prices.

In order to conduct your research, you will need to start by talking to the different storage companies in your immediate area. You could call them or you could simply look them up online. If they are a good company then they will most likely have their prices and services listed on the website, making your search for self storage prices a short and easy one. Once you determine how much each one costs, it’s time to visit them. Inspect their facilities, and make sure you ask questions!

If your questions are not adequately answered, then you could always talk to your friends and family. They may have rented from the company in the past, and if this is true, then they will be able to tell you whether or not it is a waste of money.

Don’t be afraid to go with a company that has high self storage prices. Higher prices mean that the company is better funded and will most definitely be able to safeguard your items. There are many companies to choose from, but only one of them is going to be perfect for you. The important thing is to not go with the first company that offers you a good deal. Shop around, compare them, and most importantly find the self …

Your Guide to Self Storage

Are you thinking about self storage? If so, you might be wondering the best way to store various items, including furniture, appliances, clothing, and books. Read on for some storage tips that will help you store your belongings safely and efficiently.

First, it’s important to pack smart. In the frenzy of preparing for a move, the idea of throwing all of your stuff haphazardly into boxes might seem pretty appealing, but this is only going to make things harder for you later on – remember, you are the one who’s going to be doing the unpacking. To avoid the hassle of packing properly, some people invest in professional packing services, but this really isn’t necessary.

For small items like clothes, books, and even pots and pans, cardboard boxes are your best storage tools. It’s sometimes possible to pick up free boxes from local businesses, but you shouldn’t count on them to provide all of your supplies.

As an alternative, many people prefer to purchase boxes, tape, and other packing supplies directly from a storage facility. This way, you can take a look at the size of your storage unit while picking up your materials – all in a single trip. Some self storage facilities even feature on-site managers and staff members available to answer your questions.

When packing, store items from separate rooms in separate boxes, and be sure to label your boxes on every side so that you’ll be able to discern their contents in any storage configuration. In addition to the room, label each box as either “light” or “heavy” – this will come in handy later. It’s also helpful to keep a list of how many boxes you have for each room so that you don’t lose track of any items. If you are using climate controlled storage, you can also store sensitive items like photographs and videotapes in your unit.

Packing items that don’t fit in boxes is a little more complicated. To save space, disassemble your furniture as much as possible, and wrap each piece using furniture pads to prevent scratches or exposure to dirt. Label with markers and masking tape. If you have any leftover hardware from disassembly, store these in labeled bags.

Only use plastic covers if you are investing in climate controlled storage- otherwise, moisture might collect under the plastic and damage your belongings. You’ll also need climate controlled storage to protect furniture made of precious wood.

Now that you’re done packing, it’s time to store your items, and storing smart is important as well. When arranging boxes and furniture in self storage units, preserve a center aisle so that all of your items are within easy reach. Place the items you use most often in the front of the unit.

As you might have guessed, your “heavy” boxes should go on the floor of the storage unit, while the “light” boxes can be placed on top. For furniture, use towels or blankets to create buffer zones …

RV Storage Can Have Its Own Rewards

Owning your own RV can provide you with a lifetime of memories and new adventures. However, if you do not have the right kind of RV storage, you might simply regret your decision in case your RV deteriorates or gets stolen because it was not kept safe and secure.

These large vehicles can provide great fun on camping trips and when you decide to explore the country during that long awaited break. But when you are back from holidaying and have to resume your regular routine, you cannot simply let your RV sit in your back yard. True, it will not fit into your garage if it is not equipped to hold something as large, but without the benefit of a roof or closed environment, chances are that your RV might fall prey to the atrocities of nature.

RV Storage Provides Great Storage Benefits

A self storage facility can provide great service and that does not mean simply housing your RV. They can offer you services like maintenance and regular checking when you deposit your vehicle in their care for a particular period of time.

Their warehouse comes with a compound where you can park your RV without any trouble. This large vehicle will be safe and secure in the parking lot with its protective covering which can prevent any damage to your property. RV storage can provide your vehicle with very good protection and the benefit of a closed environment. This is much safer than leaving your RV at the mercy of nature or thieves.

These same benefits can be used for boat storage or car storage. With the use of similar conditions of garage storage, you can make sure that your property is under safe custody.

Other features that are provided by the facility are storage units that can be used for any number of things. Small items that do not require much space can be deposited in these self storage units. For larger items, there are large units available. Furniture storage becomes hassle free with this sort of storage space and it can be utilized for any period of time. So if you are thinking of renovating your house or moving to a new home, you can avail these services for the time that you will need before you start putting your house back together.

When you have a ready-made facility that offers unbeatable benefits, it is impossible to say no to. If that includes tempting offers and discounts added with great security features which will protect your property at all times, you cannot turn a blind eye to it. With great options and prices that are simply irresistible, you can make use of the RV storage and safeguard your investment.…

Top 5 Questions To Ask When Renting A Self Storage Unit

When it comes to self storage units there are varying factors that can affect your actual need. It may be that you only require a small space for a few personal items. Or it might be that you need to put a majority of your personal belongings for an extended period of time. Depending on your needs, there is an appropriate storage unit for you, although trying to decide with the abundance of options that are available on the market can be a tough decision to make. There are several questions that should be asked before committing to any sort of contract to have your possessions stored.

How much space do you need?

Estimate the amount of space that will be needed to accommodate all of your items. Doing this correctly can help you save on the monthly fee for having your items stored.

Are the storage units secure?

Try to visit prospective self storage services in your area and inspect their facilities. Also make sure that there is bright lighting as well as video surveillance to help deter and detect any potential theft, and ask for any additional security features that can help secure your belongings while everything is in their possession.

Are the storage units sturdily built?

The storage units they rent out may come with their own locks, but if you aren’t satisfied with the locks that are provided, you can always buy your own. Also check the construction of the actual units themselves. There should be no weak links in the construction of the unit that can allow it to easily be compromised.

What kind of renters insurance is provided?

You can purchase a form of insurance that allows you to cover all of your belongings that have been placed in storage for loss or damage should anything actually happen to your self storage unit. It is relatively inexpensive to purchase and can help you cover costs should anything happen to your belongings.

Are the staff friendly and attentive to your needs?

It can be a great peace of mind knowing that your belongings are in safe hands.

Dealing with a self storage company is all about keeping your belongings safe while you are unable to keep them in your own possession. Also try to find a self storage service that is flexible in allowing you to add or deduct from the number of items and space that you will be using as well as how long you will be using the space. If they have storage units that span the floor to the ceiling, make sure that there is no crawl space that anyone might be able to go from unit to unit. You can possibly get a quote between two competing self storage services and go for the one with the best insurance coverage.…

Keep Your Stuff Secure With Safe Self Storage

At some point in your life you are probably going to need a storage unit for some reason. You could be moving, or maybe you just need to store a few things to get your house back in order. Either way, getting a high-quality storage unit is paramount to keeping your things intact, and that’s why you need to seek out safe self storage.

There is a difference between self storage and safe self storage. There are a number of features that you will need to be on the lookout for if you are to get a good self storage unit. The first thing of course being the presence of security cameras and security guards, and of course making sure those security guards watch the cameras. The cameras should be recording all day; something you don’t want is a building that doesn’t have a recording of what happens at night. You need to find safe self storage.

When you are signing any contract, ask about the key to the storage unit. You need to make sure you are the only one that has a key, keycard, or combination to the door. There are some companies that keep an extra key, but that is not acceptable. You need to be the one and only person capable of opening that storage unit!

Proper lighting is a must when it comes to your storage unit. Take a look at the area around it and determine whether or not you can see the roads and other units. If you are going to be coming to your storage unit at night, you need to be able to see everything around you. It’s mostly a safety issue, but you also need to be able to find your unit in the dark. In addition to external lighting you will also need to make sure that your storage unit offers decent internal lighting as well. That means your storage unit will actually need to have a lamp mounted in the ceiling or the wall. Once again this is a security issue because even though you have a lock on your unit, people may still be able to sneak in. That’s just not a surprise you want to walk in on when you need to retrieve your couch.

There are some facilities that will have less security than others, and you will need to determine whether or not you want to sacrifice peace of mind for money. This is a decision everyone has to make when they are looking for safe self storage, and if you believe your items will be safe there, then you might just have to give it a try. Talk to others that have used these services as well and see what they think. You would be surprised at the things you can learn from word of mouth that you can’t learn from looking at websites or talking directly to the company. That said, be careful who …

How to Legally Negotiate and Eliminate 60% of Your Unsecured Debt – Personal Finance Tips

Credit card debt help and relief programs are the best way to get out of unsecured debt. Thanks to the stimulus money acting as catalyst; for providing you a platform to negotiate with your credit card company. You can now follow any debt relief program and eliminate most part of your debt by smart negotiation with the help of Settlement Company. If the debt management company have a good reputation and track record, they can even fetch you a deal to wipe out to the tune of more than 60 % of the total outstanding amount.

To make the best of this process, here are some tips that can help you:

Find the top performing debt settlement company to help you with it. Make sure that the settlement company is legitimate and has earned good reviews from its old customers on this ground.

Remember that the credit card providers consider your payment record and it might turn in your favour. If you have failed to repay the bills on time for lost few months, it might help strengthen your case.

You should now plan out your expenses and reduce your expenditures so that you stay accountable for each penny spent.

Once you end up with a handsome bargain, try your best to eliminate the remaining amount in one big shot. This is possible if you take the help of personal finance tips. It is often associated with the settlement companies and you can stop the bankers calling you every day.

To legally eliminate your debt, it is fairly important that you take each and every step after consulting with the advisors for personal finance tips. Make sure that your steps are being guided regularly so that you don’t end up with big loss.

Apart from all these, the personal finance concept allows you to end your loans era and start fresh with a new agreement so that you keep paying the amount with very low rate of interest. Always make sure that you calculate the profit and loss with each negotiation so that you don’t end up in losing side.…

What Makes Business Health Insurance The Best Option?

This is a health insurance cover that protects business owners or employers together with their employees against unforeseen risks arising from illnesses. This is the best type of insurance cover as the Business Company pays insurance premiums to the Insurance Company on behalf of its employees. There is nothing more important in life than having a good health. This is why Insurance companies have come up with business option. This is the type of cover that protects you against any loss that you may incur when ill. Have you ever wondered what can happen to you one day should you wake up very ill and you have no money? This is why it is here to assist you in your times of need like this.

The good thing about insurance is that when you become seriously ill, your insurance company is able to cover for all your medical bills. When you have business insurance, you are able to receive better treatment in any hospital. This is because you do not have to worry about where you are likely to get funds to get treatment. This is the best way to reduce dependency ratio resulting from serious illnesses. Many deaths occur due to poverty as you are not able to afford better health care facilities. When you are insured, you do not risk dying prematurely from curable diseases like cancer. Take a step further to improve the health of your employees by taking it.

Health insurance can cover you against any disease, these includes even HIV and AIDS. When you have HIV virus and insured, you are able to get quality heath care to make you have a prolonged healthy life. It is divided into two, inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient covers you should you get sick and get admitted in hospital. Here the insurance company pays all the hospital bills while under treatment in hospital. Outpatient option covers for even those medicines that you buy in chemists. Outpatient does not necessarily require you to be admitted in hospital, the Insurance Company pays for even over the counter medicines. This is a very suitable option as you can still buy original medicine even if you are broke.

When you have insurance, the risks of consuming generic medicine are very low. This is because you can be able to get good medicine from good hospitals no matter the cost. With business insurance, you are able to have a relaxed mind at all the times. Stop those unnecessary worries regarding your health today by taking it. It also helps a company increase its output. This is because it is able to retain healthy employees. This improves a country’s economy. There is no other better way to protect your loved ones than taking them. It is the only way to watch them grow healthily free from illnesses. It is advisable that before you insure any of your property, you should take insurance cover first.…

Helpful Self Storage Websites

When you are seeking out information on self storage facilities or even portable self storage companies a great place to begin your search is online. There are many high quality self storage companies both traditional and portable that have wonderful websites that are chalk full of great information.

The problem may lie in knowing which ones to look at. While each self storage website may offer something that is unique to its own services there are four in particular that offer a wealth of information not only on their services, but on the entire business of self storage as a whole. These four helpful websites are:

1. : The website for Portable On Demand Storage or PODS is filled with insightful information. Unlike many other self storage websites, will actually give you an estimate quote right online. They also have a section where they estimate the size of the container you will need to effectively store your things and have a toll free 800 number if you need additional help. The website also has a location map which is an interactive and easy way to find the PODS nearest to your location.

2. : offers information for those looking for a self storage unit and also contains information for those who own self storage facilities. Using their interactive map on the home page you can quickly and easily find all the various self storage facilities that are in your area. If you are interested in buying or selling a self storage facility then can help you out in that department as well.

3. : Public Storage is one of the most well known self storage franchises in the United States and their knowledge is well reflected in their website. The site contains a facility locator that is like the others in that it is interactive and easy to use. They feature a toll free customer service hotline so that you can have any of your questions answered before, during, and after you use their service. Additionally, the website will work interactively with your mobile device, such as your iPhone, and allow you to reserve a storage unit and even pay your bill all by pressing a few buttons.

4. : 1-800-PACK-RAT is one of the fastest growing portable storage companies in the industry and their website is also full of useful information. They too have a section where they help you to determine what size container you will need and they also feature an 800 number that can be used to ask any questions you may have. They even have interactive videos that offer tips and insights to the whole portable storage business.

There are many other self storage websites for both traditional and portable companies that you will find if you conduct a Google or other search engine search. While you could spend all day seeking the information you are after, you can skip all the leg work and use any of these four and …

What Everyone Should Know About Self Storage

Self storage is getting increasing popular as people have woken up to the many benefits that it offers. However, creating the right self storage facilities is an exact science that requires a lot of know-how regarding right temperature control, humidity as well as tips on safeguarding against pests. There are different kinds of self storage units depending on one’s requirement. While plastic toys can handle a great range in temperature, electronics cannot. Expensive items like art, vehicles require constant care and maintenance which all self storage warehouses are not equipped to provide.

This article talks about some must-know facts about self storage.

The Art Of Packaging

Even the best self storage will not help if the packing is not done right. Think of six fragile crystal glasses loosely sitting in a large carton. The best warehouse, security and temperature control cannot check their breaking. The truth is that good storing begins with good packing material, right size cartons and safe securing. If you do not have the right kind of packing material, buy it or outsource the task completely to experts that know how to do it.

Temperature Control

Most items cannot withstand extreme temperature and humidity. Clothes fade, furniture rusts and electronics get spoiled. It is very important to have climate controlled units to store things that are sensitive to temperature changes. Self storage units that provide temperature control are more expensive but worth the extra cost. If you are still in doubt, think of the damages that you could incur by opting for a cheaper unit. The money that you would save in a cheaper unit would get used in replacing damaged goods.

Cost

The reason why we put things in self storage is because we are not using them or using them infrequently. Most people just dump things in storage without realizing that the cost of storing could well exceed the cost of the stored items in the long run. For those that use their backyard, basement or attic, for storage, it is still not free. Premium real estate usually costs more than renting a third party warehouse. At the end of the day, it is space that could have been put to other better use.

Before you commit anything to storage, it is important to check if it is better to give it away, repurchase or rent it later. Also most service providers are open to negotiating a discount especially if the storing period is long.

Apart from the above, there are various others tips, tricks and ways to create self storage within one’s home without compromising on space. There are many websites dedicated to providing such information. These sites allow users to blog, exchange information, and post questions. Becoming a part of such a user group allows a person access to information that they would take years to learn on their own.…

What Does It Take To Be A Self Storage Manager?

Self storage facilities are becoming popular structures in urban centers today. The number in existence has increased through the years resulting in a rise in demand for managers and workers. Most of these buildings are owned by corporations and usually, they hire not just individual property managers but district managers as well.

Managing a storage facility requires proper educational background and management skills. You will have to oversee hundreds or even thousands of self storage units and make sure that clients get the size appropriate for their needs.

Different types of managers have different roles. In most cases, operators find it beneficial to have two managers than having only one.

The property manager is in charge of handling the daily operations of the facility and these cover billing, security, maintenance and customer service. This person holds a lower rank than the district manager and may work on a part-time basis only depending on the size of the facility. In some cases where the building is quite large, the management can provide an on-site residence for the property manager.

The district manager, on the other hand, holds a supervisory position. He or she takes charge in supervising property managers, employees and performs other tasks as inspecting facilities, determining rates for rental units and dealing with delinquent accounts.

A basic qualification for a property manager is a management background. Knowledge in computer operation and the business of self storage are also important.

For district managers, applicants must have at the minimum three years experience in managing self storage facilities or apartments. Additional qualification would be sufficient experience in supervising workers.

An important role of managers pertains to maintenance of the building. This task should cover not just the interior part but even the exterior of the entire facility.

Inside, self storage units especially the vacant ones need to be kept clean all the time. This is vital in attracting clients who can be very particular about cleanliness. It is the duty of a property manager to ensure that vacant units are regularly cleaned by assigning staff to do the sweeping and mopping of floors and wiping of walls and doors. Another crucial task that managers need to oversee is the regular spraying of pesticides around the storage units to prevent bugs and rodents.

Another part that should not be taken for granted are the roll-up doors. Managers should see to it that the doors for each storage unit are power-washed on a regular basis. The inner parts need to be thoroughly cleaned right after the unit is vacated. Regular lubrication and inspection of the rope should also be ensured.

On the outside, the facility grounds should also be properly maintained to ensure a professional look of the place. Lawns need to be regularly mowed and trimmed and weeds removed notably during the summer season. In winter time, snow should be plowed if possible immediately after every snowfall.

Being a self storage manager …