Tips for Selecting a Storage Unit

As part owner of a Dallas moving company, I am often amazed at how little customers think about volume selection. Most clients focus on the cost of the storage unit and pay little attention to how the storage unit affects the cost of moving your assets. Choosing your storage units carefully can save you a lot of time, money and labor during your move.

One of the first considerations is choosing the size of storage unit(s) you need. A rough estimate is that a very small 1 bedroom apartment without appliances will fit a 5" x 10" storage unit, a typical 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom mini apartment without appliances will fit a 10" x 10" storage unit. Will, a 10' x 20' storage unit fits a typical 2,000 square foot area. These dimensions will need to be adjusted based on the volume of the luggage. More detailed calculations are also available, as indicated in the author bio below.

Another consideration when choosing a volume is to choose a volume type. Traditional storage units are generally of two types; Temperature controlled in-building storage units.. Temperature controlled storage units provide a better environment for your assets. However, they generally require more manpower to get in and out. Your luggage must be loaded onto a trolley from the moving vehicle, lifted by a lift and then placed in the storage compartment. If you hire movers, the time it takes to load/unload your property can easily double with a temperature controlled storage unit.

The recommended volume model is based on four factors:

1. How much should be stored?

2. What type of items you plan to store?

3 How long you plan to store it?

 4. Relative cost of each type of unit?

In urban areas, garage-type storage units cost more than temperature-controlled units, while in rural areas, garage-type storage units are cheaper. If you have very little storage space, smaller storage units are usually temperature controlled and are recommended because your moving effort is relatively low. In addition, a temperature control device is also recommended if you plan to store the goods for more than 3 months. High temperatures can be very harsh on your belongings, especially furniture that has been stored for a long time.

Additionally, if you have antique furniture, fine art, or items that will melt/freeze, these items should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment. For most other storage applications, a garage-type storage unit can be used, which is usually less expensive or will save a significant amount of labor. For example, if you have two men moving your items into a 10x10 storage unit, it will typically take you an hour and 15 minutes less to move them into or out of a garage-style storage unit than with a temperature-controlled Is. If you consider getting in and out of the warehouse, the total labor savings for two men is 2.5 hours. Hiring a moving company can save you nearly $200. These savings usually more than offset any additional costs that may be associated with a garage-style storage unit.

Finally, you should take a quick look at the storage space before signing the contract. Carefully inspect storage areas with vehicles parked around the perimeter of the warehouse to ensure there is enough space for large vehicles. Storage plans are often not designed to accommodate vehicles in these areas, and some large moving vehicles are prohibited from turning certain angles and parking near some storage units. These joints can also reduce the safety of the storage area as they reduce visibility. Ask to know where your unit is on site, in person, or at least on a map so your unit is easily accessible. Also, check for additional storage