Self Storage Quote

For Self Storage Quotes, Size Matters

If you are moving and have a truck full of boxes, you know just how precious every inch and cubic foot of space is. Similarly, if you have a garage and your dreams of turning it into a workshop are marred because of the plethora of boxes that are still taking up space after the last move, you also know that storage is not as easily found as many homeowners have anticipated. While some will choose the drastic measure of cleaning out old items that may no longer be needed, others have a harder time saying goodbye to their belongings, and as such will hold on indefinitely to possessions which may be past their prime, slightly broken, or simply in need of a good home. For self avowed packrats who have never yet seen a storage container they did not like, just like for the sentimental sorts who simply cannot get

themselves to throw out anything – whether their own high school wardrobe or their children’s dolls – there is hope! Self storage is usually the answer to anyone whose storage needs exceed their home’s storage capacity.

Yet when calling around for self storage quotes, many a consumer is surprised at the quotes that are being offered. Some appear very high, while others do not seem to amount to much. Thus many a homeowner with a garage full of possessions wonders what gives. Generally speaking, when it comes to self storage quotes, size does matter. The smallest available space is usually a 5×10 unit. Little more than the size of your average shed, this little space will hold outdoor maintenance equipment, a few boxes, an average sized couch, and if properly stacked, probably also some furniture and mattresses.  The next size up is a 10×10 unit, which will usually be enough to store the furniture content of the average one bedroom apartment, minus any kitchen or laundry appliances. If you are a packrat, however, and your one bedroom abode is bursting at the seams, you may need to opt for the next size up, which is the 10×20. Usually this size suffices for storage of a two bedroom apartment including all of the appliances and also your dad’s motorcycle or that spare car that you are waiting to put into the garage. Last but not least is the 10×30 space. This is useful for boat storage, recreational vehicle storage, or the contents of an entire three bedroom house. Needless to say, this is the most costly option.

Yet there is more to self storage quotes than just the size. Consider also that many variables, such as 24/7 facility surveillance fees, after  hour access fees, lock and key replacement insurance fees, optional insurance costs, and a host of other little odds and ends factor into the quotes. Sometimes a storage facility will only give telephone quotes with respect to the storage space’s size, while others will include all the other fees. This accounts for the wide disparity in quotes you will receive when calling around. Your best bet is to research fees and other costs on the ‘Net at the storage facility of your choice’s site; if this is unavailable, you will want to drive by and pick up a schedule of fees. Over the phone these fees are sometimes hard to keep track of, and if you wish to have an honest to goodness bottom line quote, you will quite often be disappointed to find out that that which you believed to be the final price actually did not include the first and last month up front costs, the tax, and any one time set-up fees or cleaning fees that may apply.

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