Are you one of the many people who have heard of self storage but don’t really know what it is or how it improves peoples’ lives?
Well this blog aims to give you the knowledge you need to know exactly what it is and how much better life can be with a little bit of extra space of your very own!
What is self storage?
Self storage is simple. It is space that you rent to store your belongings when you do not have enough space of your own. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and you can choose which you like best based on your own needs. You can rent a room within a large warehouse, or a container on ground level that you can drive right up to. You can rent tiny spaces or ginormous spaces depending on whether you have a few small items or lots of large ones.
Why would I need it?
There are a number of different reasons you might need self storage.
Short term, self storage provides relief for a lot of people during house moves who might have sold their home but not be able to move into their new one yet. It takes a lot of stress out of the situation because you can keep your things safe and secure and out of the way while you concentrate on getting your new home ready.
It also provides peace of mind for people going through stressful situations such as divorce, death and elderly relatives moving into nursing homes.
Long term, self storage lifts a big weight off people who are constantly struggling with a lack of space in their work or home life. A lot of new build houses in particular don’t have garages or much storage space but people don’t have less stuff, they still need somewhere safe to keep fishing gear, golf clubs, lawn mowers to name just a few! Self storage provides you with the freedom to keep everything you want and need in life without having to live in clutter.
For businesses, self storage provides extra space to enable businesses to expand. Whether it is space for stock, office equipment, tools, or as a base for a sole trader so he doesn’t have to keep expensive tools in a van.
What makes it so good?
There are so many things that make self storage so good.
Freedom – You can visit your self storage unit whenever you need. A lot of places offer 24 hour access so you can treat it as an extension of your own home or work place.
Flexibility – Most self storage places only have a minimum rental of 1 month and allow you to leave with just 2 weeks notice. So you can fit it around your needs without worrying about being tied into long leases!
Security – Self storage facilities should be more secure than your home or van could ever be. With features such as 24 hour monitored CCTV, 2.4 metre high perimeter fencing and electric gates, it is very difficult for people who aren’t allowed to be there to get inside.
Peace of mind – Out of sight out of mind. You will feel a lot more relaxed and organised knowing that your stuff is safely housed in a self storage facility rather than in the way of your daily life.
How much does it cost?
That depends on where you are and how big a unit you need! At Tortoise Storage in Knowsley, our prices are as follows:
80sqft – £120 per month
160sqft – £150 per month
240sqft – £240 per month
320sqft – £285 per month
How long do I get it for?
As long as you need! From 1 month to 100 years, you stay there for as long as you need.
Do I have to sign into a long contract?
At most storage facilities, the minimum stay is 1 month with only 2 weeks notice needed to vacate your unit so no, it is very different to renting a house or business premises where you can be tied in for months or even years!
How do I know what size I need?
Here is our handy size guide but it is based on averages and the best thing to do is to visit potential storage facilities yourself to see what size you feel is right for you.
Who has access to my space?
Just you! Self storage facilities do not keep keys to your unit. It is for you and you only.
How do I get my own self storage space?
Have a look around your local area on google to see what facilities there are near to you. It is worth visiting them yourself to get a feel for the place and the people running it. They will happily show you around, let you look at different sized units and go through prices with you. Once you have found the one you want to use, it is really quick and easy to get your keys. You just give a few personal details and ID, sign the paperwork and away you go to a life with more space!
