Understanding the Cost of Storage Units: What to Expect
Whether you’re transferring the entire contents of your home in anticipation of moving to a new place, or transporting a few choice items from your treasured collection due to a lack of space in your home, the cost of storage units will no doubt be a major concern. In that regard, a multitude of factors need to be considered before anticipating your monthly or annual costs, not the least of which are the size of the unit, its location and amenities, and the duration of your storage period. To help you get a better sense of what to expect in terms of costs and budgeting, Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde has put together this comprehensive guide of the factors involved in the cost of storage units!
Factors Influencing the Cost of Storage Units
Of all the mitigating factors that influence the cost of storage units, these are the most pressing:
Size
This is the determining factor in assessing the cost of your storage unit. Obviously, the larger the unit is, the more expensive the rate will be to rent it. This stands to reason, as storage facilities lose more rental space with larger units, therefore, the price of rentals must be higher than smaller units to meet costs and earn profit.
Location
The cost of storage units is significantly higher in centralized, urban areas as opposed to facilities located in the suburbs, or even rural areas. This stands to reason, as property values and demand are almost always higher and more expensive at the core of the city and its immediate environs than kilometers away from its outskirts, in outlying areas.
Amenities
Although security features are standardized and guaranteed with every rental at Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde, tiered security features can augment prices to the more expensive side at other storage facilities. Additionally, other amenities, like climate-controlled units and 24/7 access features, can add more to your monthly or yearly rental fees.
Duration
Common sense dictates that the longer you store something, the more expensive it will be. Although storing things for a year may cost you more in the long run, the rate will actually be significantly less expensive than if you had to store something for a few weeks or months. Locked-in and lengthy storage times usually qualify for discounts or steadier rates, whereas short-term and variable storage durations can often be subject to premium prices.
Comparing Costs Across Different Types of Storage Units
Other factors bear scrutiny when assessing the cost of storage units, not the least of which is choosing between self-storage vs. full-service storage.
Before making one choice over the other, it’s important to understand the difference between each option as well as the associated costs, to make a more informed and fiscally conscious decision.
Self-Storage vs. Full-Service Storage
Put simply, a self-storage unit is the same kind that Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde offers: a space in a warehouse-style building where you can store your belongings securely and safely. You can access the unit at any time during operating hours and can store a wide variety of items there, from furniture to vehicles and more.
Typically, units are offered in a wide variety of sizes, (from lockers to large rooms) and access is flexible, depending on the facility’s policies and access-to-site payment plans. Generally, the transportation of your belongings and possessions to and from the facility and storage unit itself is the client’s responsibility.
Conversely, companies that offer full-storage units for rent store your belongings without you ever having to lift a finger. After scheduling a pick-up, your possessions are picked up and transported to a storage facility and placed in a unit. Should you need an item back, you can request it from the company and they will deliver it to you, as they take full stock and inventory of all your stored items. However, on-site and personal access to your possessions is severely limited, if not altogether restricted.
The Bottom Line: Although full-storage units are extremely convenient in that you don’t have to expend any energy or waste any time moving your belongings, they are extremely expensive because of their comprehensive service. Additionally, they generally limit access to their facilities, leaving you unable to retrieve your belongings whenever you wish.
By comparison, self-storage units are less expensive and more flexible regarding access to your belongings.
The bottom line? If you don’t mind spending the extra money to have someone pick up, store, and deliver your belongings to a storage unit, nor having limited access to your belongings, a full-storage unit might be best for you.
However, if the cost of storage units is a factor and you need/would like full access to your belongings, your best bet is a self-storage unit, as offered by Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde.
Tips for Saving Money on Storage Units
When deciding to store your belongings and possessions, one way to lessen the cost of storage units is to heed the following advice:
- Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage: In the interests of saving money, it might be more logical to only store items that need to be stored, and for a longer time. This way, you can avoid the higher rates associated with short-term storage and only store what is necessary.
- Choosing the Right-Sized Unit: To keep the cost of storage units low, you must perform your due diligence and ascertain just exactly how much space you need to store your belongings. Since renting a bigger space = more money, figuring out what you need (with maybe a tad more space for last-minute storage) can help you keep costs down.
- Location Considerations: If you know you won’t need to access your items quickly or frequently, you may want to consider a storage facility far from the heart of the city, in the suburbs, or even further. This way, your belongings can be stored securely, can be accessed at flexible times, and would cost significantly less to store than if they were in a centralized, urban location.
The factors influencing the cost of storage units can be numerous and somewhat intimidating to analyze. However, through careful comparison of the different types of storage units and an eye to our tips, you can save money on renting storage units. If you are looking for affordable storage solutions, contact Mini-Entrepôts Sauvegarde today to find the perfect unit for your needs!