Now, assuming you make up your mind and decide you need a storage unit to place your items. Have you chosen a storage facility to do the service for you? Or at least consider names to be contacted in case you already packed the items you wish to store away?

Whether it's for changing or cementing your decision, let me help you understand and know the things you need to check before signing a storage contract.

Let's start with the most important factor.

‍

1. The fees

Check for the rental rates. Start comparing prices. Know which companies have the cheapest or cost-effective offer in your area, especially if you have a budget to consider. Choose what you think is the most justifiable price, and of course, that that falls within your budget.

Since there are a lot of new operators and players in the self-storage industry, you will notice the rental rates are more competitive than before. What does it mean? Storage companies are offering their service at much lower rates compared to the time when there were only a few operators in the market. So, don't get trapped. Find the best storage company with the cheapest storage service offer.

‍

2. Insurance options

Check or read more about the storage company's insurance options. Know if the company is requiring its customers to avail of insurance packages before signing a storage contract, or if it lets its customers decide whether they need the insurance or not.

Choose a storage company that lets you decide whether you like to avail of insurances or not. Don't let yourself be forced into paying something you don't need.

The insurance option, however,  is a way to check the reliability of the storage facility. How are they going to compensate you if something happens to your items, say a loss or damage?

‍

3. Security

Check for the storage facility's security features. The company usually provides this information on their website. But to be sure, if you have some free time, the best is if you visit the facility personally. Check for the presence of gates and fences, alarms, CCTVs, and security personnel.

Choose a storage facility with premium security to ensure that your items will be taken care of very well. You don't have to worry about your belongings even if you're home and away.

‍

4. Inclusive services

Inquire of the free additional services the storage company offers together with the storage unit. This may include a free van for the collection and delivery of items or loaders to help the customers with the loading and unloading work.

‍

5. Accessibility

Ask about the storage facility's operating hours or the times they are open for access to storage units. A customer must know when he's able to visit his items placed in a rented storage unit.

‍

6. Payment options

Know the storage company's payment options. Are they accepting online payments through credit or debit card or are they only accepting cash?

Setting up an automatic payment is a good idea since it's very convenient. Instead of visiting the facility or payment centres various times, you can automate the bill-paying process.

Also, the automatic bill payment is secure. Why? Banks use encryption techniques to better protect their customers' information online.

‍

7. Size options

Always check the storage company's size options. A good storage company offers different storage unit sizes. This is to better help customers find the best size fit for their items.

‍

8. Terms and conditions

Read the storage company's terms and conditions. Usually available on their website, it will tell you more about the company and the service they provide. It will also tell you what to do in situations like changing or ending a contract or if problems arise. It also includes the definition of terms, sometimes only specific within the company's contract, conditions, and jargon, which may have different meanings outside.

In addition, terms and conditions also include detailed information about how the storage company is going to provide you the service in exchange for your payment, their responsibilities, your responsibilities as a customer, the restrictions, the charges and payments, their right to withhold or dispose of items if you fail to pay the rent, their liability to you as their customer and vice versa, the insurance arrangements and processes, and force majeure.

‍

9. Privacy policy

Know more about how the storage company is going to handle the data you supply to them. Data like personal information and credit/bank account details (if applicable). As a customer, you have the right to privacy. A good storage company should use your information only to provide and complete the service and not be shared with other entities.

‍