Long Term Storage Explained
Using storage long term refers to the practice of storing items for an extended period, typically for several months or even years. It can involve storing items in a self storage facility, a garage, a basement, or other spaces specifically designed for secure long term storage. Why use self storage ? The purpose of long term storage units is to offer storage to keep items safe and secure while they are not in use or needed, such as during a move, working abroad, renovation, or downsizing. Long term storage is different from short term storage, which usually involves storing items for a few weeks or months, such as when waiting to move into a new home or to store furniture to free up space during a renovation.
Benefits Of Long Term Storage Units
There are several benefits to using secure long-term storage solutions:
- Long term storage option can help to reduce clutter in your home or office by providing a safe and secure place to store items that you don't use regularly.
- It allows you put into storage items for extended periods, giving you the flexibility to move or travel without worrying about your belongings. If you are moving home then there is a handy checklist here
- Many secure long term storage facilities offer high levels of security, including surveillance cameras, security fencing, flood lighting and pin controlled gated access. This ensures that your items are safe and secure while in storage.
- Long term storage can be a cost-effective perfect solution to store items that you don't use regularly or seasonally, such as holiday decorations, sports equipment, or clothing.
- Knowing that your items are safe and secure in long-term storage can provide peace of mind, especially if you are moving or traveling for an extended period.
- Self storage facilities often offer 24/7 access to your stored items, which means that you can retrieve them whenever you need them. This can be especially beneficial if you are storing business documents or items that you may need to access at any time.
Overall, secure long term storage space can be a practical solution for keeping your household items, furniture, and belongings safe, organized, and easily accessible for extended periods.
Tips for successfully using long term self storage
- Take the time to clean and organize your items before storing them. This will make it easier to pack and store them and will also help to keep them in good condition.
- Use high-quality packing materials, such as boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap to protect your items from damage during transport and storage easy access.
- Label each box or container with its contents and create an inventory list to help you keep track of your items while they are in storage.
- Pack your items strategically, with heavier items on the bottom and fragile items on top. This will help to prevent damage to your items and make it easier to access them when needed.
- Overpacking boxes can cause them to break or collapse, while underpacking them can cause items to shift during transport or storage. Pack boxes with just the right amount of items to keep them stable.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure the safety and security of your own storage space and your items during long term self storage. For more detail take a look at this blog post
Choosing The Right Self Storage Facility
Choosing a reputable self storage facility or business is crucial for ensuring the safety and security of your belongings. Here are some factors to consider when selecting big self storage companies for a secure long term storage solution:
- Consider the location of the storage facility, and choose one that is convenient for you to access. If you plan to visit your storage unit frequently, choose a facility that is close to your home or workplace.
- Look for a storage space that has high levels of security to protect your belongings. Check if the facility has features such as security cameras, pin controlled gated access, and secure locks on individual units.
- A reputable storage companies should be clean and well-maintained. Look for a facility that regularly cleans and inspects its units to ensure that they are in good condition.
- Read online reviews of the storage facility. Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have used storage facilities before.
- Choose a storage facility that offers unit sizes you need for your entire house contents and has availability when you need it. Check if the facility has a waiting list, as this could impact your ability to secure a unit.
- Compare prices between storage facilities, but don't choose a facility solely based on price. A higher price may indicate better security, climate control, and other amenities.
By considering these factors, only you can choose a reputable self storage facility (including a removal company) or service that meets your storage needs and keeps your belongings safe and secure.
If you are storing sports equipment then it might be worth reading our article ‘Creative Sporting Equipment Storage’
If you are storing sports equipment then it might be worth reading our article ‘Creative Sporting Equipment Storage’
Understanding The Cost of a Long Term Storage Solution
When it comes to long term self storage options, cost is an important factor to consider. The cost of a self storage unit will depend on a variety of factors, including the the storage unit size, location, size, and amenities offered by the storage facility.
Storage simplified : here are some factors to consider when understanding the cost of long-term self storage:
- Location: The location of the facility will impact the cost of the unit. Facilities located in urban or highly populated areas may be more expensive than those in more rural locations. However, a facility located in a more convenient location may save you money on transportation costs.
- Size: The size of the unit will also impact the cost. Larger units will typically cost more than smaller units. When choosing a unit size, consider much space you will need and try to avoid renting a unit that is larger than necessary.
- Amenities: Some facilities offer additional amenities such as climate control, 24-hour access, and security features. Units with these amenities may be more expensive than those without them. However, these amenities can provide added value and protection for your stored items.
- Length of rental: Many self storage facilities offer discounts for long term rentals. If you plan on storing your items for an extended period, it may be more cost-effective to rent a unit on a long-term basis.
- Move-in promotions: Some facilities offer move-in promotions such as a free month of rent or a discounted rate for the first few months. Take advantage of these promotions to save money on your storage unit. Corby Self Storage have a full list of special promotions
When considering the cost of longer term storage space, it's important for customers to remember that the cheapest self storage option may not always be the best. Look for a storage facility or business that offers a fair price for the amenities and services you need to ensure that your items are stored safely and securely. An in-depth article can be found HERE
How Not to Use a Long Term Storage unit
- Don't store hazardous or flammable materials, such as gasoline, propane tanks, or paint, in self-storage units. More details can be found in our article "What you Cannot Put In a Self Storage Unit'
- Don't pack your items too tightly in storage, as this can cause damage to delicate items or make it difficult to retrieve items when needed.
- Don't store food, plants, or other perishable items in self storage units.
- Don't put into storage items that are illegal, stolen, or of high sentimental value, such as family heirlooms or important documents, in self storage units.
- Don't forget to pay your rent on time to avoid losing access to your storage units or having your items auctioned off.
- Don't rely solely on a lock to secure your unit; consider additional security measures, such as a security alarm.
- Out of sight, out of mind isn’t always the best practice. Be sure to regularly visit your storage unit to ensure they are safe and sound. It is also a good idea to make sure things are in working order, and be sure to make sure things are clean and pest free. Top cleaning tips HERE
In conclusion, long term cheap self storage can be a practical solution for keeping your belongings safe, organised, and easily accessible for extended periods. Benefits include reduced clutter, flexibility, security, cost-effectiveness, peace of mind, and accessibility. However, it is important to follow tips for successfully using long term self storage, such as cleaning and organising items before storing them, using high-quality packing materials, and labelling each box or container with its contents.
Choosing the right long period self storage facility is also crucial for ensuring the safety and security of your belongings. Understanding the cost of long term self storage and considering factors such as location, size, amenities, length of rental, storage prices, and move-in promotions can help you make a more informed decision. It might be that short term storage solutions are a better low cost storage fit for you.
If you still need to decide if indoor storage or outside container storage is right for you then have read of our article Indoor Self Storage vs Container Storage
StoreProtect cover as part of Long Term Storage Costs
Please note you must a property protection policy to store and stay with us so if you don’t already have an insurance policy, you can set one up and store with us (cover is mandatory, so you can’t store without having a policy set up).
It’s easy to do, and our new-for-old policy is specially created for long term storage customers. It’s also fully approved by the Self Storage Association, so you can rest assured that your possessions are safe and secure with us.
For a more in depth look at storage unit sizes read the helpful article we have written A Detailed Guide to Self Storage Unit Sizes
As with any policy, the cost of your cover depends on the value of your things. Find out more on our StoreProtect policy page Simply select how much it would cost to replace the value of the furniture or items being stored and we’ll add the cost of this cover to your bill.
If you need to find out how much long term self storage cost, Corby Self Storage can help. If you are looking for the best price or cheapest self storage unit prices in Corby, then contact our friendly team on 01536 402116 to see what self storage prices offer or email info@corbyselfstorage.co.uk
Any other questions we can help with then click here
No deposit, no hidden service fees, no reservation fee, no notice period, no hassle, just pay for what you need
We have a couple of other articles that may be of specific interest:
FAQs on Storage Prices
We have a couple of other articles that may be of specific interest:
FAQs on Storage Prices