It’s often said that space is the biggest commodity. With this in mind, not everyone has the benefit of owning a large enough apartment, basement, or attic. Not all LA apartments are generous in the storage department and storage hacks sometimes don’t cut it. In these instances, a storage facility is truly a lifesaver. It doesn’t matter whether you’re moving, downsizing, or putting away seasonal items – extra space is considered a necessity. However, before actually renting a unit out, let’s see how to be sure you’ve hired a quality storage service in Los Angeles.
Before you hire reliable storage service, find out what kind you need
It’s easy to think of a storage unit as just a conventional box, but they are much more than that. In fact, there are many types of storage facilities depending on the conditions the items are being stored. There are two main distinctions to have in mind when choosing a storage service in Los Angeles. First, there is a distinction between temporary or short-term storage and permanent storage. In fact, these aren’t really types of storage as much as they are about the period of time you’ll be renting out a unit. Short-term storing of items means you’ll be renting space for up to three months. They are a perfect solution for students between college semesters and moving between towns. Long-term storage, on the other hand, is used for house renovations, storing surplus items, or valuable possessions.
The other distinction is between self-storage and full-service storage. Self-storage is convenient as you are allowed to access your unit at any time, but in terms of safety, full service is better. As long as you follow full service or self-storage unit organization tips, the rest is up to your preferences.
Researching various types of storage is the best way to find out exactly what suits your needs
Don’t forget about the amenities!
Now you can differentiate between the main types of storage. However, not all storage units are equal, as they may have different features depending on what you’re storing. In other words, they are equipped with various amenities that help keep your belongings safe and in good condition. They are especially useful if you’re storing temperature-sensitive items or any items that require special treatment. For example, storing fine art or wooden items like a piano or a grandfather’s clock will require a certain type of temperature so they retain the condition they are in. Here’s a list of the common amenities to take into account when looking for storage service in Los Angeles:
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climate control
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24-hour surveillance
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gate code access
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drive-up storage
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month-to-month leasing
While these amenities can be extremely helpful, make sure the items you’re storing actually require special conditions. If they don’t, there’s no sense paying for them. Additionally, if the storage facility doesn’t include the transfer of belongings, hiring a moving company like JB Movers LA is the optimal solution.
Among many features that storage service in Los Angeles offers is non-stop camera surveillance
Start with an online search
Once you know what you’re looking for, you can set out in search of a suitable storage facility. However, it’s not just suitability that matters, but how trustworthy that storage service in Los Angeles actually is. After all, you’re entrusting your belongings and it’s only natural you want to store them in a safe place. But, how do you actually find a facility you can trust? Word-of-mouth marketing is probably the best way, though Google searches are the most common way nowadays. Essentially, the Internet provides easy access to the widest array of choices, and it’s all just a few clicks away. Not to mention how convenient it is to be able to narrow down the results to a particular district or neighborhood.
Still, this plethora of websites may lead to choice overload, so you end up confused and can’t make up your mind. In this case, you should resort to reading reviews and comparing different opinions. We’ve already written an article explaining moving reviews, and the same advice applies in this case too.
Weigh your options before you hire storage service in Los Angeles
Okay, so let’s say you’ve managed to narrow down your choices and are now left with two or three options. How do you go about choosing the right storage service in Los Angeles? Other than scouring the websites and reading reviews, what else can you do? Truth be told, reviews can sometimes be fake, so take them with a grain of salt. Be especially careful if they are overly positive –all five-star reviews are unrealistic. So, what are some additional steps to take? You can read letters of recommendation, which are actual testimonials and much more detailed than reviews.
Also, a good idea may be to go out and meet with the facility representatives. A face to face talk will help you determine whether they seem trustworthy and gut instinct can guide to the right decision. Not to mention that, in order to choose the best storage for your needs, it’s extremely important to go and see it first. You can rarely actually determine which storage size you need until you yourself have seen how space looks.
Make sure you’ve evaluated various services online before you pick the most suitable storage facility
Additional tips worth knowing before hiring storage service in Los Angeles
If this is your first time renting out storage space, then you’ll need a few more pieces of advice. First of all, before you sign on the dotted line and hand over your belongings, see whether you can opt for a flexible rental plan. Overall, you don’t want to be tied down with security deposits. Instead, you want to be able to take or add items from your storage when needed, even switch from a smaller to a larger unit and vice-versa. Also, the distinction between indoor and outdoor storage is something to think about. Is ease of access more important than safety? Outdoors storages are sometimes prone to water damage, as rain can easily enter through cracks. All of these are topics you should cover before you decide on hiring storage service in Los Angeles. Protecting your items is immensely important, so pick wisely!
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