The only thing constant in life is change. At some point in our lives, we will need to move to a new home, apartment, or city. According to the United States Census Bureau, around 32 million Americans move every year.
Moving can be a stressful experience, especially if you have plenty of stuff. Where to store your stuff? How to transfer to your new home? How to secure your valuables while waiting to move? These are just a few of the many concerns when moving. Fortunately, there are rentable storage units that can help you with your stuff. This secured storage can make the move more efficient, worry-free, and easier.
When looking for a storage unit, you might be surprised to find many options. There are two general types of storage that you’ll encounter – the traditional self-storage and the portable self-storage units.
Back in the days, people were limited to traditional self-storage units which are rentable units located within a compound. You bring your stuff and store them there. But this can be a hassle especially for people who lack the time and capacity to transport their stuff to a remote storage. This has made portable self-storage or moving pods fairly common. For sure, you’ve seen them sitting in driveways and lawns.
Both storage types have their unique advantages and disadvantages, which make them suited for specific user needs. To help you make the right choice, read on this comparison of the traditional and portable self-storage units.
Traditional Self-storage Units
Traditional self-storage units are what most of us know. These leasable, locked rooms are housed in an enclosed facility where you can store and remove items at your pleasure. Usually, they are single-story “garage-type” units where you can drive up to. Other units are located in indoor multi-story buildings. Once you lease the unit, you get a lock and key. Take note that while you can access the unit at your convenience, you can only do so during the designated hours of the facility.
Typically, you need to bring your items to the facility. You are responsible for everything – from packing to loading and unloading. However, some storage facilities offer assistance with moving, especially for large, bulky items. These add-on services can make moving a breeze.
Typical features of a storage unit include climate-control, security measures, weather-proof, variety of unit sizes, and space. If you are storing items that require strict temperature and humidity controls, such as wines or vintage collections, there are climate-control storage units that you can rent out. However, these climate-controlled units come with added costs. These facilities are equipped with surveillance cameras and manned by security personnel to ensure 24-hour protection. Storage facilities offer different sizes of storage units, ranging from 25 square feet to 500 square ft units, to accommodate all your items.
Traditional storage units are either part of a national franchise or locally owned. These storage facilities are everywhere. I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to find several facilities within a few miles from your home. It’s better to choose a storage facility in close proximity to your home. It’s for your own convenience as well. If you live in Brighton, for example, you should rent a storage unit in Brighton as well to lessen the hassle of having to drive to a new city for your items.
Advantages
- Offers different unit sizes
- Long established and offers standard rates
- Readily accessible, except for operating hours
- Weather-proof and climate-controlled to ensure your delicate items
Disadvantages
- May need several trips to move all your items
- Access time controlled by the storage facility management
- Requires transporting your stuff to and from the storage facility
- Communal space and location requires dealing with other renters
Portable Self-storage
Portable self-storage brings the traditional self-storage units right to your doorstep. According to Toronto mobile storage, Torex Moving, portable storages are usually “container-type” units. These are weatherproof, metal boxes that are delivered to your home. You can place it in the street, driveway, or lawn. Once the container is delivered, you can pack and load your stuff into it. Once everything is loaded, you can choose to keep the container on your premises while waiting for your actual transfer. Alternatively, you can have it moved into the moving company’s facility, warehouse, or depot. Another option is to have it retrieved by the moving company and delivered directly to your intended destination.
Mobile storage units offer ground-level access thereby allowing easy loading. This provides a better alternative to off-the-ground moving trucks and vans, which require ramps for loading. But unlike traditional storage, mobile storage units have limited options in terms of size. Typically, unit sizes range from 50 square feet to 130 sq. ft.
Both local and nationwide brands offer mobile storage units. Some moving companies offer both portable and mobile types of storage, so you can choose depending on your needs.
Advantages
- Delivered to your home or location
- No need to travel to the storage facility
- Allows you to store in complete privacy
- Items can be loaded at your convenience
- Can be moved to the desired location at any time
Disadvantages
- Lacks 24-hour security
- Lacks climate control feature
- May charge additional fees for delivery to your location
- Restricted access to your stuff once the container is transferred to the moving company’s warehouse or depot
- Local ordinances or regulations might not allow extended storage of the container, especially in streets
Final Thoughts
Your unique circumstances and specific storage needs will determine the best type of storage unit to rent out. If you are moving to a nearby location, traditional storage units offer a cost-effective and best approach. Ideally, the storage facility should be located midway between your original address and the new location.
On the other hand, if you are moving cross-country, mobile self-storage units are ideal. This is also becoming increasingly popular for renovation projects, wherein belongings need to be readily accessible. Just be sure to check your local regulations when it comes to portable storage.
Finally, make sure to check different storage options in your area before making a decision. Compare which option offers the utmost convenience and value for money.