What to Look For In Storage Services

Whether you own a home or rent one, chances are that you will need a temporary or permanent place to store some of your belongings at some point. In the recent past, self storage services have improved greatly. Digital security monitoring systems, automated gates and light-weight locker gates are some of the ultra-modern services you will find in storage companies that are focused on protecting their client’s properties. This being the case, you should know exactly what to look for in storage services other than the obvious before settling on a particular company to ensure you are getting your money’s worth. Finding the cheapest storage facility is usually the first thought that comes to minds of the most people who need storage space.

While there is nothing wrong with looking to save an extra buck, a low budget doesn’t have to mean shabby and shady services.  There are still companies out there that offer very decent long term and short term storage at reasonable prices.

Discussed below are some of the tips on how to choose a storage facility that is right for you:

Access and security – how safe is your property likely to be in the facility? How advanced are their security measures? Do they have staff patrols?  Are they located in an open and well-lit area? Can you access your unit at any given time or are there any restrictions? Can you authorize a third party to access your storage space? These are some of the questions you should ask the service providers before signing any papers.

Storage Facilities – are their storage units or facilities climate-controlled to prevent damage? Some items will require stable temperatures whereas others will call for humidity, cooling and ventilation control.

Professional services – do they have their own movers and packers, quality packing supplies, protective care? Do they provide excellent customer service? How long did they take to get back to you about the quotes and other inquiries?

Long/short-term storage – do they offer long term storage, short-term storage or mobile storage? What kind of flexibility do they provide that matches your requirements? Ask if they offer long-term storage discounts or any other special offers.

Location – although not crucial because you won’t be accessing he unit all that much, the location of your chosen facility should be close and convenient enough. This will save you extra costs and time to make a trip there when you need to.

Insurance – ask for information regarding any insurance options they have against theft and damage. Also, if insurance is included in their pricing.

Reputation – if available, check them out via online forum and communities for customer feedback and how the company handles customer complaints.

Contract – make sure you understand what the contract entails. Is it a flexible, no lock-in contract? How easy or difficult is it to cancel or extend? Are there any cancellation fees?

Hidden fees – check for any hidden fees. For example, are the costs of packing materials, wrapping, protective materials included in the package? Are there any fees if you need an emergency access to the unit?

Next time you shop around for storage space in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, remember the above tips and don’t just compare storage prices alone. Remember that cheap storage might turn out to be more expensive in the long run. Consider all the factors above to give yourself some peace of mind.

Security Features in Self Storage Units

One of the key benefits of having your belongings stored in a managed or self storage service is the added security it offers. While you may think your garden shed or garage is secure enough it will be limited in space and will never be as secure as a managed facility with 24 hour surveillance. 

Security is one of the top priorities for a storage company as their clients are putting their trust in them to take good care of their personal, valuable and private possessions. These could be family heirlooms, client’s records, personal letters, or childhood memories.

Any modern storage facility near Brookvale business should use sophisticated surveillance equipment as well as security guards at vulnerable times, this includes throughout the night when break-ins are more likely to happen and there is not so many people around. They offer a level of security that is difficult to match if you store your goods elsewhere. Most storage units are located in either fenced-off premises with CCTV cameras positioned around the perimeter and then also in alarmed buildings.

For a thief to gain access to your belongings they would have to first gain access to the facility, then to the building, and eventually into your actual unit which is fitted with a strong padlock. Storage facilities are designed with this in mind and deterrents such as lighting, visible security patrols and staff presence are often used to deter intruders.

Some facilities offer alarms within the building and even individual door alarms for each unit, these are the kinds of things you can ask about before deciding where to store your possessions. Electronic pass-code gates are also becoming more common as a security measure and clients are asked for ID either at the entrance barrier or they are given a special card that allows them access to the premises.

You can also further protect yourself by organizing insurance cover for stored items, ask the storage provider if they offer their own insurance protection and if so what it covers. If you feel this isn’t sufficient for what you are storing then organize a further plan.

You should be able to buy your own strong lock and lock up the unit yourself, most facilities will also have a supply that are guaranteed to be extra strong and will be available at discounted prices.

Don’t be afraid to ask the self storage facility manager questions about their level of security, after all this is your lifetime items you are intending to leave in their care, and that is his job. Some things you might want to know are if they have CCTV, how many do they have, and if they have it who monitors it and at what times, and if the alarm is triggered who is alerted?

Security Checks for a New Neighbourhood

Places you have lived in for some time can feel secure to you because you are familiar with the area and know the faces that live in your vicinity. However, when searching for a new house to buy make sure you perform a security check of both the property and the neighbourhood before investing, as a safe environment is one of the most important elements for a new home.

In every city and town, there are particular areas where burglary and theft is more common. It’s worth checking out the statistics for crimes, as this will also affect your insurance premium, which could be high if the area is a high risk.

Before you make the major decision to buy a new home, make sure you take a good look at the local neighbourhood. Go for a drive or take a walk around the area after you have inspected the property and see if you have a good feeling about the place. It is a good idea to visit the area at different times of the week; the atmosphere will be very different on a Monday morning than a Saturday night for example, and go at night times too.

If you don't feel comfortable or safe then avoid it, even if it is relatively safe. You don’t want to live in a place that makes you feel nervous or edgy as moving house is a stressful enough, and expensive, venture and you don’t want to have to move again in the near future if you aren’t happy there.

Looking at your potential neighbours’ homes and yards will give you a good indication of what the people in the area are like. Avoid poorly maintained areas or places where there may be many graffiti and vandalism as this demonstrates that the community isn’t concerned with taking care of their surroundings or homes and this will affect the value of property in the area.

Check the property for good security features such as fences, spotlights and even alarm systems. 

Don’t let this deter you too much; however as extra security can always be added once the purchase has gone through.

Also check the local facilities and amenities to get a sense of community. A community should have a local shopping parade with convenience shops, grocers and bakers, a pub, and a post office for example. These are the kinds of places where the locals can meet and get to know who their neighbours are, and then they’re more likely to look out for one another and be friendly to the familiar faces they see around.

Change the locks, as you will never know for sure who might still have copies of the house keys. Arrange for a Master Locksmith to come and fit new locks to all the exterior doors just to be on the safe side.

You should take your time when considering a new area to move into, if you have to be out of the old premises before you are ready then put your belongings into a self storagefacility and stay somewhere temporary whilst you look around.