There are many long-term storage options in Alabama to choose from. It is now possible to store your boat, car, RV or personal items with ease. With options like climate control we can store difficult items (like pianos) without worry.
Let’s face it, at one time or another many of us will experience a storage crunch. Certainly we have all seen storage centers dotting our highways and landscapes. The rows of rectangular buildings offer to store whatever we can’t cram into our garages or attics. Fortunately for us, there are self-storage options for every need. Options include stand-alone storage unit facilities or units that are delivered to us.
When using a facility you should expect them to take reasonable precautions to secure your property. This may include security cameras, a gate and adequate lighting.
Before you decide on which type of storage meets your needs the best it is helpful to be familiar with at least a few terms.
Self storage is any type of storage that you do yourself. It is a catch-all term that includes just about all types of storage. Other common phrases are mini-storage, storage, public storage etc. Mini storage these storage units are about the size of a household room. They may be as small as a 5 x 5 closet, the size of a small room or even up to the size of a two car garage. Storage rental refers to the storage unit you are renting. Vehicle storage is storage for your car or vehicle. If you have an antique car, classic car or an extra vehicle this is the place to store it. Boat storage is the perfect spot for off-season boats. Boats storage facilities can handle everything from canoes to speedboats. RV storage facilities can store any size or make of RV. Instead of taking up driveway or yard space RV storage can offer the perfect solution. Long-term storage is just what the name implies. Whether you need to store for a few seasons or a year or more this is the place. Storage unit or facility refers to the individual room or cubical space that is available for rent. Storage units come in everything from mini-units to tractor-trailer size spaces. They can be climate controlled, delivered and set up on your property to be rented from a storage facility. No matter what space you rent the term storage unit can apply. Climate control storage offers heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer. This makes it easier for you sort through your belongings that are being stored. It can also provide better protection for previously hard-to-store items such as documents or pianos.
Most places allow you to rent on a monthly basis. Some storage facilities will let you rent a storage unit and pay by the quarter or annually. Move-in specials or other incentives are often offered. Some storage units will even allow the free use of a large moving truck to better enable you to move your belongings into the unit.
Almost all facilities will require that you purchase a lock for your unit. Some units will have a password setting on a main gate or on your storage unit. This added security feature helps keep whatever you are storing as safe and secure as possible.
In Alabama people often seek storage for household and personal belongings as well as RV storage and boat storage.
There are special considerations for long-term storage of any vehicle or boat. Check with your manufacturer for how to properly store your boat or RV. Don’t forget to check with your storage facility. They may also have certain requirements or a list of helpful tips to help you prepare your RV or boat for long-term self-storage. Basic suggestions include:
Be sure to remove anything that you value from the vehicle or boat being stored. This common sense approach can save you heartache later. Remove any extra belongings that you may need. There is nothing worth than looking for an item only to realize that it is safely stored in a winterized boat or RV! Check any fluids that are in your vehicle or boat and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing them for storage. This may include using fresh antifreeze or other fluids. Remove your battery. Wash and wax your boat or RV. Make it as clean as possible inside and out. If you have leather interior apply a protectant to prevent the leather from cracking. Cover and place in long-term storage knowing that your property is safe and secure.
Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.
Want to Live an Extra 10,000 Years?
read more
Self storage units, also known as self-service storage units have become an important staple in the lives of many busy people. These storage facilities lease space to small businesses or individuals and the space leased can be used for a variety of purposes. Even though people have grown familiar with the idea of self storage few know the history behind the storage unit. Most people believe that self-storage units are a recent invention when they have been in existence for a several decades.
The first self storage companies were established in the mid 1970s. These companies began leasing units of various sizes to individuals and businesses in need of additional storage space. The initial rules put in place by self-storage companies prohibited individuals from sleeping or otherwise living in their storage unit. They also prohibited the resale or subleasing of the storage units. Overtime more rules were put into place to prevent individuals and businesses from storing potential hazardous materials.
Throughout the years the self storage industry has continued to grow rapidly. As more people all over the world move on a regular basis the need for private storage facilities has grown rapidly. Individuals moving for personal and professional reasons have started using self storage facilities to store furniture and other items between moves. Even after moving many people have chosen to use self storage units as a convenient way to store seasonal items and other belongings that are inconvenient to have around at all times but are too valuable to throw away.
Many of the first self storage units were located in urban areas and were part of larger buildings. Quite a few businesses and even public schools leased out storage space to the general public. In some areas huge self storage facilities existed that had elevators and other features to help customers get to and from their storage units. Overtime self storage facilities were opened that catered to individuals storing large items such as cars, boats, and RVs.
Self storage units come in a wide variety of sizes designed to fit the needs of individuals with a few items or people needing to store enough furniture to fill a house. Storage units start out at units that are no bigger than the average walk in closet and go up to the size of a two car garage. Most self storage units can be accessed by using a metal door that rolls up in a way that is similar to the average garage. Initially self storage units were built using concrete and metal with the renter being asked to provide their own lock. Over the years construction has become more secure as features are added to interest new customers.
Self storage units now come in climate controlled and cold storage units. Climate controlled units are well constructed and insulated in such a way that the temperature of the unit remains constant. These storage units remain dry and comfortable which helps prevent molding and other forms of damage that sometimes occurs when items are in storage. Cold storage self storage units are also offered to provide small businesses and others a way to safely store food items and even wine for long periods of time.
Regardless of whether a person needs traditional storage, climate controlled storage, or cold storage they are charged a monthly rental fee. These fees are usually determined by the type of facility being used and the size of the storage unit. Over recent years self storage facilities have developed a contract that has be signed by all individuals leasing self storage units.
These contracts usually state the individual renting the storage unit will not store hazardous material in their unit, will not attempt to live in their unit, will pay their rent on time each month, and also promises that the individuals property will never be touched or disturbed by the staff or management of the facility. If the renter does fail to pay their rent a lien is placed on their storage unit and the contents of the storage unit can eventually be auctioned off. In recent years storage facility auctions have become a popular way for collectors and resellers to gain access to second hand items cheaply.
Self storage facilities have also changed their security methods over the past few decades. As outdoor storage facilities became popular storage facility owners began seeking new ways to protect their customer’s property. This has been done with the help of advanced technology such as keypads and codes used for gaining access to the storage facility, video surveillance used to monitor the property, and even gates and fences designed to deter criminals.
The advancement of self storage facilities seen to date are only the first of many. As millions of individual’s world wide lease self storage units for personal and professional use the self storage industry will continue to change and grow.
Simply Self Storage – What Could be Easier than Simply?
Simply Self Storage is the largest privately owned self storage company in the United States and Puerto Rico. We own and/or operate over 228 facilities with over 16.1 million square feet of storage space.
Want to Live an Extra 10,000 Years?
read more
