Moving your valued possessions to a storage facility is like sending your kids off to college – you know it’s a good decision but you still worry about their safety.
Luckily, your anxieties about putting your belongings in storage can be eased by making sure you select the right storage provider. Here are 5 things to look for to help you do so.
Security
The company you select to house your belongings needs to have security at the top of their list of priorities. Unfortunately, criminals make a habit of targeting storage lockers because of the large number of valuables that can be contained within just a single unit.
When your primary security measure is a single padlock, it’s easy pickins.
A good storage provider should have 24-hour monitored security and regular security checks to make sure your possessions are protected around the clock.
But security doesn’t just mean protecting against theft. You also want to make sure your possessions are not housed in a facility where they will be exposed to things like floods, rodents, or insects.
Inventory Systems
Security isn’t your only concern when deciding on a place to store your valuables. If your items are lost, they’re as good as stolen. That’s why it’s important for your storage provider to have an organized and efficient inventory system in place in their facility.
For example, proper labelling and records are the bare minimum when it comes to choosing the right storage provider.
Variety of Storage Options
Depending on what it is that you need to store, you need to make sure your storage provider can make the appropriate accommodations. For example, do they have areas for oversized storage? Household storage? High-value item storage? Skid storage?
These might be questions you want to ask before deciding to store specific items at a facility.
Cleanliness
Dirt, grime, dust, mould, and other things can cause permanent damage to your belongings if not kept in check. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure your storage provider includes the following elements in their facility:
Regular custodial maintenance – make sure your selected storage provider has a regular custodial schedule in place to maintain the cleanliness of their facility.
Moisture control – as you probably know, moisture is the primary cause of mould and mildew. In order to address this issue, your storage provider should have the technology in place to effectively control the internal temperature and humidity of their facility.
Transparency
You wouldn’t buy a car before taking it for a test-drive. So why should you purchase storage space before visiting the facility? Any storage provider worth doing business with will have a policy of complete transparency when it comes to showing off their facility to prospective customers.
Ask to give you a tour of the facility before committing to storing your belongings with them so you can see if it’s the right fit!
Looking for an Edmonton storage provider?
Western Moving owns and operates a state-of-the-art storage facility in Edmonton designed to take care of any storage needs. Contact them today to learn how your belongings can be stored and protected at their facility.
