Storage Units: Is Cheaper Always Better?
There are a number of situations in your life when cheap storage units turn out to be a helpful and practical option. From college and retirement, through splitting or merging households and downsizing all the way to travel overseas, lengthy stays to renovation projects, a storage unit is similar to having an extra room or two for keeping your valuable possessions.
Yes, there are a variety of factors to bear in mind when you have to select a storage facility such as maintenance, convenience, access, overall condition, customer service and security. However, at the end of the day, it is the cost of the storage unit that will make or break the deal.
Are cheap storage units a better option?
The cost of the storage unit is often a decisive factor for anyone who is in search of extra storage space for a limited time period. Learn what is the average cost of a storage unit? Obviously, you want to save as much money as possible, but the question is that are affordable storage units a better option? You can only decide this when you weigh the pros and cons of a cheap storage unit. The biggest advantage of going with a cheap storage units is that it helps you save a considerable sum of money. But, there are some things you do have to compromise on
What are they? Some of them are mentioned here:
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Location
First and foremost, most of the storage units that are cheaply priced are not exactly in strategic locations. They are usually in remote areas and may also be up several floors. This can be a disadvantage, but only when you want to access the unit regularly. If you are storing things you need frequently, cheap storage units are not a good idea because the cost of fuel and time traveling to the unit is a major downside. But, when this is not the situation and you want to store things for the long-term, it can definitely be a benefit.
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Extra features
The price of a storage unit also depends on the extra features that are provided with it such as climate control, 24/7 access and additional security such as video surveillance. You can reduce your cost by opting for a storage unit without these features. Such units will undoubtedly be cheap, but if you have to keep temperature sensitive materials such as leather or antique furniture, musical instruments, paintings or other artwork etc. then your belongings will be damaged. A cheap storage unit is a better option only when you are keeping things that will not be subject to any damage without extra features like climate control.
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Size
A small storage unit will automatically have a cheaper price tag, but is it a good option? This will depend on what you want to store in the unit. You don’t have to get a very huge unit as long as you know how to pack efficiently. If you just stuff your things in a small unit, chances are they will be damaged or end up broken. A cheap unit will be a good option when limited items have to be kept and can be efficiently packed.