Should You Rent from Local Self Storage Facilities or a National Company?
When searching for self-storage, you are bound to come across two types of companies. The first type are local storage companies, mainly owned by someone who resides locally. The company may have a couple of storage units either dotted across the city or the state.
The second type are national self-storage companies. National storage service providers are larger with over a dozen large facilities across the US. Many of these large storage providers often have advanced storage facilities, a toll-free number and dozens of their own vehicles used to transport stuff to and from their facilities.
However, apart from the differences mentioned above, there are other major differences which are worth knowing so that you can make the right choice between the two types of services.
A National Self-Storage Company Offers Advanced Options
Now if you are looking for units with features like climate control, remote monitoring, and a load of other advanced features, then a national company is the way to go. Unlike local companies, these larger competitors have the money to invest in advanced facilities without cutting corners for the most part. Plus, renters can choose which features they want and find a facility that nearest to them with those facilities.
Local Self Storage Facilities treat you like one of the family and not just another number.
Optional Transportation Facilities
Large national companies have dozens of trucks operating across 30+ states. So, for the most part regardless of where you are it is possible the call the company, and have their people move everything you want into your unit. Most companies will manage the entire move for you, so there is no need to be there when everything is going on. In the end, you are provided with a list/inventory of everything that’s been stored.
Local Companies are Budget Friendly
The biggest benefit of choosing local self storage facilities is the fact that they are comparatively budget-friendly. Most local storage service providers are competing against many others, and so there is a standard of service that needs to be maintained along with competitive pricing.
Local companies also understand the local market. So, they are in a better position to suggest the right type of storage or even recommend one in your area. That said it is always a good idea to compare pricing across all local companies near you to find the best bang for your bottom dollar.
Local Companies Have Flexible Policies
One of the biggest drawbacks of using a national company is the fact that their policies are set in stone. For instance, if there is a rule that people can’t access their self-storage after 6 pm, then there is no exception. You can try requesting access for some time after but the chances of you being granted it are slim.
Local self storage facilities, on the other hand, are more flexible. You can also directly email the owner of the company and ask to access the facility after hours. That’s perhaps one reason why people would want to choose a local company over a larger, national one.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a national or local provider, the key is to find a service that caters to what you need. Once that’s established, choosing a service becomes a lot easier.
