Store as much as you like for as long as you like
Store as much as you like for as long as you like
Welcome to 2020, the year for growth, development and expansion. A lot of business have big plans for this year, and most of them start with consolidating their current activities and working out where to go next. But if you’re planning to expand, you need room to do it in. whether that’s new inventory, taking on more staff or just moving offices, chances are you’ll need some extra space along the way. That’s where business self-storage can come in really handy. It’s flexible, cost-effective, and gives you exactly how much space you need, when you need it. But when it comes to choosing a business storage provider, where do you start? In this blog, we have a few tips to help you on your way.
The first thing you need to do when considering business storage is work out what you actually need it for. This will help you work out what type of space you need, if you need any extra facilities or if you should be looking for a specific kind of storage or feature. For example, if you’re storing antiques, artwork or other sensitive inventory, you may need a facility with climate control. If you need a place to store tools or even a business vehicle. You might want outdoor storage and somewhere with very good security. If you’re storing documentation, you may want somewhere that will allow you to install shelving. Create a list of the sorts of things you will store, and how you need to store them.
Location should be a big factor in choosing your storage facility. Ideally you need somewhere that is fairly close to your main base, as the cost savings of storage will be negated if you have to spend extra money on fuel and time to get there and back each time. Good parking is also a factor, as this will dictate how easy it is to get in and out. That being said, if you’re not accessing your unit on a regular basis, then you may not need to worry – and you could even save money by opting for a cheaper facility that is slightly further away.
No matter what you’re storing, security is still a big issue. Businesses want to know that their belongings are safe, and aren’t going to be damaged, stolen or lost while they are in someone else’s’ care. This is particularly true if you’re storing confidential documents or expensive equipment. So when looking at facilities, look at their security. For example, do they have:
Of course, a great place to start in narrowing down your search is finding out what other people think of a facility. Once you’ve put together a shortlist of business storage facilities you like the look of, check out some reviews of their service online. Remember that reviews aren’t always fair so take them with a pinch of salt, but the general feel and tone of the reviews should give you a good idea of how reliable a provider is. We recommend checking out user reviews before you visit each facility, as these comments can provide insight on what to look out for and what to ask the facility managers regarding their service.
In storage facilities there are rarely unified payment and lien rules – so this is something you should check with every individual provider. Grace periods vary across different providers, so missing out on payment by a few days may mean late fees in some, but not others. If you don’t manage things properly, you could end up with huge daily fees or even eviction. So check what the agreement is before you choose a facility, and make sure you can meet them.
Before you make a final decision, it’s important to compare multiple business storage providers. Take your time in deciding which facility is more convenient and provides a better service within your budget – take some tours and talk to the managers. With a little effort, you’ll find your ideal business storage partner, and be able to kick start your new year plans. If you have any questions, or want to arrange a tour, just get in touch with Blue Box Storage today.