The best short-term solution for your storage needs at home or office would be to rent out a storage unit for a set amount of time. It is important to know how long you will require the unit, as this will help you determine which type of unit suits your needs. There are two different classifications of storage units- long-term and short-term.
Short-Term Storage: Best for Transitions and Temporary Needs
Usually, short-term storage is for a duration ranging between a few weeks to several months. The flexibility is one of the most significant advantages of this type of storage. You can rent it quickly, and if you wish to change or cancel your rental, you may do so without any commitment.
One of the disadvantages of short-term storage units is that they are often more expensive per month than long-term storage units. Also, short-term storage may not have much available space during peak moving periods.
Long-Term Storage: Designed for Stability and Peace of Mind
The goal of long-term storage is to protect your property from being damaged due to climate change, while at the same time giving you peace of mind about knowing that your items will remain safe. Long-term storage may be for months or even years.
With climate controlled units and lower monthly rent prices, long-term rentals provide better ways to protect your valuable possessions from environmental issues, including excessive temperature fluctuations, excessive humidity, and dust.
A lot of long-term rental agreements allow for minimum adjustments, so you need to take this into consideration if you want to have as much flexibility as possible when establishing a long-term agreement.
Choosing Your Long-Term Storage Duration
If you do not anticipate needing access to your belongings often, the most cost-effective and easiest method of storage is long-term storage. On the other hand, if you are unsure about how long you may need storage for, or if you anticipate needing access to these items regularly, it would make sense to use short-term storage while you determine your longer-term needs.
Most people will initially rent short-term storage and then switch over to long-term when their circumstances become better defined. When selecting a facility to rent from, ensure they have flexible options to increase the term of your contract beyond what you signed up for originally.
Quality of Storage and Location
While duration matters, the location of your storage unit will also play a role in how well it meets your needs. Having a clean, well-secured storage unit, a transparent pricing structure, and an easily accessible facility with good customer service will be instrumental especially when your storage needs change.
The right Tacoma self-storage facility provides you the flexibility to shift from one to another and vice versa, and saves you time and money when your needs shift again.
Unit Size and Layout
Size and floor plan layouts are key elements that can easily be forgotten when considering how long you will rent a particular unit. If your space is too large, you may end up incurring unexpected costs. If it is too small, you may be frustrated when trying to access your items.
Some things to keep in mind when deciding on unit size are how your items will be stored, whether there will need to be walk-in aisles, and if it’s realistic to stack your items for the duration you are renting the unit.
Selecting the appropriate sized unit with the appropriate rental term will help you save money by being more efficient in how you use that space while reducing the number of moves you have to make later on.
Consider Future Changes
Consider the potential for change in your storage requirements in the future. Your life does not follow a specific timetable, and an initial short-term plan may become extended due to unpredicted occurrences. For example, look for facilities that provide month-to-month options for extending your contract, options for upgrading your unit as needs change, and the ability to change unit sizes or types.
This flexibility will allow you to maintain an effective storage solution that grows with you rather than putting you under pressure to make fast decisions or forcing you to relocate your stored items unnecessarily.
Endnote
Storage facilities offer two main categories of storage, short-term and long-term. Short-term storage allows users to be more flexible or adaptable, especially during times of transitions, whereas long-term storage saves money on both the use and protection of the items stored in the facility. The best type of facility for you will depend on your schedule and how often you will need access to your stored items.
