Common Storage Questions: What You Need to Know Before Renting

Unit size makes the biggest difference in what you’ll pay each month. Small units like 5×5 cost way less than large ones like 10×20. Temperature-controlled units run more than regular ones, but they protect items that heat and cold can damage.

Most facilities charge a deposit or admin fee when you sign up to get started. Some locations offer padlocks while others have you purchase your own. Facilities closer to main roads or downtown usually cost more than ones in quieter areas.

A 5×5 fits what you’d keep in a walk-in closet – clothes, small chairs, boxes from one room. One-bedroom apartments usually need a 10×10 if you stack boxes high and pack smart. Big houses with three bedrooms need 10×20 units, sometimes larger.

Couches and beds can take up floor space fast. Stand mattresses up against the wall instead of laying them flat. Put chairs on top of tables. Measure your biggest furniture before you pick a size to avoid any space issues.

Electronics, wooden furniture, old photos, and important papers don’t like getting really hot or cold conditions. Temperature-controlled units stay comfortable year-round, kind of like keeping things in your house instead of your garage.

Regular clothes, books, and metal items handle weather changes just fine in standard units. Go with temperature control if you’re storing things of value or have sentimental value you can’t put a price on.

Storage facilities use various security measures to keep your belongings safe. This typically includes fencing around the property and controlled gate access. Many facilities have staff on-site during business hours and change access codes regularly.

Make sure to check if your home insurance covers items in storage, or ask about storage insurance when you rent.

Facilities don’t allow dangerous items like gasoline, paint, or cleaning chemicals because of fire risk. No food that goes bad, no plants, no pets. Each facility has a list of what’s not allowed – just ask when you’re looking around.

Most regular household items work fine for storage. Furniture, clothes, electronics, sports equipment, holiday decorations. If you’re not sure about something specific, call and ask before you bring it over.

Some facilities offer 24/7 access with a gate code. Others close at night or are only open during business hours. Ask about access when you’re shopping around if you work non-standard hours or need to get items on weekends. Most facilities try to work with what customers need.

Portable storage delivery brings a container directly to your location using a specialized truck designed to place it precisely where you need it. Companies schedule delivery at your convenience, and the driver works with you to position the container in the best spot on your property.

The delivery truck requires a flat, solid surface for safe placement – driveways and level ground work perfectly. Before your scheduled delivery, check for overhead obstacles like tree branches and ensure the truck has adequate space to maneuver. Experienced drivers can navigate most residential properties and will help you choose the ideal placement for easy loading access.

The 12-foot unit holds about as much as you would fit in a large bedroom – perfect for apartments or storing seasonal items. The 16-foot fits most one-bedroom apartments or gives you extra room for bigger moves. The 20-footer handles two-bedroom apartments or works as overflow for large houses.

All the containers are 8 feet wide and 8 feet tall inside. You can stack boxes pretty high if you pack carefully. Think about what you’re putting in there when you pick a size.

Most neighborhoods let you keep containers in your driveway for a few weeks or a month. The containers have small wheels that won’t scratch up your driveway like heavy equipment might. If you need it longer, we can take it back to our facility and bring it when you’re ready.

Some HOAs or cities have rules about keeping containers around, so check if you’re concerned about it. Most people don’t have problems, but better to know upfront.

You rent month-to-month – no getting stuck in long contracts. Most folks use them for 1-3 months while they’re moving or renovating their house. Keep it at your location when you need it, at our facility when you don’t.

The first month covers delivery, storage, and pickup. Extra months cost less. Plans change all the time – just give us a call if you need it longer or want it picked up early.

Record storage handles business papers and important documents with special protection. The Archive uses Firelock vaults that guard against fire and water way better than regular storage units. We catalog every box and document so we know exactly what you have and where it’s located.

Regular storage works for household items, but business records need different handling. We take care of getting your files when you need them – you call, we find them, and deliver them to your office. No digging through boxes in a storage unit.

Lawyers store case files and contracts they need to keep for years but don’t look at every day. Doctors keep patient records and X-rays because they have to by law. Accountants store tax papers and client files that pile up over time.

Insurance companies, real estate offices, and businesses dealing with lots of paperwork use record storage when their offices get too crowded. Even small businesses like it for employee files and financial records they can’t throw away but don’t want cluttering up their workspace.

Call or email us when you need files back. Tell us what you’re looking for – specific documents, whole boxes, or papers from certain dates. We track everything in our system, so finding your items happens fast.

We deliver all around Berkshire County and the Capital Region. If you need files regularly, we can set up a schedule that works for you. Sometimes we can scan documents and email them instead of driving them over.