We have more self-storage options than ever. I’m sure we still have many of them. public storage companies to choose today as we did a decade ago, but the big difference now is not necessarily the structure in which it is stored, but how we carry our belongings to and from the warehouse.
So the question really comes down to this: do we look for public storage locations or do we consider a storage module company? Here we compare the options:
storage units
It comes in many forms and goes by many names: storage units, public storage, mini storage, etc. and it usually works like this:
- You pay a monthly or annual fee to rent that amount of space.
- You must do all of the moving yourself, using something like a rental au haul moving truck or some other vehicle to move (and get out) all of your belongings.
- Certain storage units can be quite profitable, while others, such as those in cities, tend to be quite expensive.
- Finding companies that offer these types of services nearby can be quite a challenge, especially if you are in more rural areas.
storage capsules
In recent years, mobile and storage units have gained popularity. Why?
- You contact a self-storage company and tell them roughly how much space you need based on how many personal belongings you have.
- They will recommend a certain number of storage modules. IMPORTANT: These pods can and most likely will vary from carrier to carrier. Some are much larger than others.
- The company leaves the capsules in the desired location.
- Pack pods on your own schedule, usually within a week, sometimes up to a month
- Once this is done, the pod company picks them up and takes them back to their storage warehouse OR you can drop the pod off at your location
Now we know the main differences between the two options. Which of these is right for you? Most of the time, people jump into renting a storage unit and moving themselves (with the help of friends and lots of beer), usually because it’s all they know and they think it’s the cheapest option. However, the fact is that this may not be the best idea, nor the cheapest, for numerous reasons.
Why storage modules make storage easy:
- Storage pods are typically cheaper month to month than similarly sized storage units. Yes, you do have to pay pickup and drop off fees, but when you consider the costs of renting a truck, gas, YOUR TIME, you’re really not saving much and in most cases the long term costs are still going to be cheaper
- you only pay for what you use. Basically, there is no more wasted storage space, a huge hassle and inefficiency with renting a unit. You can ask the capsule company to give you three capsules, but if you only need two, they won’t charge you for the extra one.
- You don’t have to worry about renting a truck. Finding a compatible storage unit is hard enough, but having to dig up a truck nearby, pick it up and drop it off can be a real headache. In this case, portable storage containers will be left right on your doorstep, literally, EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN THE CITY.
- Loading and unloading these pods is practically a piece of cake. They are placed at ground level.
- You can still access your belongings whenever you want. Please contact the warehouse and let them know 24 hours in advance if you would like to access your capsule
As boring as storage is, options to make it easier exist today. Whichever method you use, get quotes from all companies and check ratings only on sites like city-data.com and movingscams.com.
