What is a “Storage Budget”?
Utilizing a self-storage unit or convenient storage service is a necessity for 1/10 households in America. Every situation is unique as everyone has different needs and financial means that dictate how they’ll use a storage unit.
The best way to determine a storage budget is to look at the monthly cost rather than the whole cost. Finding a unit or storage facility that fits into your monthly cost is important because it is likely that you’ll need the storage space longer than you’re anticipating.
When budgeting storage into your monthly expenses think about the size and use the space.
What does this mean?
Size: how much stuff will I be putting into the unit? Can it be stacked? Will I only use the floor? Are the items fragile or bulky? Do I need space to move in the unit?
If you’re downsizing a 4000 square foot home it is likely you will need a larger unit as you may have large furniture pieces that take up more space. On the contrary, if you need to store 10 boxes of winter clothes then opt for a much smaller unit to save money.
Use: are the items you are storing temperature sensitive? Will I need access to the unit often?
If temperature can affect the integrity of your items then you’ll need a climate-controlled storage unit which costs more money. Typically, climate-controlled means the temperature stays between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Your frequency and the items themselves, will determine the type of facility you should consider. If you’ll need daily access or have very heavy items you may consider a drive-up facility so you can bring your car directly to your unit. If you need a controlled environment and your items are easily move-able then a multi-floor indoor facility will be best. For maximum convenience you should call an on demand storage facility that will come and pickup your items and then re-deliver them when you need them back, this way you can avoid all physical labor and enjoy all the convenience of additional space.
Many times, storage is an additional expense that many families and businesses must incur to when in transition or to free up extra space to operate more efficiently. To find the best deal for you carefully analyze your situation using the information above to determine your storage budget! The type of facility (and unit) and the size of the space you are renting are going to be the two factors that drive the price for your monthly storage cost. Good luck!
