Understanding the Process of Renting Storage Units

If you’re looking for a good storage facility, it’s wise to plan some site visits. This gives you a chance to see for yourself how the storage units are arranged. Whether you’re looking for a long-term solution or a temporary one for storing your belongings, make sure you keep an eye out for an excellent facility that’s priced right for your budget.

Your ideal storage company is the one that takes commitment to integrity and truthfulness seriously. Even when you’re not sure what size or type of storage unit you will need, a business with good customer service will always be happy to help. When you find a company like that, they’re much easier to trust. You’ll also want to ask about the types of things they typically allow to be stored in their facility.

Example of things stored in storage rentals include:

Office Files
Work equipment
Lockers
Motorcycles & Bicycles
Old Video Games
Model Trains
Trucks
Furniture

How renting storage works

Rental contracts are typically paid month-to-month — renters usually pay a small rental fee at the first of every month until they no longer need the storage space.

Storage rental agreements are a major consideration when choosing which unit to rent. Here are some terms that you should know if you are renting a storage unit:

Term – The period of the tenancy and the minimum rental term.
Rent – The amount for the rent and the date it’s due.
Change of Address – If you need to update your address, this is the process used.
Administration Fee – Non-refundable administration charge accepted to rent/reserve unit.
Security Deposit – Lessee pays security deposit in advance for stated amount.
Notices – All notices go through first class mail postage to lessee’s last known address. All constitutional notices should be sent as required by law.
No Warranties – No implied or expressed warranties are prearranged by the facility owner.
No Oral Agreements – Agreements of any kind for rental or lease should be in writing, and oral agreements are not applicable.
Succession – All necessities of this rental agreement apply to and will be obligatory upon all successors in concern, representatives of the parties here to.
Enforcement – If whichever part of this rental contract is unenforceable for any reason, in any circumstance, the two parties agree that such issues shall be enforceable in specific circumstances and the residual parts of this contract will be legal and enforceable.

Late Charges and Other Fees:

Denial of Access
Termination
Insurance
Release of operator’s liability for property damage
Release of operator’s liability for bodily injury
Indemnity
Locks

You should never sign a contract that you haven’t read through and understood in its entirety. For any questions concerning legality, confer with your legal advisor.

History of Residential Storage Units

The history of the storage unit can be traced to ancient times. Historical evidence shows us that storage facilities existed as far back as ancient China. However, the residential storage facilities we know today came about in the 1960s. One of the first storage units in the United States was established by the Collum family in 1958 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Thanks to the success of these early storage facilities, more were built as time went on and demand increased. This gave rise to the development of new residential storage facilities. By 2009, there were already about 58,000 storage facilities owned by 30,235 companies across the United States. There are many people today who are starting their own storage business, as well as many families enjoying the convenience of residential storage units.

Features of Residential Storage

Residential units have some features that differentiate them from other units, such as the absence of windows in the unit. They often feature a roll-up metal door, similar to a one-car garage door, through which the renter or storage operator can access the facility. The facility often has corrugated metal walls, and after a tenancy agreement is signed, there is a provision for the renter to lock the unit.

Many storage facilities offer specially controlled security features like security cameras, electronic gate access, unit door alarms, fire alarm systems, and more. In some residential facilities, biometric thumbprint or hand scanners are utilized in order to make sure that only authorized persons have access. Some residential storage units also offer climate control and upgraded lighting.

The value of a storage unit depends on the number of features it offers. Most business owners include a number of features in their storage facilities in order distinguish them from competitors. These special features do tend to come at a higher cost for the renter. Residential storage units are available also in different sizes. The 10×5 ft unit size is the most popular. Other sizes include 20×20, 15×20, and 10×20.

There’s always a size that will suit any need. However, the cost of the residential storage unit depends on its size as well as the features that are available, such as climate control or outdoor-only storage.

Storage facilities are not only available in the urban areas. There are also storage facilities in most rural areas for those that may need extra space beyond their homes. While not everyone will need a storage unit, here are a few examples of people who may find them useful:

Families that have little space to store their belongings
Families that are renovating their homes and are looking for storage units to park their belongings in order to make space for the renovation work
Families that are still looking for new accommodations
Families that have heirlooms to secure that they do not want store in their homes

Understanding Refrigerated Storage

You need refrigerated storage suited to your unique needs. Temperature-controlled warehouses offer storage for goods on the ground, while transport units can also be temperature controlled to preserve perishable goods in transit from one facility to the other.

So how do you figure out what you need, specifically? If you need to transport meats, for instance, you would consider the type of meat and the volume. Large volumes require more powerful refrigeration units. Companies that offer storage facilities will usually provide information regarding the quality and capacity of their facilities. You can compare the prices and make an educated decision about the facility. However, the greatest consideration should be for the facility that caters for your refrigeration needs perfectly regardless of how much it costs. This will help to minimize other costs if the commodities are not properly refrigerated.

Here are some things to consider when choosing refrigerated storage services:

  • Location. Is the service close enough to your business to allow for fast delivery, which will ensure your goods stay fresh?
  • Price vs. quality. As mentioned above, you need find the best provider available in your area for the money. Making a realistic budget ahead of time is a great way to prepare.
  • Security. Will you feel comfortable leaving your goods in the storage units of the company you choose? Make sure they have appropriate security measures in place.
  • Space. Does the vendor have an appropriate amount of space available for the contents you intend to store there? Do the math up front so you don’t realize too late that a few months down the line, the facility will no longer fit your needs.
  • Humidity. Should be controlled at about 50%.

The best way to ensure all these are in order is to actually visit the facility. Don’t rely on the word of its management. It is better to be safe than sorry later on when you realize that what was advertized is not available or is substandard. Before you sign the contract awarding the tender to a certain service provider, read the terms and conditions very carefully to avoid unfavorable clauses and hidden charges.

There are many facilities you can utilize for refrigerated storage. The only suitable facility for you may be one that’s located very near your manufacturing plant or other base of operations. Special storage containers make this possible in most places. You can decide to lease or buy your own container. Containers come in various shapes and sizes that will suit your specific needs. Some refrigerated storage providers offer cold storage facilities as well as inspection, and import and export of goods.

Containers are suitable for smaller-sized cargo, but you can use refrigerated warehouses if you have massive cargo to store. Companies can offer you a preexisting warehouse, or they can build a new one especially for you. If you have the resources, erecting your own storage warehouse is preferable, as you can customize it to fit your needs exactly as you want it. If you do choose to erect your own, you’ll want to look for the most effective refrigeration that’s at an  appropriate, economical price for your business and your budget. Consider your storage needs in one month, six months, one year, two years, and five years. Do you really know exactly what they’ll be? You may want to budget extra space for possible expansion during the building process, because it will be more difficult to renovate your facility down the line than to build it large enough to begin with.

Understanding Refrigerated Storage Units

The ability to transport perishable items without allowing them to spoil has always been a delicate issue. Storage options must be set up to protect the goods they hold. In a refrigerated storage unit with internal mechanism, air moves from the bottom to the top of the container as the warm air draw from the interior of the container is cooled in the cooling units of the reefer. Once sufficiently cooled, it’s blown back through the interior of the storage unit to keep everything regulated at the appropriate temperature.

There are gratings on the floor of the storage unit to make sure there is proper circulation of cold air throughout the container. Pallets maintain a layer of space between the cargo and the container, forming a perfect channel for air flow to keep the cool temperature maintained.

The refrigerated storage unit comes with corrugated side walls, which is meant to ensure that air flows properly. Enough space is allowed at the sides and at the top of the container to maintain proper air flow, which keeps everything functional. It also means that refrigerated units can’t be packed completely full, since this wouldn’t allow the cool air to move. About 12 cm of space should be allowed above the cargo. You’ll find a mark on the side walls to indicate the maximum height of goods in any refrigerated storage unit. It’s important that the goods are neatly packed in the unit without overfilling it to ensure that there is vertical airflow from the bottom to the upper portion of the storage unit.

While a refrigerated storage unit’s defining characteristic is its ability to properly regulate temperature for the storage of perishable goods, the unit is also able to allow the exchange of controlled fresh air. This helps to remove metabolic elements like ethylene and carbon dioxide from fruits and vegetables if needed. Depending on the operating mode of the unit, there may also be a measurement for the supply and return of air temperature.

Refrigerated storage units normally come with a temperature display feature, which helps a lot with monitoring them in their storage facility. Typically, these displays are located on the outside of the unit so operators can easily monitor the operation of the unit without interrupting the system. The displays can come in either analog or digital, depending on the company and container.

Another type of refrigerated storage container is known as a porthole container, though it’s typically considered an insulated container rather than a refrigerated one. The container has no internal refrigerated unit. The benefit this offers when compared to an actual refrigerated unit is that you can pack it more full, since air flow isn’t a concern. If shipped overseas via boat, the central cooling plant provides cold air to the container if needed. If it is used elsewhere, there is often a terminal refrigerator available that helps in controlling the temperature

Understanding the Differences between 10, 20 and 40 Foot Containers

It can be confusing to determine which sized container you may need. You want to ensure you will have enough space to accommodate your things. You want to have not only enough space, but not too much space or you’ll be paying for more than you really need. To help understand the differences of each size, let’s take a closer look at each one.

One of the distinctive features of the ten-foot container is that it weighs less and has a smaller footprint. This makes it more flexible especially when offloaded at the shore. It is also easy to identify the type or kind of product that is inside the ten-foot container.

Intermodal containers are under 40-foot with a considerable 670lbs. Intermodal containers are standardized boxes that guarantee safety and efficiency and movement of goods via various modes. Estimates have it that seventeen million containers are available in various ports of the globe. That number alone of containers is more than enough in ensuring smooth run of transportation of cargos in various parts of the country. The lion’s share of his containers is in developed countries since they hold a significant number of ports. Some states have more ports than three African countries combined. It is a fact that these same countries enjoy most of the profits.

The 40-foot container is taller than standard containers. This means that they fall under high cube containers. These kinds of containers need extra attention since they carry very sensitive products such as artillery. Its design, material, and even the shape are slightly different from other containers. It is one of the biggest cargo carriers in the world. Trucks, Lorries, and spare parts for planes can comfortably fit inside the 40-foot container. Due to their size and design, they are few in number as compared to other smaller dimensions containers.

Moving on, ventilated containers are ideal for organic products. The containers best suit perishable items. Sensitive products such as perishable goods can easily rot. Poor maintenance of temperatures and environmental conditions are factors to be analyzed as well. Flowers; vegetables are examples of products transported from one destination to another. Garmentainers are another type of containers ideal for shipping garments. The kinds of containers that carry these types of products are the 20-ft and 10-ft respectively. There is more to the containers than meets the eye. Due to the sensitivity of some products in the containers, detailed security personnel is always on standby just to make sure everything is going as planned.

Generally, the dimensions given to each container that carries cargo is important. As the years go, by calibrations of new dimensions of containers will continue to change. Investors are now directing their attention to Africa. This means that bigger and stronger containers will continue to exist, as the possibility of exportations of machines is high in the aim of empowering developing nations. In the very near future dimensions like 10-ft and 20-ft will be outdated as new dimensions in terms of height, width length and even volume will be in realization. Days will come whereby a complete airplane will be able to fit in one giant container thus reducing the cost of production significantly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Storage Containers

Many businesses and individuals choose to use metal storage containers for a variety of reasons. As with anything, there are advantages and disadvantages to making this choice, and it’s a good idea to be aware of both. Below is a list of pros and cons when using metal storage containers.

Advantages of Metal Containers:

Reusable
Green initiatives are taking hold across the nation, which is beneficial for both people and the environment. Since metal containers are reusable, they fit nicely into plans to reduce waste. In fact, it is not an over-exaggeration to say that no metal container is totally useless. Used metal containers in good condition are just as effective as new. For companies who can’t afford to purchase brand new containers, used containers are a great money-saving option. However, while used containers are just as operational as new, there’s nothing wrong with buying or renting brand new containers as a long-term investment if you have the funds.

If a metal container is no longer useful, it can be recycled and used in the production of another metal container or other project. Having metal containers on hand is an investment, and if you’re running short on cash, you can likely sell easily. No matter the condition of the container, you will still make some coin from it.

Durability
The durability of metal containers means they’re easily superior to plastic or other materials. Metal can get banged up and repeatedly relocated without suffering significant external damage. As long as you’re not attempting to store items that are heavier than the container can handle, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the reinforced construction will keep those items secure and safe. Just stick to the specified storage capacity of your particular container and you’ll be fine.

The durability of metal containers also makes them more secure than plastic containers. It’s very difficult for potential thieves to break containers made with metals. In most cases, it is impossible to break metal containers with ordinary tools like hammers when they are welded and sealed This is why people prefer importing goods in well-sealed metal containers secured with strong metal locks. They offer a great deal of security and peace of mind.

Disadvantages of Metal Containers:

Too Expensive
Metal containers, especially in larger sizes for shipping goods, can be much more expensive than plastic containers of the same size. It’s worth pricing out the costs and benefits of each when budgeting for storage.

Too Heavy to Carry
Metal containers are very heavy due to the fact that they’re typically constructed with steel. In most cases, lifters and other machines are will be necessary to move and relocate the containers. They can’t be moved by hand.

Rusting
Metal containers require treatment against rusting, otherwise exposure to moisture will make them rust.

Advantages of 10, 20 or 40 Foot Storage Containers

To help determine the storage container that’s best for your needs, let’s take a look at each size and its benefits.

10 Foot Containers

It might surprise people to hear that storage containers come in the 10 foot size, which is unusually small for storage. Shipping containers are normally available at 20×40 feet long and 8 feet wide. However, owing to the fact that some people may not require such large containers, there is need for smaller containers. This is why 10 foot containers are available, and they’re typically made by cutting down the larger 40 foot containers. The standard 10 foot container is 8 feet wide.

10 foot containers typically offer customized features. When they’re being cut down from 40 foot containers and reconstructed, a number of features can be included to suit the need of the owner. For example, it’s possible to include a special custom door, or the user can also decide to include various security features like fire resistant materials, firm alarms, partitions, security cameras and similar.

These smaller containers offer a number of benefits. It is a great use of space. There are some businesses that have things to store, but do not have enough space to keep large containers, which makes smaller containers more appealing. They’re the perfect option for areas with space restrictions. 10 foot containers are not as heavy as other large containers, so they are not very difficult to lift to the truck or ship. Their light weight also makes their transportation very easy.

Their small size makes them easy to pack and unpack. Besides being excellent for smaller businesses, these containers are also good for private and family use.

20 Foot Containers

20 foot containers have all the same features of 10 foot containers except that they’re larger. They are available in two types: standard size is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long, and cube size is 9 feet high and 20 feet long. They can be created by joining two 10 foot containers.

There are a number of advantages that come with using this particular size. Because 20 foot containers are of moderate size, they can be used for shipping items both locally and internationally. They can also be used for transportation via ship, land and air. They can be resold as secondhand containers and customized to meet any user’s needs.

40 Foot Containers

These are the largest size of standard containers and are typically constructed out of metal. The 40 foot size is best used for bigger storage needs by offices, homes, apartments and more. The containers’ large size makes it possible for a number of features to be included. They can be used for the transportation of goods as well as for storage purposes. A unit this big can be easily cut down to create smaller units. It is a good option for people into the exportation and importation of heavy machinery, vehicles, and other heavy items.