In 2015, the self storage industry is still flourishing. This lucrative sector is large enough to welcome more competition and always attracts businessmen who are ready to invest a significant amount of money in a self-storage facility, as well as numerous clients interested in depositing their goods in a safe, secure, and convenient way. According to the stats released by Self Storage Association, 8.9% of U.S.-based households rent at least one self-storage unit. The same source reveals that there no less than 78 square miles of self storage space for rent in the United States. In this case, we are talking about a surface that is three times bigger than the one occupied by Manhattan Island. But how did it all begin?
The Concept of Public Storage Has Its Roots in China
According to some sources, the concept of public storage was introduced in Ancient China. However, the inception of the self-storage industry as we know it is associated with the prominent Collum family, who founded the very first self-storage facility in the U.S. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1958. By 1960, their business idea was already enabling them to harvest the fruits of their labor. Self storage witnessed a rapid increase in popularity due to the fact that it offered tenants a convenient method to store their personal possessions. Clients just had to pay a nominal fee to gain access to a clean, spacious unit that could provide shelter for a wide range of goods.
Self-Storage Options Are Available in Different Sizes
Let’s face it: we all have different needs. Students may require a clean, tiny room where they could deposit the old textbooks that they no longer use, but still plan to sell or reanalyze at some point. Military families may be looking for a self storage space that is big enough to house all the items that they couldn’t carry around with them while relocating to a different city or state. Car enthusiasts who wish to keep their vehicles, boats, or RVs in excellent condition may be contemplating the idea of renting a storage space tailored to their specific necessities. So what kind of unit should you choose?
These days, you can afford to select the right unit for you based on several filters, including size. Self storage facilities rent a great variety of spaces to both business and residential clients. Some of the most popular storage unit sizes are 10 x 5, 10 x 10, 10 x 20, 15 x 20 and 20 x 20. The first option is the size of a walk-in closet and may be the best pick for customers who wish to deposit only a few boxes filled with items that they no longer use regularly, such as old clothing items, bedding, holiday decorations or small artworks. The second alternative is the size of your kids’ bedroom and can help you de-clutter one or more rooms inside your house and organize your belongings much more effectively. A 10 x 20 unit can provide as much room as a single-car garage, while a 20 x 20 storage unit is as spacious as a two-vehicle garage. The key is to determine how much space you would realistically demand to deposit your stuff safely in a rental unit.
Settling for a unit that is too small to accommodate all your goods is not the best call; at the same time, you probably wouldn’t want to overspend on a storage space too big for your needs. Did you know that you can find the best solution to this challenge while surfing the web? Several companies operating in this industry give you the chance to use their online space calculator to make an informed decision before spending a dime on their services.
Self Storage Facilities Have Come a Long Way
In 2009, there were no less than 58,000 self storage facilities worldwide. Since the demand for storage space is constantly growing, this sector will most likely become even more competitive in the near future. How do the people operating in this industry adapt to new realities? They step up their game by investing in additional features and services implemented to wow their customers and keep them close in the long run. Some facility operators offer climate-controlled units, 24-hour access, secure outdoor storage options especially designed for boats and RVs, and power outlets inside their self storage units to gain a competitive advantage. Security measures are seen as a top priority.
Some facilities count on security cameras, 24/7 monitoring, security guards, individual door alarms and electronic gate access, while others go the extra mile and embrace the most sought-after technological breakthroughs, such as hand scanners or biometric thumbprint to prevent unauthorized access inside the units. Extras such as temperature control and ventilation systems are only two other popular extras ensured by many facilities to help their clients keep their stored items in excellent condition for longer periods of time.
Finding the Right Storage Option for You Is Easier Than You May Think
At a first glance, choosing the most convenient self storage option for you can seem like a complicated task, especially when you have to compare various units in terms of features, benefits, size, and price. Nonetheless, you should know that there is an easier method that you can explore to spot good units associated with incredibly low rental rates. Self storage aggregators let you profit from the highest level of convenience and significant savings by discovering and comparing a plenitude of self storage spaces available near you. You just have to enter your city or ZIP code, analyze multiple offers, select the one that appeals to you the most and reserve your unit with a few clicks. Find out how USSelfStorage.com can upgrade your self storage space hunt and rely on the insight provided by this aggregator to get the best deals on local rentals.
