About Public Storage Units

Public storage facilities are showing up in both large and small cities across the United States. These storage facilities offer individuals and families the opportunity to store supplies that they do not have room to store in their homes. Public storage facilities offer a large variety of different sizes of storage spaces. They also have frequent deals where you can move your items in and pay a reduced cost for the first month or several months.

Benefits

Public storage units can save families money. This is especially true for families that live in communities with limited parking in which they have to pay for a second parking spot. Public storage units not only allow you to store items in storage units, but many also offer parking. Shop around and you can find a deal where parking an extra vehicle at a public storage unit is cheaper than paying your community or locality for a parking space. This benefit is even more beneficial for communities which no not permit individuals to have more than one parking space, even if they offer to pay for it.

Types

Public storage units offer a variety of storage options. Sizes vary based on the public storage facility but standard sizes start at areas that are 25 feet square, at 5-feet by 5-feet. They go up to sizes as high as 300 square feet, measuring 10-feet by 30-feet. For smaller needs, individuals can rent storage lockers.

Features

Public storage facilities offer convenience. Customers can receive a code to enter the storage facility at times when the facility is closed, so they are not restricted to picking up and dropping off possessions only during working hours. Storage facilities with multiple levels offer elevators that are large enough for odd-shaped boxes to fit into and be transported without having to worry about walking up or down stairs with the boxes.

Considerations

Public storage facilities do not just offer storage, but they are your one-stop shop for all your needs to get your items ready to store. Public storage facilities sell supplies such as boxes, tape, locks and gloves to help you move your items to the storage location. Many public storage facilities also offer truck rental on site. If you are lucky, you might even be able to sign a storage space lease at a time when they offer a free truck rental.

Warning

While public storage facilities do offer supplies for sale, expect to pay much more for them at the facility than you would from a convenience store or another retailer. It is a good idea to purchase your supplies elsewhere to save money. Shop around for truck rental rates before contacting the public storage facility to rent out a space. This way you will know if the offer they make to rent one of their trucks is fair market value for your area, and you will have the opportunity to use this as a negotiating piece. Do not hesitate to ask for a free moving truck--the worst the public storage facility will do is deny your request, and might respond with a reduced rate on the vehicle rental.