Self Storage Skaitook is a popular option for those who are transitioning between homes, living in temporary housing, or relocating across the country. This type of storage is also used by businesses to save on office and warehousing space.

Many factors go into choosing a reputable self storage facility. This includes location, pricing, and the types of units offered.

A lone security breach can turn a thriving storage facility into a liability for the tenants. That’s why many facilities are stepping up their security measures to provide their customers with a more secure space for their belongings.

The first line of defense against thieves is your perimeter security fence. This solution should be designed to be essentially impossible to breach. Commercial electric security fences with razor wire and floodlights are great examples of effective deterrents that make your facility a safe place for your clients to store their belongings.

Another key aspect of self storage security is ensuring that your clients can only access their own units. This can be done by using advanced access control systems such as NOKE Smart Entry, which allows clients to use their smartphone to unlock their storage unit and check the status of their belongings. The system also prevents theft caused by lost or duplicate keys.

Other self storage security measures include video surveillance. Various studies have shown that having visible cameras on site is a powerful deterrent for criminals. It also gives your clients the desired sense of safety they are looking for when renting a self storage unit.

Bright lighting is also important, especially if you offer 24-hour storage access to your customers. Thieves are wary of well-lit areas, and your clients will appreciate the peace of mind provided by this feature. Flood lights, area lights and canopy lights are all great options for providing your customers with the right level of security.

Finally, you should invest in regular inspections of your self storage security. This will ensure that your equipment is working properly, and help you spot any potential problems before they become serious issues. Regular maintenance can reduce the risk of theft, vandalism and fire, so it’s an essential part of any self storage security plan.

Climate Control

While standard storage units are adequate for storing outdoor equipment and most items that would be relatively easy to replace, climate controlled storage provides extra protection for valuable and irreplaceable belongings. These units maintain consistent temperatures, preventing temperature-related damage to items such as electronic devices, musical instruments and wooden furniture. They also limit humidity, protecting items from condensation or other moisture-related problems.

Investing in a climate control system for your self storage facility offers many benefits, including improved building energy efficiency and increased property value. To ensure that the systems work correctly, it’s important to hire a qualified engineer who can design and implement the proper HVAC system. This engineer should be familiar with the unique needs of self storage facilities, including fire code requirements and the size of your units.

A high-efficiency HVAC system is the best way to regulate both temperature and humidity in your climate controlled storage units. Incorporating air conditioning for warm summers and heating for mild winters, alongside adequate ventilation, will help keep the storage space comfortable year-round.

It’s also important to consider your storage unit layout when designing a climate control system for your facility. Having your units located close together will minimize the need for ventilation, which can reduce operational costs. This will help you provide affordable, high-quality storage units to your customers.

When selecting a storage space, make sure to clearly define what is included in the price of a climate controlled unit. Ask the facility for their exact temperature and humidity standards and what they do to meet these standards. This will help you determine whether the unit is worth the additional cost, or if you can save money by renting a non-climate controlled storage space for your sensitive belongings.

Accessibility

A person with a physical disability should not be barred from using a self-storage facility, just as they shouldn’t be prevented from visiting any business that’s open to the public. This is the reasoning behind the Americans with Disabilities Act, which applies to businesses of all sizes. This law requires any building that’s open to the general public—including restaurants, hotels, schools and doctor’s offices—to be accessible to people with disabilities. And while storage facilities aren’t typically seen as being ADA-compliant, there are measures that can be taken to make them more so.

For starters, most self-storage units are accessed by entering with a PIN or key. These systems are password-protected so only tenants have access to their individual spaces. This makes it easy for them to visit their space when the facility is open and keeps unauthorized people off premises. A good ACS also creates a digital trail of who entered the property and when, making it easier for managers to monitor activity on their site.

Having efficient lighting on the premises is another crucial factor when it comes to accessibility. It allows customers to move around the premises safely and easily at all hours of the day, whether they’re retrieving their belongings or cleaning their storage unit. It’s also a deterrent against break-ins, since it can be hard for intruders to sneak into poorly-lit buildings.

Until the ADA regulations are updated to address the unique requirements of self-storage buildings, many owners are turning to industry vendors for help. For instance, a company like ButterflyMX can provide mullion and single-gang readers for secondary entrances to allow customers who prefer to keep their PIN or card on their person to use a keypad to enter instead of having to carry a physical key. The best ADA solutions also include vehicle readers that scan a windshield tag to grant entrance to authorized vehicles—saving time and effort on both sides of the gate.

Insurance

If something goes wrong at a Self Storage property, there are measures that can be taken to minimize the impact. These include accident reporting and insurance coverages for both property and liability. Having the proper coverages in place can help reduce costs and provide peace of mind for tenants.

Many facilities require tenants to insure their belongings, either through the facility’s own policies or a rider on their homeowners or renters policy. This can cover items lost due to fire, natural disasters, or other events. However, these policies tend to have a low limit on items and high deductibles, so it’s important to shop around. Generally, it’s best to use a professional storage insurance broker that can negotiate better terms on behalf of the facility – such as premiums, limits, and deductibles.

In addition to the standard commercial general liability coverage, a comprehensive storage insurance policy should also include Customer Goods Liability and Pollution Liability. A policy that excludes these types of coverages exposes the storage operator to costly lawsuits.

One common type of claim for a storage facility is a fire or flood that damages tenants’ possessions. If this happens, it is important for the owner to document the damage and submit a claim to the insurance company. Then, the insurance provider will review the documentation and determine if there is coverage for the loss.

Another key type of claim is Ordinance or Law coverage, which covers the cost to rebuild a building after a covered event. This coverage is often required by town, city, or state codes and is typically not covered by standard policies. A professional storage insurance agent can identify the best options for this type of coverage and ensure that the policy reflects current construction costs.

Moving Supplies

Having the right supplies for packing your belongings into self storage is essential for making the process easier and safer for your items. Quality boxes and a few additional tools will help keep everything together, organized, and secure in transit and during the move-in process. You can find a wide variety of packing supplies at our facility offices or purchase them in advance on our website.

The best moving boxes are made of cardboard, which is easy to fold flat for storage and rigid enough to withstand drops. Cardboard boxes are also cheap enough to buy in bulk, which can help cut the cost of a move significantly. If you’re packing up a lot of fragile items, consider wrapping them in tissue paper or bubble wrap before boxing them.

A large sturdy box is perfect for storing clothes, blankets, pillows, and bedsheets. These boxes usually have a long handle on the side and can be lifted with ease. A medium sized box can be packed with books, office supplies, toys, and other household items. Be sure to only fill these boxes up halfway as a full box can be too heavy to lift and transport.

Plastic moving boxes are a great option for seasonal storage items like lawn and pool equipment or holiday decorations. These are water-resistant and durable, so they’ll be a great fit for your outdoor gear. A plastic bin is also useful for storing screws and other small items that can easily get lost or misplaced during the move-in process.

If you’re unsure what size boxes you’ll need or want to make the process as easy as possible, Public Storage Paks are a convenient option. These kits contain all the bare bones packing necessities, including sturdy boxes and tape, in one larger carton for easy access. Plus, all unused Public Storage Paks are returnable!