Are you struggling to decide which self storage service to use? The stress of a house move, renovation, or new business venture can make it difficult to choose, so we’ve put together this guide on what to expect in a good self storage facility – the key features and qualities to look out for before signing a contract.
What matters most to self storage users?
Everyone has their unique reason for needing self storage, but the 2024 survey by the Self Storage Association UK revealed the four leading reasons why customers chose particular self storage providers. These were:
- The proximity of the location to their home or work (15% of customers)
- After hours access – before 8.30am and after 5pm (14%)
- Security video monitoring of storage areas (14%)
- Convenient access to site (12%)
Let’s look into these a bit deeper.
Access and accessibility
It is a good idea to consider proximity and access hours together because it can be very frustrating if you choose the closest facility to your home or workplace only to find that the site is closed over the weekend or, worse still, offers access by appointment only.
Ideally, you will want seven-day access to your possessions with extended access beyond reception opening hours.
Accessibility is about how easy it is for customers to make use of the facility when they arrive. For example, ground floor rooms, convenient parking and moving aids such as trolleys and lifts are important, especially if you have a disability or find it difficult to lift heavy items or climb stairs.
Safety and security
While CCTV was a ‘must have’ for many UK storage users, security goes beyond 24/7 monitoring. For example, are your household or business items at risk of getting damp, dusty or even catching fire?
Purpose-built self storage facilities are designed to ensure good air flow around the units, often by having a small gap between the top of the unit walls and the ceiling. This will keep the space cool and dry. We recommend aluminium walled units over wood because wooden units attract dust.
In fact, wood is a poor choice in general as it is much easier to break into a wooden storage unit than a metal one, and wood is flammable. Smoke and heat alarms are useful for peace of mind, but minimising the likelihood of fire is clearly more important.
Other key security features we recommend looking for are individually locked storage rooms (no shared rooms) and PIN code-secured gated access outside of office hours.
These are all standard inclusions when thinking about what to expect in a good self storage facility. Next, we recommend looking at room sizes, pricing structure, additional services and customer commitment.
Flexible room sizes
For many customers, especially business owners, there is an element of uncertainty when it comes to how much storage space is needed. A good self storage service will have a range of room sizes on offer and flexible terms that make it easy for customers to upsize or downsize as necessary.
Whether you’re looking to store a few boxes or manage a large house move, the best storage facilities will be able to cater for your needs.
Transparent pricing
From rental fees to VAT to storage protection, all costs should be clear and presented upfront rather than hidden away in the small print. Read all documentation carefully before signing, and stay alert for red flags.
Additional services
These extra ‘cherries on the top’ can make all the difference between a satisfactory experience and a superb one. Services to look out for include:
- Packaging materials for sale on site
- Business support (e.g., taking deliveries)
- Advice on recommended removal companies
- Van hire
Commitment to customers
Despite being last on this list, a commitment to its customers is probably the most important element of a good self storage service. You can tell a lot about a company simply through talking to them on the phone or, even better, visiting the premises.
Promising signs include friendly, helpful staff with good local knowledge. We also recommend using providers that are members of the Self Storage Association UK. They will need to provide you with professional contracts and adhere to customer-focused policies and procedures.
In Summary
If you’re weighing up your options, this guide gives a clear picture of what to expect in a good self storage facility: flexible access, robust security, clear pricing, and a team that genuinely wants to help. Whether you’re storing business stock or family heirlooms, your peace of mind should come as standard.
