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Tips for finding the storage that's right for you

You've found a great place to rent but you don't have enough storage space for all your seasonal decorations. Or perhaps you have too much furniture for your current place but you don't want to break up the living room or bedroom set. Whatever the reason, you need to find a storage area.

First, make a list of the items in your place you want to put in storage and what kind of unit you need. The storage unit you would need for your gardening equipment, for when you finally have a garden isn't the same as the one you need to store that dining room set your grandmother left to you. For items like furniture and books you'll want a climate-controlled unit. You should ask family, friends and coworkers for their experiences, both good and bad, with storage units. You'll want to find one that is convenient to your home of office so you can add and remove items easily.

When you have a couple of options to use, you'll want to want to inspect the facilities. Make sure they have smoke and sprinklers. This can be important in climate controlled facilities, where the units are located in enclosed buildings where fire can spread to multiple units more quickly. You'll also want to check the size of the available units and the prices.

Once you have selected the facility you'd like to use, you'll need to sign an agreement with them. You will be responsible for the items in your storage space so you'll need to provide your own lock for the unit. You'll need to know the hours of operation. Some facilities have limited hours and others have 24/7 access so select one that meets your availability. Also, you'll want to look into insurance for the items your storing. Sometimes storage can be included on your renters insurance or you can get a multi-policy discount. Before moving your items in, you may want to clean the unit out, depending on the items you're storing.

After you've rented your storage unit, you're ready to move your things. Be sure that you store your property correctly so you don't damage it. You'll want to cover furniture and wrap and box breakable items. By renting your storage unit you'll be able to organize your belongings even if you can't keep them all in your place.