Consumer s Guide To Self Storage

Transcription

1 24561 NYS RTE 37, Watertown, NY Phone: FREE Consumer s Guide To Self Storage What to look for (and look out for) when choosing your self storage service provider Storage Planner & Checklist Included

2 What To Look For In A Self Storage Facility Why This Guide? Self-storage can offer consumers a convenient, affordable, and secure way to take care of their valuable personal or business possessions on a short or long-term basis. According to industry statistics, 45% of all self-storage renters have an average length of rental from 7 months to 2 years, while 38% rent for 6 months or less. However, if you hurry through the process of putting your belongings into storage, you may overlook some important considerations that can lead to unanticipated problems. By taking a few minutes to read through this guide, Diamond Storage hopes to make sure your expectations are met no matter where you choose to store your belongings. 4 Steps To Your Diamond Storage: Environmental Considerations When and what to look for in cold or climate controlled units. Safe, Dry, & Accessible How to know if it s really as secure and clean as you expect. Storage Planner Page 1: From a one bedroom appartment to a 5+ bedroom house, use these guidlines when figuring out your space requirements. Storage Planner Page 2: Track you re inventory and find what you re looking for instantly.

3 Environmental Considerations When and What To Look For In Climate Controlled Units The first thing you need to consider is the requirement you may have for climate control. Why is this your first consideration? Many storage centers say they provide climate control, when they really don t heated units are not climate controlled. Heated may sound like your home environment, but storage units handle moisture and humidity differently because of the more basic construction and lack of light and ventilation. Save yourself the time, expense, and aggravation of learning this the hard way... There are 2 main types of self storage units: Diamond Storage Industry Factoid #1: According to the Self Storage Association, 53% of consumers surveyed report humidity control as an important feature, 38% air-conditioning, and 29% heated. 1. Unheated (cold storage) 2. Climate Controlled (heating, air-conditioning & Humidity Controlled) Don t misinterpret storage unit descriptions that may give you the impression the units provide climate control when they really don t; and if something does go wrong in your unit, how will anybody know? Without a monitoring system...this isn t possible. Key Features To DEMAND In Your Climate Controlled Unit: Temperature Monitoring Humidity Monitoring Monitored Alarms For Each Unit by an independent security company 24x7 Examples Of Items Suitable For Each Type Of Storage Unit Electronics Outdoor Furniture Books & Printed Materials Canned Goods Packaged Pharmecuticals Cold Storage Climate Controlled

4 Safe, Dry, & Accessible No Crooks, No Bugs, No Problems How To Know If It s Really As Secure And Clean As You Expect A secure self storage environment requires much more than just a fence. In order to give you the convenience and peace of mind that comes from knowing your valuables are safe AND in the same condition as the day you placed them in storage, your self storage facility needs to be more than just a bunch of sheds on concrete pads... Don t Store A Single Box Until The Storage Manager Passes The Diamond Storage Pop Quiz: 1. Is the facility equipped with electronic digital gate access? At Diamond Storage, the facility is secured with digital electronics. 2. What happens if I forget my personalized security code or have a problem getting it to work after the office is closed? Diamond Storage provides a 24hr hotline number for assistance after office hours. 3. What kind of security system is watching my stuff? Diamond Storage uses digital video surveillance, recording all movement around the clock. 4. Do you have climate controlled units, and if so, how do you monitor my unit? Diamond Storage offers temperature and humidity control. Each climate controlled unit is equipped with : - Individual heat and humidity settings - Individual electronic door locks - Alarms in each unit for unwanted changes in your temperature and humidity settings, monitored 24x7 by a monitoring station.

5 Storage Planner Page 1 Calculating Your Storage Requirements Besides knowing whether you need climate controlled or basic cold storage, you will need to know how much space you require. Use the chart below as a guideline to calculate the size of unit you will need. These are guidelines only, your specific need will vary based on the size and design of your furniture and other belongings. Unit Size Equivalent Contents Guide 5 x5 (25 Sq ft) Quarter of a standard garage 30 medium boxes, a washing machine, fridge and microwave. 5 x10 or 10 x 5 (50 Sq ft) Half of a standard garage or Studio Appartment 20 medium boxes, a fridge-freezer, microwave; a 2-seater sofa; a double bed, chest of drawers and bedside cabinet; plus TV and home entertainment system. 10 x10 (100 Sq ft) 2 bedroom house medium boxes; a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave; 3-seater and 2-seater sofas; 2 double beds, 4 bedside cabinets, 2 chests of drawers and 2 wardrobes; a table with 6 chairs; plus TV and home entertainment system. Garden equipment/furniture. 10 x 15 (150 Sq ft) 3 bedroom house 40 medium boxes; a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and microwave; 3-seater and 2-seater sofas; 1 double bed plus 2 singles, 4 bedside cabinets, 4 chests of drawers, 1 double and 2 single wardrobes; a table with 6 chairs; TV and home entertainment system, and coffee table; plus garden furniture/equipment. 10 x 20 (200 Sq ft) 5 bedroom house 50 medium boxes; a washing machine, a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and microwave; 3-seater and 2-seater sofas; 1 double bed plus 3 singles, 5 bedside cabinets, 4 chests of drawers, 1 double and 2 single wardrobes; a table with 6 chairs; breakfast table and 6 chairs; TV and home entertainment system, and 2 coffee tables; plus conservatory and garden furniture/equipment. 10 x 25 (250sq ft) Large 5 bedroom house 70 Medium Boxes, a washing machine and dryer, a fridgefreezer, dishwasher and microwave; 3-seater and 2-seater sofas; 1 King bed plus 3 doubles, 5 bedside cabinets, 4 chests of drawers, 1 double and 2 single wardrobes; a table with 6 chairs; breakfast table and 6 chairs; 2 TV s and a home entertainment system, and 2 coffee tables; plus conservatory and garden furniture/equipment. 10 x30 (300 sq ft) Large 5 bedroom house and detatched garage 50 large Boxes, a washing machine and dryer, a fridgefreezer, dishwasher and microwave; 3-seater and 2-seater sofas; 1 King bed plus 3 doubles, 5 bedside cabinets, 4 chests of drawers, 1 double and 2 single wardrobes; a table with 6 chairs; breakfast table and 6 chairs; 2 TV s and a home entertainment system, and 2 coffee tables; plus conservatory and garden furniture/equipment; Lawn tractor and push mower; snowblower and motorcycle.

6 Storage Planner Page 2 Track Your Inventory And Find What You re Looking For Instantly To get the most out of your storage experience, we want to help you avoid one of the most common frustrations people have after they put items in storage finding the one or two important items you need today, know are there, but can t remember which box you put them in. So grab a marker, and use this simple preprinted form to make finding your stuff a snap (you know what to do with the marker, right)? Box # Description Of Contents Storage Notes & Reminders NYS RTE 37 Watertown, NY Phone: