Businesses are constantly optimizing their operations and searching for new ways to become more profitable. But as a company expands, so does its need for more space. For instance, when your business grows, you will need more inventory to fulfill orders or equipment to manufacture them in-house. Not to mention, you’ll have to hire more employees to handle day-to-day operational tasks. The lack of space or a cramped office can make it harder for your workforce to function efficiently.
However, it might be difficult for small businesses to purchase additional property to store inventory or other business-related equipment. Enter a self-storage unit! While most individuals think that self-storage is reserved for personal use only, that is not the case. On the contrary, small businesses and companies can also acquire multiple storage units at flexible rates to store their business assets safely. That said, you have to consider a few things before you put pen to paper and sign a contract with a service provider. So, let us look at some tips on how to choose the best self-storage for your small business needs
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Consider the unit’s location
The location and accessibility of the storage unit is an essential factor when deciding to rent one. It will dictate your entire experience. For example, even though you’re getting a good deal, it will mean nothing if you’ll have to pay for travel costs while driving 20-30 miles to retrieve something from the unit. Moreover, suppose you’re going to utilize the assets you store inside the storage unit regularly. In that case, the money and time you’ll have to spend driving to and from the storage unit’s location will ultimately turn any good deal into a bad one. If you are desperately looking for a spare room opt for Storage St Helens and let The Storage Team help.
So, if you run your business operations out of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, consider renting a facility that’s close by to avoid high rents. Search on Google for ‘storage units Prosper TX’ to find options near you. This will help you save money on fuel expenses and time spent on traveling.
Figure out your storage needs
It would be wise to determine your business storage needs and requirements. It will allow you to identify the amount of space and features you need. For instance, if you’re an antique dealer and want to store relics and paintings, or inventory that can sustain damage due to moisture or high temperature, you might want to consider renting space that provides climate-control features. Or, if what you’re storing has high monetary value, safety might be your top priority. The point being- your storage needs will eventually determine the amenities you need to look for while shortlisting potential service providers.
Search for online reviews.
It would be wise to shortlist a few self-storage unit providers before making your final decision. After this, do some research and look at some online reviews of the providers you’ve shortlisted. That said, sometimes, online reviews don’t provide you with a clear picture of the storage unit provider’s reputation.
So, take everything with a salt of grain and search for any recurring complaints or bad reviews. If you find some, maybe it’s better to look at other storage unit providers than the ones you’ve shortlisted.
Check the storage facility’s security
When looking for a self-storage facility, it is crucial to consider how secure the units are. It is especially the case if you want to store expensive business equipment or confidential documents. Security and safety should be your topmost priority here. For peace of mind, rent a storage unit that offers you 24/7 night vision surveillance, fingerprint locks, alarm systems, and other security features.
Go through late payment policies
Late payment policies and general rules usually differ from provider to provider. It means missing out on your monthly rental payments will result in varying late fee charges. Moreover, not paying your rent on time can also result in eviction. Plus, the provider might keep your assets as collateral against continuous late payments.
So, it is wise to know your storage provider’s late payment policy before signing the rental agreement. Furthermore, compare multiple providers and go with one that offers you the most grace period to pay off your monthly rent. This way, in case your small business is having some trouble with cash flow management, you’ll still have some time on your hands to pay rent.
Acquire proper insurance
You must ensure that whatever you store inside your self-storage unit is covered by an insurance plan. There can be two ways to go about it. First, the storage unit providers might have an insurance plan of their own. Opt for this plan will eliminate the need to acquire another from a third-party insurance provider. However, ensure that their insurance plan covers all of your business requirements.
Second, you can always apply for an insurance plan on your own. However, if you already have one, contact your insurance provider and let them know that you want to include your storage unit in your coverage. In the end, insurance is a must if you want to avoid unnecessary costs due to equipment or inventory theft and damage.
Don’t overstuff your storage unit
While renting a storage unit means that you can store whatever you want inside it. However, that doesn’t mean you overstuff it with items that will be better off in the trash can. So, it is wise to identify things that you don’t require or no longer utilize anymore and throw them away instead of keeping them inside the storage unit. In the end, avoid overfilling your storage unit to prevent damaged or lost equipment and inventory.
Conclusion
Whatever storage unit provider you choose, choose wisely! It would be worthwhile to look into various security features and amenities that come along with the unit. This article mentioned a few tips to consider before renting one out. Consider the location, size, rent options, and insurance plans before signing an agreement. Also, since you’re renting a space for business purposes, try not to use it as a dumping space for things you don’t need!
