Are you looking for somewhere to store your belongings while you renovate and create your dream home? Or are you moving and need somewhere safe to store while you wait for your new home to be ready?
This is where self storage comes in handy. With an extensive list of companies to choose from, you want to make sure you pick the right company who will look after your belongings the way you want them to be looked after. So here’s a few things to consider…
Your storage needs
It’s important to know what needs storing. Commonly stored items include clothes, furniture, home appliances and electronics, sports equipment and many more. By identifying what types of items need storing, you can identify how much space you will be needing.
Self storage units come in a range of sizes, anywhere from 10 to 400 square feet and it’s up to you to decide which size is best for what you need to store.
At Kelly’s our storage units are 35ft2, this means you can store as much or a little as you’d like in this space – we’d recommend starting with one unit and then growing from there. By filling up the content of one unit and then moving onto a second unit, you may find the most economically friendly option for yourself.
It is also important to consider how long you plan on storing your items for. It is likely that long-term storage may have greater values and potential discounts available, compared to short-term storage. Compare and contrast the most cost effective option for you, suiting your storage needs. There may be no minimum amount of time you can use a storage facility for, however, some companies do charge a set minimum fee such as seven days or four weeks meaning that even if you don’t need to store for this long you will still need to pay the minimum rate, so it’s important to consider this.
Location, security and accessibility
When it comes to picking the right self storage company one of the biggest factors impacting your decision is location. This can be what makes it or breaks it for most people. It is important to research self storage companies near you. If you’re moving your items yourself, you want it close by to save your traveling costs, which can certainly add up.
Security is also very important. No one wants to pay for additional storage if the safety is not guaranteed. Good security features to look for include 24/7 surveillance over the units, pin locked and alarm-protected facilities, and shelter from harsh weather. Companies which provide insurance are also best, in case anything happens to your beloved items you won’t be left empty-handed – this is a non-negotiable at Kelly’s.
Next up, consider your accessibility. Most units offer 6-7 day a week access within working hours so you can access your units whenever you need. When it comes to ease of access, if you have something a bit bigger and difficult to transport, like that old couch you’re not sure where to put, this may feel like a major setback, especially if you are traveling a long way to reach the unit.
It’s in cases like this where it’s better to choose a company that extends their services to cover this. If this sounds like the type of thing you are looking for, then you’re better off with a company like Kelly’s storage, where your items are collected, loaded, stored and redelivered back to you, all from the comfort of your own home. Who would say no to this right? It’s a no-brainer that most people would rather hand over the wheel to the trusted professionals while they kick back and relax.
Though most self-storage companies put the emphasis on self and let you do all the work. This is where it’s worth weighing up whether you’d rather do all the heavy lifting yourself and pay for the extra costs of hiring out a van to and from the storage warehouse. Or whether you’d prefer a self-storage company who will do all the hard work for you with a smile on their faces, like we do at Kelly’s.
Did you know Kelly’s provides mobile self storage? This means we bring the storage to you and transport it to our secure warehouses. No need to hire a van or worry about lifting heavy furniture.
Evaluate costs
It’s no lie that we all want to get the best value for our money. The amount you’ll pay is dependent on how much space you’re looking to hire, the location of the unit and any other hidden fees included.
In self-storage you pay by the square foot rented, usually this rate varies anywhere between £20-£40 per week. The location impacts the cost, as central areas such as London or East of England may be more expensive.
Additional fees you can come across:
- Insurance
- Minimum duration values
- Deposits (especially if the unit you’re renting is high in demand where you are)
- Packing materials (boxes and tape)
- Padlocks
- Van hiring services
Many companies are happy to provide their customers with discounts, this may apply to long term or bigger storage plans compared to short term, smaller ones. You may also qualify for a discount if you are part of the Police, Armed forces or the NHS. Other common discounts include referring. At Kelly’s we give £25 off your first invoice for referring to a friend.
Check the reviews
If there is one great thing that has come from the world wide web is online reviews!
Checking the reviews will really help you to get a feel of the company, their processes and how they treat their customers. Now the last thing you want is to pay a considerable amount for bad service.
Most company websites will include a section for reviews, this makes it easier for you to see if they’re a reputable business, and place your own rating if you’d like. In case that the website does not include any reviews you can just Google the company’s name with the word review next to it and you should be good to go.
It is also helpful to ask your family and friends about their past experiences and recommendations as they may be able to provide you with some helpful advice.
Consider the values and ethics of the company. Not caring about the environment is a thing of the past. So consider how the company you’re choosing is helping to contribute to the values you hold dear and near. Sustainability is important for companies that work with packaging. It’s always a bonus if they are recycled and made out of cardboard and other recyclable materials, instead of plastic. A company that cares is a good company.
Check what the company is doing for the community. At Kelly’s, annual charity events are run to help raise money for local charities . It’s more fulfilling to pay into a company you know is working towards supporting the local community.
Did you know that we use solar panels at Kelly’s to provide our storage warehouses with clean, renewable energy?
Best self storage companies nearby
Big Yellow 
Big yellow self storage is one of the most well known self storage companies in the UK, with over 100 stores nationwide.
Pros:
- Secure warehouses
- 24/7 access to your items
- Flexible storage sizes available
- Multiple locations around the UK
Cons:
- No collection, loading or redelivery of goods
- Higher prices
- Need to arrange your own transport
- Costs increase for additional services
Kelly’s Storage
Kelly’s Storage is a friendly family run sustainable self storage business, who looks after the community with their charitable events.
Pros:
- Secure warehouses
- Collects, loads and redelivers goods
- Charity events for local community
- Sustainable and B-Corporation
Cons:
- Limited accessibility
- Cost increase with space increase
- Limited space available
- Fewer locations available
Access Self Storage
Access self storage is a local self storage and office rental company, with over 20 years of experience.
Pros:
- Secure warehouses,
- 24/7 day access
- Offers office space rentals
- Forklift services available
Cons:
- No collection, loading and redelivery of goods
- Not involved in community
- Deposit or reservation fee for set services
- Additional insurance fees
To conclude, here is a checklist on how to find the best self storage company for you in 10 simple steps:
- Identify what you’re storing
- Decide how much space you need
- Decide how long you need it for
- Choose a convenient location
- Ensure its safe, secure and accessible
- Make use of services provided
- Compare the costs
- Make use of discounts
- Read the reviews
- Store away
We wish you the best of luck on selecting the best self storage company for yourself and don’t be a stranger, our door is always open at Kelly’s!
Stress free Self Storage
Let us take care of all the hard work for you!
- More free time to focus on what matters
- Tailored to your needs & schedule
- Support every step of the way
