The self storage industry is continuously growing and changing. Many people link the changes to the industry with modern construction and new design techniques, whereas others think about the technological advancements that can affect the industry. This has, of course, resulted in a continuous rise in the demand for storage, which in turn, also means a continuous rise in the prices of such services.
why is self storage becoming popular?
Before anything else, here are the reasons why renting a self storage unit is becoming so popular in the UK Understanding these reasons will help you understand why exactly storage costs are high, and help you determine how to find the best and cheapest storage units possible:
More People Getting Online
Millennials are finally gaining spending power. This means that their consumer behaviours are changing the way that a business markets themselves and how they do business. People are going online now more than ever, which means that their expectations and their demands are changing. We’re all used to accessing what we want, and storage is not an exception to the rule. To cater to this, many storage operators have started making their services more accessible by putting up a responsive, user-focused website.
With how easy booking a self storage unit has become, more and more people are seeing its appeal and therefore, using its services.
Self-Employment On The Rise
Over 100,000 businesses are using self-storage not only to store their office furniture in between moves but as the actual office. This is especially popular with one-man-bands and self-employed newbies looking for a space to work from.
Residential Downsizing
Did you know that there are 10,000 “baby boomers” hitting 65 every day? This figure is creating a set of data that sees most of them in the miz downsizing their homes, thus needing self-storage for their belongings. Urbanisation plays a massive part in this, too, as homes are being built to be smaller and more accessible. It’s also because there is a high demand for housing, which has seen smaller houses constructed to fit said demand. Fewer people can now afford to purchase property, and this has led to more people renting privately – and thus, needing space to store their belongings.
Students also often have a need for self-storage in between school years, as they need a place to stash their belongings.
Step-by-step guide on How to find the best and cheapest storage
Step #1: Ignore ‘2-month deals’, instead look for low ONGOING prices
Even if you think you’re only going to need storage for a few months, the fact is that the majority of people stay in storage much longer than they expect.
That’s exactly why most storage companies offer introductory discounts. They know the chances are that you’ll forget or that your circumstances will change, and they price accordingly.
So, while that first 2 month discount might look good, it’ll probably cost you more in the long-run.
- So…Look for the lowest ongoing price, regardless of the first 2 or 3 month discount.
- Double the amount of time you THINK you’re going to stay in storage.
- Find the cheapest OVERALL quote based on your new timeframe.
Also, remember:
The introductory offer they give you is worth less than you think
Ok, how can an introductory offer be worth less than you think? After all, surely a discount is a discount — right? Well, yes. A discount is a discount.
But here’s what they don’t want to tell you. Storage companies know you are going to stay longer than the introductory offer. So when the month, 2 months or 3 month deal is up, the price of your storage container skyrockets. All that saving you think you made will go out the window in the same space of time as your original offer.
The longer you stay, the less value that introductory offer gives you.
Step #2: Make sure the storage company includes free collection
Storage costs are one thing, but getting your items into storage is a whole other ball game!
Renting out a van and getting people to help you move your boxes (if you can’t rope in friends and family) is more expensive than many people realize.
Moving – even into storage – is stressful enough. You don’t need the added hassle and extra bills too. If the company you choose to go with offers free collection, you’ll save money, time and effort.
Plus – and this is really important – if they offer free collection, you may be able to go to a little further out of the way, which is often much cheaper than a storage company in the city centre.
Step #3: Find a storage company that will help you unpack
Most storage companies can tell you what size storage unit you need. But unless you are a master at Tetris you can struggle to get all these items into that space.
What do you do? You either get a bigger unit or you get a storage-packing expert.
Look for the companies that not only offer free collection but will also help you load AND unload your items. These guys will have years of experiencing packing and unpacking vans and storage containers.
They’ll be able to take one look at all your items and envision exactly how they’ll best fit.
That means less to-and-fro from home to storage and no need for a bigger unit (and heftier cost). Plus, the extra pair of helping hands will save you time too!
There you have it. The three things we look for when we’re putting our own personal belongings in storage. We hope it will help you find the most cost-effective facility for you. If you’re interested in seeing if Henfield offer any of the above services (hint: we do) get started by finding our closest store to you today!
Figure 2 – https://giphy.com/gifs/makespace-fashion-style-clothes-5xtDarnNC6QcCCksWoE
