Finding Storage Units Near Albany, NY

If you’ve ever watched an episode of Storage Wars, then you probably are familiar with mini-storage unit rentals. Renting a storage unit is a good idea if you need to store your household items while moving or for a more extended period after a move. Whether you’re in Albany, NY or another NY area, mini-storage facilities can provide a secure and easy solution to your storage needs. Many mini-storage facilities offer a variety of unit sizes for short-term and long-term storage.

How Do I Find a Storage Unit?

The rules to rent a storage unit will vary from company to company. Be sure to research the storage companies and their units for each facility that you are considering using. Once you have a preferred storage company picked out, make your reservation online or over the phone. You can reserve your storage unit up to a month ahead of time at most places. After your rental contract is signed, you can start moving your belongings in on your contract start date. The total storage cost will depend on the company, but most places will charge you weekly or monthly.

What Size Storage Unit Should I Rent?

Many mini-storage facilities have several sizes of units. The most common sizes are: 5’x5’, 5’x10’, 10’x10’, 10’x15’, and 10’x20’. Larger sizes may be available, too, depending on the facility. Choose what you need. Most moving companies base the price of the units on square footage and the amount of time you will need storage. If you’re using a full-service storage facility, know that unit sizes there can vary; be sure to check with the facility you are interested in using.

Should I Use Full Service or Mini Storage?

Full Service—

Full-service storage companies provide “valet-style” services to their customers. Full-service storage companies will pick up your items and take them to the storage facility, allowing their customers to avoid the hassle of hauling their belongings to the storage facility themselves. Some full-service storage companies may even offer to take photographs of their customer’s stored items and markdown what was stored with them for everyone’s protection. 

Mini Storage—

Mini-storage (also called self-storage) facilities are the most popular choice for storing items. These companies provide a secure and affordable way to keep household items for their customers, including oversized items like boats and other sea crafts. When the storage contract ends, you are responsible for retrieving your belongings unless you order delivery. Mini-storage companies don’t keep track of what their customers store, so if you use a mini-storage facility, make sure to keep your records of all your stored items. Compared to full-service storage, mini storage is a more affordable option, especially for those on a tight budget.

Which Storage Option is Right for Me?

Renting a mini-storage unit is more popular than going with a full-service storage unit because mini storage is generally more accessible to use and more affordable than its full-service counterparts. After all, a customer can come and go as they please with a mini storage unit. Would you rather rely on someone else for a pickup or drop-off? A mini-storage team is also a great option if you don’t have a lot of items to store.

However, full-service storage has its perks. For example, for those in urban areas who rely on public transportation and don’t have their vehicle, a full-service storage option may be the right choice.

How Much Will I Pay for a Storage Unit?

We base the storage cost on how long you need the team and how big a storage unit you need. Mini-storage companies generally offer month-to-month contracts. Full-service storage facilities can offer different terms and pricing. Some storage facilities ask for a minimum of three months, while others may provide month-to-month agreements. Weekly storage facilities are out there too, which may be a great idea if you only need a storage unit for a short period.

When Do My Things Need to Be Out of Storage?

As long as you’re willing to keep paying, there is no longer an end date for storage rental. However, most people would like their belongings back at some point. Most storage facilities have monthly or weekly rental terms. As long as you meet whatever minimum time requirement set by your storage company and pay your necessary fees, you can continue to store your items until you’re ready for them. You will have to notify your storage facility when you want to cancel your rental, and please know you may need to pay the entire month’s rent on the unit no matter when you pick up your belongings in that month.

What Should I Look for in a Storage Facility?

These are the key features to look for when considering a storage facility:

  • Climate control
  • Accessibility. Do you have access to your storage whenever you need to, or do you need to abide by specific hours of operation? Make sure their days and hours of availability match your own.
  • Does the facility provide locks, or will you need to bring your own?
  • Monitoring by video cameras, employees or both?
  • Contracts and pricing available to you
  • Sizes available
  • Facility security and safety in general—is it well lit?
  • Online reviews of the company and the location you are considering

What else can I store in a storage unit?

You can also use storage units to store boats, vehicles, bikes, RVs, or any household goods, depending on the size of the unit.

Should I Insure the Items I Have in Storage?

We recommend that you insure your items before storing them. Insurance will give you peace of mind that your stored possessions have coverage if something gets damaged or lost while at your facility. Some storage companies offer protection against loss or damage for no additional cost, but you should check with your facility to see what they offer. Other storage facilities may provide insurance on your stored items that you can buy from the storage rental company. However, you should first check if your homeowner’s policy or renter’s insurance will cover your items while being stored. Check with your insurance agent if you’re not sure.

What else should I know about renting a storage unit?

You shouldn’t just throw your things in a storage container without a second thought. There is some preparation needed when putting your items in storage. Consider the following items for your storage unit checklist:

Know the rules and regulations—

  • Your storage facility has its own set of rules and limitations for how you use their storage. Before storing your belongings, educate yourself on what isn’t allowed to be held in your unit. Hazardous items such as chemicals, fireworks and other explosives are not allowed in storage units. That goes the same for food and flammable items.

Keep track of all your things—

  • If you intend to have your items in storage for a long time, keep a detailed inventory of what is in your unit. You won’t remember everything you put in storage, no matter how much you insist you will. For insurance purposes, we recommend that you document everything and snap some pictures. Please keep this information in one place so you can find it easily when it comes time to retrieve your items from storage.

Clean what you’re storing—

  • Before taking things to storage, make sure to wipe them down. Any fabric items (like clothes, pillows, rugs, etc.) should be washed, dried, and vacuumed. Everything in your storage unit should be dry; no one wants to deal with mildew on their belongings!

Take apart the furniture—

  • When storing furniture, take it apart first. Wrap furniture pieces like headboards, mirrors, and table legs in the plastic moving wrap before storing them. You’ll also end up with more space to store any boxes or other items if you disassemble the furniture. When you can’t take apart a piece of furniture, consider using that piece to keep other things. For example, drawers can fit small items, and flat surfaces can be used for stacking boxes.  

Pack thoughtfully—

  • Packing small items in cardboard boxes or clear plastic bins will help keep them safe. Everything should be packed as if you were taking your items directly to your final destination. This means packing securely and protecting your items with the proper materials like bubble wrap, packing paper and plastic furniture wrapping. Make sure you have the right boxes for things like artwork, mirrors and TVs. This will prevent those items from being damaged during transit or while in storage.

Label everything–

  • If you don’t want to lose track or forget what’s in each box, you must label everything. Whether using a permanent marker or printed labels, you need to see what’s in the box without lifting it or rotating it. If you are printing labels for your boxes, think about printing four labels for each box—one for every side.

Maximize the space in your rental unit, but carefully—

  • Think about how you will arrange your belongings in your storage unit. Mirrors and artwork, for example, should be stored vertically, and You should keep fragile items higher up than heavier items. If there’s enough room in your unit, lay any mattresses you are storing flat on top of boxes to protect them from damage. Also, put more frequently-used items near the front of your unit, and place the things you won’t need as often near the team’s back. Having a step stool in your team might be a good idea to easily access higher boxes and belongings.

Are you ready to move?

Have you already reserved a storage unit, or are you not sure if you need one? You might want to consult a reputable moving company in NY like Charles Wood & Son. Whether your belongings are going into storage or your new home, we will make sure things get where they need to go safely and on time. Contact us for a quote on your upcoming move. Not only are we pros at storage solutions, we have plenty of success in long-distance moves. Because we are an agent of National Van Lines, we have the highest service standards in the moving industry.