Moving to Miami? Here’s What To Look For in the Best Storage Units

So you’ve just moved into your new place in Miami, but your things won’t all fit, and your spouse or kids insist on filling every nook and cranny. Or maybe you’re in between homes right now, either moving or waiting to move into a new place in the city.

Whatever the reason, renting storage units is a great idea. Storage units are self-contained lockers where you can store your stuff when it’s not used. They are very useful for people who don’t have space to store things or need to keep things safe but don’t want to give them to family members or friends for storage.

But with so many storage units Miami, how do you know which one is best for your situation?

There are several things to look for when choosing the right storage facility, including size (how much space do you need?), cost (what’s included in the monthly fee?), features (is climate control or high security important to you?) and location (what’s the driving distance from your home?).

Here is what to look for if you want the best experience possible renting storage units in Miami.

Climate Control

If you own things that are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, such as antiques, documents, photographs, or fabrics, you want to look for a storage facility that offers climate control.

High-quality climate control systems keep your storage unit at a steady, predictable temperature, helping to prevent your belongings from getting damaged due to extreme heat or cold.

Many storage units in Miami will have this feature, but some are more reliable than others. You’ll want to choose a well-maintained facility equipped with reliable HVAC systems.

24-hour Surveillance

You might not think about it, but the security of your stuff will be a big factor when choosing a storage facility. This is especially the case If you’re storing precious items or working with a large amount of inventory you need to keep track of.

Try and find a facility that offers both indoor and outdoor surveillance, along with a 24-hour security guard. Ask about access requirements, too. Will you need a special code to get in the gate? What kind of identification will you need to get into the building? How often are the hours of operation?

You also should be sure that your stuff is protected from natural disasters such as fires, floods, and extreme weather. Look for a facility with a sprinkler system, a fire alarm, and water sensors. And also find out if outdoor areas are protected from extreme weather. You don’t want your stuff to be damaged by hail, tornados, or floods.

24/7 Access to Your Stuff

If you need 24/7 access to your stuff often, a standard storage facility may not be the best option. Some facilities allow you to access your storage unit only during certain times of day, or they may charge you extra for access outside of certain hours.

You may also be required to make an appointment at a certain time each day. You may also be charged extra if you need to make multiple visits, especially if you’re sharing the facility with other people.

As such, you might need a storage facility that’s open 24/7. This way, you can access your stuff whenever you need to. These might come with a higher monthly rate, but for that price, you can access your stuff whenever you need to, without restrictions imposed by the facility.

Pest Control

If you’re storing anything susceptible to pests, like wood or fabrics, you want to look for a storage facility that offers pest control services. You want a facility that treats fabrics and wood with an anti-pest solution to prevent rodents, insects, and other critters from destroying your stuff.

While pest control is important in choosing a storage unit, keep in mind that most facilities only offer a limited amount of treatments per year. Therefore, you should choose a facility that offers a decent number of treatments per year and one that is more thorough with those treatments than just spraying a surface with a chemical.

A Variety of Storage Size Options

Make sure that the facility offers a variety of unit sizes so you can select the one that best fits your needs. These days, most facilities offer various storage options, from 5 to 25-foot units.

The main thing to consider when selecting a unit size is how much space you need. If you overestimate how much space you need, you may pay more than you need to. Likewise, if you underestimate how much space you need, you risk running out of space, which can cramp your style when removing your stuff.

Affordable Prices

You don’t want to pay more than you need for a storage facility. You’ll also want to avoid storage units in Miami that offer low rates, as they usually have something wrong with them.

For example, a low-priced unit may be in a less desirable part of town or have fewer features than a more expensive one. You can avoid the lower-priced units by looking for deals and promotions regularly. Many facilities offer specials, so be sure to check for them. Also, if you select a facility based on the features you need, you may find that a more expensive unit has a lower rate than a cheaper one.

Location

You must also consider this when choosing a storage facility and location. Where is the facility located? How far away from your home is it?

If you select a facility far from your home, you’ll have to make frequent trips there to access your stuff. While this may not be an issue if you only store a few items, it will be a major inconvenience if you need to store a lot of stuff at that facility.

On the other hand, if you select a facility close to your home, you can drive there less often and during off-peak hours (for example, early in the morning or late at night), which will help to minimize your trips.

Good Customer Service

Finally, selecting a facility with good customer service is important. You’ll likely have questions about your unit, payment plan, and other topics. And if you have an issue with your unit, you’ll want to be able to get help from the facility quickly and easily.

Many people believe that renting a storage unit is like renting a hotel room; you don’t have to communicate with anyone. Well, that’s not the case at all! You’re entering into a business relationship with your storage facility, and you’ll want to ensure that you find a company with friendly, knowledgeable staff members willing to help you.

Determine How Long You’ll Be Storing Stuff

If you’re only storing your stuff for a short time, renting a smaller unit might make more sense. But if you know you’ll be storing stuff for a long time; you may want to go big.

Either way, think about how much stuff you’ll be storing and how long you’ll be storing it. You don’t want to pay for more space than you need or be crammed into a smaller space than you need.

If you’re unsure how long you’ll be storing your stuff, try to choose a unit with a middle ground. You don’t want to go with a short-term rental, and you don’t want to go with a long-term rental.

Ask About Insurance And Repairs

Ask the storage facility if they repair damaged items. And if they offer insurance, find out how much it costs and if it’s worth it.

If you’re storing sentimental items, such as heirlooms or other irreplaceable items, you may want to look for a facility that has insurance. If a rodent chews through the bags, you’re storing your grandmother’s china in, you want to know that someone will fix the damage.

Similarly, if you’re storing items you hope to sell or use in the future, you may want to look for a facility that provides insurance on your stored items.

Find Out About the Company and Their Reputation

Before you choose a storage facility, look into the reputation of the company and the reviews of the storage facility. Don’t just look at the facility nearby you, either. Look at facilities throughout the state or even across the country.

If you have a friend or family member who has rented from a storage facility, ask them about the experience. And if you don’t know anyone who’s rented from a storage facility before, see what online reviews say about the company and its storage facilities.

In Conclusion

If your house feels like it’s bursting at the seams, renting storage units in Miami is a good way to deal with the excess stuff that’s taking up valuable living space. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one is best for you?

Begin by checking the facility’s security, and ensure it offers climate control if your items are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Then consider the size of the unit you need based on the amount of stuff you’ll be storing, how long you’ll be storing it and how much space you have available in your home.

Once you’ve found a facility that offers what you need, compare the company’s reputation and online reviews with other companies to make sure you’re making the best choice.