| By :
Alison Withers
Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers Have you ever found yourself inheriting a quantity of a much loved relative's possessions unexpectedly? They may be valuable antique pieces of furniture that you don't have room for, or don't fit the style of your home. They could be quantities of books with antique value or that you've always wanted to get around to reading. They could even be "period-piece" clothes and ornaments that may appreciate in value and need to be protected and stored carefully and securely. Whatever the items they contain happy memories or an emotional attachment to the person you loved and you can't bring yourself to just get rid of them. If you want to preserve them so they don't deteriorate you can't store them in a shed or garage. As modern houses are often smaller than older ones it can be a real problem. Renting self storage space can be a useful and affordable solution. I spoke to a Self Storage company to find out what you need to consider if you choose this option. They can be summed up as where they are, how much access you have, cost and minimum rental period, how much space is needed, security and insurance. MOst of us would feel more comfortable if we knew valuables were stored somewhere close to where we live or work so we can get to them quickly if needed. With time at a premium these days you may want to be able to visit the storage facility at a time convenient to you, perhaps at a weekend or in the evening and not during working hours. A storage company that can offer 24-hour access with, for example, your own security code would be ideal. You'll want to be sure it's location is well lit, properly alarmed and not an easy target for burglars. Inside, the storage building you might want to check that your property is stored in a secure locker or unit to make sure only you have access to the contents. If you can't work out how much space you need a flexible self storage facility should be able to advise you and to offer you a range spaces so you're not renting more than you need 200 cubic feet will take a small amount of furniture, say a roomful. Larger units of around 100-150 sq ft would be able to take the contents of the average three bedroomed house. It may be you only need a short term solution, perhaps to decorate a room, and usually the minimum period will be 7 days. On the other hand if you're going travelling on a year-plus career break or working abroad for a few years you might ask if there is a special rate or a discount. Your household contents insurance might be one that can be extended to cover secure storage. If not you should ask the storage company whether they can advise on affordable cover. It might, in any case be sensible to compare costs between the two so you can get the best deal. The staff at most self storage facilities are well used to tailoring services to individual needs and being able to look around the facility will help you get exactly what you need and the peace of mind of knowing your property's well cared for.
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