Portable storage units vs. the traditional self storage
facility - Which one is right for you?
Whether you are moving to a smaller house, or just need a place to store your things, this guide will help you uncover the ins and outs to storage.
By: Property Buyers Connection
As the options for storage continue to grow, it can be difficult to decide which alternative is best for you. We have all driven down the street and seen one of those storage containers sitting in the driveway of a house. What made this homeowner choose this method of storage over the more traditional storage facility? There are many advantages and some disadvantages to using portable storage.
Renting a truck
Portable storage units eliminate the need for a rental truck.
They deliver it to your door.
You fill up the container and they haul it away to either
your new home or a storage facility.
With more traditional methods, you need to
rent a truck twice – once to fill up the storage unit, and again to move your
things to the new home.
This cuts down on costs and also wear and tear on belongings.
Security
With both methods of storage, most providers allow you to keep the key. This provides confidence that your things will be there when you return for them.
Moving your belongings
With a traditional self storage unit, you usually rent a moving truck or borrow a friend’s trucks. Often, there is pressure to get the move done all in one day – or risk needing to rent the truck again and trouble your friends. A benefit to portable storage units is they often charge you the same price whether they leave the storage unit in front of your house for one day or the whole month. This allows you the leisure to fill the unit according to your own schedule. A portable storage unit also eliminates the need to make multiple trips to the storage facility – it is in your front yard.
Accessing your things in storage
With traditional storage, accessing your belongings is easy. Simply, drive down to the facility and unlock the door. The portable storage option is slightly more difficult. Usually twenty-four to forty-eight hours notice is needed for the portable storage company to locate your container and make it available for access. In addition, with traditional self storage facilities, you are able to pick the one that is closest and most convenient for you. With the portable storage option, their closest warehouse may be several miles away.
The cost
The cost varies depending on your region and provider. We have found that storage costs for the portable units are in line with the traditional self storage units. However, pickup and delivery for portable storage runs around $100-$150, which may be somewhat more than renting a truck. It also depends on how far you are moving. We recommend getting an online quote for your specific situation to be sure.