With people accumulating more and more possessions, space inside one’s home is becoming an overwhelming issue.
Many tenants and even homeowners have recently decided to downsize their homes. As a result, they had to give up some of their furniture or look for alternative methods to keep them while settling at their new place.
Having the extra room to store some of the items you do not frequently use or just taking advantage of that additional space when arranging your household is certainly a blessing.
Ultimately, there are only two choices for finding more storage space. Those are either self-storage or building your own storage units.
Pros of using a self-storage facility
The best advantage of the self-storage facility is cost-effectiveness. You pay only for the space you require without considering the cost of maintenance or repairs.
In addition, most safe storage facilities offer flexible renting terms, so you can choose whether to rent on a short or long-term basis.
Climate-controlled units are highly sought after but very expensive to build independently.
Suppose you are looking to store sensitive to humidity and temperature changes items, such as electronics, wooden or leather furniture, or artwork. In that case, you should rent a self-storage unit that protects you from those changes.
Another massive benefit to safe storage is its flexibility. If you need to either increase or decrease your storage size, worry not. Moreover, many facilities will grant you access to moving supplies, making moving and storing much more straightforward.
Some storage facilities even go as far as to offer pick-up and delivery service for your items from home and back.
Cons of using a self-storage facility
You now know that using a self-storage facility has many advantages. However, there are also certain drawbacks to remember.
Sadly, most units you can rent do not offer 24/7 coverage. This means you will be unable to access your belongings during certain days and hours. That is entirely based on the rules in the facility you choose.
The location also has a vital role to play. While self-storage is generally built at convenient locations, you may have to look around before you find the perfect one. Remember that you may need to look for other alternatives if you are storing items you may require urgently or on short notice.
Many people use storage space, and that means there is always a particular risk that they may fall victim to theft or other wrongdoing. Even though most facilities nowadays have cameras and security measures, you can never be too sure that your possessions are safe.
If you want to store away items you want to keep private from the world, you might want to reconsider using a storage facility. With public storage being increasingly used, hundreds of people will have daily access to your storage unit.
Another difficulty you may face when renting safe storage is the rules and restrictions of the facility.
For example, you will not be often allowed to customise your storage space so that it will meet your specific needs. Often, you have to make exceptions with what you require in order to comply with the facility.
Pros of building your own storage
When building your safe storage, you can customise it at will. Whether you wish to store furniture, artwork or even fancy cars, you can design the storage space so it meets your concrete needs and preferences.
If you choose to build your storage, you can access your belongings whenever you need them. This will come in handy when you store away precious items that you often use but don’t have the space to put in your home.
In addition, having the convenience of never worrying about the facility’s hours of operation or rules and regulations gives you the freedom to store anything anytime.
Securing your possessions is another huge benefit to building your own storage. The proper security measures will provide complete control and ensure your items are safe and protected.
While discussing security, we can not leave out the privacy aspect of your own unit. By deciding who has access to your unit and who doesn’t, you will not have to worry about other renters or constantly rely on others to keep your belongings private.
Last but not least, it is essential to note that opting to build your own storage gives you the freedom to choose what materials you use to construct it.
For example, suppose you would like to go the sustainability path. In that case, you can use eco-friendly materials and incorporate design elements, such as allowing natural lighting or using recycled materials, to make your unit a more sustainable option.
Cons of building your own storage
The cost is one of the biggest problems you will face when building your own storage. With the high prices of materials today, it can quickly become a costly endeavour, and quite often, we see people simply abandoning their projects.
In addition, depending on where you live, you may also need to obtain certain permits or hire professionals to help with the construction.
The expenses do not end when you complete your unit. Unlike self-storage facilities, when you own personal storage, you have full responsibility to maintain it and repair any damage that may occur with time.
You may need to take out your items once or twice a year to ensure your unit is in excellent condition. This, of course, is to properly clean the unit, which can be quite time-consuming and costly.
While you have the complete flexibility to build your storage according to your needs, those needs may change with time. A personal unit does not offer the same variety of options for expanding or modifying your storage space.
How to decide which is the best based on your needs
Picking the best option depends on several things you need to consider carefully. Below are five things you need to think about:
- Your budget – Starting a project only to abandon it halfway is a massive waste of time and money. Make sure you do sufficient research in terms of pricing for both options to ensure that you choose the best one.
- Your storage needs – If you are unsure what to store, you may opt-out for the more flexible option.
- Your location – It is crucial to have access to your prized possessions whenever you need them. Carefully consider the location and availability of the public storage before pursuing that option.
- Your timeline – While building safe storage is undoubtedly expensive, depending on how long you will require the facility, it may be the cheaper option in the end.
- Your willingness to maintain and repair the storage space – If you do not have enough free time or are not the type of person who will often do maintenance to your unit, then having others take care of those may be a wise choice.
Differences between self-storage facility and your own
The main differences in owning or renting a storage space are the cost, convenience and customisation.
Generally, a self-storage facility is more cost-effective and convenient for short- and medium-term storage.
Building your own unit provides a more significant opportunity for customisation and control over the stored items.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the two options discussed above have their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Choosing which one you will use comes down to your needs and preferences in the end. Renting a self-storage facility can be a temporary solution, while building one is a permanent investment requiring regular maintenance.
When deciding which option to go to, carefully consider your budget, storage needs, location, the period you are looking to store and how willing you are to put time and effort into it.
