September 23 2024
For someone who has never used self-storage before, choosing a secure storage facility can be an overwhelming experience if you don’t know what to look for.
Whether you are finally clearing out your loft or you’re a business running out of shelf space, why not think about looking into secure storage?
When it comes to choosing a storage facility, it’s important you assess the options available and choose the right one for you. Not sure what to look for? Well, luckily we have you covered.
In this blog, we’ll talk you through some top tips on how to choose the right facility and any specific requirements you might have, particularly when it comes to security.
Ask yourself ‘why do you need a secure storage facility?’
It’s important to first ask yourself this question – why do you need storage?
Is it because you are a business and need more space, or maybe you’re a student who can’t fit any more of their belongings under their bed? Regardless of your situation, it’s important to be clear on your needs before you begin assessing your storage options.
Be clear on why you want to store and adjust your storage requirements accordingly.
Locality is important depending on your needs
Finding storage space to rent near you is also an important factor in your decision making.
Again it is primarily down to what your needs are. If it is a storage facility you won’t visit too often then perhaps location isn’t that big of an issue but if you will use your storage unit regularly, it would be beneficial to choose a company local to you. For example, if you’re a business owner that will be making bi-weekly visits to your storage facility, it makes sense to choose a facility not far from your office.
If you do decide to go with us, we offer a self storage finder making it easier for you to find the nearest Ready Steady Store to you.
Security should be a priority for your storage facility
Regardless of the goods you wish to store, you should decide on a facility that gives you complete confidence that your belongings will be safe and secure.
A company that puts its customers first, will pride itself on the security of its facilities. There are a number of things to consider when reviewing storage unit security options, including a good CCTV system, electric gates and high fencing to name a few.
At Ready Steady Store, technology is expanding and we have developed our Ready Steady Store App which is access controlled allowing our customers to securely enter both at the gate and into the building.
Should the worst happen and someone does gain access to the facility, we have systems in place that allow us to control access to the facility remotely, and be able to respond to a situation much quicker.
Whether you are storing business documents or some rarely used household goods, the right storage facility will give you peace of mind that your items are safe and secure.
You can read all about how we are investing in our facilities here.
Important things to consider and additional benefits
There are a number of things you need to keep high on your list of priorities when choosing a storage provider and access and getting your stuff there, are just two of those to keep in mind.
Having access to your storage when you need it, should be a major factor in your decision making. They’re your belongings after all, why shouldn’t you have around the clock access? While most storage providers offer ‘office hour access’, here at Ready Steady Store we do things a little differently and offer the option of extended hours access should you need it.
Additionally, once you’ve picked a provider, you’ve now got to think about getting your stuff there. Well again, we have you covered.
We have teamed up with Enterprise to offer Ready Steady Store customers exclusive van hire, allowing you to quickly get your things into storage, without hurting your bank balance.
At Ready Steady Store, we offer all customers a range of additional products, with the aim of making the process of self-storage, that little bit easier.
When it comes to gathering your belongings, one thing you shouldn’t need to worry about is packaging materials and luckily, we can help you with that.
We offer a range of boxes and packaging materials that are available in-store, if you fancy seeing what all the fuss is about in person, or online and they can be delivered directly to you!
We are constantly striving to make it simpler for customers to fulfil their self-storage needs, whether that’s in-store or taking advantage of our fully-online service.
From the comfort of your own home, all customers are able to receive a quote, pay their account online and even reserve a storage unit. In light of recent events, this is a great way to stay safe and use self-storage.
Do your research: Read what customers have had to say
Choosing a secure storage facility is a big deal, as you are entrusting a company to look after your belongings, so it’s vital that you do some digging and check customer reviews.
Any company can sound good on their own website, but what really matters is what the customers are saying.
When you are doing your research, make sure to check websites like Google and Feefo to get an accurate account of what a facility is really like. We also hold a Feefo Platinum trusted Award for our services so you know you are getting the very best service available.
Want to see what our customers are saying about us? You can have a look here.
Need more info?
Need some help assessing your storage options? Visit our Help and Advice page to read more.
Still not seeing what you were looking for? We have stores across the UK, including Leeds, Manchester, Lincoln, Northampton, and many more. Whether you’re decluttering, moving home, or just need extra space, we have a solution to suit you. Check out our handy size reference guide, use our online Size Estimator and get an instant quote today.
Storage Unit Size Guide
Quick Reference
9–15
sq ft
Small Storage Unit
Secure storage for documents, boxes and smaller items you need to access occasionally.
25
sq ft
Studio / Small 1-bed
Conveniently fits the contents of a studio or small 1-bedroom flat, without bulky furniture.
⭐ Most popular
50
sq ft
1–2 Bedroom Flat
Reliably fits a sofa, double bed, wardrobe and around 20 boxes - our most-booked size.
75
sq ft
2–3 Bedroom House
Accessible storage for most contents of a family home, including larger furniture pieces.
100
sq ft
3–4 Bedroom House
Friendly, flexible storage for larger homes - white goods, garden furniture and full room sets.
Helpful tip: Most of our storage units are at least 8ft high - stack your items and furniture to make the most of the height and keep your costs down.
