Best Self Storage in North Vancouver

What is a storage unit?

A self storage unit is a secure and private self-contained space that can be used to store belongings. These units are typically rented on either a monthly or on a four-week basis and come in different sizes depending on your needs. Self storage units can also include climate controlled options, which help protect against moisture damage and temperature fluctuations.

When renting self storage it important to consider what type of belongings you'll be storing. there are a variety of features like ground floor, electrical outlets, air-conditioning, and gate hours that can impact the price of the unit you rent.

Why do people rent storage units in North Vancouver?

People rent self storage units in North Vancouver for a number of reasons. Whether it is to free up space in their home or office, store items while they move, or even as an extension of their business operations; self storage can be an incredibly useful tool. In addition to its convenience and flexibility, self storage can also provide additional security that you home or apartment may not provide. Let's cover some of the major reasons.

Moving

The most common reason folks rent self storage in North Vancouver is for moving. It can be very challenging to move from one place to another all in one day. Self storage is a tool that can be used to temporarily store items while you transition between your old home and your new one. It gives you some additional flexibility and alleviate some of your moving stresses.

Downsizing

Another popular reason people rent self storage is due to downsizing. If you’re moving from a larger home into a smaller one, self storage can be an excellent way to keep all of your belongings in one secure place until you figure out what will fit in in your new home. There are plenty of reasons North Vancouverites will downsize like for retirement, divorce, to move closer to family, or for financial reasons.

Business Use

Self storage can be an excellent way to extend your business operations. If you’re looking for extra space for inventory storage, self storage can provide a secure and affordable solution without the need of leasing a bigger warehouse. many businesses keep documents or inventory in self storage. We've even seen some online businesses run their online store enturely from a self storage facility as some of the larger and newer facilities also have office space and boardrooms available for rent.

Renovating

Finally, another common reason for renting self storage is renovating you home. If you’re planning on renovating a room or even your entire house self storage is usually the most convenient way to store your belongings and furniture as the renovation is taking place.

Now that we've explored some of the reasons people rent self storage in North Vancouver, let's look at what size storage unit you should rent.

What size storage unit should I use in North Vancouver?

The size of self storage unit you should rent depends on your specific needs. Generally speaking, the more items you need to store and the larger those items are, the bigger self storage unit you will require.

Self Storage in North Vancouver comes in a variety of sizes ranging from small locker-sized units all the way up to large garage-sized units. You can alway upsize or downsize your unit if your needs change.

Here are the most common sizes and what you can expect to fit in them:

• A 5x5 storage unit that is about the size of a closet can hold items such as: holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, small furniture pieces, and boxes. This is a good option if you are downsizing or only need to store a few things.

• A 10x10 storage unit that is about the size of a bedroom can hold items such as a couch, bed, or the total contents of a 1-2 bedroom apartment.

• A 20x20 storage unit is about the size of a one-car garage and can fit items such as: a car, boat, or furniture from a three to four-bedroom home. If you have larger items to store, this is the storage unit for you.

• Parking units are usually the size of an RV. If you need something small to store a car, they can be found but you may want to also consider a 10x15 drive-up unit

What do you need to prepare for when renting self storage?

• Credit card

• Drivers license or passport

• Storage rental agreement (provided by the storage facility)

• Homeowners insurance. if you don't have homeowners insurance, you can purchase insurance at the storage facility

• A lock for your unit. Disk locks work best because they are difficult to break into.

• Boxes or shelves so you can stack your belongings to save space.

Boxes and a lock are most often afterthoughts when renting self storage, so make sure you come prepared with these items. Most self storage facilities will offer these products for sale providing you are moving in during store hours.

Additional resources:

• How to rent a storage unit https://www.storloft.ca/en/Moving-storage-blog/How-to-rent-a-self-storage-unit/

• a list for moving like a pro https://www.storloft.ca/en/Moving-storage-blog/A-list-for-moving-like-a-pro/

What types of things does one keep in self storage?

Self storage can be used for a variety of items and purposes. Here are some common things self storage units store:

• Furniture, appliances and electronics

• Clothing, jewelry and collectibles

• Business documents, inventory or equipment

• Sports equipment, tools and hobby materials

• Seasonal decorations such as Christmas

• Trailers, boats, and RVs

How to calculate square footage

You can calculate the square footage of your storage unit by multiplying the length and the width of your unit. For example, if you have rented a 5x5, your square footage would be 25 (5x5=25).

How can I evaluate storage units in North Vancouver?

There are several factors to consider when evaluating storage units in North Vancouver. Here are some steps to follow:

Check the location

Consider the location of the storage unit. It should be convenient for you to access when you need to retrieve items from it. Convenience if considered a feature of most storage facilities, and you will typically pay extra for it. location includes the address of the facility and whether or not it is close to urban areas but also the location of the unit at the storage facility. ground units with easy access typically cost more than the unit on the third floor far from the main entrance or loading bay.

Storage unit size.

Look for storage units that are the right size for your needs. You can always upgrade or down grade, so don't get more than you need: storage is expensive. Use the square foot calculation we provide above so you know exactly how much storage you'll need.

Amenities

Consider whether you need a climate-controlled unit, a drive-up unit, or a standard unit. Climate-controlled units are suitable for items that require specific temperature and humidity levels, while drive-up units are suitable for large items that you need to move in and out quickly. Like we said above, you'll pay extra for a drive-up unit, so if you don't need that type of access, you can save a few dollars by renting an interior unit.

Look for storage units that offer amenities such as 24/7 access. The facility office is typically only open during business hours but sometime those operating hours also apply to the gate access. This means that if you need to access your belongings after hours, you may not be able to at certain facilities.

Pricing and Promotions

Compare the prices of different storage units and consider any discounts or promotions that may be available.

A common complaint among renters is the difference between monthly and weekly rental terms. Monthly terms are easier to keep track of when you need to make a payment but four-week rentals are more common.

Be sure to ask about any current promotions when you are checking out different storage units. A storage unit is expensive and promotions are common, so make sure you find a promotion that can help you with your rent. The most common storage unit promotion in Ajax is 50% off your first 4 weeks. Everyone once in a while a facility will have a first 4 weeks free promotion, but those are less common.

Online Reviews

Before you choose a storage unit, read reviews from other customers to get an idea of their experiences. We'll add Google reviews to our listings where we can so you have a good idea of what to expect at each facility. This will help you make an informed decision. Specifically pay attention to how many clients complain about customer service or things that are broken.

Cleanliness of the facility

is also important to consider. You will want to make sure that the storage unit and the surrounding area are clean and free of debris. This is a good indicator that the facility is well-maintained and that the staff takes pride in their work.

What other self storage options are available in North Vancouver?

North Vancouver self storage

Self storage is the most cost-efficient storage option. It's also the least convenient since you'll need to take your own belongings to a storage facility unlike the other two options below, which are delivered to you. However, self storage facilities provide to greatest number of unit sizes, so if you need to upgrade or downgrade it's easy to do.

North Vancouver portable storage

Portable storage is similar to self storage except you storage unit is delivered to you instead of having to make the trip to a storage facility. Portable storage is convenient but slightly more expensive. In addition to the unit rental, you'll pay for the delivery of the unit, but you won't have to worry about making multiple trips with all your belongings.

North Vancouver valet storage

Valet storage is a storage solution where you don't have to lift a finger. Simply schedule a pickup time and our storage professionals will come to your home or office to pick up your belongings and deliver them to our secure storage facility. They'll even bring back your items when you're ready for them.