Send it and Forget it
Tragedy unfolded recently at a New England university and made its way across three states, ending in a storage unit facility in my neck of the woods. As the news was breaking and the storage facility was surrounded by a multitude of law enforcement, one thought that came to mind was of all the people who rent units at that facility. Of course, there were more important and serious developments being reported, but being in the move management business, I wondered what was going through the renters’ minds. Was the facility being identified as a crime scene? Will the facility have to close during crime processing time? Would they have access to their belongings? When would it be safe to go there? Will the access rules change? Is this event going to make them think about emptying out their units?
The last question triggered more questions. What prompted the need for renting the unit in the first place? What is being stored there? How long has the unit been rented? When was the last time anything was retrieved from the unit? Is there an end date? How much does it cost?
In speaking with clients about the need or use for a storage unit, deep down they know the items sent to storage will likely not see the light of day again, at least no time soon. It’s a quick fix that might solve an immediate problem, but the consequences could last years. I typically do not recommend renting storage without a compelling reason and instead focus on what we can do to accommodate the belongings in question and to avoid the need for commercial storage.
The Advantages of Storage Units
Before getting into the reasons not to rent a storage unit, let’s give it the props it deserves.
A storage unit provides an offsite location for items that are not currently needed or wanted, freeing up space at home. Seasonal sports and other equipment and supplies may fall into this category.
A storage unit can serve as a temporary placeholder for belongings during projects, like a home renovation.
A storage unit can be an interim dwelling place for items that you’re not sure you want to take with you when moving or stores furnishings removed from the home when it is staged to sell.
A storage unit is generally in a gated community with security surveillance. Your own locks enhance the security.
A storage unit is generally in a temperature controlled environment.
A storage unit is available in many sizes so you choose the best fit for your belongings.
A storage unit is widely available in many locations.
So why not use the storage that is readily available on seemingly every corner? There are certainly valid reasons to justify utilizing and paying for the additional square footage that offsite storage offers. Recent statistics show it to be an approximately $50 billion (with a b) industry and growing, with an average occupancy rate of over 90%. Clearly, it is a wildly popular choice to spend over $100 per month (on average) to lock stuff away that’s not wanted or needed.
The demand for sending items to storage is driven by a number of factors including a growing population downsizing to smaller residential spaces. Senior Move Managers® can certainly attest to the downsizing movement sweeping the country among the senior population.
Even so, there are many other logistics to consider when deciding whether an offsite storage unit is the best choice to make. Let’s look at the cons.
The Disadvantages of Storage Units
Getting back to the cost, it varies, but month after month, it adds up quickly.
Access and security may vary from one facility to another. Entry may be limited to certain hours. Multi-level facilities with no elevator pose access and navigation challenges.
Not all storage facilities are built for climate or temperature control. Vulnerable or poorly packed items may be subject to moisture or heat damage.
The location may prove to be inconvenient when used during a move, chosen on behalf of an out of town family member, or because the space requirement was met but not the locale.
Despite the reminder via the monthly bill, it’s easy to forget what was stored in the first place.
The monthly cost may far outweigh the monetary value of items being stored.
It costs time, energy and money to pack items to bring to the unit, and it costs time, energy and money to empty it out.
Many of the disadvantages point to the cost of commercial storage and nobody wants to waste money or does so intentionally. Sure we buy things and spend some dollars on things we know are frivolous or won’t last to satisfy a want. But month after month for who knows how long? Because downsizing is more often than not a planned decision and process, the choice to keep and pay for things known not to fit in new life circumstances is a curious one.
There are lots of factors to consider whether it makes sense to rent a storage unit. Given the cost and potential long-term effects that come along with it, sending stuff to storage needs careful consideration. If you must send it, don’t forget it.