by Debby Van Kopp
© 2010
http://www.WhytesStorage.com

When you think of a warehouse, what comes into your mind? A large, looming space that is impersonal and cold? It can also be difficult to manage your storage there. Actually, a self-storage center these days is thought of as more of an abode for your belongings and not just a place where you stash them away – a small, familiar, homey place to store items you don’t have room for at home but don’t want to get rid of. Alternatively, it can be a place to store vehicles such as your recreational vehicle, boat, and motorcycle. If you’re a business owner, you may even want to consider a self storage center as a place to store extra inventory more efficiently, inexpensively, and conveniently.

With a self-storage center, you maintain control at all times. Just make a reservation for a suitable space, pay your monthly fees and then deposit or pull out items as you please. In general, most self-storage center facilities will make you provide the lock and key, so that only you have access to it. When you store your things in a warehouse, you need to abide by certain guidelines, none of which you have to worry about with self storage facilities. However, with a self-storage center, you maintain control at all times and you don’t need any long-term contracts to store your items there.

So what size do you want ? Self-storage facilities may come in varying sizes to suit individual needs. Some also offer spaces that are climate or non-climate controlled. Climate-controlled units will definitely cost more because sensitive items like fabrics and documents will be kept in a controlled environment to prevent natural damage from occuring.

Most self-storage center facilities also have security you can depend on. Those with more valuable items in them may have on-site security staff, such as those that store vehicles, boats, RVs, or valuable antiques. These sites are a little bit more expensive, but the fees are nothing compared to the benefits of having 24-hour on-site security staff providing maximum protection for your stuff. Less expensive but still very good storage center facilities may simply have management on-site at certain times of day, perimeter fencing, and security cameras, with you providing lock and key for your own particular storage unit.

Although they don’t necessarily have on-site security at all times, they are still quite safe for most items and are a cost effective option for you if you don’t need particularly valuable items to be protected.

Perhaps the best thing about a self-storage center is that there are no long-term contracts to abide by and you always remain in control. Anytime you need to pull out your stuff, you can do it with no questions asked. Or if you have to change from a climate-controlled to a non-climate controlled unit, you can just notify the management and arrangements can be made immediately. Flexibility and customer satisfaction are key for these storage areas which offer you all the extra space you need any way they’re needed.