Self Storage Tips

Whether you're running a small or big business, chances are you're in need of an adequate storage facility for your goods and products. You may be thinking of renting that unoccupied office space next to your business headquarters, or the small warehouse you saw a few blocks away from your office building. However, with the rent prices getting more and more expensive each year, it may not be advisable to occupy more office spaces or rent a small warehouse for your business.

So, what could be your best storage option for your business? A self-storage facility should do the trick for you. Renting a good self-storage facility is now considered as the latest trend in business logistics. However, if you're new to the self-storage trend, here are some important facts about self-storage facilities that you may find useful for your business.

What is a self-storage facility?

Self-storage facilities are mini-warehouses with lockable storage rooms that can be rented for short-term or long-term purposes, whether for personal or business use. Self-storage businesses or companies rent out storage spaces ranging from lockers to warehouses with several storage rooms. Many businesses are now using self-storage facilities because of their relatively less expensive costs, ample storage space, and security features.

Large self-storage facilities such as Bridge Self Storage are often situated outside the busy metropolis, therefore helping small and medium businesses save on the expensive costs of rents in office buildings, commercial warehouses, and even in their stores. Storage spaces in bustling cities are pricier compared to self-storage facilities found outside cities because of continuous increases in real estate or land value. Since self-storage facilities are not affected by increase of rent prices in cities, more businesses are now storing their products, supplies, and stocks in self-storage facilities.

Although self-storage companies allow tenants to store all kinds of goods, supplies, and products in their facilities, there are some things that are not allowed or accepted for storage in self-storage units, such as perishable food items. Some of the most common items you can store in a self-storage unit are office or home furniture, computers and other electronic equipment, hardware and construction tools, antiques, apparel, shoes, and books. Some self-storage companies may also have the necessary facilities to store wine at the right temperature.

Why would I need a self-storage facility for my business?

A growing business will need an ample storage facility for extra stocks, supplies, or equipment safekeeping. Warehouses are popular options for businesses that have to store massive quantities of stocks and supplies, but if you're running a small business such as a retail store, a small grocery, or a hardware store, a commercial warehouse is definitely too big and too expensive for you. Small businesses such as retail stores may not have enough storage spaces for their stocks, and bigger businesses may have to shoulder additional rental expenses if they choose to rent extra office space for storage of products and supplies.

As such, a self-storage facility can greatly help small to medium businesses manage their products, stocks, and supplies without spending too much money on rent expenses. Self-storage units are more practical storage facilities for small businesses since they have relatively low rent prices compared to an extra office space, expansion of a store, or commercial warehouse rental services. Also, since self-storage facilities are located outside busy towns, small and medium businesses won't have to worry about the rising costs of rent in cities.

Because only the tenants have access to the self-storage units of their choice, small businesses can be sure that their equipment, extra stocks, and supplies are safe from theft and damages. Most self-storage companies employ sophisticated surveillance technology to assure clients that important equipment and supplies are well-guarded at all times. Since self-storage companies also grant 24-hour facility access for tenants, entrepreneurs can store and collect stocks, equipment, and products whenever they need to.

Self-storage facilities are also useful for entrepreneurs who wish to relocate their small or medium-sized businesses. Entrepreneurs can easily stay on relocation schedule by moving their equipment, products, stocks, and supplies to a self-storage facility where they can keep their goods as long as they need to. This means that entrepreneurs can put emphasis on other relocation activities once their supplies, products, and stocks are moved to a secure self-storage location. Some self-storage companies, like Bridge Self Storage, also allow free monthly use of trucks, making it a lot easier for businesses to transport their goods and supplies from one location to another.

Bridge Self Storage, which has branches in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and many others is one of the best self-storage companies for small businesses. Bridge Self Storage boasts of several features that small businesses will find beneficial, such as free wireless internet, office space with workstations, free starter web page for commercial tenants, packing and shipping through FedEx, UPS and U.S. Mail, and automatic online credit card payments.

Self-storage companies give you the option of choosing a unit that is just right for your storage needs, so you never have to worry about overspending on rent. If you're not sure how much space you need for your business self-storage facility, you may want to contact self-storage businesses for free quotes and average sizes of their mini-warehouses.

How much will a self-storage facility for my small business cost me?

The prices of self-storage rents vary according to size of storage units required by your small business. Aside from this, rent prices for self-storage units are usually billed on a monthly basis, but there are also companies that give their clients the choice of paying on a weekly basis. This allows entrepreneurs to plan their rent expenses whether for temporary or permanent use of storage space.

Since every business has different storage needs, it is best to ask self-storage companies for accurate sample quotes, and other important information such as storage unit sizes and use of facilities. Also, be sure to look for special offers and packages to obtain more savings and get the best deals on self-storage units and facilities.

Small businesses now have the opportunity to save on rent costs through self-storage services. Many entrepreneurs are discovering the many uses of self-storage units, and the financial advantages they bring to the small business. Growing businesses no longer have to pay for the rising costs of office spaces, commercial warehouses, and renovations. Today, small-time entrepreneurs won't have to resort to more expensive storage options for their equipment, products, stocks, and supplies, since there are affordable self-storage units for all their storage space needs.