Self-Storage
Near Me
If you’re looking for
self-storage, you know how tough it can be to find an affordable facility
that’s near your home. That’s why you owe it to yourself to check out the 21stcentury solution to self-storage: space sharing! This convenient and
cost-effective method for storing your items can cost up to 50% less than
traditional self-storage – and you will probably be able to find storage right
in your own neighbourhood!
In fact, one of the benefits of
the sharing economy is community-building. Finding space in a neighbour’s shed
or garage for some of your belongings helps to build trust and connections in
your neighbourhood, and leads to strong relationships where none existed
before. Another of the benefits is that space sharing is
environmentally-friendly. No need to build more storage units in a facility,
which have large environmental footprints. You aren’t adding anything new to
the ecosystem, you’re merely using a previously unused resource.
How It
Works
Space sharing uses technology to
match people who can provide goods and services to those who need them. Examples in the current
sharing economy include big companies such as Über
and Airbnb, as well as smaller volunteer-driven enterprises such as Toronto’s
Library of Things and Makerspace. Other successful "sharing” companies include
DogVacay, TaskRabbit, and PoshMark.
When you are looking for storage
space, make sure you choose a company that specializes in space sharing, not a
more general platform that deals with various goods and services. A good space
sharing company has experience with matching hosts and renters, and uses
various ways to support the process.
The procedure is relatively
simple: find a company platform online, and register (for free), outlining the
type of storage space you’re looking for. The platform will find spaces in your
area that are currently available. Once you and the host mutually agree to the
arrangement, the company will ensure that both of you sign a legal document
that spells out the terms of your agreement. The host ask you to submit a list
of the items that you’ll be storing, for example, and you’ll want to specify
how you’ll obtain access to the site. The company helps to ensure that your
possessions are stored safely, and that monthly payments are processed through
a secure system, such as PayPal.
Of course, one of the great
advantages of this type of storage space is that it is much cheaper than
conventional storage. By using a neighbour’s garage or shed or spare bedroom to
store your "stuff,” you can save up to 50% of the price of a traditional
storage unit!
Storage
Tips
Here are a few tips for packing
your items for storage:
- Pallets. In garage
or shed environments, you can place boxes on top of a pallet. This ensures that
any dampness from the floor won’t come in contact with your items.
- Boxes. Using
boxes of uniform size allows you to stack them more easily. Don’t under- or
over-pack the boxes. Tape each box shut with heavy-duty tape.
- Wrapping. Before
packing, wrap each item in heavy plastic wrap. Wrap fragile items in bubble
wrap.
- Covers. Use tight-fitting
but breathable covers for furniture or vehicles.
- Label
everything! Label boxes accurately. You may even want to attach a checklist
of items on each box.