Sometimes we could use just a little more space, or perhaps just a little less stuff. Today our homes need to meet an expanding list of demands: school, office, guest house, venue, just to name a few. During the process of buying and selling a home, families find themselves staging a minimalist home, moving temporarily into a short-term rental until their new home is ready, or perhaps downsizing to a smaller home to rent out their larger home.

If you find yourself in any of these situations, you will need to put some of your belongings in storage. The menu of storage options is expansive, from self-storage to portable storage pods for moving and storage (portable storage units for rent) to full-service storage. Let’s examine the pros and cons of each option to find the best option for your household.

What Are Your Storage Needs?

The best storage solution for your family depends on what you are storing and the length of time you will need storage. Some belongings, such as antique furniture, musical instruments, and photographs and artwork, are more susceptible to damage when stored in poor conditions than other belongings, such as clothing and linens, kitchenware, and gardening equipment. Therefore, start by taking inventory of what you will be storing as well as the season and duration you’ll need storage. For instance, if you will be storing items sensitive to extreme changes in temperature and moisture across a few seasons, you will want to select a storage service in a climate-controlled facility rather than in portable storage units for rent. However, if you will be emptying the garage or a few linen closets during a short remodel, portable storage pods for moving and storage on your property could meet your needs.

Which Storage Option Is Best for You?

Self-Storage Units

Self-storage units come in a variety of sizes, so potentially you could rent the exact amount of storage you need, no more and no less. If you need very little storage and you find a facility with small units, this option could be the most cost effective, which is the greatest benefit this option offers.

On the other hand, it offers very little in terms of convenience and security. Like storage pods for moving, these facilities offer little protection against break-ins, pests, and the elements such as moisture, extreme temperatures, and weather. To put your items into storage, you will need to load, transport (perhaps in a rented or borrowed truck), and unload your belongings, risking damage to the items, yourself, and your home or the vehicle in the process. Depending on your experience and resources (including favors you are owed), this may or may not be an accessible option for you. This brings us to portable storage units for rent.

Portable Storage Pods for Moving and Storage

Portable storage brings all the pros and cons of self-storage literally to your front door, removing one hurdle from traditional self-storage: transporting the items by car to the self-storage facility. Instead, you will only need to handle the items through your home and into the storage unit.

Some portable storage unit companies also provide a service of transporting the unit to their own storage facility–freeing up your front yard in the interim–or directly to your new home where you will need to unload it. If the unit is going to be transferred, keep in mind the importance of balancing the weight within the unit so it is not prone to tipping during transport.

It’s a good idea to check your HOA agreement to ensure that the use of portable storage pods for moving and storage does not incur any fines.

Professional Storage Services

To maximize the safety of your stored belongings while minimizing the demand on your time and energy to put your items in storage, you will want to opt for professional storage services. Unlike typical portable storage units for rent, an experienced moving crew will handle, load, transport, and unload your items into their storage facility. If you opt for professional storage services, be sure to inquire and perhaps even inspect the company’s warehouse to make sure it provides the protection your items require.

At Camelot Moving & Storage, we offer full moving, packing, and storage services according to your needs and budget. We bring our portable storage vaults to your home inside one of our customized moving trucks. We minimize handling by loading your items directly into your vault, which is then transported back to our climate-controlled, secure, concrete storage facility. No matter your storage needs, we can help you find the best solution for your household. Give our office a call today.