Self Storage Units

Options for Self Storage

If you are researching self storage options, it is likely that you lack space at your business or home premises to simply store your belongings yourself.

When possessions are stored in a garage, roof loft or basement area they can often be damaged or lost or worse stolen. Excess belongings or business stock can also take up valuable living or working space, too.

A self storage unit at The Storage Hub is a very good alternative, but in this article we look at the alternative options to internal self storage units.

Here is a summary of the various types of self storage available.

Depending on the types of item you are looking to store and the quantity of items there are a number of storage options available. These range from Indoor self storage, Container storage, Box storage, Lockups & Removal depositories

1. Indoor self storage

Sometimes known as warehouse storage, this is the type of facility offered by The Storage Hub. Our conveniently-located Huntingdon self storage facility comprise a large warehouse filled with individual, lockable & secure units that are protected by CCTV and electronic alarms.

The individual storage units are secured by your padlock for which you will have the only key. You are able to access your belongings at any time during usual opening hours.

As the internal self storage units are indoors, these units are protected directly against the elements so rain, wind and direct sunshine. Units are available in a range of sizes from 300 sq ft to 20 sq ft so can accommodate anything from the contents of a large house or business stock and archives to a student’s belongings during the holidays.

Heavy or bulky items can be easily placed into ground floor units, which can be accessible to trollies if required; shelving can be included in any size of unit to maximise the use of the space.

Self Storage Units are Ideal for storing:

• Student belongings during holidays;
• Furniture and soft furnishings;
• Gardening or camping equipment;
• Clothes;
• Bikes; unicycles, tandems, mountain bikes, racing bikes, BMX, trikes
• Toys and books
• Luggage; – especially ideal for large hard suitcases and trunks
• Business stock, equipment and archives (including for online retailers).

2. External Container storage

This type of facility is made up of large, secure metal shipping containers that are located outdoors. The sites are accessible to the public and are usually unmanned, though some premium container storage facilities offer extra security in the form of CCTV, perimeter fencing and key-card access.

As the shipping containers are outdoors, extreme temperatures and condensation can affect the contents so they are not suitable for perishable or delicate items.

Ideal for storing:

• Large, bulky items such as cars, gardening equipment and garden furniture;
• Plant and machinery; specialist power tools that are invaluable but only used infrequently
• Any other large items not sensitive to changes in temperature or damp.

Box Storage

How it works:

Box storage companies will send you storage boxes and bubble wrap if you need; you can then wrap up your belongings and they will collect your box(es) the next day. Your belongings will be taken to a storage facility.

Contact them when you want your box(es) back and they will return them to you the following day at a fixed price per box. The price you will pay is per box for collection and per box for return.

The benefits of using a box storage service are:

A. Convenience

You don’t have to take your belongings anywhere – the box storage company will provide all the packing materials and will collect your filled box(es) for you. They will return them to your chosen location the day after you request that they do so. You won’t be able to access your belongings whilst they are in storage, but if you are storing items that you know you won’t need for some time this can be a good storage solution for you.

Their service is door-to-door, but you cannot have deliveries made direct to their storage facility.

B. Price

With box storage, you pay a set price per box (for it to be stored and then returned) so if you need to store a single item, or items that will require far less than 10 sq ft of storage space, this may be the most cost-effective service for you as you will not be paying for space that you know you will never use. Insurance is included and their service can be accessed online.

Downsides of box storage

You will never see your items when in storage and will not be able to see the level of security available; the warehouses used by box storage companies are typically covered by 24 hour recorded CCTV but are not usually staffed on site. Insurance may be free, but you may prefer the peace of mind that comes from seeing the security systems in operation at the Storage Hub and locking your belongings into your own secure unit.

It is not possible to have items delivered directly to their warehouse – you will need to arrange for your items to be collected (and returned) by the box storage company.

Box storage companies will typically supply you with boxes, simply pack your items yourself and they will the collect them for you and take them to a remote storage facility.

When you want your items back, simply request that they be returned and for a fee they will return the items to you at an arranged time.  This type of storage really only works if you do not need regular access to your belongings.

• Weekday collections, one hour collection slots not offered so you may have to wait in all day.
• Many use third party removal companies and not their own fleets.
• Risk of items going missing or damaged in transit
• Unable to access your belongings once they are in storage.
•  To have your items returned you must pay a fee, per box, (e.g. £6 per box).
• Dates to have items returned may be restricted to weekdays which is not convenient if you work.
• To have items returned on evenings or weekends you may have to pay additional fees .
• The amount of insurance included may not cover the replacement value of your items (e.g. £50 per box).
• Fragile items like glassware, crockery, TVs and printers are not covered on insurance.
• Items, including awkward shapes like bicycles will need to be put in a box. Suitcases will also need to be stored in a suitcase box.

Ideal for:

Smaller items that you can pack into boxes, such as –

• Bikes;
• Gardening equipment;
• Clothes;
• Luggage;
• Books & Toys.
• Storing items that you do not need immediate access to.

4. Lockups

These are garage-sized facilities that are usually found within residential areas and are available for shorter long-term rent. Limited in size, these are mainly used to store smaller items.

Ideal for:

• Storing smaller items of low value (security is only as good as the strength of the door).

5. Removals depositories

If you are moving house, your removals company may offer their own storage units, where they can store your furniture and belongings from your old house until you are ready for them to go into your new home. This may be useful if you need to decorate or renovate your new property since doing so will be much easier when the house is empty than when your belongings are all in place.

These indoor facilities are usually in large warehouses that are secure and dry, though you will not normally be able to access your belongings. The warehouses tend to be inaccessible to the public and you may be charged a fee if you need to remove any items earlier than originally planned.

Ideal for:

• Household furniture and belongings when you are between houses;
• Combining storage with a house removal service.

Find the right type of storage for you

Which storage solution is the right one for you depends entirely on what you want to store and how easily you want to access your belongings. The Storage Hub offer convenient, indoor self storage in a wide range of sizes at highly competitive prices.

For more information on packing tips, preparing for self storage , storing documents , self storage frequently asked questions the following articles may be of use. For information on meeting room and conference facilities click here