Welcome to Atlanta Storage.

This site includes a comprehensive directory of self-storage and warehousing services in Atlanta, GA, as well as tips to help you find the best solution for your storage needs.

A Comprehensive Guide To Self-Storage

The recent economic downturn has left millions of families with an unanticipated problem: what to do with their extra possessions after giving up their expensive homes in looking for smaller more affordable lodgings. Other individuals similarly affected are online business owners, who are now relying on their Internet businesses for a larger part of their incomes. They need places to store their inventories. The rising job loss figures are indicative of a population which may be moving from place to place seeking employment. They too will need somewhere to store their possessions until they are permanently settled.

Brick-and-mortar businesses which do not make use of online data storage need brick-and-mortar storage facilities. There are plenty of other instances in which self-storage is the perfect solution when you're problem is a lack of space. If you’re someone suffering from a lack of space, learning about your self-storage options may help you tremendously. You probably have lots of questions about self-storage, and we’ll do our best to answer them!

Let’s begin with a look at the sizes of self-storage units available.

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Check out our sister sites for more information on self-storage facilities:

• Los Angeles Self-Storage
• San Diego Self-Storage
• Baltimore Self-Storage
• Houston Self-Storage

Sizes of Self-Storage Units

You can’t effectively shop for self-storage until you know how much self storage you need. The quickest way to determine that is just the with the management of several self-storage units in your area, because they will have the expertise to invite you on an appropriate size of the unit, depending on the amount of possessions you need to have stored.

Ask the self-storage facilities managers if you can see units of different sizes, because you want a unit which will be large enough to handle the dimensions of the largest item you will be putting in storage. But here’s a basic guide to self-storage unit sizes, and how much each of them can hold:

• A 5' x 5' unit is large enough to handle small furniture items or the contents of a hall closet.
• A 5' x 10' unit will handle furniture up to the size of the couch, several packing boxes, or the contents of the small bedroom. A 5' x 15' unit is large enough for the contents of a one-bedroom apartment.
• A 10' x 10' unit will store the contents of the one-bedroom apartment, as well as larger appliances including refrigerators or washer and dryer units. A 10' x 12' unit is good for a two-bedroom apartment.
• A 10' x 15' unit will handle the contents of a two-bedroom apartment including the large 10' x 15' - two-bedroom apartment, including large appliances, while a 10' x 20' apartment will store the contents of the two to three-bedroom house and all the appliances. For a four-bedroom house and appliances, you need a 10' x 25' unit.
• A 10' x 30' self-storage unit has ruled enough for the contents of the five bedroom house and appliances, and the largest storage unit, at 10' x 40', will store not only the contents of a five bedroom house and appliances, but vehicles. It will also do fine as a warehouse for business inventory.

Climate Control

After you decide on appropriate size for your self-storage unit, think about whether you need climate control.  Almost all self storage facilities have a selection of both indoor and outdoor units.  The difference is that the outdoor units will have both sheet metal ceilings, and their own interior lights, while the indoor units are equipped with mesh ceilings to provide better air circulation, and to let water from the sprinkler systems in case of fire.  Only the indoor units will have climate control.  

You need a climate controlled self storage unit if you will be storing anything which can be harmed by extremes of humidity or temperature.  Such items include wooden furniture, oil paintings, anything with fur or suede material, and fragile documents.

Vehicle Storage

Suppose you have either a boat or an RV that you want to store. Perhaps you have a large vehicle, like an RV, or a boat which requires storage. The best self-storage facilities will be able to handle them with no problem, and the best of the best will even offer services like fluid drainage to prepare your vehicle for storage. While some of these facilities can give your vehicles indoor protection, the majority of them will simply park the vehicle out of doors, and perhaps supply a protective cover.

Pest Control

Ascertain whether any self-storage facility are considering has adequate pest control measures, especially if you will be storing papers, books, or artwork. Insects and rodents can do as much damage to your possessions as climate extremes. Finally, inspect the different self storage facilities for signs of water damage.

Business Storage

If you run a seasonal business, you may have promotional materials which need storage during the off-season. If you’re moving your business, you may need a place to keep your things during your transition. If you have an online business, you may not have room in your home for your inventory. You could need business self-storage for a variety of reasons. What should you look for in a self-storage facility?

Find a facility which will let you access your possessions 365 days a year around the clock. Look for one which has both long-term and temporary storage options, so that you will not be penalized for terminating your contract with them with only a two-week notice. Find a facility with storage units racing from locker to mini-warehouse size, which will accept deliveries. Depending on the sort of inventory you carry, you may want a self-storage unit with racks.

Typical Self-Storage Prices

You’ll be charged a monthly fee for yourself-storage unit. The cost will be determined by the size and location of your unit, as well as the amount of security at your storage facility. People in areas where self-storage is in short supply can expect to pay more for their units, as in those who are renting storage at facilities with state-of-the-art security.

Self-storage units are usually rented on a month-to-month basis, and you should have the option to cancel your unit at any time. While you might like the flexibility of being able to cancel when you want, just be aware that your contract will also allow the facilities management to raise your monthly fees at their discretion. One way to guarantee yourself that your monthly fee will not increase is to do business with a national self-storage firm. They’re the most likely of all storage companies to offer you a minimum of six months at your initial rate.

Expect to pay a refundable deposit on yourself storage unit, which you will have returned as long as you leave the unit in good condition. Make sure you know in advance whether or not the deposit will be returned if you decide to cancel your contract early.

What can you expect to pay for a self-storage unit?

Typical prices per month are $40-$50 for a 5' x 5 unit; $75-$130 for a 10' x 15 .unit; $90-$150 for a 10' x 20' unit; and you can expect to add another $20-$30 a month if your unit is climate controlled. It’s common for self-storage facilities to give discounted rates to new customers and to senior citizens. So talk to the manager of the self storage facility are considering about any discounts before committing to a contract.

Types of Self-Storage and Security

Never do business with any self-storage facility unless you are comfortable with their security measures. What are some of the security measures most commonly available?

The first line of defense at a self-storage facility is its fences or walls. The best walls will prevent possible intruders from seeing into the facility. The walls should be strong enough to withstand physical force.

Look for is facility which uses gate codes to keep all unauthorized people from entering. You’ll be given the codes when you rent your unit, and simply punch them into the gate keypad. The facilities manager will maintain an updated list of who has the date codes.

In addition to gate codes, a good self-storage facility will have keypad access in its units, so that customers will need to punch in codes at the elevators, and that the doors to the floors on which their goods are stored. Each floor of a multi-story self-storage facility will have a unique keypad excess code.

Some self-storage facilities use intercoms to warn people away from going into areas where they do not have access. Facilities which have on-site guards use intercoms for communication between management and the guards when anything suspicious is occurring.

Having on-site guards around the clock provides the best possible form of security.

The best self-storage facilities offer both indoor and outdoor protection with motion sensors connected to their light and alarm systems. If the motion sensors are triggered after hours, the facilities’ alarms will begin to sound, and the lights will begin to flash. Some companies even arrange to have their alarms connected to the local police station.

One of the most advanced forms of self-storage security is closed-circuit television. CCTV uses cameras located in different areas on the premises to tape people as they enter, move around , and exit the facility.

Finally, you’ll be expected to protect your own self-storage unit with a lock, and to provide either the combination, or the key with the management. If you like you can give the management list of people who have your permission to enter your unit.

Insuring Your Stored Belongings

Don’t be surprised if the limits of a self-storage facilities liability coverage are very restricted. Ask the site's management to explain exactly what kind of damage to your possessions will be covered, and if you need additional coverage, see if you can add a self-storage rider to your homeowner's policy.

How Can You Find a Good Self-Storage Company?

The best way to learn if you are dealing with a good self-storage company is due examine in detail the contract they provide. You can expect that contract to protect the company's interests ahead of your own; just be sure that it does not give the company permission to run roughshod over your rights.

The contract should stipulate that the facility's employees will not enter your unit except in an obvious emergency, or if they have the legal right to seize your possessions because you have failed to pay your rent. Look for a clause which gives the company permission to move your belongings to a different unit on the premises, and if they’re required to notify you before they do so.

Check to see if the contract requires that you purchase a padlock from a company, or if you will be allowed to provide your own. Find out if there will be extra charges if you wish to get into your unit after hours. See exactly what is expected for you to have your deposit refunded. There are self-storage companies which make it virtually impossible for you to leave your unit in the condition required to qualify for a refund. Have the management give you written instructions on how they expect your unit to be laughed.

If the contractor being offered seems fair to you, and you inspected the facility and are satisfied with the condition of the units, the security measures, and the absence of obvious water and pest damage, then you’re probably dealing with a good self-storage company!

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