Self-Storage Companies Key Terms

Learn the vocabulary of self storage companies

Self storage is an ideal solution for many business owners. Perhaps you don't have the space to stock your inventory, you just moved to a smaller office and need a place to store items that don't fit, or maybe you just need a place to store old files. Whatever your needs, self storage facilities have the answers. Based on what you are storing, you may have specific requirements of the storage company. For example, you may need a climate controlled space or drive up access.

Climate controlled storage

Certain items, such as documents, furs and antiques should be stored in a climate controlled storage facility. This means that the company monitors the temperature in the storage area so that it is never too hot or too cold.

Vertical storage

Self storage areas are typically one large, empty space. Installing vertical storage shelves in your unit can help you to store more items in a more organized fashion.

5 X 10

The size of the storage unit is represented in feet and is shown as 5 X 10. This means that the storage area is five feet by ten feet. Other sizes may be larger, such as 20 X 40.

Drive up access

If you have large, bulky items, you probably want a storage container that has drive up access. This means that you'll be able to pull your truck directly up to the storage space to make for easier loading and unloading.

Portable storage

If a company offers portable storage, it means that they will deliver a container to your office. Once you've filled it with your items, the company will come back to pick it up. Later, you can have it delivered to the same location or a different location.

Storage insurance

You shouldn't assume that your items are covered by the storage facility's insurance. Many times, they are not. If the items you are storing are valuable, you should consider purchasing storage insurance to protect against any damage.

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