FAQ on Storage

STORAGE FAQ FOR LOCAL MOVERS

Moving is an exciting transitional period. If you’re temporarily working with limited space, storage units are a convenient solution for local movers to temporarily stow away their belongings and reduce stress.

For over 20 years, Air1 Moving has provided California custom Storage solutions for temporary or long-term purposes. Our facilities are climate-controlled and secured with state-of-the-art security. Check out our About Us page to learn more.

Moving may entail downsizing your home, or relocating to a temporary location with limited space. Perhaps your new home is amidst a renovation, or you’re merging belongings from two households into one.

Local Movers often require a storage unit as a convenient way to stow away their items during a move.

Storage units also provide long-term space to stow away extra items you don’t use very often, but want to hold onto for future use or sentimental value.Local MoversLocal Movers

Storage solutions can cost anywhere between $60 to $225/month.

The online storage marketplace, SpareFoot, says the “national average monthly price for all unit sizes is $87.15 a month, and the average price per square foot is $0.97 per square foot.” 

Many variables impact the cost of storage. Prices fluctuate depending on the location, unit size and whether the facility is climate-controlled. 

Location: Location is one of the main factors determining the cost of storage. Large urban areas, due to high demand, tend to be more expensive. Sometimes, prices are lower in less dense suburban areas. 

Size: The larger the unit, the higher the monthly cost. It’s a good idea to sift through your items and donate or give away the stuff you no longer want. Purging your inventory will help lower the cost of your unit.

Level of service: Full-service storage facilities usually provide extra services to make your storage process easier and less stressful. This includes pick-up and delivery services, which can cost more than self-service facilities. Self-service facilities expect you to pay separately for a rental truck and to handle the extra work of transporting your items yourself. 

Add-ons: Add-ons will increase the cost of your storage unit, and include storage bins, labor assistance or packing supplies, for example.

Time: Storage facilities sometimes offer rentals on a monthly basis. Contracts offered by full-service storage facilities vary depending on the company. Some offer monthly services, while others require a minimum of 3 months. 

Storage facilities come in a variety of sizes. Contact us at (866) 552-2916 for details in order to find the right size for you.

Climate-controlled facilities offer an array of storage benefits. It’s important to consider whether your belongings deserve a climate-controlled unit.

While basic self-storage is sufficient for various household, business or yard items, a climate-controlled unit is strongly recommended for more sensitive items, including antiques, musical instruments, electronics, fine art and documents. 

Temperature & Humidity Protection: It isn’t unusual for wood furniture, antiques and musical instruments to suffer from warping, splitting, or cracking due to constant changes in temperature. Temperature fluctuations also damage fine art, books or business records due to temperature fluctuations. Climate-controlled facilities maintain a consistent temperature all year round.

Better Air Flow: Because climate-controlled facilities continuously circulate air to keep it clean, which helps protect items like electronics, books and documents. With self-storage units, you’re making special trips to the facility just to open the unit and fill it with some fresh air. You can save yourself the trip with a climate-controlled facility. 

Climate controlled units are often inside buildings with sealed and insulated roofs, walls, and floors, making them less susceptible to minor flooding or dirt. The chance of rodents or insects settling into your unit is also significantly reduced. 

Whether stowed away for a week, year or decade, you’ll find your items just the way you left them.

Peace of Mind: With a climate-controlled facility, your items are clean, safe and protected. While they’re usually more expensive, they provide the protection you need to keep your belongings in mint condition. The extra cost is likely less than the price for a replacement item – assuming it’s replaceable.

Storage facilities usually provide a list of restricted items. Dangerous items, such as gasoline, fertilizers, paint, chemicals, fireworks, explosives, narcotics and propane tanks, are usually not permitted. Other items usually restricted include perishable food, medicine and plants.

Storage solutions can cost anywhere between $60 to $225/month.

The online storage marketplace, SpareFoot, says the “national average monthly price for all unit sizes is $87.15 a month, and the average price per square foot is $0.97 per square foot.” 

Many variables impact the cost of storage. Prices fluctuate depending on the location, unit size and whether the facility is climate-controlled. 

Location: Location is one of the main factors determining the cost of storage. Large urban areas, due to high demand, tend to be more expensive. Sometimes, prices are lower in less dense suburban areas. 

Size: The larger the unit, the higher the monthly cost. It’s a good idea to sift through your items and donate or give away the stuff you no longer want. Purging your inventory will help lower the cost of your unit.

Level of service: Full-service storage facilities usually provide extra services to make your storage process easier and less stressful. This includes pick-up and delivery services, which can cost more than self-service facilities. Self-service facilities expect you to pay separately for a rental truck and to handle the extra work of transporting your items yourself. 

Add-ons: Add-ons will increase the cost of your storage unit, and include storage bins, labor assistance or packing supplies, for example.

Time: Storage facilities sometimes offer rentals on a monthly basis. Contracts offered by full-service storage facilities vary depending on the company. Some offer monthly services, while others require a minimum of 3 months.

Storage facilities come in a variety of sizes. Contact us at (866) 552-2916 for details in order to find the right size for you.

Climate-controlled facilities offer an array of storage benefits. It’s important to consider whether your belongings deserve a climate-controlled unit.

While basic self-storage is sufficient for various household, business or yard items, a climate-controlled unit is strongly recommended for more sensitive items, including antiques, musical instruments, electronics, fine art and documents. 

Temperature & Humidity Protection: It isn’t unusual for wood furniture, antiques and musical instruments to suffer from warping, splitting, or cracking due to constant changes in temperature. Temperature fluctuations also damage fine art, books or business records due to temperature fluctuations. Climate-controlled facilities maintain a consistent temperature all year round.

Better Air Flow: Because climate-controlled facilities continuously circulate air to keep it clean, which helps protect items like electronics, books and documents. With self-storage units, you’re making special trips to the facility just to open the unit and fill it with some fresh air. You can save yourself the trip with a climate-controlled facility. 

Climate controlled units are often inside buildings with sealed and insulated roofs, walls, and floors, making them less susceptible to minor flooding or dirt. The chance of rodents or insects settling into your unit is also significantly reduced. 

Whether stowed away for a week, year or decade, you’ll find your items just the way you left them.

Peace of Mind: With a climate-controlled facility, your items are clean, safe and protected. While they’re usually more expensive, they provide the protection you need to keep your belongings in mint condition. The extra cost is likely less than the price for a replacement item – assuming it’s replaceable.

Storage facilities usually provide a list of restricted items. Dangerous items, such as gasoline, fertilizers, paint, chemicals, fireworks, explosives, narcotics and propane tanks, are usually not permitted. Other items usually restricted include perishable food, medicine and plants.

When selecting which items to store, questions to ask yourself include:

  • Do I need this item right away?
  • Will it fit in my new home?
  • Is this item worth holding on to, for instance, will I be using it within the next year? 
  • If I leave it behind, can I easily replace it?
  • Does this item have sentimental value? 

Below are several types of items commonly stored in storage units.

Seasonal Items: Some of your extra items will be relevant to the season, others will not be useful for another several months. Establish which items are out of season and will need temporary storage. If you’re moving in winter, for instance, pack away your summer gear and save yourself the hassle when unpacking your items in your new location. 

Seasonal clothes: Likewise, store out-of-season clothes and shoes until you decide a permanent solution. 

Holiday decor: Holiday decorations are another good example of items that won’t be relevant throughout certain times of the year, and can be stored away until the time is right. But if the decorations don’t take up a substantial amount of space, first consider if there’s a handy spot in your new home.  

Extra furniture: Moving is often an exciting time to redecorate. If you’ve got extra furniture on your hands and you’re not certain if you want to sell it, wrap it up and put it in a climate-controlled storage unit. Down the road, you may realize one of your extra side tables in storage would be the perfect piece for a spot in your new home.

There are several practices for carefully packing and storing your boxes and bags to avoid problems and damage in the future.

Label your boxes with the contents inside, and situate them in your unit in an organized way to make it easy to find whichever item you’ll need down the road.

 Protect against moisture and the eventual growth of mold by making sure your items are first clean and dry before being stored. Wipe down items with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt. 

 Disassemble large items to protect individual parts, and use packing materials for sufficient padding. Pack boxes full, and seal them tightly.

 Keep in mind each item requires its own specifics as to how you can best protect it in storage.