Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to bring my own lock?
You are welcome to although we are happy to provide you with a brand new FREE DISC LOCK when you rent a unit from us. We do not hold the key to any of the storage unit locks and the disc lock we give you is yours to keep even after you vacate.
Are there other charges to pay besides the monthly rent?
We do not charge for things like admin fees or setup charges or deposits when you rent from us. All we need when you first rent a unit from us is your first month’s rent.
What do I need to rent the unit?
We must be shown your valid State or Federal issued identification to rent the unit. Acceptable forms of identification include a passport, military ID, driver’s license or ID card issued from any of the 50 states.
Where can we find boxes and packing materials?
We sell packing supplies such as tape, wrap, mattress bags, rope and padlocks in our facility office. We carry good-quality boxes in a variety of sizes at a reasonable cost. Good boxes can make a big difference. Paper wrap does well for breakables, but the bubble wrap we also carry is more protective and transparent – so you can see what’s in there. Most people end up needing more tape than they thought they would. A pretty good rule of thumb is to get TWICE AS MUCH tape as you thought you would need, but if you didn’t get enough tape the first time, we have more available in the office!
What size units do you have available and how do I know which one to choose?
Depending upon availability, we have units ranging in size from 5×5 to 12×30 and our ceilings are aprox. 10’ tall. See below How do I choose the right size unit for my needs? section for a better description of unit sizes. You can contact the facility to confirm availability or reserve a unit here online right away.
What’s the difference between office hours and gate hours?
Office hours are 9am to 6pm daily when our staff is available at the property to assist. Gate hours are from 7am to 7pm daily when customers are allowed access onto the property. The facility closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day. On Christmas Eve, we are open until 1pm and on New Years Eve, we are open until 4pm.
Can anyone drive onto the property?
Only authorized tenants who have been assigned a security access code number are allowed free access to the property to enter through our security gate. The code number is specific to each individual tenant which allows us to monitor who is accessing the property.
Do you have video cameras?
The facility employs surveillance equipment in various locations, including points of entry to the property. The number and type vary by facility.
How can I pay my monthly bill?
You may use the MY ACCOUNT page on this website to pay online, (you’ll need to set that up – very simple to do) or you can send us a check in the mail. You can also pay via Visa or Mastercard credit card automatically each month or walk into the facility office and meet with our staff over the counter. We also see tenants calling in credit card payments or using representative payee and online banking services.
Do I have to sign a long-term lease to rent a storage unit?
All of our rental agreements are month-to-month. There is no long-term stay requirement. Furthermore, once you know what date you will be vacating, we allow you to pay a prorated amount so that you are not paying for storage space you don’t plan to use.
Can I receive UPS/FedEx packages at the facility?
Sure! We’re there every day of the week. We can accept packages for you that you can pick up from us at your convenience. Just ask our staff.
How do I choose the right size unit for my needs?
Nobody wants to pay for storage space they don’t need, but a little extra room is nice if it allows you to move around the unit to access things later on, especially if you plan to store for longer than a couple of months. Our storage units have walls that are approximately ten feet (10’) tall which allows more room to store goods. You will be shown the unit before renting so that you can decide if the unit suits your needs. Unit sizes are approximate:
5×5 (25 square feet) Size of a closet
Fits a few small pieces of furniture or chairs, a desk stored on end, filing cabinet, and a small number of stacked boxes.
5×10 (50 square feet) Size of a large closet
Fits several pieces of furniture, or bicycle, appliances, chest of drawers, sofa on end, chairs, several stacked boxes.
10×10 (100 square feet) Size of a small office or bedroom
Fits roughly ½ of a one-car garage, or appliances, furniture from 1-bedroom apt. and dozens of stacked boxes and misc. items.
10×15 (150 square feet) Size of a large office or bedroom
Fits the contents of a 2-bedroom Apt. or 3-bedrooms of furniture incl. several dozen stacked boxes, misc. garage accessories, bicycles, small water craft.
10×20 (200 square feet) Size of a one-car garage
Fits a small car plus misc. items @ perimeter walls or the contents of a 2 or 3-bedroom apartment incl. garage accessories/equipment and several dozen stacked boxes.
How should the unit be packed for storage?
(we have some opinion on this)
Pack the items you will access most frequently towards the front. Heavier, sturdier boxes and less fragile items should be stored on the bottom with lighter, more fragile things on top. Place like items together and organize as you bring it in. Consider how often you will need to use those items, how heavy they are and how well (safety first!) they stack up against each other. And speaking of SAFETY FIRST, make sure your goods are packed well so they don’t topple over and don’t pack the unit so hard and heavy that it takes an Olympic weightlifter to move it around. Most people have troubles with boxes over 40 lbs. Boxes stack best when they are all the same uniform size and shape. Avoid the free boxes at the supermarkets, because they won’t stack up well together and frequently fall over time. Need height? Don’t climb on items to reach up high; bring in a sturdy ladder or step-stool inside the unit instead. Protect your goods by placing pallets or boards on the floor for cleanliness below your articles. Our floors are swept before you move in but a little added protection never hurts. Cover up things like mattresses, nicer furniture, electronic equipment etc. We think it’s okay to place a mattress on its side but only if it is kept straight up & down. Whichever way you prefer, use a mattress bag and avoid bending your mattress out of shape. Multi-task by using the dryer to store soft goods like clothing, towels and blankets, and putting the smaller boxes onto the shelving units and entertainment centers. You can also use the refrigerator to stow linens, books or CDs (keep the refrigerator door open for safety and air circulation). Never store perishables or foods inside the unit. They spoil quickly and could attract pests to your unit. Make sure to drain fluids from things like lawnmowers, washing machines, refrigerators, edgers, line trimmers, and other appliances and power equipment before storing. Fuels, oils and fluids left inside of tools, equipment and appliances can gum up, cause corrosive damage, attract vermin, damage other stored goods, etc. Fill your boxes and containers to capacity; goods stored inside half empty boxes can shift during transport or handling. Avoid using sealed plastic such as those large black trash bags. Sealed plastic bags can trap humidity, causing damaging mildew; (mattress bags have tiny holes for ventilation). Refrain from storing live plants, fish or animals inside your storage unit. There is no available power to plug in things like heaters, lights or other electric devices. When storing a vacuum cleaner, clean out the bag or canister before storing since bacteria, molds and vermin may otherwise escape into the storage unit. Cover furniture with sheets or tarps to protect against scratches or dust. You can often place a protected sofa on end, but if you have room to store a sofa flat, then you can usually place a loveseat upside down on top of the sofa. Chairs can be stacked facing each other, seat to seat. In most cases, you can stack dryers on top of washers. Be creative but keep safety foremost in mind. BACK UP your computer before placing it into storage. If you plan to store clothes, consider purchasing a wardrobe box with a built-in hanging rod, available for purchase at our facility office. Those allow your clothing to hang neatly just like a closet rod at home. Wrap mirrors and pictures and mark them as “Fragile.” Cardboard corners (you can make yourself) also help. Separate lampshades from lamp bases and wrap or box separately for protection. Take furniture apart such as beds and tables to save room. Wrap the separate sections, then mark and keep them together. Keep the screws and bolts together in a plastic bag, and tie the bag to the piece of furniture they belong to. Lightly spray and wipe your wood furniture with furniture polish to give it added protection in the event it comes into contact with other items in the unit. Wrap all fragile items and breakables such as dishes, glasses, ornaments, etc. separately. Pack these items tightly into strong or reinforced boxes, filling any gaps with paper or filler. Write “Fragile” on any boxes containing breakable items. Electrical equipment and computers are best packed in their original boxes with their original filler material. Fill all gaps with paper or packing materials and secure loose pieces like cords, cables, turntable arm, etc. We suggest you inventory the unit as items are brought in. Not everyone does this, but you will use this inventory many times if you plan to store for a long period. Also consider taking photos as you fill the unit, which will help you find things later on. Try to leave an aisle-way or walkway(s) inside your unit to allow future access without having to pull everything out of the unit, (Murphy’s Law says that the item you’re looking for is all the way in the back). Do not store flammables such as gasoline, lacquer thinner, solvents or other chemicals.
What is with those pipes in the ceiling of my unit?
Be mindful of the sprinkler head near the ceiling of your unit. Every one of our units has at least one sprinkler head inside. If a fire starts, the sprinkler head is designed to burst open, allowing A LOT of pressurized water to spray onto the flames. The pipes have sensors which monitor water flow 24/7 and immediately notify the FIRE DEPARTMENT if water flow is detected. If you cause a leak because you knock into the sprinkler head or pipes, you could be faced with expensive water damages & fire department response costs.
Don’t be afraid to ask our staff for advice. We’re here to help!
