50 Frequently Asked Questions About Self Storage in Pennsylvania
When you choose to rent a self-storage unit, it’s essential to take into consideration the features of the facility that affect how easily you’ll be able to access your belongings, how secure is the facility and whether it has climate-controlled - if you are planning to store any temperature sensitive items. At StorHouse Self Storage, we strive to provide the best self-storage options available for our customers. To help you in your search to find the perfect storage solution for your needs, below are 50 self-storage FAQs that will help you navigate the process faster.
Self-Storage FAQs
1. What is self-storage?
Self-storage is a service that helps customers and businesses to lease a storage unit for short term or long-term to store their personal belongings, furniture, equipment, documents, etc.
2. What kind of items am I allowed to store in a self-storage unit?
There are many kinds of items that can be stored in a self-storage unit; examples being household furniture, boxes, clothing, appliances, business inventory, documents, seasonal decorations, etc. There are however, certain hazardous or prohibited items that are forbidden in a self-storage unit. It is important for you to do your research or contact the storage facility staff to answer all your questions.
3. How do I determine what size of a self-storage unit will hold all of my items?
Generally the thumb rule is, the larger the items - the larger the storage unit should be. For example, a small storage unit is sufficient for boxes and smaller furniture, while a larger unit would be suitable for greater amounts of furniture and/or very large items (for example, an entire home filled with furniture). We recommend you check out the size guide to ensure you pick the right size for your storage needs.
4. How long can I store items in a self-storage unit?
Typically, self-storage rentals are monthly subscription, and can be rented for any period of time as desired by the consumer.
5. Do I need an appointment to rent a self-storage unit?
No, most self-storage facilities now allow for self-service kiosks or online reservations which enable consumers to reserve and rent a storage unit without having to physically go to the office.
6. Can businesses use self-storage?
Yes, many businesses utilize self-storage to store company records, extra inventory, equipment, etc.
7. Are self-storage units clean?
Yes, Most reputable self-storage facilities such as StorHouse self-storage strive to maintain clean and well-maintained storage units to create a safe storage environment for the customer's belongings.
8. Are self-storage units lighted?
Yes, Most self-storage facilities are equipped with bright LED lights throughout the facility to improve safety and visibility.
9. Are self-storage units private?
Yes, The customer is the only individual who will have access to their storage unit through their own lock and access code at the entrance.
10. What should I NOT store in my unit?
Generally in many states, its prohibited to store hazardous materials, flammable liquids, explosives, prohibited items, and perishable foods in a self-storage unit.
Security & Safety FAQs
11. How secure are self-storage facilities?
Most modern self-storage facilities have various steps of security, such as gated entry, video surveillance cameras, and limited access to secure storage units.
12. Do self-storage facilities have security cameras?
Yes, A high number of self-storage facilities are equipped with video surveillance cameras around the perimeter of the property to further enhance security.
13. Do self-storage facilities have gates?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities have gated entry which ensures to restrict who can enter and leave the property.
14. Are self-storage units alarmed?
Yes, Certain self-storage facilities have alarmed units to further improve security.
15. Are there on-site employees at the self-storage facility?
Yes, Self-storage facilities do have on-site managers who assist customers and oversee daily operations. Ensure to check by contacting the facility about their onsite managers or security guards.
16. Do self-storage facilities have fire safety systems?
Yes, Certain self-storage facilities have fire sprinkler systems and smoke detectors to further enhance overall safety.
17. Are self-storage facilities illuminated?
Yes, Exterior LED lighting and interior lighting are a common feature to ensure the property is lit well at night.
18. Do self-storage facilities have a back-up power source?
Yes, Certain self-storage facilities have a back-up generator to maintain security and lighting in the event of a power failure.
19. Are self-storage hallways monitored?
Yes, In addition to monitoring the exterior of the facility, many self-storage facilities also monitor the interior hallways where the units are located within buildings to ensure overall safety.
20. Can I add my own lock to the unit?
Yes, Generally, it is recommended for customers bring their own locks to secure their storage units.
Access & Convenience FAQs
21. When am I able to access my storage unit?
The hours of access to a storage unit vary depending on the self-storage facility, but many facilities permit 24/7 access upon approval, and some facilities have restricted hours of operation. Please make sure to contact your facility and check if they can accommodate your request.
22. What does "drive-up" access mean?
Drive-up access enables you to pull-up your vehicle directly in front of your storage unit, making it simpler to load/unload your vehicle.
23. What does "interior" storage mean?
Interior storage refers to storage units that are located inside a building and accessed through interior corridors/hallways.
24. Are there elevators in multi-level self-storage facilities?
Yes, Many multi-level self-storage facilities have elevators installed to make it easy to move items to upper floors.
25. Are cart or dolly services offered by the self-storage facility?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities provide carts and dollies to make transporting heavy boxes and/or furniture easier for the customer.
26. Can I rent a storage unit online?
Yes, With the ease of technology, many self-storage facilities now offer online "touchless" rentals allowing customers to rent a storage unit in minutes on their devices easily.
27. Can I pay my storage bill online?
Yes, Online bill payment is rapidly becoming a common feature among self-storage facilities.
28. Can I rent a storage unit by telephone?
Yes, Some self-storage facilities permit consumers to rent a storage unit via telephone.
29. Are moving supplies available for purchase at self-storage facilities?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities sell boxes and other moving supplies to make the moving process more efficient.
30. Are trucks available for rental at self-storage facilities?
Yes, Certain self-storage facilities have rental trucks to assist consumers in transporting their belongings to/from the facility. Make sure to check if they have any deals or rental partners available for truck rental services.
Storage Options & Features FAQs
31. What is climate-controlled storage?
Climate-controlled storage is a special type of storage unit that is intended to maintain the temperature and humidity in the unit to safeguard sensitive items like electronics, documents, antique furniture, etc.
32. When should I use climate-controlled storage?
Items that are sensitive to extreme heat/cold temperatures are ideal for climate-controlled storage.
33. What is commercial storage?
Commercial storage is a type of storage that is designed for businesses to use when they require additional space to store equipment, records, excess inventory, etc.
34. Can I store a vehicle in a self-storage unit?
Yes, Some self-storage facilities offer RV car or boat storage to accommodate vehicles, trailers, and boats.
35. What are roll-up doors?
Roll-up doors are overhead doors that open up vertically, providing direct access to your storage unit.
36. What are extra tall storage units?
Extra Tall Ceiling Spaces are ideal for stacking or storing oversized items in a more efficient manner.
37. What is Interior Hallway Access?
Interior hallway access indicates that your storage unit is located within a building and is accessed via interior corridors/hallways.
38. Are there ADA-accessible storage units at the facility?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities have units that are specifically designed to be more accessible to consumers with disabilities.
39. What is Drive-Through Access?
Certain self-storage facilities offer pull-thru or drive-through access to make it easier for consumers to load/unload items from their vehicle.
40. Are there outdoor storage units available?
Yes, Certain storage units are located outdoors and offer convenient drive-up access too.
Payment & Protection FAQs
41. Am I required to insure my storage unit?
Most self-storage facilities either require or strongly encourage tenants to get insurance or a storage protection plan to protect against loss or damage to their belongings.
42. What is a storage protection plan?
A storage protection plan is an optional form of protection that covers the contents of a storage unit in case of theft, vandalism, fires, floods, etc.
43. How do I pay for my storage unit?
Customers generally pay for their storage unit using one of several payment methods, including online payment, in-person payment, or automatic billing.
44. Will I be charged a late fee?
Yes, a late fee may be charged to customers whose payment was not made by the scheduled due date.
45. Can I automate my payments?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities provide online bill pay options that enable consumers to enroll in auto-pay to ensure there's not delayed payments and avoid late fee.
46. Is a deposit required to rent a storage unit?
Yes, Certain self-storage facilities require a deposit before a customers moves into a storage unit.
47. Can I expand my storage unit size?
Yes, Customers who need a larger unit to fit in more items can often transfer to a larger unit.
48. Can I reduce my storage unit size?
Yes, Many self-storage facilities permit customers to downsize storage unit size as per their changing needs.
49. Can I terminate my storage rental agreement at any time?
Since most self-storage agreements are month-to-month, customers can generally terminate their storage rental agreement after giving adequate notice.
50. How do I get started with self-storage?
To initiate the process of renting a storage unit, consumers can reserve a unit online, contact the self-storage facility via telephone, or visit the self-storage facility in person.
Self-Storage Options at StorHouse Self Storage
At StorHouse Self Storage, we strive to give our customers the best self-storage experience possible. We accomplish this by providing our customers with a variety of modern self-storage features that emphasize both security and convenience. These self-storage features include:
- Climate-Controlled Storage
- Video Surveillance Cameras
- Drive-Up Access
- Interior Storage Units
- Touchless Online Reservations
- Commercial Storage
- RV Car & Boat Storage
StorHouse Self Storage has multiple self-storage facilities located throughout Pennsylvania. Regardless of whether you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner, we provide secure, convenient and adaptable storage solutions to meet the unique needs of our customers.
If you are searching for a trustworthy self-storage provider, please review the self-storage options available at StorHouse today!
