Storage: On-Site vs. Portable

One of the largest business crazes of late is the storage business, and the options are no longer limited to on-site storage. If you are in need of a place to store your extra stuff, or even all of your belongings, first consider your reason for storing, the amount of time it is needed and cost of the storage, and how much access you will need to your things.

Most everyone today has excess and could benefit from a nice extra space, and if you desire this space just to get some things out of the way that you rarely use and will rarely need to retrieve, a small on-site unit will probably suit your needs. If you, however, anticipate frequently needing something that you are choosing to store, the convenience of movable containers might be better choice. Portable containers are delivered to your home, you pack them at your own leisure, and they can either be pick up on stored on –site, or you can keep them on your own property given it is allowed by either your landlord or your homeowner’s association.

Portable options can be an excellent way to cut moving costs, as companies who provide the units will also move them for you. In this instance, the company will drop off the container at your home and you pack your own things place them inside; the company will them move your things to your new location where you will unload and unpack. This eliminates the cost of labor to hire someone to pack and load and vice versa and also gives you the freedom to move at your own pace perhaps in anticipation of closing on the new home.
Consider, if your move is work related, that the costs may be reimbursed by the company that is moving you or the costs may be tax deductable; if you are deploying with the military or a service related job, choosing to store your belongings rather than continuing to pay rent is definitely a smart financial move, and the costs, unlike continued apartment rental, are a nice tax write-off. In this situation, it may be more feasible to choose an on-site unit, although if you know someone who is willing to store a portable unit for you, the peace of mind that your things are being closely monitored can be a plus.

There is indeed an option for everyone’s needs, and weighing the cost-effectiveness and conveniences and/or inconveniences against your specific needs will reveal to you your best alternative.