Long Term Storage: When Do You Need It?

Businesses are now offering customers the chance to use long term storage facilities, should they need to keep their belongings somewhere other than their homes. This can provide a great convenience to people who live in small apartments, are planning to be in travel mode for the foreseeable future, or simply need a place to store their stuff while they make decisions. The rates for such a thing can be pricey, however, which means customers should be cautious about making the choice to use them. Here are some scenarios where it might be the best decision.

One of the most important factors is how long you're planning to retain ownership of the items. If it’s beyond six months, then long term storage may become a very viable option. If you have the room at your home, it's usually preferable to save the money and keep it there on a short term basis. If you have no immediate plans to move, however, and no plans to get rid of the extra stuff, then renting a space becomes a really good idea all of a sudden. It will be kept safe and secure and you won't have to worry about it taking up space in the hallway or making it look as though you’re living out of suitcases.

Vehicles are another prime candidate for long term storage. Some people don’t mind keeping a boat or an ATV, for example, out in the driveway. But if you have a strict homeowner's association or you simply don't want to clutter up the appearance of your home, it makes a lot of sense to look into alternative places to keep your vehicles. They will be safer on someone else’s watch, as well. Plus, many storage facilities will make sure that your vehicles are put into a garage, meaning they won’t be subject to the sunlight and elements. It will cost more, of course, but it may be worth it.

Value is another important consideration. Look into how much long term storage will cost and compare it to the value of the items you want to put away. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend $100 a month to store a $50 dollar item, just to provide an unlikely example. It might be more beneficial to simply sell off the items and buy them again down the road. If they have sentimental value, this obviously won’t play into the decision, but if it’s a purely financial choice, you need to do the calculations to make sure what you’re doing is in your best interests.