Photo © Depositphotos.com / Andrea Crisante
The Self Storage Association’s 2013 Fact Sheet presents some staggering statistics regarding the self storage “epidemic”:
- Approximately 1 out of every 10 U.S. households currently rents a self-storage unit (which translates into 21 square feet of self storage space per household)
- Self storage facilities report an average 85% occupancy rate
- 30% of self storage renters have rented their unit for more than 2 years
On more than one occasion, I’ve had a client who has wondered whether a self storage unit might be an appropriate solution to decluttering their home. My answer? I believe that self storage can be a smart solution in certain circumstances…those that involve a circumscribed time frame with a clear end date. For example, I may suggest self storage for staging clients who have an excessive amount of furniture, clothing, and household items that need “edited out” in order for their property to show well while on the market.
When to Consider a Self Storage Unit
Self storage can also be quite useful for people who are “between homes”, such as those who are building a home and have had to vacate their former home before the new home is ready for occupancy. Another situation where a self storage unit may come in handy is during a major home renovation, in order to protect your belongings from the inevitable construction dust storm. For those who are temporarily moving cross country or overseas as a consequence of a job transfer or military deployment, self storage is a great solution for temporarily housing your belongings.
Situations Where a Self Storage in NOT a Good Solution
Photo © Depositphotos.com / Andrea Crisante
When is self storage a bad idea? When you are using it as a cop out for avoiding the hard work associated with decluttering. When you simply don’t feel like making the tough decisions about what should stay or what should go. When you don’t have a clear endpoint in mind for when you will remove the items out of storage.
There is a cost associated with keeping and storing things, whether it’s in your own home or somewhere else. The typical rent for a 10×10 (non-climate controlled) storage unit is $115/month. That’s a pretty hefty price to pay for storing items that you may use someday…that you don’t necessary use or like.
One of my clients recently decided to clear out her storage unit that she’d kept in excess of 12 years. It was heartbreaking to learn that the vast majority of the contents consisted of items that she did not need or want. Since she hadn’t accessed the unit in several years, she didn’t even remember what was in the majority of the boxes. She estimated the total cost of storing her unit “full of junk” to be somewhere in the vicinity of $13,000 over the course of those 12 years.
Don’t let this be you.
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