When you’re trying to find a storage company in Knoxville, you want to ensure things are well cared for.
One of the key factors in the security of your items is your storage unit choice.
You usually have three options:
- Self-storage
- Climate-controlled storage
- Portable storage units
Whether you’re storing household items, furniture, or important documents, choosing incorrectly could damage your precious belongings and waste the money you spend on storage.
How do you decide? We’ll guide you through these three solid options to simplify picking the right one for your needs.
1. Self-Storage Units
Self-storage units are basic and budget-friendly. They suit everyday items that can handle regular temperatures—like furniture, equipment or business inventory.
If items can handle regular temperatures, they’ll be fine in self-storage. Common items unsuitable for self-storage units include:
- Electronics
- Musical instruments
- Important papers or documents
At Store Safe, here’s our pricing for non-climate control storage units:
- 5×10′ – $79.00
- 10×10′ – $105.00
- 10×15′ – $139.00
- 10×20′ – $190.00
Things to Consider:
- Storage Size: Choosing the right size depends on the volume of items you need to store. For example, a 5×10′ unit is typically suitable for small furniture pieces, boxes, and small appliances or equipment, while a 10×20′ unit can accommodate the contents of an entire home, including large furniture and appliances.
- Security: Look for features like cameras, solid fences, and keypad entry.
- Accessibility: Check what hours the storage company offers for access to your unit.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Don’t use these for electronics or artwork. Heat, cold, or humidity can fry circuits or warp frames.
- Environmental Impact: These units use less energy than climate-controlled ones.
2. Climate-Controlled Storage
Extreme heat, cold, or moisture can warp wood, fry circuits, or ruin musical instrument strings.
Climate-controlled storage units maintain steady temperature and humidity—ideal for sensitive items like wooden furniture, electronics, artwork, tax records, or musical instruments.
These units cost more because they require constant temperature and humidity regulation, which means running HVAC systems, dehumidifiers, and insulation upgrades.
At Store Safe, here’s our pricing for climate-controlled storage units:
- 5×10′ – $89.00
- 10×10′ – $125.00
- 10×15′ – $175.00
- 10×20′ – $230.00
- 10×25′ – $275.00
- 15×20′ – $330.00
Things to Consider
- Cost: Prepare to spend more because climate control uses energy to keep items at a certain temperature.
- Security: Same as self-storage units, look for features like cameras, solid fences, and keypad entry.
- Duration: If you plan to store your belongings for several months or years, a climate-controlled unit is the best choice. It provides long-term protection against weather-related damage, ensuring your valuables remain in good condition over time.
- Environmental Impact: Running heat or AC increases the carbon footprint. You can ask about energy-efficient units to ease the load.
- Accessibility: Indoor units require more steps to access than regular options.
3. Portable Storage Units
Portable storage units bring convenience.
The storage company delivers the unit, you fill it, and they manage the rest. You can keep it at your location or have it transported to their secure facility.
Costs depend on the unit size, how long you need it, what kind of storage, and transport fees, typically higher upfront than fixed units. This storage option is ideal if you’re moving to a new house, renovating your living room, or need temporary storage for a few weeks.
Things to Consider
- Space: Ensure you have enough room at home—like a driveway or yard—for the unit. Portable storage units come in different sizes depending on your needs. A 16ft unit is spacious enough to store large furniture, household belongings, or construction materials. Measure your space and evaluate how much you need to store before selecting a unit size.
- Cost: Delivery and pickup raise the initial cost. But for short-term needs, it’s cheaper than renting a truck or making multiple trips. You save time and hassle.
- Portability: Need storage now and move later? You can just load it once, then send it wherever—your new place or our facility within a 30-mile radius of our Halls/Maynardville Pike location.
- Environmental Impact: Moving the unit burns fuel, which increases emissions. If you want to keep it greener, store it on-site or cut the travel distance.
3 Crucial Factors to Choosing the Right Storage
1. What Are You Storing?
Start by looking at your items. Are they delicate or temperature-sensitive? Do they require minimal care? Do you need to move them often?
- Self-storage covers goods that require minimal care—like your camping tent or a plastic bin of decorations.
- Climate-controlled units are for delicate and temperature-sensitive things—like artwork that fades or electronics that can’t handle dampness.
- Portable units are ideal for moving your items..
Matching the storage to your stuff keeps it safe and saves you headaches.
2. How Often Will You Need Access?
If you need easy access, self-storage or a portable unit is ideal. It’s fast and simple.
If you rarely need your items, climate-controlled units are best. They often require more steps to access than self-storage.
They’re great for long-term peace of mind.
3. Budget Considerations
- Self-storage costs around $79-$200 per month—depending on size.
- Climate-controlled costs around $89–$350 monthly—also depending on size.
- Portable units depend on size, duration, and delivery fees.
Ask yourself: How long will you store? A few weeks or a year? Will a small unit do, or do you need a big one? Factor in extras like security or delivery—they add value but increase the price.
Choose a Storage Facility with High Standards
You’ve got the scoop on storage options—now it’s time to make your move.
Assess your items and situation first. If possible, pack items with protective wraps and add labels before storing. Bubble wrap protects fragile items, and labels help you find things later. Otherwise, you risk damaging your item.
Visit storage facilities to check things like cleanliness, security, and units. At Store Safe Storage, we maintain the highest standards in cleanliness, security, and storage units.
If you want your items to be well-cared for with a good discount, contact Store Safe Storage today and get started with 50% off the 1st month!