Common questions about self-storage units

What CAN’T I Store in a Storage Unit?

 

Self-storage has become a booming industry in recent years. More people want ways to store their items, so they don’t have to toss them out. They also want to be able to be the only people accessing their belongings.

One thing to keep in mind is that your storage unit is not one of your belongings. There are rules that you need to follow in terms of how you use it. In fact, one of the most common questions about self-storage units is what you can and can’t store in them.

Here’s what you need to know about the different types of storage units and storage unit rules.

Dangerous or Illegal Items

Firstly, storing your things that were obtained illegally is against the rules of your storage unit. This includes anything that was stolen or purchased through illegal means.

Firearms and Ammunition also cannot be kept in a storage unit. These items must be stored in appropriately certified locations.

Perishables

Another type of item you’ll want to keep out of your storage unit are perishables. A perishable item is anything that can go bad over time, which includes food. Not only will this mean your items will get ruined, but it also violates storage unit safety.

Rotten items lead to foul odours, mould, and even unwanted vermin. Keep perishables at home or only store them for a very limited amount of time using a freezer.

Perishables also cover plants of any description. These also attract infestation and require light to live.

Storage Limitations

You should also keep in mind the limitations of whatever storage unit you invest in.

Smaller-sized units are great for seasonal items, but you won’t be able to store large furniture or electronics. Much larger storage space will cost more but accommodate much larger items.

In addition, whether your unit has humidity and temperature control or not, will affect the types of items you can store. Musical instruments, wine, and antiques are some of the various things that will get ruined over time if left in warm and humid conditions.

Living in a Storage Unit

One of the most important storage unit rules is that you can’t store any living animals or pets in it. That also goes for human beings.

Some individuals like to take advantage of the low cost of storage space to house themselves between leases. While it’s fine to store items when you’re moving from one place to another, you aren’t allowed to spend nights in your unit.

Common Questions About Self-Storage Units Answered

You may still have some common questions about self-storage units, such as whether electrical appliances are allowed, or if there is sufficient pest control. Make sure to call your local storage facility to find out more about their capabilities and how you can prepare your items.

Access Mini Storage Ltd. is one of your best options for storing seasonal equipment or excess inventory in Chilliwack. You’ll also benefit from our video surveillance, alarmed units, and cylinder locks.

 

 

Self-Storage Chilliwack: Why It’s a Good Solution for Business Expansion

As a small business owner, there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing you’re outgrowing your current premises. But with that comes a new level of stress in accommodating this business growth. 

If your business space is bulging at the seams, unable to accommodate inventory, supplies, furniture, or other items, you might want to consider commercial self-storage.

Many new businesses might not have the budget for larger premises, so here’s why a self-storage unit is a great option.

Store Business Records, Files, and Paperwork

Any business owner will tell you that we still live in a ”paper world”, no matter how tech-reliant we’ve become. The fact of the matter is that business paperwork piles up fast.

Whether it’s client files, legal documents, data sheets, or paperwork related to human resources, it all adds up as the months tick over. If you find your storage cabinets can’t take the load anymore, it’s time to pack some paperwork into boxes and put them in storage

This is where a self-storage Chilliwack unit can help with your overflow and free up some space in those filing cabinets. It can also help to keep your workspace organized and clutter-free. 

Free up Room for an Office Renovation

Business expansion often goes hand-in-hand with hiring new staff members. If you need to open up your office space or create more designated work areas for new employees, renovation could be on the cards for you. 

After all, this is a far more affordable way of accommodating new staff than renting new, larger premises. 

Hiring a self-storage unit is a great way to remove items from your office and store them while you undergo your renovation. It offers a safe, dry, clean, and well-monitored space and ensures you have peace of mind that nothing is damaged throughout the office remodel. 

A Temporary Storage Solution for Seasonal Products

If you’re a business that rotates seasonal products or inventory, storage could quickly become an issue for you as you expand. Some of these products include store displays, ready-to-wear fashion, display clothing, equipment, etc.

A self-storage Chilliwack unit is a perfect answer to your storage needs when you’re not using these products and need to keep them somewhere safe, dry, warm, and accessible. 

Clear Your Premises of Large, Clunky Items

What do you do if you’re a business that operates or uses large pieces of equipment? Perhaps you’re a catering business that needs somewhere to store bulky cooking equipment. These types of items can take up huge amounts of space and are difficult to store neatly. 

If you don’t have the budget to rent out a store or warehouse, a self-storage unit is the ideal solution.

It’s a Flexible and Accessible Storage Option

Finally, one of the best things about hiring a self-storage unit is the flexibility. If you’re a business that’s just starting out and don’t want the responsibility of another commercial lease, a temporary storage unit is your best bet. 

Self-storage units allow you to pay for the period you need to use it, without tying you down. They’re also easily accessible, offering extensive access hours. This makes your life easier and more convenient as a business owner.  

Self-Storage Solutions are Just a Click Away

If the idea of a self-storage unit sounds like the perfect answer to your business expansion, Access Mini Storage has you covered. 

We are a locally-owned and operated business offering some of the best state-of-the-art self-storage units in Chilliwack. 

Here’s why you should choose us to help you grow your business. 

apartment with boxes for storage

Reasons to Get a Storage Unit if You Live in an Apartment

One of the perils of apartment living is the small space. Many apartments are just large enough for the furniture of its tenants. Storage is a commodity for apartment dwellers.

If it feels like you’ve grown out of your apartment or need more space, a storage unit might be the solution you’re looking for. Here are just a few reasons to get a unit from Access Mini Storage.

Lack of Space

It’s something everyone who lives in an apartment faces. Whether you’re in a tiny studio or living in a two-bedroom with a roommate, storage space is at a premium.

The lack of space is a large concern for apartment living, and it leaves many people wondering how to fit all their belongings. Renting a storage unit while apartment living will provide you with extra storage space for items you don’t use daily. Extra furniture, clothes, or seasonal decorations are ideal candidates for storage lockers until they’re needed.

You’re Downsizing

If you’re going from a house to an apartment, your storage space is going to be cut in half. Whether it’s a temporary or permanent move, everything from your home won’t be able to find a place in your new apartment. Downsizing your space is where a storage locker can come in handy.

Self-storage allows you to keep your excess furniture and boxes from the basement safe while you settle into your new space. Keeping your nonessential items in storage can help make the moving process a little less stressful. Once you have moved in, you can assess what items you want to take back to your apartment, keep in storage, or get rid of.

Use Your Storage Unit for New Hobbies

Small apartments don’t offer a lot of space for living, let alone having a space for hobbies. Storage units don’t just have to be for keeping unneeded items out of the way. You can use your storage unit to house your hobby or supplies for your small business.

Storing office equipment, art supplies or musical instruments are just some ways you can utilize the extra space. This would be great for small business owners or for people whose hobbies take up more space than their apartment can handle.

Moving to a New City

When you’re relocating, sometimes it takes a little time to find your permanent residence. Or maybe your new apartment is smaller than your previous one, and you need somewhere to put the items that don’t fit. It can also help move some items into a storage locker while you settle into your new city.

Let Us Help You Find The Perks

A storage unit can prove to be a great asset when you live in an apartment. Whether you’re using it traditionally for storage or creatively as a new place to house hobbies, self-storage is a great option.

Contact Access Mini Storage  to help you pick out the storage locker that will be right for your needs in Chilliwack. Short term and long term leases are available at our three convenient locations. Check out our blog for more storage tips.

 

10x25 storage unit illustration

The Perfect Storage Size To Fit Your Needs

Is your business in need of simple storage solutions, but isn’t quite ready to commit to a warehouse? Do you have more furniture than you know what to do with? If either of these sounds familiar, it might be time to look into self storage options in the Chilliwack area. However, once you’ve decided that it’s time to rent out a storage locker, you still need to figure out what size is ideal for your situation. At Access Mini Storage, we have storage units in a variety of sizes. Here’s a comprehensive guide that will illustrate what size of storage locker is perfect for your situation.

Small units
Small storage units measure between 5’x5′ and 5×10′. This is roughly the size of a large walk-in closet. These types of storage units are ideal for storing everyday items that just don’t quite fit in your house anymore. Boxes of old photos, clothing, seasonal items, old books, records, camping equipment and sometimes even small pieces of furniture. It’s the perfect solution for anyone with extra belongings they want to keep.

Medium units
Medium storage units measure between 10’x10′ and 10’x15′. That is to say, roughly the size of your average living room. These units can fit anywhere between 100 and 300 boxes (depending on their size). This makes them perfect for storing old business records that you just don’t have room for in the office anymore. They can also be used to store old computers, printers, copiers and cabinets that your business doesn’t use anymore.

Large units
Now we’re getting serious: large storage units measure anywhere from 10’x20′ to 10’x25′. That is to say, they measure roughly the same size as a three or four bedroom home. These units are ideal for both personal and business storage needs. If you find yourself with extra patio furniture, baby cribs, multiple mattresses or large household appliances (dryers, washing machines, refrigerators, etc.), a large storage unit can comfortably accommodate your needs. On the business side of things, you can store all your office records along with desks, conference tables, work equipment, cubicles and even pieces of inventory. It’s the perfect option to go in lieu of renting out a small warehouse.

You might be wondering: how much is it to rent a storage unit? Call us today at Access Mini Storage and get a quote. In addition to the self-storage unit itself, we can also provide all the packing supplies you need. Visit us here for more information regarding our Chilliwack units.

Access Mini Storage Vedder Location

Paying For My Storage Unit

If you’ve never rented a storage unit before, you might not know exactly what goes into the process. At Access Mini-Storage Ltd., we’re here to tell you that it’s easier and more cost effective than you might expect. It’s so easy, in fact, that once you’ve moved all the excess clutter from your attic into a storage unit, you’ll probably wonder why you hadn’t taken advantage of one earlier.

How much does a storage unit cost?
There are several costs that go into renting a storage unit, and at Access Mini-Storage we’re committed to total transparency on billing with our customers. With us there will be no unexpected or hidden costs to your storage unit. First, you should take into account upfront costs that go to packing supplies and the initial renting of the self-storage unit at our Chilliwack facility. After that there’s a simple monthly charge, unless your storage needs change. The exact monthly cost will depend on what size unit you rent.

What does that cost include?
When you rent a heated storage unit at our Chilliwack facility, you get state-of-the-art security that ensures only you can access your possessions. We have security cameras, onsite managers, and temperature controls to ensure that your stuff will be in the same condition no matter when you decide you need it again. All our units are individually alarmed with several redundant security systems including physical locks to each unit that only our customers have the key to as well as security access codes at the entrance to our gated property.

What kinds of payment plans are available?
At Access Mini-Storage Ltd., we offer pre-authorized payment plans that help everyone get the storage they need at a price they can afford. All our customers should also consider insurance for their stored possessions. Although we do everything possible to keep your items safe and secure, only our customers have direct access to the objects so we are not responsible for any damage that occurs to the items within the units.

If you’re in need of packing supplies or self-storage service options, contact us today at our Chilliwack facility. At Access Mini-Storage Ltd., we’re committed to customer service. That means we’ll do whatever we can to make sure that you have a great experience at a great price.