Even after paring down belongings, there may be times when there is still too much to store in your client’s home, especially if he or she is going through a transition. My guest blogger today, Margot McClelland, provides some helpful tips for those times when you need to recommend a self-storage unit.
Many consumers in the United States simply have too many things. These consumers don’t have the time in their busy lives to manage all their excess stuff; they let their houses and lives become cluttered, and they lose sight of personal organizational skills. This is why they need professional organizers – you offer expertise in clutter removal.
As organizing consultants, you help people detach from things they don’t use, and send those things to charities or throw them out. This part of the job is fun, but trying to organize stuff that your client wants to keep can be tricky. When a client wants to keep things that won’t fit in their living space, they often get a cheap self-storage. Recommending a storage unit for one of your clients can be difficult, so let me give you some background information on storage units and what to look for when searching for one.
The Self Storage Association discloses that 86% of all self-storage units internationally are available to people in the U.S. Moreover, around 10% of all Americans utilize self-storage facilities. The amount Americans consume is directly correlated to these figures. American consumers end up owning a lot of stuff – more than any other countries. It began during the time of the Industrial Revolution when an array of goods became within reach of the masses at lowered prices. So, individuals in the U.S. started to consume more. When they did, the economy flourished, paychecks gradually went up, and people began to consume even more. In the 21st century, Americans are consuming a lot and have a great need for self-storage facilities.
If your client comes to you asking how to get a storage unit, start researching immediately to ensure you find the absolute best storage unit for their possessions. There are going to be a lot of storage options. DO NOT PICK THE FIRST ONE THAT LOOKS GOOD. Keep in mind that every self-storage business is unique. Some may charge exorbitant expenses for features your client does not need. You can use web aggregators like SelfStorage.com to search for storage companies and compare prices.
Price is obviously a major concern, but you should also consider location and amenities offered. Ask yourself if your client will want a storage unit near their job or where they live. Don’t limit your search to one geographic area. Search a large area to find the best results. Amenities like 24-hour access may cost a tad bit more, but it can be worth their while. With 24-hour access, your client’s possessions will be available to them at any time of the day or night, which can save them the burden of waiting if they would like access to something immediately.
Consider how big or small they would like their storage unit to be. Across the board, size is the variable that affects costs the most. The smallest units are usually the least expensive, and the largest units are usually the priciest. If the budget only allows for the cost of a small unit, recommend that they dispose of some of their possessions or try to find space for them in their house.
Many people find that the best way to save money on self-storage is to find promotions. Some companies will offer to eliminate the first monthly payment. Others will discount the first couple of payments.
Once you’ve conducted an adequate amount of research, you can make the proper recommendation to your client. Remember to assess beforehand what your client really needs. If you keep the abovementioned guidelines in mind, you can’t go wrong.
Margot is a guest post writer on the subjects of homes and lifestyles.
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As a Professional Organizer, I did some work for a Self Storage place. Couldn’t wait to ask the owner about the contents of the units that were abandoned. The answer was that most of what was stored was simply junk that went to the dump after abandonment.
I can understand short-term storage, but long-term is usually a waste of money, and prolongs the inevitable sorting and disposing anyway.
I agree with you, Moreen, but I can think of a few occasions where self-storage would be the smart solution:
1 – Two people each have their own apartment and decide to get married and/or move in together. They plan to buy a house but for now will share one apartment. In the house, they’ll need most of the furniture, but right now they don’t have space for it.
2 – People are moving from House A to House B. For whatever reason, House B will not be available when they move out of House A, so they’ll be staying temporarily in a hotel or with friends. Stuff needs to be stored in the meantime.
3 – Young person moves away from home to attend college or university and rents a house or apartment with some other students, requiring him to buy some furniture. Upon graduation, he moves back home. He doesn’t need the furniture he purchased while he’s at home, but will want it again when he gets his own place.
Of course, you can only advise your clients; you can’t force them to do anything, so if they insist on long-term storage, at least you can help them choose the best facility!
Read Janet Barclay’s post: Book Review: The Other Side of Organized