What Are The Disadvantages Of Self Storage?

Disadvantages of traditional self storage include inconvenience of location, unexpected costs or potential damage of items over time.

Self storage can be a convenient way of storing items both temporarily and for long-term storage; however, there are certain drawbacks to be aware of. 

If you’re looking to benefit from the advantages of self storage, without the disadvantages, consider a more flexible storage solution like storage by the box. 

At The Box Co., we offer flexible, affordable storage solutions. We handle all the heavy lifting and transport for you, as well as insurance included per box. And, we maximise convenience - by picking your items up and dropping them directly back to your door as soon as you need them. 

Contact us today for a quote!

What Are The Main Disadvantages of Self Storage?

Here, we break down the main disadvantages of traditional self storage in the UK: 

High cost

There are many costs to consider when looking to contract self storage for your items. Most traditional self storage companies charge a fixed monthly rate. These can seem low at first but, depending on how long you’re storing your items, can soon add up. Some storage companies offer discounted rates for long-term storage; however, if you don’t know how long you want to store your items, this lacks flexibility. 

Watch out for additional fees as these can quickly make storage solutions expensive. Be sure to check inclusions and see if there are extra fees for climate controlled units, insurance for your storage or security features (such as surveillance or limited access). These can increase the overall cost significantly. 

If you’re storing your items over a longer period of time, look out for rising rates; some storage companies may decide to increase their rates periodically. This should be stated in the contract so always read the small print before signing.

Before deciding, explore cheaper solutions like by-the-box storage where you only pay for what you store - rather than an entire storage unit.

Accessibility 

The location of your storage is an important factor. If you’re looking to regularly access your items, you’ll probably want to choose a location close by. 

However, if you live in an inner-city area or near a major city, such as London, Birmingham or Manchester, you could get hit with higher rates - just due to the location.

That said, you also don’t want to choose a location far from home as that will make it highly inconvenient if you need to pick up your stuff. You could end up saving money from location but paying for it with transport costs or wasted time.

If you want to access your items whenever you want, you should also consider that not all storage facilities offer 24/7 access. Many have specific operating hours, only allowing you to access your belongings within certain times.

Damage over time

There is a risk of damage over time when you put your items in self-storage. One of the biggest risk factors is environmental damage. Storage units need proper climate control in order to adequately protect stored items over time. For example, humidity, extreme temperatures or unusual weather events could damage items, if not properly protected. 

Insurance is essential for making sure your items are looked after and covered in unexpected circumstances. Look for storage companies that include insurance as part of their costs - rather than getting hit with an additional fee later.

Forgotten items

If you put your items into storage, there’s always the risk that you’ll forget about them over time. This could mean that you end up paying for space that you no longer need.

Over time, you may find that you don’t think about the items in storage and have adjusted to life without them. This means that you need to handle ending the contract and moving the items either to sell, donate or sell them.

Abandoning a storage unit because you no longer use it can impact your credit rating and have negative ramifications for your future.

Security risks

Whenever you store items externally, you are putting your trust in the hands of a third party and whatever accidents or events may occur. Before putting your items in storage, check what security measures the storage company has - such as cameras and surveillance - to make sure that your items are going to be secure.

Even the most secure storage facilities pose risk of theft, damage or vandalism so always check what your insurance covers.

What to Look For With Self Storage

If you’re looking for self-storage and want to avoid the disadvantages, make sure your storage solutions offer:

Convenience 

Choose a storage unit that is local to you or a storage service that offers pick-up and delivery for maximum convenience. Some storage companies can pick your items up and drop them back to your door, meaning that all the heavy lifting is covered and no money or time is wasted travelling to the storage unit.

Affordability 

One of the biggest disadvantages of self storage is the accumulated costs over time so look for storage solutions with low monthly rates. Check for inclusions in price (such as security, insurance and climate-controlled facilities) so you don’t get caught out with additional costs.

Security

You want your items to be safe - whether you’re just storing temporarily or seeking a long-term solution. Make sure that the storage solution you choose offers security features including cameras and surveillance.

Insurance 

Keeping your items protected is a main priority when seeking storage solutions. Before contracting external storage, look at what your homeowners insurance does and doesn’t cover. Also check if the storage solution you are choosing comes with insurance included.

Tailored Storage Solutions with The Box Co. 

Say goodbye to the disadvantages of traditional storage solutions with The Box Co. We offer flexible solutions to suit your needs. 

Unlike traditional self storage, we only charge you for what you store - no need to pay for an entire unit, just by the box storage starting from £3.56 per month. We also offer maximum convenience - there’s no need for heavy lifting or a man with a van - we move items from A to B for you, picking up your items and dropping them back to you whenever you need.

And, rest easy knowing your items are safe - with strict access controls, 24/7 surveillance, climate-controlled facilities and insurance for every box you store with us.

Whether you need business storage or student storage, temporary solutions or long-term storage, we have a solution for you. Get a quote today!