Finding a safe, secure and affordable place to store your belongings has never been easier. Whether you are cleaning out your garage or storing your business inventory, chances are that you will be surprised at just how many facilities there are within a 20 mile radius of your home or office that can offer you a reasonable self storage quote for their services. Narrowing down your search to just a few of these companies and obtaining a self storage quote from each of them will assist you in making an informed decision that truly meets the needs of yourself and your family.

There are many ways of obtaining a self storage quote . One of the oldest and most tried and true methods of obtaining a self storage quote is to reach for your local phone book. You will find an address and phone number for each facility in your city or town and you can then set about the task of picking up the phone and calling those who seem most appropriate to you.

There are benefits as well as drawbacks when you are attempting to obtain a self storage quote out of the the phone book. The benefit is that you can actually talk to real live humans and get an idea of the type of establishment that you are dealing with based on how you feel you are being treated as a customer. The drawback is that you have to ask quite a few questions in order to get the self storage quote that you are looking for, and it can be really time consuming. There are so many listings that no one would want to sit and call them all. It would take way too long. Comparison shopping for a self storage quote is more time consuming when done this way, but it can bring great results.

If location is a factor and you need the facility to be within a short distance of your home or office, simply cruising around the neighborhood can usually turn up four or five potential candidates when you are looking for a self storage quote . When you find a place that looks promising, go on in and talk with the manager. Is he or she friendly? Do you feel like your questions are appreciated? Do they seem to want your business? Are they helpful? It is worth making a note as to the quality of service that you are experiencing. Chances are that if you feel like your business is important to them and that the safety of your possessions is paramount, then one self storage quote may be all that you need to feel comfortable renting. It is usually better, however, to get a self storage quote from at least two or three companies before making your decision.

If you have better things to do than drive around town all day shaking hands with managers and customer service representatives, then the Internet may be a more viable way of obtaining your self storage quote . Faster than you can say climate controlled facility, with just a few clicks of the mouse you can have a comprehensive listing of all of the websites of various facilities in your area or outside of it. You can find a self storage quote in Texas even if you live in California. The Internet makes it easy to obtain a self storage quote , compare rates and visit the various websites to find out just how each company will do its best to meet your needs.

Various search directories can be found online that can assist you in searching by city, town or zip code. You can compare prices on various unit sizes and even find out approximately how much stuff each unit will hold. The Internet has added so much in the way of convenience and information gathering that it is doubtful that you will find a more thorough way to obtain a self storage quote . In addition, many companies advertise web only specials and price reductions. Simply by mentioning their website advertisement, you could be saving even more money.
Chances are that you have friends or family members that utilize the services of a nearby facility for storing their belongings. When looking for a self storage quote , personal recommendations from people that you know can lead you in the right direction. After all, if your family members tout the great service and reputation of a particular company, why not trust that you will receive the same level of high quality service? When you do business with a company that you have been personally referred to by someone that you know, make sure that you tell the company that you have been referred and by whom. Companies take great pride in knowing that their clients say good things about them in their absence. Some companies may even offer a referral bonus.

Before you begin your search for a self storage quote , there are a few things that you may want to consider that could make your search easier. The more information you have up front about what your specific needs are, the better prepared you will be when asking questions in regards to getting a self storage quote . Why go all over the map, so to speak, just to get from point A to point B?

For instance, how much space do you actually need? Are you looking to store large items like furniture, mattresses or vehicles? Or do you require a smaller space that will adequately hold several boxes of documents, paperwork and things that are relatively condensed? If you are using the space for business inventory, you may want to allow for enough space to make a pathway right up the middle for ease of accessibility to those items. A good rule of thumb is to assume that your space will be filled to capacity. But it is better to have a little more space than you feel that you need than it is to not have enough space. It is a good idea to request a self storage quote for at least two consecutively sized units, just in case.

A standard size unit is approximately 5 feet wide by 10 feet deep usually reaching 8 feet high. Compare this to your typical walk in closet and you will get a general idea of how much a space this size can hold. Depending on your use of the space, you can gauge whether or not it will be large enough to suit your needs. Believe it or not, one can actually store the contents of a one bedroom apartment inside of a unit this small, though it does take quite a bit of maneuvering.

The next size up is a 10x15 foot space. This unit is large enough to hold the furnishings of a small two bedroom home or apartment, and the personal belongings as well. You may even be able to squeeze in a couple of major appliances such as a washer and dryer, if you are a methodical packer.

If you still feel like going bigger, you can bump up in size to a 10x20 foot, 200 square foot space. This is basically equivalent in size to a small one car garage. You can pack a lot of stuff in a space this size, or you can use it to generously store a vehicle or organize your business inventory. With this much room, you will not be worrying about not being able to get to your stored items, as there is usually enough room for you to get in and out of it with ease. Packed to capacity, this size unit can hold the entire contents of a small house including all appliances.
Still not enough room? For people with large amounts of possessions to store, a 10 X 25 foot unit may be warranted. This space works out to be about the size of a standard one car garage. It can store the contents of an entire two bedroom home with furnishings and appliances and still pack an automobile in there as well.

A 300 square foot, 10 X 30 unit will typically hold the contents of a 40 foot moving van. These suckers are big! Renting a space this size could give you enough room to store the entire contents of a three to four bedroom home, along with all of the appliances, as well as a car, truck or even a boat!

For storing for commercial use or construction materials, consider obtaining a self storage quote for a 12 X 30 foot space which will house 360 square feet of inventory, materials or equipment for your business. Based on your particular storing needs, a representative will be able to point you in the right direction when you contact them for a self storage quote .

Once you have considered space sizes, another consideration that you may want to address before obtaining a self storage quote is whether or not this will be a temporary or a permanent relationship. For instance, if you are remodeling your home and just need space for a month or so, you will want to let the representative know this right up front. If, however, you foresee renting on a long term basis, it is always wise to inform them at the outset. This gives the company an opportunity to gauge your needs and to let them know how to better address your concerns.
It is also helpful for you to go over your budget and determine exactly how much money you will be willing and able to pay on a continual basis.

Do this before you get your self storage quote . If you set your maximum price before you begin searching, you will not be inclined to go over your budget with companies that offer extras that you do not feel that you will need, but that sound good when you first hear about them.
For example, many companies offer climate controlled units, and they will attempt to upgrade you if they can. If you know your budget ahead of time and you determine that you want climate controlled space, you can find the best deal for you within the scope of what you are willing to pay. Why pay more money per month for video surveillance if you have nothing that needs that kind of watchful attention?

What is the most important to you? Is it location? Is it convenience? Is price the most important factor? Some people will pay extra for all of the bells and whistles, especially if they are storing valuable items like antiques or furs. Are you looking for climate control? Are you storing wine? Before you obtain your self storage quote, it is important to determine exactly what your needs are. Before you make your first phone call, have a general idea of what it is that you are looking for. This will save both you and the customer service representative time and expedite your answer finding process.

Once you have asked yourself some important questions such as

• How much stuff do you have?
• How much money are you willing to spend per month?
• What kinds of amenities and security measures will meet your needs?
• and How far are you willing to go to get to this facility?

you are ready to contact individual companies in search of your self storage quote . Many websites offer a comprehensive comparison search online that will determine which companies are best suited to your needs.

When contacting a company by phone for a self storage quote be polite, and expect the same kind of treatment from the representative that you are speaking with. If you find yourself on the telephone with someone who is unhelpful, vague, or uninterested in your business, do not waste your time or consider entrusting your possessions into their care. Having done your initial research ahead of time, you will be more familiar with what types of units are generally offered and how much space you may need.

Find out the rates for the sizes you are interested in and write them down. You may also ask about any monthly specials or promotions that they may be having at the moment that could save you even more cash. Find out whether or not you will have 24 hour access to your belongings in the event that you need to retrieve something during off hours. Ask the representative about the security measures that are offered to insure the safety and protection of your belongings. And of course, if you have specific needs, such as storing wine, antiques, furs or fine art, address these needs with the representative of each company that you contact. End the conversation by asking for the name and number of the person to whom you are speaking in case you have any further questions.

It is a good idea to call at least four or five different companies in search of your quotes. This gives you a wide range of choices and a better feel for the types of customer service that each company has to offer. Customer service is hugely important in developing a relationship with the people that you choose to do business with. Most companies know that effective customer service attracts clients for life, and ineffective customer service throws their business into a downward tailspin from which they may not recover.

Doing business with people who are actively engaged in meeting your needs feels better than just giving your money to a company that is desperate to win it over from their competitors. Choose the company that responds to you, the client, and does so with enthusiasm, respect and straight answers.

Once you have narrowed your choice down to two companies, visit the establishments and take a tour. You will be entrusting your possessions to them, after all, and you want to make sure that the units as well as the lobby and surrounding spaces are clean and inviting. Ask the representatives to give you a tour of the facility and explain its security features to you. Take a look inside several of the units and make sure that they are free of insects and rodent droppings and that they are clean and well maintained. Take notice of rat traps in corners, as this may indicate an infestation. Do not trust boxes of your personal items in the care of an establishment that can not get a handle on their critter problems.

Once you have toured a couple of facilities, choose with confidence and honor your choice. With just a little bit of effort and some good old fashioned common sense, you can easily obtain the services of a reputable, honest and client centered company whom you will be proud to do business with. And knowing that your belongings are will be secured and well taken care of is worth the time you will have taken to make an informed decision.