|
|
|
|
by Janet Groene Too much happened at once. We were building a new house 150 miles away for ourselves with an apartment for Mother, selling two houses and trying to shrink two households and a workshop to fit our new, Lilliput lifestyle. We just didn’t have the time or energy to get rid of 30 years of accumulation that quickly. Dragging your feet is sometimes an emotional decision. It just hurts too much to get rid of everything all at once. Sometimes it’s financially wise to keep things for six months or a year before deciding what to sell, keep or discard. Other retirees put their things in storage so they can travel for a year or two before settling down. In any case, a storage unit can be a lifeline when you’re going through a major lifestyle change. After a year away from our “stuff” we took a fresh look and were surprised at how some things meant more to us than before while others meant nothing at all. Is renting a storage unit the answer for you? Sure, you might store things in your daughter’s attic or your brother’s basement but there are pitfalls. If there is a fire, or if your daughter decides to move across the country, things get messy. There is no substitute for safe, climate-controlled, insured, professional storage. Storage units are available throughout most of the country these days and, if you get a “pod”-type unit, it can be parked almost anywhere. Here’s what to look for and look out for. See the Facility Can you back a car or trailer right up to the door? How wide and high is the door? What barriers exist to easy access? You may pay less per month for a second- or third-floor unit, especially if the building has no elevator. How about quick access when you want to retrieve only one or two items? Some self-storage units are accessible 24/7. Some keep banker’s hours. Moving and storage companies will pick up furniture and cartons, store them in a loft and deliver them to a new address when you’re ready. However you have no access to the goods at all in the meantime. Read the Contract Better still, especially if valuables are involved, have a lawyer read it for you. Know who is responsible for, and liable for, what. Insurance is a Must Talk to several insurers. The storage company may offer a policy but it may not be the wisest or cheapest for your needs. Pest Protection Depending on the location of the unit, it may have a problem with termites, bedbugs, mice, rats, or roaches. The more separate your unit and the better the firewall between your goods and your neighbor’s, the safer your possession will be. In open, warehouse-type facilities dust and grit are inevitable. Some companies will shrink wrap for a fee. If not, cover everything. Security Know whether security is human, electronic or both. How good is the fence or gate? Do you buy your own padlock or use theirs? What kind of neighborhood surrounds the facility? Payment Automatic deduction from your bank account is convenient but not everyone is comfortable with this option. If you don’t want to be billed monthly, ask for a discount for paying six months or a year in advance. Atmosphere, Electricity How is the lighting? In one New Jersey storage facility, units have a single bulb that goes off automatically after an hour. Then it has to be reset. No cords or plug-ins are permitted. If the building doesn’t offer central heat and air, can you plug in your own dehumidifier? Before storing anything in a unit that isn’t climate controlled, make sure there are no liquids that can leak or freeze and burst. Fabrics and upholstery should cleaned and dried thoroughly before storing. Even so, mildew and rot will be a problem after a few months in a hot, humid climate unless you can air condition or dehumidify. Sample Prices These rates from nationwide franchises are just a sample. Rates vary greatly according to the region, time of year and supply-demand. Locally, the cost for a Public Storage 5 X 5-foot first floor space ranges from $38-$58, with an initial processing fee of $22 plus tax. Climate controlled units will cost more. First month and long-term rental rate reductions are offered at some locations. In South Florida, a first-floor, 5 X 5-foot, air conditioned space costs $89 a month plus a one-time start-up fee of about $25. The same company offers a second floor, 20 X 17-foot space with a roll-up door in an air-conditioned building with an elevator for $525 monthly. In Southern California a 8 X 20-foot outdoor parking space for a stored trailer costs $80 monthly; a drive-up 10 X 12-foot indoor storage space costs $221 monthly. Pods A Pod is a storage container that looks much like a garden shed. One side opens completely thanks to a roll-up door. It’s left in your yard, where you pack it and lock it. It’s then taken away and stored just as you left it. Rates vary considerably, but a typical price for an 8 X 8 X 12-foot Pod, delivered to your house in the Minneapolis area, is $233. Storage costs about $140 a month and re-delivery in the same area is about $83. Re-delivery to other regions is available at added cost. Note that you need a place where it can be parked while you pack it (zoning laws may limit parking to a few hours) and again when you unpack it. The company doesn’t serve every community, so make sure service is available in both the starting place and the place you want the Pod to end up. Free quotes are available at pods.com or 866-767-7637. Janet Groene is an expert in downsizing. Her books include Creating Comfort Afloat and Living Aboard Your RV.
|
Too Much Stuff?