Allsafe Self Storage - Alameda, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, San Leandro

How to Find a Cheap Storage Unit Near You

Debbie Kuo | April 13, 2023

If your home is bursting at the seams or you’re overwhelmed with clutter, you’re not alone. One-third of Americans are struggling to fit all of their belongings in their living space.

But with so many options out there, how do you find a storage space that’s affordable and convenient?

If you’ve already asked yourself these 12 essential questions, here are the next four steps you need to take to find an affordable storage space:

Find the Right Unit Size to Fit Your Storage Needs
Find the Best Storage Price
Check for Specials and Discounts
Consider the Location
Let’s dive in.

Find the Right Unit Size to Fit Your Storage Needs

Step 1 - Determine Your Storage Needs

Start by figuring out what size of storage unit you need to narrow down your search and help you find an affordable storage space. To find out, ask yourself these four questions:

1. What do you need to store?

Make a list of everything you plan to store. This includes:

Furniture
Appliances
Boxes
Miscellaneous items

Be as detailed as possible. If possible, sort by size.

2. How much space do you need?

Take some measuring tape and measure the length, width, and height of all the largest items on your list.

3. What’s the total volume of your belongings?

Now that you have a list of your items and their dimensions, you can estimate the total volume (length x width x height) of your belongings.

4. Do you need a short-term or a long-term storage rental?

Consider your storage needs going forward. If you plan to store more items in the future, you might want to choose a bigger unit to avoid having to move units later down the road.

If you need a temporary, or short-term, storage rental, your belongings can fit more snugly into the space.

Check out more tips on how to choose the perfect unit here.

Step 2 - Choose the Storage Unit Size

Now that you have the volume of your belongings and you know if you will need a temporary or a long-term rental, you can find the storage unit size that best suits your needs.

We offer affordable storage units of all sizes. Take a look at this chart to see if you’ll need a small, medium, or large unit:

Credit: https://www.move.org/what-size-storage-unit/

Here’s an idea of what you can fit in each size:

Small Units

5x5 or 25 sq. ft.

Small mini-storage units are a great solution for people who have limited space in their homes. They can accommodate items like sports equipment, garden tools, and boxes. In a 5x5 storage unit, you can store:

A small closet's worth of belongings
A desk and chair
A few boxes
Instruments (You may want to look for a climate-controlled unit to protect instruments.)

Temporary mini-storage rentals are especially popular among college students on summer vacation.They’re also a convenient option for accountants, lawyers, and medical offices for document storage.

AAA Boat & Mini Storage in 109 Soda Bay Rd Lakeport, CA 95453

5x10 or 50 sq. ft.

Think of this storage unit as equivalent to a walk-in closet. Items that you can store in a 5x10 storage unit include:

A bed or couch
A bicycle or two
Several boxes
A dresser or bookshelf
Small kitchen appliances

This unit size is ideal for those who need a short-term storage rental for the contents of a one-bedroom or studio apartment.

Medium Units

10x10 or 100 sq. ft.

A 10x10 storage unit is roughly equivalent to a small bedroom and can hold furniture from a large living room, two compact bedrooms, a small apartment, or an office. Big items that you can store in a 10x10 storage unit include:

A sectional sofa
A dining table with chairs
A queen-sized bed
A dresser or bookshelf

This unit size is the most commonly booked as a long-term storage rental and can accommodate the contents of a typical two-bedroom apartment.

10x15 or 150 sq. ft.

This storage unit is a medium-sized space that can typically accommodate the contents of a one-bedroom home or apartment. Some items that can be stored in a 10x15 storage unit include:

A sofa set
A dining table with chairs
A king-sized bed
A refrigerator
A washing machine

While this size could fit small boats, motorcycles, and other recreational vehicles, it's important to note that car and boat storage typically have specific requirements, so it's best to confirm with your facility before booking a unit for that purpose. At Cubix Storage, our facilities offer storage for your motor vehicle needs, we’re happy to help find the right unit for you.

Large Units

10x20 or 200 sq. ft.

This storage unit is roughly the size of a one-car garage. It can hold the contents of a two- to three-bedroom house and works great as a long-term storage rental for small businesses.Examples of items that can be stored in a 10x20 storage unit include:

A large couch
A king-sized bed and frame
A dining room set
A refrigerator
A washer/dryer

This size can also store trucks, small RVs, and trailers, but as always, it’s best to confirm with the facility before booking a unit for that purpose.

10x25 and 10x30 or 250-300 sq. ft.

These units can accommodate the contents of a loaded van or all the furniture from a large house, or serve as inventory storage for a business. This unit size can also fit one or two cars, a shorter boat, and multiple large appliances.Due to their larger size, these units are less common and may not be available at all storage facilities.

For additional help, you can use a visual size guide to help you choose the right unit.

Tip: Keep in mind that most storage units are about 8 feet tall, so you might not be able to fit anything 2-3 feet taller than you.

Find the Best Storage Price

Now that you may have an idea of the size storage unit you need, you can start comparing the prices of different storage facilities.

Tip: Remember the apples-to-apples rule: Only compare storage unit prices with the same dimensions and amenities.

Research Multiple Facilities

To start, search “storage space near me,” “storage units near me,” or “cheap storage units near me” in your search engine to find local facilities and their prices.

Compare the Costs

Make a list of three to five different self-storage facilities that you like, and check out the process for getting a quote from each. You’ll find that many facilities include administrative fees and insurance fees at the end of the online rental process.

Compare Features

Are you storing expensive items or items that are weather sensitive? If so, keep an eye out for storage spaces near you that offer different features like:

Climate control
Wine storage with humidity control
Security systems
Clean indoor storage units
Insurance ($5,000 personal property coverage)
Some of these features can add to the cost of a unit, but it could be worth the expense to protect your belongings depending on what you’re storing.

Read Reviews

Now that you’ve got your list, read some reviews!

This will give you an idea of the quality of service and experience of past customers. This way, you know if the price is worth it. Try to use these reviews to narrow it down to two or three options.

Tip: A good rule of thumb is to look for facilities with at least a 4-star rating. Check for comments on the facility's cleanliness, security, and customer service. Keep an eye out for reviews that mention specific problems, like pest infestations, break-ins, or billing issues. If you see a bunch of reviews mentioning the same issue, it's probably a red flag.

Check for Specials and Discounts

So, you have your list narrowed down. You’ve read some reviews. Maybe you’ve even got one you really like.

But keep in mind: Many storage facilities offer discounted rates, $1 move-in for the first month or free moving truck rentals for new customers. But where can you find great deals?

The Facility's Website

Do the facilities have any current specials or promotions? Comb through the website to see if any deals apply to the specific unit size you need.

Discounts for You

If the website doesn't have any current specials listed, try calling! Some have specials that are not listed on their website. When you call, ask about:

Referral Programs: Some facilities offer referral programs where you can earn a discount on your rent by referring a friend or family member.
Multi-Month Prepay Programs: Some facilities allow you to pay multiple months in advance at a discounted rate.
Military or Veteran Discounts
Student Discounts
Senior Discounts
First Responder Discounts
Consider the Location

The location of the storage facility can affect the price.

A facility that’s five to ten miles away will cost you more in gas and time than one that’s in your neighborhood.

On the other hand, facilities located in metropolitan areas or near highways may charge more than those that are in the suburbs.

So, how do you choose the perfect location? Consider these things.

Convenience

Choose a location that is convenient for you to access when you need to get items from your storage unit.

If you plan on visiting your storage unit a lot, choose a location that is closer to your home or workplace.

Drive-up storage units provide the most convenience when it comes to accessing your storage space. These units allow you to drive your vehicle right up to the unit itself, simplifying the process of moving large and heavy items.

If you don't need frequent access to your unit, consider a facility in a less expensive area. Additionally, you could choose an indoor storage space in a higher level of the facility, as they tend to be more affordable.

Safety

Choose a storage facility that is in a safe area with proper security measures, like:

24/7 Surveillance cameras
Gated access
Adequate lighting
On-site resident manager

Climate

Choose a location that offers climate-controlled storage units if you are storing items that are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes like:

Electronics
Wine
Artwork
Instruments

Access Hours

Does your local storage facility have convenient hours for you?

Be sure to choose a location that has access hours that are compatible with your schedule.

Find the Cheap Storage Unit Near You

And there you have it! Four easy steps to finding a cheap storage unit near you. By accurately determining your storage needs, searching for the best price, double-checking for specials, and comparing locations, you can save yourself some serious cash.

Don't forget to do thorough research and read reviews before making a final decision.

And if you need some extra help or have any questions, we’re here for you. Give us a call today to start storing and enjoying your space again.

Happy storing!

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*Only applies to rental fee. Taxes, and fees, including an administrative fee, may still apply. Offer is for select units, subject to availability, and only applies to new customers (not transfers or additional units). Offer and pricing are subject to change and a reservation is required to guarantee price. Online pricing only applies to online reservations and rentals. Unit sizes are approximate and may vary from size estimate listed. Please inspect unit prior to finalizing rental. See Terms of Use