Tired of all the stuff in your house but can’t bear to throw the items out? De-clutter and give yourself more breathing room by renting out a storage unit. Before you rework your budget to make room for this new monthly expense, do your research and follow these tips from Jim Neill, owner of C & S Storage in Pullman, Washington. Read the Contract Storage companies differ on what they will allow you to store. Some, for example, will not allow cars. Such restrictions will be stated in the contract. Other rights, like when the lien process starts should you fall behind in payment, will also be spelled out in the contract, so examine the document carefully before signing. “The law says the account is past due after 45 days but we give our customers up to 90 days,” says the Pullman storage expert. “We are lenient because we know a lot of people have lost their jobs over the last year. We have even set up customers with payment plans.” Consider Flexibility Some facilities are open 24/7. Others are open during business hours only after setting up an appointment. Ask yourself how often you will need to access the items in storage. During what hours you are most likely to make the trip? Can you plan ahead enough to make an appointment, or do you require more flexibility? Neill, who has been in the Pullman self storage industry for 25 years, recommends visiting your unit once a month to make sure everything remains in good condition. Monthly visits may also spur you to start unloading some of these items. After all, if you’ve been able to live without them for months at a time, perhaps it’s time to let them go. Look at Security Once you rent the unit, no else has access to it. Still, that doesn’t mean nothing ever disappears. Find out what kind of security the facility provides. Is there a gate with a keypad? Are there any on-site personnel? “Our facility is fenced on three sides, and one side runs up against a cliff, but what makes us different from the competition is that our manager lives on site with her family,” says the Pullman storage business owner. “They are on site 24 hours.” Further secure your belongings with a sturdy lock that closes right up to the latch “so no bolt cutter can get in between them,” recommends Neill, whose family-owned business also specializes in Pullman moving supplies.
Jim Neill is the owner of
C & S Storage
520 NW Park St Pullman, WA 99163
Phone: 509-331-5015
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