Everything is expensive. As the cost of living in the U.S. continues to rise, more and more people find themselves downsizing their lives to save money, which often includes the cost of renting a storage unit to help organize and save space. While storage units aren’t very pricey investments for the most part, you can save plenty of money on moving, storing, and renting if you know where to look.
Here are eight ways to cut costs on storage and make sure you get the best price when renting a unit!
1: Only store what you absolutely need to keep
Before you commit to renting a storage unit, figure out how much space you need. You can often save some money by getting a smaller unit, which means it’s worth going through everything you might need to store and figuring out what you can get rid of.
Items you can sell could net you a few extra dollars, and donating other items to Goodwill or other charity shops can qualify you for a tax write-off while helping you fit your items into a smaller unit.
2: Look into discounts
Self-storage is a competitive industry, and many providers offer discounts to help draw in new renters. Check the provider’s website to see if they offer any deals or coupons for new customers, which can range from 10 percent to 25 percent off a regular rental price. You may even get a month or two free, and even more if you happen to be a member of the military.
3: Use a storage marketplace like SpareFoot to compare prices in real time
Storage marketplaces like SpareFoot are a fast and easy way to compare storage unit prices near you or your desired location. This can save you time and money by finding all of the top storage facilities in your area, and enabling you to sort by price, amenities, and even storage unit size from one easy-to-use website.
4: Negotiate with facility management
In addition to discounts, some storage facilities are willing to haggle a bit in their competition for your business. It never hurts to ask for a better price; the worst they can say is no, and at best, you may end up with a lower rate or more space.
5: Pack and load efficiently
The more you can fit in a smaller space, the less you’ll pay. Use effective space management techniques to fill your storage unit, make use of vertical space where you can, and avoid storing large, bulky items whenever possible to decrease the amount of space you need to store everything.
6: Look for opportunities to bundle storage and moving
Many moving companies partner with storage companies to help cut costs and draw consumers in. Ask your moving company whether they have a trusted self-storage partner, and take advantage of any bundled discounts on storage you can.
7: Use the supplies the provider has on hand
With the right planning, you can avoid purchasing or renting everything from lifting straps to moving trucks if they’re included in your lease. Storage companies often include a short-term moving truck rental in leases, and if you store and move on the same day, you can use that truck for your local move as well.
8: Share space with friends or family
Larger units cost less per square foot, and if you split that cost with other people who need to store things, you can pay as little as 25% of a full rental cost. Be transparent with facility management. If you do this, and make sure you communicate with your storage-mates to divide up space fairly.
Bonus Advice: How do I find the best price on a storage unit near me?
Following these eight tips will help shave down your storage unit rental costs significantly, but locating a unit that meets your needs can be a hassle. Luckily, SpareFoot comes with a built-in search tool that can help you compare prices at a glance and sort providers by their distance from you and the features you want. With the right tools at your disposal, you’re well on your way to a cost-effective storage journey.
Guest Contributor
