Everyone from divorcees to students and people moving or relocating to those who decide to redecorate make full use of storage. In America, for example, one in 10 people make use of storage in some way. Storage will suit anyone down-sizing, importers, market traders, small businesses, lawyers, accountants, self-employed tradesmen, anyone in fact who needs space for storage. You might be between houses or have to go home for a few months during semester break or simply want to keep your home uncluttered. Why give away items when you can store them at a very reasonable cost? What about convenience? A storage company can also supply all accessories such as boxes, tape, dust covers and bubble wrap.

So it is no wonder why self storage is one of the fastest growing industries in America during the past decade. Many storage companies maintain a 90 percent occupancy throughout the year. And storage facilities are still going opening up faster than a troubled famous coffee shop. People cannot wait for storage facilities to open to make reservations. Some times storage facilities secure dozens of customers a few months before the grand opening. Homeowners who do not want to get into the cost of a shed. Their garage is full. Their basement is full. Apartment owners are certainly limited in storage. Certainly there are enough people to rent storage in all parts of the country. Tenants such as restaurants, medical offices, students, contactors, and anyone who needs extra storage space will line-up outside the rental office on opening day to secure a storage unit for food storage, wine storage, document storage, commercial storage, furniture storage, and all kinds of personal storage.

Nationwide, the self-storage industry has been among the fastest-growing sectors in commercial real estate in the past 30 years. Last year, over 51,000 storage facilities were operating in this country alone. Small independent businesses have turned overnight into nationwide companies. Despite resistance for some local residents, storage facilities seem to grow quickly and are a great opportunity for any entrepreneur. Basically, the same people complaining about the existence of a self storage facility in their hometown are also complaining that they have nowhere to store their possessions such as extra furniture, personal items, paperwork, files, and more.

When most people go shopping for self storage they look for convenience, security, accessibility and affordability. Here are some important shopping tips for finding the perfect storage unit.

When it comes to storage, size matters. Check with the property manager to see what sizes are available and if there is a maximum weight limit for storage unit contents. Usually weight is only a concern with multi-level storage facilities. If you are not sure how much storage space you will need, tell the property manager what you will be storing. Often, property managers have to persuade a tenant to rent a smaller storage unit than the one they request.

Climate control storage may be the better option. If you live in a region that experiences major climate change throughout the year, renting a climate control storage unit may be the smarter choice. Storage belongings might be subject to mold or water damage. If so, you may want to consider an environmentally controlled unit.

Rent storage at a facility that has surveillance cameras on the property and that uses a system to restrict access by non-renters. Make sure your items are insured from theft, fire or other damage. The storage facility may provide basic insurance or you can choose to purchase insurance from an alternate source. Some homeowners policies cover self storage .

Make sure the storage facilities hours fit your schedule. Some storage properties have limited access hours where some offer 24 hour access. Lastly, make sure there is adequate room for parking for large trucks. If you have a lot of storage you might want to rent a storage unit that has drive up access as opposed to a storage unit on the second floor.