The 7 things you need to know before you use self storage

01 Security

Make sure your goods are safe and secure

The number one reason you're storing your goods is that you want to use them later. So it makes a lot of sense to make sure they're stored safely and securely, somewhere you can trust. The storage facility you choose should have all the right security features in place, starting with an automated gate with card or PIN code access.

That means only people who have a card or know the code can get in. Your unit should be your own, secured with your own padlock. Keep your key and control who you allow to access your goods. At Sunshine Self Storage, your padlock sits inside an anti-theft lockbox. (See our guide to choosing a padlock for your container.)

Read the storage agreement so you understand access, security and the responsibilities of both sides. The operator may be allowed access in situations set out in the agreement or required by law, including emergencies. Ask what notice and procedures apply rather than assuming access is never allowed.

The facility should have a monitored alarm system, so an alarm is reported to a monitoring service for a response. At Sunshine Self Storage, security includes your own access card and alarm code, back-to-base alarms, cameras monitored 24/7, high fences and an anti-theft lockbox on each container.

It's always a good idea to look around the facility and see how secure it looks. Check the cameras and access points to make sure your goods will be safe and sound. How our yard is secured

02 Access

Access should be easy and straightforward

Easy, drive-up, ground-level access to your storage unit matters for a number of reasons. When you move in, you want to get to your unit easily and store your goods quickly and without trouble. Ideally you'll be able to drive right up to the door and load straight in from your car, trailer, truck or other vehicle.

Every time you have to "double handle" items, you lose time and money and use more energy. If you've moved as many times as I have, you'll know that saving energy for the things that really matter is critical. You don't want to waste it double handling at the storage facility! If you have a professional removalist, this also saves them time, and that saves you money.

Your storage unit should have large doors and easy access for bigger items. This might seem obvious, but many storage facilities have quite difficult access. At Sunshine Self Storage, we use industrial shipping containers. Not only are they safe, weather-resistant and fitted with rubber door seals, but you can drive up to the door of your container and load or unload straight into it.

The times you can get to your storage matter too. You should have access 7 days a week, every day of the year. At Sunshine Self Storage, access to the yard is available from 5am until 9pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There's nothing worse than remembering you need something from storage and not being able to get to it over a weekend or a holiday.

Ask the question when you're enquiring about storage: what are the access hours, and how easy is it to get your goods in and out?

03 Cost

Make sure you are paying the right amount

Cost is an important part of choosing self storage. Prices vary a lot, and the most expensive is not always the best! Equally, the cheapest is not always the worst. What you need is a storage facility that meets your needs. When you think about it, all you're doing is putting goods in a safe, secure place so you can get them back later.

You don't need to go and see them every day. You don't even need to think about them. The whole point of storing your goods is to get them back in the same condition at a later date, end of story. Your storage facility should be well organised and look good, which is always a sign of how good a facility is. But sometimes storage facilities charge for "bells and whistles" you just don't need.

Things like staff on call at all hours of the day when you really don't need them. If you want to visit your goods every day, talk to someone or have someone make you a cup of tea while you're there, then a staffed facility may suit you.

But in our experience most customers don't want this, and it's a waste of their money. What they really want is a safe, secure place to put their goods so they can get them back later in exactly the same condition. When we started our business, we used to be on site all the time. What we quickly found was that people didn't come to see us… They didn't want to come and watch their goods. They were getting on with their lives!

So we decided our facility wouldn't have someone on call at all hours, and we lowered our prices to match. As a result, our storage is very competitive while still offering much the same level of service, in a safe, secure and easy-to-reach yard. Our customers love being able to drive up to their container, have access 365 days a year and not pay for fancy facilities or staff wandering around at all hours.

Pay for the storage you need

We have all sorts of storers at Sunshine Self Storage. Some people visit every day to move goods in and out of their container or pick things up at different times. These are usually business owners who have to be there to collect goods. Other customers drop their goods off and don't come back for 12 months. My record for not seeing a customer is 6 years!

When I first bought the business, this man was already a customer. He had two shipping containers holding a whole aeroplane cut into pieces, along with machinery and car parts. When he finally came to collect his things, the place was totally different from when he first moved in. He didn't care! The surroundings made no difference: he just wanted his stuff.

My point is this: don't pay for over-the-top services, fancy offices and all sorts of other things. Just make sure you get secure, well-maintained storage that protects your goods from the elements, in a convenient location. Compare current prices for the space, access and terms you need. A more elaborate site may cost more without offering anything that matters to you.

Paying for anything more is a waste of your resources, your time and your money. That doesn't mean you should take the cheapest option, but it certainly doesn't mean you should pay for things you don't need. So think about the price you're paying and what you're getting for it. For our current prices, see units and prices.

Arrange insurance for your goods

Insurance deserves its own place on your storage checklist. A secure facility and careful packing reduce risk, but they don't replace an insurance policy.

Sunshine Self Storage does not insure your goods. Insurance is up to you. Self Storage Insurance Australia is one option: visit ssia.au or call 1300 007 742 to ask about current products and eligibility.

Before you move in, make an inventory and think about what your goods would cost to replace. Keep photos, serial numbers and purchase records for valuable items, and keep a copy of this somewhere other than your container.

If you already have home and contents insurance, ask your insurer whether it covers goods away from home and in a shipping container. Don't assume your existing policy extends to storage.

When comparing cover, check the insured events, exclusions, excess, insured value and any limits on particular items. Read the policy documents and ask the insurer to explain anything you're unsure about.

Whether a storage operator sells insurance is not, on its own, proof of how safe the facility is. Judge its security, maintenance and agreement separately, and choose cover that suits your goods and circumstances.

04 Industry membership

Choose a member of the SSAA

The peak body for self storage in Australia is the Self Storage Association of Australasia. It does a wonderful job of supporting the industry, with legal forms for storage, support with insurance and better management of facilities, help storing unusual items and much more. The association provides standard storage agreements and guidance to help operators explain the terms of storage clearly.

To be a member, a storage facility has to meet certain standards and keep its customers' interests at heart. Membership is worth checking directly with the association when you choose a facility. It's also a sign of how well run a facility is, and what its management is like.

The last thing you want is for the business to go broke. If that happens, you may not be able to get to your goods for some time. You can check membership with the SSAA at selfstorage.org.au.

Sunshine Self Storage has been a member of the Self Storage Association of Australasia (SSAA) since 2004. Our membership number is 51399.

See our current membership certificate

06 Organisation

Get organised

Before you start looking for self storage, get organised and know what you need, so you get the best deal and the best location. One of the most common things I find when people call me about storage is that they don't know how much space they need.

That's frustrating for them and for me, because it's actually very easy to work out. Our container size guide helps you compare 10ft, 20ft and 40ft options, and our guide to what fits in 1 cubic metre helps you picture the space. Make a list of what you plan to store, measure the large items, and call us if you need help choosing a size. If you'll need to get at your goods, allow some extra room for a small corridor, so you don't have to wade through boxes and furniture to find the one thing you're looking for.

Once you know how much space you need, have it handy when you're making enquiries. You should also know how far you're willing to travel. A storage place that's close but a lot more expensive, or without drive-up access, may end up costing you more time and money than one a bit further away.

Ideally, you'll also know the day and time you want to move your goods in. That makes it easier for you to get organised, and easier for the storage facility to look after you. Think about whether you'll move your goods yourself or use a removalist.

I always encourage people to get help with their move unless it's just a few items. It may seem a little more expensive, but I've often watched people struggle to move their own goods. In the end it takes so much longer and is so much more frustrating than if they'd hired someone in the first place.

Plan your move and budget

Ask removalists for a current written quote rather than relying on an old hourly rate. The cost depends on the truck size, crew, distance, access, the volume of goods and the time needed to load and unload.

Removalists may have a minimum charge and may include travel time. Ask what the quote includes, whether there are extra fees, and how waiting time or delays are handled.

In my experience, the time needed to move a house varies a lot. A smaller apartment may take less time than a family home, but stairs, parking, heavy items and travel can make a big difference. Talk through your situation with the removalist so you can plan the time and budget before deciding where to store.

If you'd like help finding a removalist, please contact us. We don't make any money from recommending one, but we can help put you in touch.

As with many things in life, being organised will save you time, money and frustration. Use our house moving checklist to help you prepare, and confirm the date, access, packing and contact details before moving day.

07 Helpful people

Choose people who are easy to deal with

You'd think anyone in business would be easy to deal with! They should be able to solve your storage needs quickly, easily and with a smile. Sadly, in our experience this isn't always the case. Over the years, many people have come to us saying they're moving to our yard because they've had so much trouble somewhere else.

Easy access when you need it, a simple move-in and move-out, answers to your questions and help when you need it are all important. The storage facility should also be able to give advice on finding people to help you move, insuring your goods and packing, and share helpful tips about storage.

A good way to find out is to have a proper chat with the people running the storage when you enquire. Look at their website and see whether it's professional, well organised and has the information you need. That's a good sign of whether the facility has its act together. They should be able to give you all the forms you need and answer all your questions thoroughly.

Your facility should be big enough and organised enough to be flexible. If you need more storage at some stage, they should be able to sort it out quickly and easily. Some facilities are always booked out and don't really care whether they help you or not. Make sure up front that if you need more space, it will be organised without any hassle.

If you're looking for a secure yard, drive-up access and fun, friendly people, Sunshine Self Storage can help. Give us a call on 03 9010 6147 to find out more about your options and booking your container.