When you need a self storage unit to store your precious memorabilia, furniture, household goods, or merchandise for your commercial business, you need to know your goods will be available when you need them, in the same condition you stored the items in. How do you know whether you have a good storage unit? The following tips will help you to decide on the best type, size, and security of the unit for your needs.

Access

While some storage units offer 24 hour access, seven days a week, others have restricted access hours to increase security. If you are moving interstate for a few months for work and will not need to access the storage unit in the meantime, you probably don't need the 24 hour access option. If you are using the unit to store goods for your commercial premises, such as a retail store, you may indeed want the 24 hour access option, as you may need to restock shelves after usual business hours.

Size

Your goods will store better if you have enough storage space to allow some space between columns of boxes for air to circulate. You may prefer to rent a larger space than you think you need, to ensure you do not have to stack items too high and risk falls and breakages, or to stack furniture on top of other furniture and risk scratching your good furniture that you do want to keep.

The smallest units available are usually 1.5 or 2 metres cubed. This will store about 50 regular boxes of goods, without any furniture pieces.

A 2 metre by 5 metre storage unit will store about 100 boxes, or a mattress set, sofa, chest of drawers, and a dining table set - the basic pieces in a small one bedroom unit.

The largest storage unit should hold the contents of a three or four bedroom home.

Before you choose a storage unit to suit your needs, estimate the cubic space you will need to store the goods when you stack the boxes or furniture as you would like to store the pieces. If you do not want to stack the furniture, you will need a larger storage space. The staff at the storage company will be able to give you reasonable estimates of what you can expect to fit inside each type of storage unit.

Temperature Control

In Sydney, you do not have to worry too much about temperature control, as Sydney does not have extreme temperature, unless you are storing goods that need refrigeration. However, you do want to check that the storage unit is sufficiently protected from flooding when heavy rains hit Sydney.

Security

One of the biggest considerations when choosing a storage unit should be the level of security. You may want to check whether the company changes keys and locks when renting out the unit to a new customer, so that previous customers cannot continue to access the unit in any way. You also want security cameras, a fenced and secured perimeter, and suitable locks that will prevent thieves taking your valuable goods.

Choose a reputable storage unit company like storage units Merrillville, which allows access to the unit when you need it, controls security on the premises and has units of the size and type you need for your goods.