One of the leading Google searches about self-storage is “cheap storage.” The reason for that is obvious, we think: money is tight for a great many Americans and saving money whenever possible is of the utmost concern. However, as business owners in the self storage industry, we would be remiss if we did not point out the flaw in thinking cost is the only important factor to consider. We also do not want you believing that cheap storage always means secure storage because that is simply not the case.
We are Blue Mound 287 Self Storage, serving North Fort Worth with affordable and secure self storage. Call us at 817-439-1380 for more information. Now, though, let’s talk about cheap storage as it applies to secure self-storage. We believe what we are about to share will be of interest to you.
What does cheap storage mean?
If we are being completely honest, this “cheap storage” Google search drives us a bit crazy. What does cheap storage mean? Cheap for whom? Cheap for Bill Gates? Cheap for a waitress making minimum wage? Google certainly can’t answer that question; the only person who can accurately answer that question is the person asking it, and the answer depends upon their financial situation.
All Google can do is give you a list of storage places which make the claim to be offering cheap storage, or affordable mini storage. The words “cheap” or “affordable” show up in their algorithms, and they are instantly included in the sought-after list of storage places which are inexpensive. Whether they are or not is a moot point.
If you still want an answer to this question, the best we can do is tell you that the low end of the pricing spectrum is somewhere in the $45 per month range for small, 5’x5’, or 5’x10’, storage units. That price will be affected by the locality and by the number of storage places in that locale.
But what do you get for $45 per month? Are your possessions secure? To answer that question, we have much more definitive information to present to you.
What does secure storage mean?
Secure means safe. That is the universal definition of the word secure, the one most people renting storage units assume. You rent a storage unit, you put your possessions in that storage unit, and you expect your possessions to be safe from vandalism, theft, and damage from the weather.
Unfortunately, we must tell you that is not always the case.
There are four levels of security in the self-storage industry. If a business has all four levels, they have a right to advertise as secure self-storage. If they only have three, they should truthfully advertise as “almost secure,” and two or one levels should be advertised as “not terribly secure at all.”
What are those four levels of security?
- Fenced perimeter
- On-site management
- Video surveillance of the entire business property, inside and outside.
- Computerized, individualized access card keys for ingress to the storage company and ingress to the individual storage unit.
Again, anything short of those four levels of security and the storage company is not totally secure.
Can they coexist in the storage industry?
Can you find “cheap storage” and “secure storage” coexisting in one place of business?
Again, this calls for a subjective answer. We would say it is highly unlikely that you will find the cheapest self storage units in any city also featuring all four levels of security. Why? Because those four levels of security cost money. Lots of money. Just having on-site management 24/7, 365, is a large expense, and the vast majority of small, locally owned storage places cannot afford that kind of on-site, human security. Those are just the facts as we know them.
Our bottom line of advice: do your research, call around, visit places, and make the best choice based on your financial situation.
A final word about Blue Mound 287 Self Storage.
Blue Mound 287 Self Storage and our sister company, Mouser Self Storage in Alvarado, are locally owned and operated. We do not claim to be the cheapest self-storage companies in Texas, but we do claim to be secure. Call us today for current pricing information.