Our Kangaroo Storage Glasgow Expert gives you 12 easy ways to save money on the cost of storage units. Use these tips and you could dramatically cut the costs of your storage.

Customer Service: Trained Staff Can Save You Money

Motivated, well trained staff will advise you on the size of room you need and how to make the best use of your space. Many people find it hard to estimate the space they will need, so it’s really important to find good staff you can trust.

• How helpful and knowledgeable are the staff?
• Do they carefully check what you intend to store?
• Do they offer space saving tips?

Good staff may give you, your biggest saving. Their advice will help you get into the best room for your needs. They will also suggest offers and savings to save you money.

Recommendation
Customer service should be an important part of your decision making process.

Self Storage Companies Charge For The Floor Space You Use

The more floor space you take the more you pay. The secrets to saving money are:

• Use the full height of the room. Usually the rooms are 7-8 feet high, so make sure you use this space.
• Use boxes so you can stack them easily. Many people make the mistake of using bin bags – they don’t stack well and the items inside may get damaged.
• Completely fill the room. If you don’t need to get at your belongings don’t leave any wasted space. Store any items you might need last so they are by the door
• Prepare a list of your large items. The staff will help you to reserve the right sized room – make their job easier by having a list of the larger items you need to store. Check you can change to a smaller or larger room if you need more or less space.

Recommendation
Check the height of the room and use boxes to make the most of your space

Get a Few Quotes to Find the Best Price

The price of storage rooms varies by quite a lot. Some higher prices may be justified for easy access and good quality rooms.

Some companies quote high prices but reduce their price if they know you’re shopping around. This can be a ploy to get you to move in. Once you’ve moved in the price may be increased in the belief that you will not go to the trouble of moving out for a lower price.

Check for “hidden costs” like insurance for your belongings and the deposit you pay when you move in. Include these costs when you compare companies.

Recommendation
Get a few quotes. Don’t say you’re shopping around and see what prices you’re offered.

Special Offers Will Save You Money

Self storage has become more competitive. For example nearly all Glasgow storage companies have special offers. Here are some:

• FREE Storage periods depending on how long you stay. If you intend to store for at least 8 weeks you can expect to get 2 to 4 weeks FREE.
• Half Price Storage periods.                                
• Pre-Payment Discounts. Most companies give a discount of 5% if you pre-pay for 26 weeks. This rises to 10% for 52 weeks. Some offer even higher discounts.
• Student Discounts. Students can expect a 10% discount.
• Military Discounts. Armed Forces personnel should get a 10% discount.

Recommendation
Ask about special offers, especially if you intend to stay for more than 4 weeks.

Saving Money When You Move In

Self storage companies just store your belongings. It is your responsibility to move your belongings in and out. Hiring a van or arranging your own removals can be expensive. Always check if your self storage company will help you to move in as this could save you a lot of money. Here’s how they may be able to help:

• Some will collect your belongings as part of their service. This usually involves a large trailer that can be parked outside your house. You are responsible for loading the trailer which is then driven by the storage staff to the storage centre. You then unload your belongings into your own room.
• “Free Van Hire” This saves you the cost of hiring your own van. Always carefully check the charges you will pay for – fuel and insurance. The insurance excess can be £250 to £500, so don’t have an accident!
• Local Removal Companies. All storage companies deal with local removal companies. They know the good ones, so get them to recommend a remover if you need one.

Recommendation
Check if the self storage company will help you to move in. If they will, you may save a lot of money on moving expenses.

Save Money On Insurance

Your belongings will need to be insured when they are in storage. If you have a home insurance policy, check with your insurer if your belongings are covered by their policy when in storage. If they do provide cover, you will need to give a copy of the cover note to the storage company.

If you do not have your own insurance, the storage company can provide insurance for you. Check the cost of this insurance. Some companies put a value for the insurance you need to pay depending on the size of the room you take. This can over-insure you and be expensive.

Recommendation
Check if your home insurance covers your belongings in storage. If not check the storage company’s insurance costs and cover.

Check The Cost Of The Deposit

All self storage companies usually charge a deposit. This is normally the same as the cost of 4 weeks storage for the room size you choose. Some companies reduce this cost if you pay by direct debit or credit card.

Recommendation
Check the deposit amount and period. Do they reduce the deposit for direct debit or credit card payments?

Check The Payment Terms

All storage companies usually charge for self storage in advance. This is normally 4 weeks or a calendar month. Most companies will refund any unused days when you move out providing you comply with their notice period. Some don’t.

Recommendation
Check what the notice period is and whether any unused storage days are refunded.

Is Access Free Or Are You Charged To Visit?

Some storage companies operate from custom built facilities. Many operate from a converted building which may not be easy to access.

• There’s nothing worse than having to move your belongings to a storage unit at the back of a building with poor lighting and no lift.
• Some self storage companies charge to access your belongings. For example some Glasgow storage companies charge £50 to access your belongings.
• Not all companies are open 7 days a week, so find out if you need regular access. Some companies offer 24 hour access. Expect to pay a premium for this service

Recommendation
If you can, always visit the building in advance. Check if access to your belongings is free.

Is It Safe and Secure?

Always check whether the company offers storage units inside a secure building. Some companies offer old shipping containers that are stored outside.

• Storage containers may be cheaper, but they can be damp and prone to condensation. Containers are much less secure. Being outside with no extra protection they can be broken into quite easily by thieves. Your belongings may not be covered by insurance policies if stored in a container.                             

Recommendation
Store your belongings in units inside a secure self storage building. Only store low value items that will not rot, rust or be damaged in damp conditions, in a container. Ask about CCTV, fire and alarm protection

Late Payment Charges

Pay your bills on time! If you don't you will probably be charged late fees. These soon add up and make your storage costs unnecessarily expensive.

Recommendation
Set up automatic payments or reminders so you don't miss a payment. Respond to the storage staff if they chase you for payment.

Reservation Fee

Many storage companies will reserve a storage room for you for a fee of between £5 and £20. This reservation fee usually goes towards your first payment when you move in. Some will refund this deposit if you no longer need storage. If you are pretty sure you will need to store your belongings its worth reserving a room to make sure the right size is available when you need it.

Recommendation
Check if the reservation fee is refundable and that it will be used towards your first payment when you move in. If so, then reserve a room.

About Kangaroo Self Storage:

Kangaroo Self Storage provides storage in Glasgow and Dundee. They provide space for businesses, householders and students.

Here’s some feed back from their customers:

“Very clean, purpose built facilities and extremely friendly staff with good rates.”

“Very helpful staff. Very clean facilities. Well organised and good value.”

“If you are needing a space to store your work, I would recommend kangaroo self storage, really helpful staff, good price, and my work was kept safely.”

“Professional, friendly and very easy to use”

“Looked at lots of storage facilities across E Scotland (Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh) - preferred Kangaroo because they had the cleanest and driest looking building, purpose built rather than an adaptation and I found the staff extremely approachable and flexible to my needs. The storage costs were also the cheapest for this standard of facility.”

“I considered using ****** self storage, Your company offered a better service and price.”

“Looked at ****** storage but their prices were more expensive and they could only offer outdoor containers. Also, the Kangaroo offer of a free van to move in encouraged me to choose you.”

“****** storage, but you had to hire their van and drive it yourself”

“I looked up at several other self storage services and your webpage was the most easiest to follow, with good information about each storage size. also when I contacted the staff they were really helpful with choosing the storage space. everything went really smoothly.”

“Looked at various options on line. Chose Kangaroo self storage because of competitive rates and the deal they offered worked for me. Also staff were very helpful on the phone.”

“As a student without transport the collection service was a big incentive and prices were competitive.”

If you would like to find out more; click here Kangaroo Storage Glasgow.