The pros and cons of using a professional pick up and drop off On Demand storage service

What do you do when you need to find another space for your belongings? Perhaps you know you just won’t be using your off-season gear anytime soon, but don’t want to part with it. Or maybe you’ve recently moved and your new space doesn’t have room for some of your favorite furniture. In either case (or many others), a storage solution may have come to mind.

There are a number of options available out there, including working with a full-service professional storage service. However, reviewing the pros and cons of this type of service against your specific needs will help you make the most informed decision about how to store your belongings.

Advantages of professional On Demand storage services

• Reducing the risk of damage: Working with professionals means that they are well-versed in the proper way to pack and store many types of items. They’ll also have the right materials and equipment on hand to do it right to minimize damage.
• Item inventory: As part of the full-service storage option, a professional service will make sure all your items are inventoried, so that there’s a record of exactly what you’d like to have stored. That way, you and the experts can work from the same list to make sure when you would like your items back, you get everything on your list.
• Paying only for the space necessary to store your items: Rather than pay for a particular size self-storage unit, a professional storage service will only charge you for the total cubic foot of the items you are storing. That way, you’re not paying for empty space you’re not using.
• Convenience: Full-service means professionals will come to you to pick up your items and move them for safe storage in their storage facility. When you want to access your items, you can make an appointment and have them delivered back to you. No need to travel to the location, lift and move the items yourself, or find a lock; your stuff is really just a phone call away. What’s more, a professional service may even be able to pack up your items for you!
• Climate control: Some of your belongings will no doubt fare better in a climate-controlled environment where the temperature and humidity are monitored. If you’re storing antiques or fragile items susceptible to damage in certain environments, opting for the full-service option will allow you to maintain them well.
• Safety and security: To keep staff and other people’s belongings safe in a full-service storage facility, only certain types of items are accepted — flammable or hazardous items aren’t allowed. Further, professional storage will come with enhanced security measures and fewer people (i.e., only staff) will have access to your belongings. Some services will offer insurance on your items at no added cost, and may even offer additional insurance options if you’re interested.
• Inclusive pricing: When you’re working with professionals, you’re paying for a full service option of packing, moving and storing. In most cases this option is more cost effective than moving and storing your items in a self storage unit.

Drawbacks of professional storage service

• Accessibility of your items: Though the pick up and delivery options are an advantage of working with storage professionals, it may not be the most ideal option if you need to regularly access your items. You often need to make arrangements or an appointment during their typical business hours for your items to be delivered, rather than going to a storage location to manage your belongings when it’s most convenient for you.
• Potential storage term requirements: Some full-service storage options will require that you have your items in storage for a minimum amount of time, say 2 months. Determining whether this meets your needs will likely be a part of your decision making process. However, others offer a range of storage terms, from emergency needs for a few days, to a month or longer.

Giving thought to what you need to store, for how long, and what your budget are factors that you can compare against the pros and cons of using a full-service professional storage option. If those factors align (and in many cases, the pros will outweigh the cons), Piece of Cake Moving and Storage is ready to pick up and store your items, for a few weeks, months or years. We’ll take all the work out of keeping your belongings safe and secure in our storage facility for as long as you like.