Helpful Tips

Helpful hints, tips, and tidbits

Questions to ask when calling for price checks:

How much is your administrative fee? This is a one time up-front cost These can vary from our fee of $45 all the way up to $65. Make sure you know what you will be charged when renting a unit. Also ask if there are any required deposits or other assorted fees.
Does the facility require insurance? Not every facility does. This is an extra cost that you may not wish to have, though some self-storage facilities require you to purchase their insurance as a condition of move-in. There are many options for renters insurance, not just the facility's recommended agency. It is not a legal requirement to have insurance on your unit.
How often does the self-storage facility raise their prices? Technically a facility can raise their prices every 30 days with written notice. A common ploy is to get you to rent a unit at a low "bargain price" or "special" only to raise the rent 2 months later. I-10 Self Storage has only raised rents two times in the last three years.
Are the managers knowledgeable and friendly? This sounds very obvious, but many customers who rent with us say that we were the only facility that has been nice to them! If a manager is not warm, friendly, knowledgeable, and inviting over the phone, they will not be accommodating when you become a customer, and they probably don't value your business.
How is the facility set up? Some facilities are multi-story, meaning that you have to unload your items into an elevator, unload them from the elevator, then load them into your unit. Some facilities storage units are single story but only accessible by an interior hallway, meaning you must haul your items down the hallway to your unit. I-10 Self Storage features single-story with drive up unit access. This tends to be the most convenient structure because you unload your belongings straight from the moving truck or your vehicle directly into your unit. Extra wide aisles can accommodate larger moving trucks and vehicles without blocking the way for other customers.
Are you looking for "climate controlled"? Ask whether units are cooled by air conditioning or by a cooler. You will pay a premium for an air-conditioned unit but the benefit is humidity control along with temperature control. Ask if you will still be charged the same high price in the winter when air conditioning is not necessary. A cooler can provide moderate temperature control until our summer monsoon season starts. At that point the humidity level is so high it is hard for the coolers to be fully effective. Another thing to consider if selecting a climate-controlled unit that is cooled with an evaporative cooler is the level of moisture/humidity in the unit- this is something you need to keep in mind if you are storing paintings/artwork or electronics.
How long is the contract term? Most self-storage facilities, I-10 Self Storage included, are month-to-month. It is rare to find one that will lock you in for more than one month at a time but it is always good to ask. If you get the first month for free you will be required to stay for at least 2 months. Do you need the unit short term? Most facilities will not do short term rentals- they require you to rent for an entire month. Sometimes people just need a place to put things for a week or a few days if they are having carpets cleaned/installed, if their home floods, or just until their next home is secured. We are happy to accommodate short term rentals, eve if it is just storing your car or trailer overnight.
What kind of security does the facility provide? Ask about security features- coded gates, security cameras, perimeter fencing. This is especially important if you are storing at a 24 hour access facility. If people are coming and going at all hours of the night, security features should be excellent and plentiful. Having on site resident managers at I-10 Self Storage means that someone is on site 24x7.
What are the unit access hours? Some have set access hours, some are 24 hours, and some have 24 hour access only with an additional fee. Ask before you sign the contract.