So…you’re in the market for storage services.
Whatever the reason behind your storage needs—be it a long-distance move, a recent business venture, or a transition to nomadic lifestyle— the time you have to spend on storage-related decisions is limited.
When faced with questions like, “What size storage unit do I need?” or “Is climate-controlled storage necessary?”, or “Should I opt for self-service storage or full-service storage?” time is of the essence. The sooner you can answer these questions, the sooner you can return to planning for your long-distance move or browsing for digital-nomad-friendly job opportunities.
Because most storage companies lock you into a contract for at least a month (if not longer), don’t let your desire to fast-track storage rental process impair your judgment.
Storage is a long-term commitment, so don’t take this decision lightly–just for the sake of quickly crossing a “to-do” off your list.
Ready to decide between self-storage and full-service storage?
With this guide, you’ll have an unobstructed, 10,000-ft view of the storage space options available to you. In no time, you’ll be loading your valuables into the right storage unit, not just any storage unit.
Storing personal possessions: furniture, electronics, appliances, seasonal items, etc.
Whether you’re storing holiday decorations or the relics of your high-school garage band, here’s what to consider when weighing between self-storage and full-service storage.
Self storage unit options
Self storage puts you in charge of your belongings. After finding a facility with the type and size of storage unit you need, you load up your belongings and put them in the unit.
When opting for self-storage, you’ll assume responsibility for managing your inventory. The trade-off? You can pick up items or load in new ones at your convenience, as long as you honor the facility’s business hours.
Traditional self-storage facilities are rich with options for their customer base–from storage units in varying sizes (5×5, 5×10, 10×10, and 10×30) to storage units that boast special features like climate or humidity control. While most of the responsibility falls on the renter’s shoulders in the context of self-storage, renters can purchase facility-sponsored insurance protect their belongings.
Perks of self storage facilities
A variety of types of storage available
Greater accessibility than full-service storage
You can skimp on amenities to save money
Some options provide 24-hour accessibility
Challenges of self storage facilities
Often located in industrial areas
Renter may have to travel further due to unit scarcity
Accessibility may be limited to business hours
Any extra amenities can quickly drive up the price
Security might be limited
Insurance will increase your cost
Peer-to-peer self storage units
A type of self-storage, peer-to-peer self storage is a cutting-edge option based on a network of local residents and businesses who rent out their vacant parking lots and spare closets to neighbors and other renters in their local community.
With peer-to-peer storage, gone are the days of journeying 20-minutes to and from your storage unit. Instead, you can locate storage options located right in your very own neighborhood.
Neighbor, the US’s largest peer-to-peer self-storage provider, is up to 50% cheaper than traditional self storage facilities. Hosts list their storage space and renters communicate and pay through the platform. Neighbor offers various protections, such as Property Protection Plans, to make sure that your items are safe and secure–no matter where you choose to stow away your prized processions.
For more information on peer-to-peer self-storage marketplaces, check out this FAQs page.
Whether you’re interested in renting the shed in your neighbor’s backyard (for a fraction of the cost of a traditional self-storage unit), or looking to rent out your own unused space, peer-to-peer, self-storage marketplaces are ready to lend a hand.
Perks of peer-to-peer storage
More affordable than traditional self-storage
Availability in practically all neighborhoods
A variety of storage types available
Direct communication with the storage space owner
Convenient app allows you to get started right away
Prices are typically cheaper than all other types of storage
Property Protection Plans available for additional peace of mind
Cost of traditional self storage vs. Neighbor’s peer-to-peer self storage
10’x10′: $42 at Neighbor vs. $110 at traditional facilities
10’x15′: $44 at Neighbor vs. $130 at traditional facilities
10’x20′: $72 at Neighbor vs. $180 at traditional facilities
20’x20′: $105 at Neighbor vs. $150 at traditional facilities
Full-service storage facilities
Full-service storage facilities, also referred to as “managed storage facilities” shoulder the heavy-lifting and do most of the work on behalf of the renter.
A full-service storage company will send a crew to collect your belongings and transport them to a nearby facility to be stored safely. You’ll be provided with an inventory list which you can usually access online. Having your items returned is as simple as making a phone call or requesting a return on an app.
Full-service storage provides convenience for renters who are short on time or physically unable to move their belongings. The downside is that it’s more expensive than self-storage, and accessibility to your belongings is typically more limited.
Perks of full-service storage
You don’t need a truck or moving crew to relocate your belongings
Full-service facilities upload an inventory log online
Storage is typically indoors and may include climate control
Full-service facilities promise greater security since renters don’t have direct access
Challenges of full-service storage
Low availability in some areas
Limited accessibility outside regular business hours
A potential waiting period for the return of your belongings
Increased cost for convenience
Price of full-service storage
Full-service facilities are usually more expensive than self-storage options of all types. While many facilities claim that prices are comparable, average price points are unavailable at this time. However, some facilities provide an online price quote.
Full-service does eliminate the cost of a truck rental to transport your belongings, but some companies charge an additional pick-up and delivery fee.
Storing your vehicle
Looking to store your daily driver for a week while you take a business trip? Planning on extended military leave and need a home away from home for your collector car?
Unlike with storing personal belongings (collectibles, music equipment, a spare couch), full-service storage isn’t usually an option when storing a car. However, you’ll still have the option of traditional self-storage vs. peer-to-peer storage.
Self storage for vehicles
Perks of traditional self-storage
Both indoor and outdoor options are available for smaller and mid-size vehicles
Some options (like roll-up door units) provide unlimited accessibility
Covered car storage may be an option in locations that don’t experience extreme weather
Perks of peer-to-peer storage for your vehicle
Multiple locations in all types of neighborhoods
A variety of outdoor, indoor, and climate-controlled options available
Additional security
Affordable options for a variety of vehicle types and sizes
You don’t have to worry about storing your car alongside other vehicles
You can choose your access level
Insurance is included at no extra cost
Price of traditional self storage vs. peer-to-peer self storage for vehicles
While car storage prices vary radically depending on the size of your vehicle and the features you require, car storage costs can be up to 50% cheaper with Neighbor than with traditional storage.
Storage costs for a compact sedan: $44 at Neighbor (peer-to-peer marketplace) vs. $130 at traditional facilities
Storage cost for a minivan or SUV: $72 at Neighbor (peer-to-peer marketplace) vs. $180 at traditional facilities
Storing your boat
Storing your boat at home is often impractical and, in some cases, illegal. Unfortunately, locating third-party storage space options can pose a significant challenge.
You may be able to find self-storage options for a small boat in both urban and rural areas, but full-service storage for boats isn’t widely available.
If you live close to the water, you may be able to find wet slip storage or lift storage for large boats at the marina, but there are limited self-storage options for smaller boats.
Sometimes, it pays to think outside the box when it comes to practical and secure boat storage.
Self-storage for boats
Perks of traditional self storage
Lower prices compared with full-service/managed storage
Indoor options for small boats
Easy pick up at roll-up door units
Challenges of traditional self storage for boats
Limited indoor storage availability for larger boats
Increased cost for added insurance
Limited security
Outdoor options typically require your boat to be stored alongside other boats, vehicles, and trailers
You may have to travel to find options in some locations
The height of some boats may eliminate some typical self-storage options.
Peer-to-peer self storage for boats
Since you’ll be storing your boat on private property, you’ll need to ensure adequate space is available for hookup and navigating your tow vehicle.
Perks of peer-to-peer storage for boats
Availability in all locations
A variety of options
Lower prices
Enhanced security
Full-service storage for boats
Perks of full-service storage
Your boat is typically located close to the water
Enhanced security when using indoor lift storage
No need for a trailer
Challenges of full-service storage
Generally expensive, especially for indoor options
Only available in areas near bodies of water
Accessibility may be limited
Increased cost if you add insurance
Price of boat storage
The cost of boat storage varies widely depending on the size of your boat and the features included in your storage space package. For instance, indoor storage is considerably more expensive (especially for larger vessels). You can expect to pay between $50 and $200 per square foot of boat indoors and $20 to $50 per square foot of boat outdoors. However, wet slip storage is more expensive than typical outdoor storage. The cost of boat storage with Neighbor is up to 50% less than these expected costs.
Storing your RV
Unless your RV serves as your primary home, you’ll likely need a practical storage option away from your home. After all, your family won’t want to navigate around such a large vehicle every day, and it’s likely not the view your neighbors wish for.
For most RV owners, finding affordable, secure storage with all the right options is a major concern. After all, not every city is overflowing with garage storage space for a home on wheels.
Finding storage options for your RV can be difficult due to the vehicle’s sheer size and height. Typically, full-service storage isn’t usually available for RVs. However, there is a small selection of indoor, self-storage options available for smaller RVs and a broader array of outdoor, self-storage options for many types of RVs.
Self storage for RVs
Perks of traditional self storage
Multiple options for outdoor storage
Indoor options
Covered storage options are available in some areas
Challenges of traditional self-storage for RVs
Finding traditional self-storage options for large RVs like Class A or Class C motorhomes can be difficult. Besides the limited availability of spaces large enough to accommodate the vehicle, height is also often an issue. RV owners run into these speed bumps with traditional self-storage facilities.
Limited indoor storage options
Storage can be expensive
Limited security outdoors
Added cost for insurance
Most options mean your RV will be stored alongside other vehicles
Peer-to-peer self storage for RVs
Perks of peer-to-peer storage
Lower cost
Availability in many locations
Enhanced security
Insurance included at no cost
Hosts may offer additional amenities like battery charging
Challenges of peer-to-peer storage
While peer-to-peer marketplaces, like Neighbor, advertise a variety of RV storage options in all types of locations, outdoor storage might be more limited in urban areas due to laws limiting large vehicles on private property.
Price of self storage for RVs
RV sizes range from pop-up campers to yachts. Typically, the size of the RV is reflected in the price. For example, the cost to store a small RV outdoors can be as little as $67. But indoor storage for a Class A RV can be over $400 a month. Fortunately, peer-to-peer RV storage through a Neighbor host is up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
Factors that affect traditional RV storage costs include:
Location (prices vary from state to state)
Size (RVs come in all shapes and sizes)
Indoor or outdoor storage
Amenities (may include temperature control, electricity, battery charging, and sewage dumping)
Storing business inventory
Storage for business inventory can seem similar to the storage of personal possessions, but there are some key differences. Often, businesses need space to store large tools or equipment or even a commercial vehicle fleet. Similarly, company supplies and/or inventory tend to take up more space than personal belongings. With that in mind, special considerations need to be made.
Self storage for business inventory
Perks of traditional self storage for business inventory
Indoor storage can provide climate control
Outdoor storage options may be available for vehicles
Storage designed for business may be available in industrial areas
Challenges of traditional self storage for business inventory
Limited storage options for large objects
Storage designed for business could be more expensive than other self-storage options
Traditional units provide limited climate control (Note: Some types of business equipment require finetuned climate control. For example, paper documents and electronic equipment require humidity control.)
Increased price for insurance
Indoor options with climate control can limit access
Limited security for company vehicles
Peer-to-peer storage for business inventory
Perks of peer-to-peer storage for business inventory
Available options for a variety of storage types
Parking lot storage is available in some areas for business fleets
Warehouse and indoor rooms are available for indoor storage
Finished basements can also provide large areas with climate control
Private property isn’t vulnerable to the same factors that drive up costs in commercial areas
Full-service storage for business inventory
Perks of full-service storage for business inventory
No need for fleet vehicles to transport supplies
Photographed inventory of supply readily accessible to your staff
Large amounts of warehouse storage may be available
Challenges of full-service storage for business inventory
Options may be limited in some areas
Accessibility is often limited or delayed
Cost is higher with managed storage
Insurance costs extra
Undecided on self storage vs. full-service storage? Mix it up with Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace
Combining the convenience of traditional self-storage unit with the heightened security of full-service storage unit, peer-to-peer storage is the all-in-one storage solution you’ve been looking for. Find self-storage options in your own neighborhood, through Neighbor–a peer-to-peer marketplace.
