• Print this
• Republish
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS

Storing your stuff: What to consider first

Stymied by a growing mound of stuff? Before you box it up and speed off to a storage facility, take a moment, says storage expert and author Peter Walsh. "Don't let the cost of storage far outweigh the cost of what's being stored," he says. If your stuff holds little value, let go of it – donate or sell it. For those still determined to rent storage space, consider these steps:

• Find the right fit. "Look for a location that's convenient to your home and/or office and for professionalism of the management," says Deirdra Zolinsky, vice president of operations at Access Self Storage, with facilities in New York and New Jersey. "You should also consider cleanliness and security in terms of gates, alarms, and cameras. And it's always helpful to deal with people you can talk to."

• Look for deals. You can expect to pay $50 per month for a 100-sq.-ft. room in a rural facility and between $200 to $300 in an urban one, says Tim Deitz of the Self Storage Association. But some facilities offer coupons or specials for a month of free rent with a minimum two-month stay, or the first month's rent for $1.

• Determine durability. Items that are sensitive to temperature changes like audio- or videotapes or heirloom furniture may require climate-controlled units, which cost more.

• Weigh insurance options. If you are storing valuables, consider coverage in case of fire, flood, insects, and rodents, says Toni Bader, vice president of marketing at Bader Co. in Indianapolis, a provider of self-storage insurance. Insurance is often available at the facility and can be tacked onto the rent or separately through a mail-order brochure. "There are policies written especially for storage units with water and wind storm provisions," Ms. Bader says. People should also look at their homeowner's policy. "A rider to your homeowner's or tenant's insurance could cover your property on or off premises," adds Arthur Doscher, an Allstate Insurance agent in Manhattan. A basic renter's policy in New York can cost $200 to $300 annually for $30,000 worth of coverage.

• Plot a placement strategy. Put your most expensive possessions toward the back of the unit – in case of theft – and avoid the bottom floor in case of flood. "Make your [insurance] agent aware of what you're storing, to see if you're protected on how your goods are placed in the unit, especially if you're worried about scratches and marring," explains Mr. Doscher.