Traditional Self Storage vs Mobile Self Storage

The self-storage industry might still be in its infancy stage, but that hasn’t stopped new storage solutions from cropping up. The latest to make an entry in the foray is mobile self-storage. 

Traditional vs. new (a.k.a mobile)

The traditional self-storage industry, primarily US-based, works by renting out storage space- lockers, containers, rooms, outdoor space- to tenants on a short-term basis. The spaces rented out are also known as storage units.

Some self-storage businesses provide boxes, packaging materials, and locks to help tenants with safe packing. Insurance on purchase is also offered to safeguard the goods.

Unlike a warehouse facility, the key to the rented area lies with the tenant only. Employees do not have casual access to the contents of this space, and thus, the possibility for theft tends to zero. The stored materials can, in no way, be claimed by the facility. This only happens in the case a lien is imposed. 

All of these characteristics are found in mobile self-storage, too. The only differentiating factor is how the tenant’s goods are transported to the facility.

In traditional self-storage processes, the movers and packers come, assess the inventory, quote a price, and then arrive on the decided day to pick up the goods and transport it in their van to the facility. When you want to bring your stuff back, the same happens. 

Mobile self-storage, however, makes things easier. 

A mobile storage container 7ft to 20ft in height- is delivered to your location. You load this up at your desired pace. Once done, the storage company arrives to take it to the facility.

You would have noticed the outright ease of this process. But another benefit that you’ll probably realize later on when the container arrives is this: you’ll only use the amount of storage space that you need. This means no extra time or money spent making multiple car/ truck trips to the facility so that all the goods can be transported (a nightmare for those with lots of clutter accumulated over the years).

The containers are made of aluminum and steel composite panels, a steel frame, smooth wide sides, an easy access roll-up door, and a translucent plastic roof. Others might be built with metal roofs, multiple doors, and swing roofs.

The advantage of these containers is that they can be transported after loading. Whether you are changing homes, renovating your home, downsizing, taking a gap year, having a store opening, relocating the office, or wanting to store seasonal merchandise, mobile self-storage can be helpful everywhere.

Apart from how goods and belongings are delivered to the facility, mobile self-storage is almost similar to traditional self-storage. If you feel your packing and to-and-fro from the facility is taking too much time and money, opt for this option. You can let the men do their work and later drive to the facility to have a look at how your possessions are arranged.

Good luck!

By Archit Aggarwal