Peoria Storage Units
Peoria storage units offer organization solutions for the storage needs of any home or office. Flexible lease terms allow renters to retain their units for a few weeks or many years without the hassle of signing repeated contracts. For every month the renter's belongings remain in storage, he is billed for rent, and most facilities require minimal notice for vacating a unit. This virtually hands-off approach to self storage makes moving, spring cleaning and any other organization task stress-free.
Peoria is a suburb of Phoenix, AZ. Located in Maricopa County, the city named by its founders for their hometown, Peoria, Illinois, has become larger in population than its namesake. Its proximity to Phoenix combined with the quieter scene of suburban life lead "Money" magazine to name Peoria one of its 100 Best Places to Live in 2008.
Though storage units are often thought of as places to dump old furniture and knickknacks, they have many more uses than that. The average American moves to new homes 11 times, so moving has becomes one of the most popular reasons for maintaining Peoria storage units. For people relocating from the big city to the suburbs, units can hold furniture, boxes and other excesses while the new owners get their homes in order.
Arizona businesses also find man uses for Peoria storage units. Aside from keeping extra office furniture in off-site units, medical and legal offices can keep documents and records in organized archives where they are kept secure and under climate controls. Merchants can store excess merchandise in Peoria storage units, which serve as affordable alternatives to warehouse space or extra store-frontage. Online and catalog retailers can even operate small-scale distribution centers out of their Peoria storage units.
Climate Considerations
Peoria, like most of Arizona, experiences extreme heat in the summers with average highs exceeding 100 degrees for four months of the year. The winter months are cool and mild. The area receives very little rainfall so, luckily, it is rarely humid. But high heat can take a toll on belongings stored in Peoria storage units.
Dry heat can damage anything made of natural fibers, like furs and leathers. It can also cause a musty smell in mattresses, clothing, rugs and upholstered furniture. Photographs, which should never be kept in storage because of their sensitive nature--begin to stick and become brittle in hot conditions. Store clothing in zippered garment bags and mattresses in plastic covers to keep them from acquiring an odor.
AZ businesses who use storage units for documents and other paper records should take special care. Fluctuations in temperature and moisture can wreak havoc on paper and print. For this reason, any unit with a large amount of paper should be climate-controlled.
Climate controls monitor and regulate the temperature and moisture in the air. This keeps the interior of the unit at optimal temperature and humidity levels to preserve your stored goods. Doctors, lawyers and others who store sensitive, important paperwork should be sure that their units are climate-controlled and that there is a back-up generator to compensate for power outages that could compromise the climate of the unit over an extended period.
Insuring Your Stored Belongings
You insure your home and your car, so why not insure your belongings? Most Peoria storage units require renters to have an insurance policy on their stored goods. This protects the company from liability, and it protects your assets as well. If you experience a loss from fire, theft or a list of other perils, a good insurance policy will compensate you for the value of the items.
Because insurance is a required prerequisite to renting a unit, many companies offer policies with a cooperating Peoria insurance agent. For non-homeowners, these are quite convenient: no shopping around to do, and the monthly premium is tacked on to your rent. But these plans may offer too much or too little coverage for your specific needs. In addition, you may already be covered under your existing AZ homeowners insurance policy for domestic property. Check with your Peoria agent to be sure you aren't paying double.
If you are considering policies offered by Peoria storage units, do your due diligence in researching several Arizona providers for rate quotes before committing. There is no need to pay more when you can have the exact same coverage for less. When getting rate quotes, you will have to estimate the value of your goods. To do this, you must make an inventory.
To make a proper inventory, make a list of every item stored along with its age and original value. Include receipts, certificates and other documentation, if available. Finally, take a series of pictures or a walk-through video of the unit to document what is stored and where. All of these steps ensure that Peoria storage units renters are covered if anything disastrous should happen.