Shopping For Size With Storage Containers For Rent
Choosing the right size option from the wide assortment of storage containers for rent is an important part of the leasing process. A too-big container may be a poor fit aesthetically for the amount of space it has to occupy and for the volume of storage capacity it provides. This makes considering where a storage unit sits, what will go in it, and what is allowed in your area extremely important before signing a lease agreement.
Storage Container Basics
Storage containers run the range from basic metal storage cubes to full-fledged shipping containers ready to throw on an 18-wheeler or a train car. Amenities also cover a wide territory with basic units offering only four walls a roof and a floor while others feature climate control via hook-ups to electricity and plumbing. The characteristics of a storage container also help inform size limitations based on limited placement options for select features, such as electrical capabilities requiring access to a generator or power pole hook-ups.
Exterior Placement
Storage container leases may be required to house temporary inventory at a business or for short-term storage during a move or home renovation. Whichever is the case, where the container is going to sit is a major consideration when considering size options. Space in a home driveway is often limited and local ordinances can prevent long-term streetside parking. Homeowner association or community rules also often dictate allowed items in a front yard or limit the timeframe for storage.
After reviewing any stipulations regarding where a unit can go, size options can start at that point and work down. For example, if a moderate-sized backyard is the only place a storage container can sit, and there is a 12-foot wide gate for access, then it may be possible to deliver a 10-foot-wide container on a compact trailer and motor it to the site. Length and height can then be need-based.
When local codes allow, businesses often store containers in a consumer parking area or near the loading docks for ease of access. As inventory is offloaded, containers can be delivered back to a leasing agent or transported to another store.
Cubic Feet
Multiplying the length, width, and height of a storage unit provides the maximum cubic footage available for storage. Realistically, much less space is available for home goods as many items cannot be safely stacked for personal safety and protection of the items, and there needs to be room to navigate items in and out of the unit.
According to some sources, the furniture and belongings in average two-bedroom apartments can fit in a unit approximately 10 feet by 10 feet while 15 to 20 feet of length is required for larger apartments and average homes with multiple bedrooms. For a business contemplating container-based storage, the calculations are a bit easier as pallets of inventory are easily measured and stacked to maximize storage capabilities.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for storage containers for rent near you.
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