Storage units in Boston are varied, and each one comes with specific advantages and disadvantages. For those who aren’t sure what to make of the different storage options, we’ve created this guide to help.
In this article, we’ll cover full-service storage, self-service storage, and container storage. We’ll also discuss the commercial and student storage options available to Boston business owners and students. We’ll also shed some light on why you should consider climate-controlled storage options if you live in the Boston area.
Full-Service Storage in Boston
Boston residents who want an entirely hands-off storage experience opt for full-service storage units. Boston area residents may have a number of reasons why they choose this storage approach. Seniors (aged 65 and up) make up 12% of the population, and may be unable to endure the strain of lifting heavy boxes. Even those who aren’t elderly may have limited mobility due to health conditions, or be unable to lift over a specific amount. Many Boston residents lead busy lives and prefer it for the sake of convenience.
Here are the benefits of full-service storage:
- You won’t lift a finger. When you choose full-service storage solutions, you can enjoy a stress-free storage experience. You don’t need to take your things to the warehouse: we’ll pick them up! Need your belongings back? We drop it off.
- It’s convenient. We’ll take inventory of all your items and ensure they’re properly stacked in a warehouse so we can find them when you need them. No more looking through endless boxes for hours in a desperate search for the one thing you want.
- Climate-controlled options. Anyone who’s visited Boston in the winter knows how cold it gets. In January 2021 alone the temperature dipped to 14 degrees below zero, and it’s been even colder in previous years. Without climate-controlled units, your stored electronics could be seriously damaged.
- Secure facilities. With full-service storage, you can enjoy the benefits of having a completely secure facility. You’ll avoid the rampant theft that plagues most self-storage facilities by choosing a full-service storage warehouse because only staff members are permitted to retrieve belongings from the warehouse.
If you choose the full-service option, be aware that you won’t be able to step into your storage space to retrieve your belongings – you’ll need to give us a call so we can deliver them to you. That said, the trade-off in terms of convenience and security are well worth it.
Self-Service Storage in Boston
For those who are looking for a less expensive option, self-service is also available to Boston residents. Self-service storage is what it sounds like: a storage option for people who would like to take care of the transportation and handling of their belongings on their own.
Self-service storage options can be appealing if:
- You are capable of lifting and setting down several heavy objects. There is a lot of strain involved with using self-service storage, so you’ll want to be sure you can handle it. You should also be careful to observe safe lifting techniques, and consider purchasing a back brace if you don’t already have one.
- You have the manpower needed to get it done. If you can’t lift very much, you may still be able to use a self-service option if you have friends and family that can help. Let them know about the safety precautions outlined above to avoid injury. The drawback of this approach is that your family and friends may not be available if you need to take your belongings out of storage later.
- You are highly organized. For most people, there isn’t time to create a personal inventory of their things before they put it in self storage. For many, it’s a last-minute solution, which can lead to issues down the line if you need to get something out. Highly-organized people will take extra care to jot down their inventory and minimize the time they need to spend in the unit looking for things.
- You aren’t storing electronics or other sensitive belongings. Think about what you’re planning to store in a Boston storage unit. If none of it needs to be in a climate-controlled facility, it may be fine for you to store in a self-storage facility.
Container Storage in Boston
Container storage allows you to store your belongings just outside of your home. On-site mobile container storage can be helpful in the following circumstances:
- When you want 24/7, easy access to your things. Mobile container storage doesn’t require you to travel (or anyone else to, either) to get your belongings. The storage unit is delivered to you and is available right out your front door.
- You’re a business owner with a small space. If you have limited storage space at your business, container storage can be a convenient solution. These units aren’t climate-controlled so be sure to keep all sensitive equipment in the main building. (More about commercial storage options later.)
- You’re renovating your home. Want a safe, mess-free environment to keep your furniture and belongings in as you renovate your house? Container storage will provide a dry place for you to keep your precious belongings free of damage.
Commercial Storage in Boston
Boston is home to many businesses, especially those in the tech industry. Commercial storage solutions in Boston evolved from the growing need for climate-controlled options. Be choosy about where you go for your commercial storage needs: choose a reputable company that’s located near your business so you can enjoy fast service.
Here at On Demand Storage, we have warehouses in Braintree, Medford, and Randolph: only 10-30 minutes away. We write easy-to-understand quotes for businesses and will quickly return your commercial belongings as soon as we hear from you. We load all of your company furniture, office supplies, etc. on our trucks and deliver them to our climate-controlled facilities so you can continue running your business.
Student Storage in Boston
Boston is the epicenter of Massachusetts education, with Harvard only 15 minutes away and many other Massachusetts universities within the city itself. Student storage is an enormous asset to stressed college students who need a way to take care of their belongings. Full-service storage enables students to focus on getting settled into the routine, make connections, and focus on their studies instead of worrying about the logistics of how to store their things.
Are you attending college in Boston from out of state, or are you a Boston resident who’s enrolled in an out-of-state college? We can pick up and ship your belongings throughout the United States and can give you a concrete idea of how much it would cost for you to store different items at our storage facility.
We also offer a free insurance policy to each of our student storage customers to provide additional peace of mind as your belongings are shipped cross-country.
On Demand Storage: Long-Term Storage in Boston
Many of the storage options we discussed in this article are available through On Demand storage. We offer student storage, container storage, commercial storage and full-service long-term storage solutions for Massachusetts residents in the Boston area. Are you interested in hands-off, convenient storage with a dedicated storage specialist? Contact us today to rent storage space now!
