Outside storage for large items such as boats or recreation vehicles is needed for a number of reasons. Your property may not be big enough for this purpose or even if it is, the city's local regulations may not allow large items in a residential neighborhood. Also, boats for example which are in the water during summer, may need to be stored over the winter months to prevent damage. Here is a list of some of the large items that may need storage for a period of time:
Boats
Yachts
Cars
Motor homes
Motor bikes
Campers
Exposure to certain weather conditions may pose a threat to these items and cause them damage, for instance:
Severe high temperatures
Torrential rain, snow or sleet
Subzero climate
Strong winds
To ensure their safe keep and to prevent damage to your large items, storage is an excellent solution to consider.
You will find that each facility will offer you different storage possibilities. Choose the one that meets your specific requirements, especially those you feel are non-negotiable.
To solve storage problems for large items many companies that go in for this type of business offer both inside and outside storage spaces. Some boats or yachts for example may be too large to store on your local property, and then opting to use a specialized boat or yacht storage company can do it for you.
When inspecting an inside storage space or bay for your large item, be sure to check that the width and the height of the doors and the inside space itself are suitable to hold your large item securely and without the risk of damage. If you plan to store your large item on a rack, similar to that of an outside car park on which the cars stand on racks one on top of the other, pay attention that the space is not too tight for your large item.
Storing inside can ensure the protection of your item against damage that may be caused from bad weather conditions. There are facilities that even offer heating, however, this benefits your own comfort more than it does the protection of your stored items. You can also find many facilities that offer an option of electricity for bay type inside storage units. When considering all the possibilities at hand, make your choice according to your specific needs
.The lower cost option is outside storage, however keep in mind that there is a higher chance of damage that can be caused to your item outside.
Another possibility on offer by many storage companies is residential storage. In this case, a shelter is delivered to your home in which a boat, car or RV can be stored. These shelters provide protection for your items against bad weather and some have back and front panels and doors as options; when no longer needed, they can be returned to the storage company. Before choosing residential storage, check with your local municipality that storage on your property is permitted.
It is common for many boat or yacht storage companies to offer a range of additional related merchandise or services such as docking and launching. This is less common though with car storage companies. Some of the services offered may include:
General repairs on cars, boats or other RV’s
Sales and purchase of new and used vehicles
Repairs of osmotic blisters for boats or yachts
Gloss finishing
Welding
High pressure power washing
General Repairs such as mast repairs for boats or body work for vehicles.
Painting underneath boats and buffing on boats
Preparing boats for winter and other general services
Launch and haul out to storage
Cleaning, waxing and detailing
Accessory sale and installation
Docking, launch ramps
Fuel service
Boat rental
Jet ski and pontoon rental
Preparation of boats for winter should include flush out, fogging drain and refill lower unit grease, pressure testing, grease shaft, fittings and steering system, compression test engine, disconnecting battery(s) and replacing water pumps if the recommended two years replacement period has expired.
Detailing should include compounding, waxing and vinyl cleaning (for boats)
The cost for storing of your belongings will vary according to your choice of needs and services. Group storage is a cost effective option which you should consider exploring. Gathering a number of friends or colleagues to share a storage space with you can greatly influence the bulk discount rate you will be given by the facility. Inside storage is more expensive than outside storage, especially if you choose inside heating. An individual bay with electric outlets will each cost extra.
Before you commit with a storage company, spend some time at the facility of choice to see that the vehicles or boats, etc., are handled with care. Some boat storage companies regularly test the waters in the docking area to monitor algae and bacteria levels; Ask them to show you the monitoring records so that you can examine them and see how often they perform these tests.
Security and Safety
Whatever the large items are that you want to put into storage you most probably paid quite a sum of money for them. Putting them into storage seasonally or during periods that they are not in use shows that their safe keep is important to you. Therefore, check with the different storage companies regarding the safety and security measures that they offer for the protection of your goods while in storage. Keypad access, security fences, 24-hour security guards, around-the-clock access to the storage unit are all available options. Feel comfortable with the security arrangements of the storage facility that you finally select.