Should I Use Short-Term or Long-Term Storage

Short-Term vs Long-Term Storage?

Various storage facilities in South Africa offer short- and long-term options. Deciding on the one that’s right for you can be tricky, because you don’t know what the future may hold. Here’s our advice on what to consider when deciding between the two.

What’s the Difference Between Short- and Long-Term Storage?

The obvious difference lies in the amount of time you use the storage unit for. Short-term storage is temporary, while long-term lasts for a much longer period. But the issue comes in when you’re defining ‘temporary’.

For some people, temporary means a month while they’re moving house, while for others, temporary is storing their goods for six months. Having said that, short-term is generally considered to be three months or less, while long-term is anything over three months.

But a better way to consider the differences is to think about your intention with the storage space. For example, do you plan to keep items from a deceased loved one’s estate in storage while you wait for the estate to wrap up, or do you want to create an off-site office that you can use indefinitely?

Also to consider is that you might intend to have a storage unit for a short amount of time, but then your circumstances change and you need it for an extended period, turning it into a longer-term option.

Points to Consider When Deciding on Long- and Short-Term Storage

• What Should I Store in a Short-Term Space?

Short-term storage is ideal for times when you are renovating your house and need a place to store your possessions while that’s happening. It’s also ideal if you’re moving house and need somewhere to keep your goods between the move—if you’re not moving straight from one place to the next. This applies to businesses as well.

• What Should I Store in a Long-Term Space?

Long-term solutions are better for seasonal items like clothes and gardening equipment, or if you plan on taking an extended holiday or sabbatical and, say, don’t extend the lease on your home.

• How Flexible are the Contracts?

At Easy Store, all of our contracts run month-to-month, and you can cancel any time, making it a flexible option if you’re unsure how long you’ll need to use the storage space for. But not all self-storage facilities offer this option, so choose carefully when selecting your storage unit. If you’re going to be locked in to a contract, be certain that you’ll use that facility for the period of time stipulated.

• What is the Access Like? 

Generally, you won’t visit your storage unit as often if you’re storing your possessions over a long period of time. Even if you’re storing seasonal items like clothing, you won’t need to visit it too frequently. Contrast this with short-term storage where you’re likely to visit it more. So, consider how easy the unit is to access depending on if you’re going the short- or long-term route.

• What Security Does the Facility Offer?

Whether you’re storing your goods over the short- or long-term, security is important. However, with long-term storage, people tend to store items that are more valuable, such as antiques. You want to make extra sure that the storage facility you choose offers tight security, especially if you plan to store your goods for a long while. You need to look out for security cameras, whether the facility is linked to an armed response company, if there are alarms set at night, if there are security patrols, and so on.

• What Are the Prices Like? 

An extremely important consideration is the pricing of the unit. If you’re going to be storing your goods for an extended period of time, you don’t want to pay a fortune for the privilege. Finding a cost-effective storage solution is vital if you want to make long-term storage work.

•  What Are the Conditions of the Units? 

If you’re storing your items for a short period of time, then worrying about the conditions of the unit (we’re talking humidity and moisture control), isn’t so important. Basic dust covers will work just fine. But if you’ve got valuables that need a specific environment in order to be kept in good condition, you should check whether the storage facility offers such care.

• Is it Protected Against Fire?

Natural disasters like floods and fires can happen at any time. You’ll want to find out what the storage facility has in place to prevent damage to your property while it’s in storage should a natural disaster occur.

Which Should I Use: Short- or Long-Term Storage?

Our honest opinion is that you should use a service provider that offers a month-to-month service that you can cancel whenever you need to. You just don’t know what life will throw at you, and when circumstances change, it’s reasonable to expect that your storage solution changes with them.

To discuss a variety of month-to-month storage options, contact us on 086 11 00 222 or email us at info@easystore.co.za.