If this were true, we would advise you to find the absolute cheapest storage unit on the market and leave all your valuable things in their facility. The fact is, not all storage facilities are alike. The space you rent from one of our facilities comes loaded with a package of safeguards to help you protect the things that you hold precious. This includes security systems for fire and theft, friendly helpful managers that are committed to helping you safeguard your belongings, and a commitment to quality and convenience in every regard. You will also find that our facilities are clean and well maintained. This commitment to a quality facility translates into heavy-duty fencing, security cameras, regular lock checks by managers, electronic gate controls, pest control, individual gate access codes, systematic maintenance, and watchful managers. We think you should look for excellence, not just price. Where you store your things does matter, and this is where Sound Storage Management can make a difference.

If You Are Moving:
If you are moving your household from one location to another, you will want to consider the following:

1. Take inventory and decide what you want to keep and what you want to give away or sell. Donate items you no longer want or have a yard sale.

2. Select a storage site for any temporary storage requirements you might have. See our list of locations on this Web page.

3. Reserve a rental truck well in advance of your move (note - many of our locations have Free use of our rental trucks to make it easy and inexpensive to make your move - check sites for details) or select a moving company.

4. It's a good idea to make a file of all your important moving and storage documents and keep them out and accessible.

5. Start making travel arrangements (if needed), reserve your storage space, and start packing up your belongings that aren't often used.

6. File a ‘Change of Address’ form with the post office 30 days before your move.

7. Arrange to have your utilities stopped at the old address and started at the new address.

8. Pack a travel bag to make the transition from your old address to your new one. Don't forget to pack your medications.

If You Are Storing, But Not Moving:
If you are storing some of your belongings but not moving to another location, consider the following:

1. Select and reserve your storage location from one of our convenient storage sites. A list of sites is presented on this Web page for your consideration.

2. Consider purchasing shelving or boxes to store or pack your belongings (You can purchase these at any of our storage sites). By using commercial grade boxes, you will protect your belongings, make it easier to move in and out, and help you get the maximum efficiency from your storage space. This can sometimes result in allowing you to rent a smaller, less expensive space.

3. Reserve one of our trucks for a Free move-in to those locations that have trucks available. Or rent the truck (they are the nicest trucks you will ever drive) from one of our sites.

4. Purchase a quality lock from one of our sites. It can be your best insurance.

Packing:

1. Consider using commercial grade boxes to make it easier to move in and out, help keep your things safe, and get the most efficient use from your storage space.

2. Paper and sensitive items should be wrapped in plastic to prevent exposure to moisture from the air. You might consider a heated unit for the same reason.

3. Put a vapor barrier on the floor so you can stand couches and other long items on end and get better use of your space. Concrete floors can sometimes wick up moisture from the ground.

4.Cover your fine furniture with a blanket or sheet to prevent dust accumulation and to protect them from moist air getting to the finish.

Storing:

1. Think about what items you might need from the unit (and how often) and then pack accordingly.

2. Stand long items on end to make more efficient use of your space.

3. Use shelving when you need to access the items frequently.

4. Purchase the most secure lock system you can buy to protect your goods.

5. Be careful what you store. Storing flammables and hazardous chemicals can be a threat to you, other tenants, and the entire facility.

6. Never vacate a unit without notifying the manager, and never leave your lock on the unit after you have vacated. We assume you're still using the unit until we hear otherwise and your lock is removed.

When renting a storage unit, you will be faced with an array of size choices. Often storage units are increments of 5 feet in size. Some typical sizes might be:

• 5' X 5' (25 square feet or the size of a small half bath)
• 5' X 10' (50 square feet or the size of a walk in closet)
• 5' X 15' (75 square feet or the size of a large walk in closet)
• 10' X 10' (100 square feet or the size of a small bedroom)
• 10' X 15' (150 square feet or the size of a large bedroom)
• 10' X 20' (200 square feet or the size of a small one car garage)
• 10' X 25' (250 square feet or the size of a standard one car garage)
• 10' X 30' (300 square feet or the size of a large one car garage)

The choice on size of unit might well depend on how much access you need as well as how efficient you are in packing your belongings. See the notes above on packing tips to help make this process more efficient and to protect your belongings. If you don't need much access, you can load the unit up tight and store a lot of things in a very small space. If you need access, you may wish to leave a lane open in either the center or on one (or both) edge(s) of the unit. This will allow you to see and have access to the goods you have stored. An example is businesses that store business records. They often use our banker boxes (available for sale at most sites) and shelving (also available at our sites) so they can get to their records when they need them.

One of the problems of storing in the Northwest is that we have a damp climate and although our units are clean and dry, there is moisture in the air. For this reason, we offer our customers an option of heated units. Some customers will rent one of each - a heated unit for their more sensitive belongings and the other for less sensitive goods. We typically heat units to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to take most of the moisture out of the air. Heated units are especially helpful when storing paper items such as books, which act like a sponge and pull moisture out of the air. You might also consider it when storing sensitive electronic equipment, musical instruments, or to protect the fine finish on furniture. There are ways to pack these items to help protect them, but a heated unit can take some of the worry out of this decision.