Across the country, more and more people are finding a need for self storage and Dunstable is no different. Many local people are using a storage unit in Dunstable to help them with their personal and/or business needs. 

This increase in use of self storage has come about due to a variety of factors. New build houses are smaller than many older homes and many new builds have a distinct lack of storage. Along with this, many more people are starting their own businesses or, at least, thinking about starting their own businesses. Since 2023, there has been a 0.8% increase in the amount of small businesses in the UK. This may sound like a small number but that is 46,000 more small businesses. 

When it comes to renting a storage unit in Dunstable, there are many things to consider as there are a variety of storage options and storage companies in the UK. You need to know what to look for and what to consider when choosing your storage unit in Dunstable. 

Within this article we are going to talk you through what factors you need to think about before renting a storage unit in Dunstable and how to make sure you get the ideal unit for your needs. 

Assessing Your Storage Needs

First things first, before you even begin to look at storage units in Dunstable, you need to assess your storage needs. It is a very easy thing to do – you simply need to think about everything you want to place into storage. Make a list of everything and if you are storing furniture or large items, think about the measurements. If you can, measure the items and write down the measurements. 

Next, you need to think about how long you need your storage unit. When it comes to domestic use cases, most people use self storage for short-term periods, which is classed as anything under three months. Self storage companies are, of course, happy to cater to longer term storage needs but it is important that you look for storage companies that offer flexible rental contracts. Flexible rental contracts allow you to upgrade, downgrade or leave your unit before your current rental period has expired. This type of contract allows you to rent a unit for a long-term period without feeling like you are trapped paying for it if you need change. At Cinch Self Storage Dunstable, all our rental contracts are flexible. If you want to leave your unit completely, we just need 14 days notice. 

Types of Storage Facilities in Dunstable

There are many different ways in which you can use a storage unit in Dunstable. Here we will discuss some of the uses and types of storage. 

Domestic and Business Uses

Storage units are usually used for either domestic reasons or for business purposes. Domestic uses are usually things like a house move, house renovations, excess or seasonal belongings. Self storage gives people a safe place to store their belongings, no matter their reasoning for needing it. 

Business uses are usually people who need space to store inventory or equipment. A storage unit gives them the space to store their business assets, whilst also giving them the space to organise their inventory making their business more organised and efficient. Many of our business customers move their entire business operations over to us as it allows them to fully focus on their business and gives them a better work/life balance.

Climate Controlled Storage

Depending on what you are storing, you may need climate controlled storage. Climate controlled storage is exactly what it says on the tin – it is storage in which you have control over the temperature and humidity via air conditioning, heating and ventilation. 

Climate controlled storage is excellent for sensitive items such as vinyl records, comic books and books. These all need to be stored at certain temperatures and humidity, and they need them to stay level and not fluctuate. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can lead to items becoming damaged. 

Specialised Storage Solutions

There are some specialised reasons for needing to use a storage unit.. This can include things such as vehicle storage and document storage.

In the example of vehicle storage, you will need to find a storage company that has units available that are large enough to fit a car. Our storage units in Dunstable go up to 300 square feet which is three times larger than the average one-car garage. 

With document storage, you will want the opposite to vehicle storage – a smaller space which is secure so you can store important documents, pertaining to your life or business. Our storage units in Dunstable go up to 300 square feet but they start at 10 square feet. And each unit is fitted with an intruder alarm and smoke and fire detectors so you documents will be safe from theft and environmental factors. 

Key Features to Look For in a Storage Unit

There are many key features that you need to look out for when choosing a storage unit. Within this section we will talk you through these key features. 

Security Measures 

You will want to look for a storage company that is equipped with high levels of security. Luckily, all professional self storage will have state of the art security systems in place which include CCTV surveillance, gated or pin-code access and alarm systems. It is very important that you find a storage facility that has these kinds of security features as you want to have peace of mind that your belongings are safe. 

At Cinch Self Storage Dunstable, we have 24/7 CCTV surveillance around the entire facility. Each of our units is equipped with an intruder alarm and smoke and fire detectors so your belongings are protected from theft and environmental factors. Along with this, we have pin-code access which allows you convenient access to your unit whilst keeping everyone else’s safe. 

Accessibility 

The next thing that you need to be on the lookout for is good accessibility. You need to think about when you will need access to your unit. 

Will this be during the day? Will it be early morning or late evening? 

Many self storage companies over some form of extended access hours but some stick to the regular 9-5 hours. You need to know what works for you. 

At Cinch Self Storage Dunstable, we are open every day. Our official opening hours are: Monday to Friday – 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday – 9am to 4pm and Sunday – 10am to 2pm. We do offer extended opening hours outside of our office hours which are subject to customer need and the store teams discretion. If extended opening hours would be of help to you, please chat with the team today. 

Location

Another key feature that ties into accessibility is the location of the storage company. You don’t want to be travelling for hours in order to access your storage unit. You need to find a storage company that is in a convenient location for your home and/or business. 

Our Dunstable facility is a short 7 minute drive from the town centre. With each of our stores, we make sure to pick a location that is convenient for local people. 

Cost Considerations When Renting a Storage Unit

You need to take in your budget when looking at storage units in Dunstable. Although renting a storage unit is cheaper than buying a storage unit or renting a larger business premises, it still comes with a cost so you need to know what your top budget is. Once you know this, you can speak with the storage company team, detailing your storage needs and budget. Our expert team will easily find you your ideal unit. 

Many storage companies offer discounts for long-term rentals or for new customers so don’t be afraid to ask about any potential discounts. 

Reviews and Recommendations

Finally, you need to find a storage company that is a trusted facility. The easiest way to do this is to speak with people who have used the storage facility and to read customer reviews. 

We are happy to report that we are one of the top-rated storage facilities in Dunstable, with over 1,000 5* reviews on Trustpilot. 

Storage Units In Dunstable 101

When choosing a storage unit in Dunstable there are many things that you need to take into consideration – what you need to store, what type of storage you need and when you need to access it. You also need to look into the security measures that are in place at the storage facility as you want to know that your belongings are safe. If you remain uncertain about which storage facility to choose, ask people for recommendations and look at customer reviews. These can give you a good idea of how the storage facility runs and whether it will be a good first for your needs. 

We encourage you to carefully review your options so you choose the facility that best matches your needs. 

If you would like to know more about our storage units in Dunstable, please give us a call on: 08000 855 732 or click here.