By Glenna MacDougal

June 16, 2020

Cheap Self-Storage

Downtown living is terrific – you can be right in the heart of the city, in the centre of the action! But one of the disadvantages of being a downtown dweller is that your storage space is usually limited. You may have equipment for seasonal sports, collections of memorabilia, hobby supplies, or other items that are only used occasionally, but which take up a lot of space. You may have furniture or artwork that doesn’t fit your current living situation, or you may be relocating temporarily and need to store most of your possessions. If you are searching for space for your “stuff”, you have probably discovered that conventional storage facilities can be expensive. Most are also located in out-of-the way corners of the city, which may be far from where you live.

So where can you find cheap self-storage? If you want to save up to 50% of the fees of conventional storage facilities, you should look into the sharing economy’s solution: space sharing.

What Is Space Sharing?

The “sharing economy” is a 21stcentury way of looking at goods and services. Its popularity has exploded in recent years: companies like eBay, Uber, and Airbnb all use technology to match people who can provide goods and services with the people who need them. Because overhead is very low with these types of companies, customers save money. And because these platforms can connect you to goods and services in your own area, they are usually more convenient than conventional alternatives.

In the case of space sharing, an online company will match a host with space to spare with a customer who needs to store items – whether it be boxes of clothes or books, pots and pans, golf clubs, or even vehicles. Imagine the resources necessary to keep a traditional storage facility running. First, there’s the cost of buying the land and building the warehouses. Then there are ongoing costs for taxes, administration, 24/7 security, cleaning, and maintenance and repairs. No wonder conventional self-storage companies can be pricey! With space sharing, you will be using a storage area that already exists in a location in your own neighbourhood. Not only is space sharing more economical, it’s also very much more environmentally friendly. In addition, it’s a more personal experience – you get to know a neighbour, and you may even make a new friend!

Is Space Sharing Safe?

Space sharing has been happening now for several years, and the key to using this service is finding a reliable company. Better companies specialize only in space sharing, and have devised systems and policies to help ensure that things go smoothly. Look for a company that has a dedicated online platform for sharing. Better platforms allow you to register for free and choose from a number of options in your area. You can then inspect the space to see if it’s right for your needs, and decide whether or not to use it. If you and the host mutually agree to go forward, the space sharing company will provide you with a legal document and can advise you about making insurance arrangements. Fees are deducted monthly through the company platform, using a safe method such as Pay Pal.

Investigate safe, affordable, convenient space sharing today!