Welcome to San Diego Storage.

This site includes a comprehensive directory of self-storage and warehousing services in San Diego, CA, as well as tips to help you find the best solution for your storage needs.

Self-Storage Basics

Is there a self-storage solution for you? There very well could be, if you're someone who's had to move into smaller accommodations, but didn't want to part with some of your possessions right away. Or perhaps you're someone with a home business who needs a place to store your records or your inventory. Maybe you simply have seasonal toys like a boat or RV which need someplace to shelter during the colder months of the year. If you're in the military and have to pull up stakes at a moment's notice, self-storage will provide you with the place to keep your belongings during your transition.

You could have any number of reasons for needing extra room for your possessions, and might benefit from having the basics of self-storage explained. Those basics include, among other things, what you can expect to pay for self-storage rental; the kind of security different self-storage facilities have available; and how to determine if you'll be happy with the self-storage company you choose. We'll begin by explaining what sizes of self-storage units are available.

Choosing the Right Size of Self-Storage Unit

You don't want to end up carting all your belongings to yourself-storage unit, only to find that some of them will have to come back home with you because you didn't read a unit which was large enough. There were two ways around this problem.

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The first and easiest way around the problem is to have a good discussion with the manager at the self-storage facility where you're renting your unit, giving him or her a clear idea of the number and size of possessions you be storing. Most professional self-storage facility managers have the expertise to know which size unit you require.

If, however, you end up renting a unit which is too small anyway, you can save yourself some time by having checked in advance that there will be a larger unit available on the premises in case you need to make the switch.

Following are the most common sizes of self-storage units:

• For the contents of a small closet or your smaller pieces of furniture, a 5' x 5 would unit will do. Furniture the size of the couch, or the contents of the small bedroom, or several large packing boxes will fit into a 5' x 10' unit.
• If you're storing not only the furniture you had in your one-bedroom apartment, but the large appliances like the refrigerator and washing machine, go with a 10' x 10' unit. The furniture from a two-bedroom apartment will fit into a 10' x 12' unit; and the furniture from a two-bedroom apartment plus appliances requires a 10' x 15' unit.
• Furniture and appliances from a two-bedroom or three-bedroom house in a 10' x 25' unit; those from a four -bedroom house, a 10' x 25' unit; and a five-bedroom house, 10' x 30'.
• The largest standard cell-storage unit size, 10' x 40', will hold not only all the contents of a five-bedroom home, but vehicles. It can also serve as a business warehouse.
• Once you've determined the correct size for yourself-storage unit, you should consider the amount of security you require.

Self-Storage Security

The level of security at different self-storage facilities can range from minimal to Fort Knox-quality. Since you probably be paying extra for each additional security feature protecting your unit, learn what security measures are available and look for a facility which offers only the ones you think are important.

The minimum you should expect from a self-storage facility in the way of security is that it be guarded by a wall or fence sturdy enough to discourage intruders. A solid wall of brick or concrete is better than a chain-link fence, simply because it will keep prying eyes from seeing inside.

Lighting is another security essential, and the lights at the self-storage facility you choose should be in good working order and capable of locating even the darkest corners of the premises.

Look for a facility which requires everyone entering or exiting to key in a gate code. Make sure that the management keeps updated information on exactly who has access to the gate code.

A more sophisticated version of the gate code is that the key pad access code, which will allow the facilities customers to enter the elevators and the floors on which there belongings are stored, if it is a multi-story facility.

An intercom is very useful for allowing the management to communicate with anyone in the facility who seems to be acting suspiciously, and is also great for allowing the on-site guards, if there are any, to communicate with the management.

Higher-tech forms of self-storage security include and motion sensors. CCTV uses a network of cameras situated in different areas of the facilities to monitor and record everything which occurs. Motion sensors are connected either to the alarm system or the lighting system, causing the alarm to sound in the lights to flash whenever they are triggered. National self-storage companies often make arrangements to have their motion sensor systems linked to alarms at the local police stations.

National self-storage companies will also often provide around-the-clock guards on the premises, and they are by far the most effective form of security.

The most basic form of self-storage security, is, of course, a high-quality lock on the door of yourself-storage unit. All of self-storage facilities will require you to have a lock on your unit, and some of them may demand that you buy it directly from them. You'll be expected to provide the management of your facility with either a key or the combination to your lock, and you'll also be able to leave a list the names of people who are allowed to have access to your possessions.

When you've decided how much security yourself-storage unit needs, you can decide whether or not it should be climate-controlled.

Climate-Controlled Self-Storage

Almost every cell storage company rents both indoor and outdoor units; the outdoor units are constructed with their own lighting systems and sheet metal ceilings. The indoor units, in order to be protected in case of fire, have wire mesh ceilings which allow water from the sprinkler systems to penetrate them. Only the indoor units will have the option of climate control.

Any items, including valuable documents, artwork, fragile wood furniture, or suede and for items should be stored in climate-controlled units. The extremes of temperature and humidity which they would experience in an outdoor unit could very easily damaged beyond repair.

While you're checking on climate control, checked on pest control as well. The same furniture and valuable belongings which can be harmed by climate extremes is very game to insects and rodents. Even if the belongings your story are not particularly valuable, you should always make sure that your self-storage facility shows no signs of water damage.

Vehicle Storage

Many self-storage companies offer outdoor off-season parking for vehicles including RVs and boats. They may even take care of the pre-storage tasks like fluid draining. Also find out if there will be a protective cover available for your vehicle before you decide to store it.

Business Self-Storage

Self-storage can be a terrific convenience for a business which is in the process of moving from one location to another, or for a seasonal business needing a place to store its promotional material. Many home-based entrepreneurs take advantage of self-storage to house their inventory until it's been sold. A business could need storage space for one of several reasons.

If you're a business owner looking for self-storage, decided you need a long-term or temporary contract, and look for facility which will let you access your unit at any time on any day of the year. Try to find a company which will let you terminate your contract on short notice. In the best of all possible worlds, the self-storage facility you choose will actually accept deliveries for you. You may also be able to find a unit with storage racks if your inventory requires them.

What can you expect to pay for self storage unit?

Prices of Self-Storage Units

Prices of self-storage units very depending on their location, size, the security of the facility where they're located, and whether or not they are climate-controlled. You'll pay more for a unit which is both climate controlled and protected by the latest in security gadgets.

Expect that you will be renting your unit on a month to month basis, and then she'll be allowed to cancel your contract at will. But also expect that for the flexibility of being able to cancel when you wish, there'll be a trade-off. The self-storage facility will be able to raise your rates at any time.

If you really expect to be using yourself-storage unit for a long period of time, the best way to lock in your initial rates is to rent from a national self storage company, because those companies are the ones most willing to guarantee you at least six months at your initial rate.

You'll be asked to give a refundable deposit when you rent your unit, and as long as you leave your unit in a conditional acceptable to the management, your deposit should come back to you. If, however, you decide to remove your possessions before your contract is up, the management may keep your deposit. So check in advance whether or not it will be forfeited.

As a general rule of thumb, a 5' x 5' cell storage unit will run between $40 and $50 a month. A 10' x 15' unit, will go for between $75 and $130 a month, and a 10' x 20' unit, between $90 and $150 a month. All these prices are without climate control; you can expect to spend another $20-$40 for that.

One way to save a bit of money on yourself-storage unit is to rent from his facility which offers a discounted rate to new customers. If you're a senior citizen, check to see if that entitles you to a discount.

Self-storage Insurance

Another cost associated with self-storage is that of insurance. Never take it for granted that damage to your possessions will be convert by the self-storage company’s liability insurance. Speak to the management about what sort of damage will be covered, and if you have homeowner's insurance and, find out if you can add a self-storage rider.

Is Your Self-Storage Company Trustworthy?

You will get a fairly good idea of whether or not you can trust your self-storage company by carefully reading over the contract they expect you to sign. The self-storage company wants you for a customer, but not at the expense of their own bottom line.

Make sure your contract is crystal clear about exactly when the company has permission to access your belongings. That permission should be restricted only to clear emergencies, or instances in which the company needs to get into unit because you failed to pay your rent. Does the contract allow management to move your belongings to another unit? And if so, must they notify you before they begin?

Will you be able to supply your own lock for yourself-storage unit, or are you required to buy one from a company? Will it cost extra for you to be able to get into your unit when the facility is closed? How difficult will it be for you to get your deposit refunded when you move out? Have management put in writing exactly the sort of condition you will be required to leave your unit in order to get your deposit back.

If you’ve thoroughly inspected the facility, finding it clean, with adequate security, lighting and fencing, and free of water, pest, and rodent damage, and are satisfied that your contract is fair, you are probably dealing with a good self-storage company.

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