Welcome to Baltimore Storage.

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

Self-Storage Guide for Beginners

It's hard to stay uncluttered. If you have reached the point where the number of your possessions outstrips the space you have available to house them comfortably, it's time to simplify. Perhaps the shrinking economy has led you to seek smaller living quarters, or forced you to seek employment in new part of the country.Perhaps you have a business with quarters too cramped to handle all your records.  Or perhaps you simply have too many toys to fit into your garage or basement.

Regardless of your reasons, you've reached the conclusion that it's time to clear out some of your space.  You're not ready, however, to dispose of many of the possessions which have taken over your world.  What you need is self-storage.

There is certainly no shortage of self-storage facilities for anyone who lives in or near a large metropolitan area.  Self-storage businesses were one of the hot franchising opportunities of the US real estate era. And millions of homeowners who have downsized smaller and more affordable homes need self-storage more than ever before. Finding a self-storage facility in your area probably won't be a problem; finding one you can trust with your belongings, however, will take some research.

We've compiled a list of self-storage basics to help you narrow your search for a trustworthy facility. We'll begin with a closer look at self-storage security measures.

Check out these great deals:

Check out our sister sites for more information on self-storage facilities:

• Los Angeles Self-Storage
• San Diego Self-Storage
• Houston Self-Storage
• Atlanta Self-Storage

Self-Storage Security

There's no point in paying to have your belongings stored somewhere if they're going to be missing or damaged the next time you decide to inspect them.  Avoid any self-storage facility whose security measures seem inadequate to you.  What are the types of security available?  

You'll be able to determine a lot about security of the self-storage facility with your first drive-by.  Pay attention to the appearance of its walls or fences.  The most secure walls will be solid brick or concrete, to prevent potential intruders from both seeing into, and breaking into, the facility.

Does the facility you're looking at provide gate codes to everyone who's authorized to enter and leave it?  When you rent your unit, you'll begin in the gate codes to punch into the entry keypad each time you come into and exit the facility.  The facility’s management will periodically change the gate codes, informing authorized users of the changes, and making sure the list of authorized users is updated.

The best self-storage facilities have, in addition to gate codes, keypad access codes which allow those renting units access into the elevators and to the floors on which their units are located if they are into your units in a multistory facility.  Every floor of a multistory facility will have a different keypad excess code.

The very best self-storage units will be protected by on-site guards working around the clock.

Intercoms are found in many good self-storage facilities, and are used not only to warn people when they are approaching areas where they don't belong, but as a means of communication between a facilities management and the guards.

Top-of-the-line self-storage facilities will protect your belongings, whether they are stored outside, or in any of your unit, with motion sensors.  These sensors, when triggered after closing hours will cause the facility’s lights to flash and alarms to sound.  Many of the national self-storage companies have agreements to connect their alarms the local police station.

The best self-storage facilities offer both indoor and outdoor protection with motion sensors connected to their light and alarm systems.  If the motion sensors are triggered after hours, the facilities’ alarms will begin to sound, and the lights will begin to flash.  

One very sophisticated self-storage security manager is closed-circuit television.  CCTV uses a network of cameras positioned in different areas of a self-storage facility, constantly monitoring and recording people as they come and go.

Every self-storage company will require its renters to have locks on their units.  Some companies will only allow locks which they sell themselves, while others except the renters' locks.  Regardless of which kind of lock is permitted, the renter is expected to provide management with its combination or a copy of its key.

Now that you have a fairly good idea of what to look for in self-storage security, let's move on to choosing the right size for yourself-storage unit.

Sizes of Self-Storage Units

By visiting several self-storage facilities in speaking to their managements, you'll be able to get a fairly accurate idea of the size of self-storage unit you require.  Bring a list of the items you want to store, along with the dimensions of the largest ones, or the number of packing boxes you have.  You need to ensure that whichever unit you choose will be large enough to handle your largest item.  Here's a general idea of the sizes of units available, and what you can store in each.

For your small furniture or nothing more than you could fit into his small closet, a 5' x 5 would unit should suffice.  If your largest item is a couch, or you want to store the furniture from a small bedroom or several packing boxes, look for a 5' x 10' unit.

If you are storing what you once had in your one-bedroom apartment, you'll need  5' x 15' unit, and if in addition to the furniture from your one-bedroom apartment you'll be storing the larger appliances it held, a 10' x 10' unit should be adequate.  A two-bedroom apartment will require only a slightly larger 10' x 12' unit.

A 10' x 10' unit will store the contents of the one-bedroom apartment, as well as larger appliances including refrigerators or washer and dryer units.  A 10' x 12' unit is good for a two-bedroom apartment, unless you include the appliances in which case you'll need to bump it up to a 10' x 15' unit.

Two and three-bedroom homes and their appliances will require a 10' x 20' unit; a four-bedroom house with appliances, a 10' x 25' unit; and for a five bedroom home with appliances, expect to use a 10' x 30' self-storage unit.

If you're looking for a mini-warehouse to provide space for a business inventory, go with the largest (at 10' x 40') self-storage unit.

Storing Your Vehicle

If you're someone who has fun with an RV or boat during warm weather, but lacks a place to park it at home the rest of the time, you can find plenty of self-storage facilities will be happy to provide space for it. Some of them will even offer to prepare the vehicle for storage by draining the fluids from it. The majority of self-storage facilities will simply provide parking spaces for vehicles, and possibly offer protective covers.

Climate and Pest Control

Depending on the nature of the items you'll be storing, you may need a self-storage unit which is climate-controlled. Most self-storage facilities read both indoor and outdoor units, with the difference being that outdoor units are equipped with sheet metal ceilings and interior lighting. Indoor units, on the other hand, have wire mesh ceilings which will allow water from the sprinklers to reach their contents in case of a fire, and to permit increased air circulation. Only indoor units will offer climate control.

If you'll be storing anything which will suffer from exposure to temperature and humidity extremes, you should pay extra to have a climate-controlled unit. Oil paintings, wooden furniture, valuable papers, and furniture or clothing with suede or for material should all be protected with climate control.

Always discuss past control measures with any self-storage facility you are considering. This is essential if you intend to be storing artwork, books, or important papers. Even your climate controlled unit won't be of any use if it is overrun by insects or rodents. As a final precaution, examine all self-storage facilities for indications of water damage.

Now we'll look at what you’ll require if your self-storage is for your business.

Business Storage

Perhaps you're moving your existing business to a new location, and need to store some of your office furniture and equipment for short time. Or you may have a seasonal business, and need a place to keep promotional items at the times of year when businesses law. Maybe you're an online entrepreneur, and have decided that a self-storage unit will be a great place to keep your inventory until it's ordered. But as a business owner, you'll probably appreciate a self-storage facility with certain features.

Try to find a company which lets you choose between short and long-term storage options, so that you don't end up paying a penalty if you have to cancel your contract on short notice. You may also appreciate a self storage unit which you can access 24/7, 365 days a year. Make sure, if your unit is accessed from outside, that the access road is wide enough to accommodate your vehicles, and also see if the self- storage facility is willing to except deliveries for you. You might also benefit, depending on the nature of your business, from a self-storage unit with storage racks.

What Will You Pay for a Self-Storage Unit?

You'll be charged by the month for your self-storage rental, and the price of your unit will depend on both its size and location. You can expect to pay more if you're renting at a facility with high-end security measures. If the demand for self-storage in your area is exceptionally high, you can also expect to spend more.

If you're renting your self-storage unit on a month-to-month plan, you'll have the freedom to clear out whatever you choose. On the other hand, such a plan also gives the facilities management the right to hike your rental fee at any time. You can compromise by renting your storage unit from a national company which will let you lock-in your initial rate for six months.

When you rent a self-storage unit, you'll be required to pay a deposit which will be refunded when you have removed your belongings and left your unit in good condition. Be sure you understand exactly what the manager means when they say "good condition." If you don't meet their standards, you can kiss your rental deposit goodbye. Canceling your contract early may also cost you your deposit.

What are typical self-storage unit prices?

Ballpark figures are (per month) :

• 5’ x 5' unit -- $40-$50
• 10’ x 15' unit -- $75-$130
• 10' x 20' unit -- $90 -$250

Plan on paying between $20 and $30 more per month for climate control. Also ask the management of the facilities you're looking at whether they offer discounts for senior citizens or for new customers.

Another part of the cost of putting your belongings of self-storage is the cost of insurance. Very few self-storage companies have broad liability coverage, so it's up to you to find out in advance when the company will be responsible for damages to your possessions. To be on the safe side, if you carry homeowners insurance, talk to your agent about adding a self-storage rider.

Spotting a Good Self Storage Company

The terms of the contract you're asked to sign will reveal much about the quality of the self-storage company offering it.  While it's only natural that the contract will be written to guard the company's interests, there is no reason why it should completely disregard your own.

Does the contract allow the company's employees to enter your unit (except in an emergency) without your permission?  Does it give them the right to move your possessions to a different unit in the storage facility without notifying you?  Is there any way they can take possession of your belongings, short of your having failed to pay your rent?

Does the contract state that you will be required to purchase a padlock from the company, or pay for the ability to access your storage unit after hours?  What does the contract say you must do in order to have your deposit refunded?  Some self-storage companies make it next to impossible for you to leave your unit in a condition which qualifies for a refund deposit.  Get a written statement from the management about what the company expects in that regard.

If you think the company is offering a fair contract, and your own examination of the self storage facility indicates that it's well maintained and managed, with no signs of water or pest damage, and an enough security to meet your comfort level, you're in all likelihood working with a good self-storage company!

Storage Directory

Standard Listings

(sorted alphabetically)