Moving houses, apartments, or any other residential space comes with a lot of moving parts. In some cases, you can’t seamlessly transition directly from one space to the next in the span of a day. Sometimes, if you’re like me, you move during the worst time of the year (late summer) and have to deal with limited rentals available and lapsing leases. In this blog, I’ll take you through my experience moving apartments with a delay requiring a storage unit rental for my belongings. Specifically, I’ll tell you the ins and outs of my experience renting with CubeSmart.
Table of Contents
Why I Needed a Storage Unit Rental
As I’ve already mentioned, my apartment lease lapsed in late July, and I wanted to move to a new space. However, I was trying to tour available rental units within brief periods while I was in town. However, this cluster of a timeline met with my needs for a rental space, which led me to find a unit that was not even listed online yet but would work for my needs. The catch? It would take two weeks to turn it over for me, so I needed a temporary solution between the end of my first apartment’s lease and the start of my new one.
How I Chose a Storage Unit Company
When you’re searching for nearby storage units for rent, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options. Many facilities seem identical at first glance.
But from a moving industry perspective, the differences matter, especially when you’re moving under time pressure. Here’s how I narrowed down my options.
1) I Needed Short-Term Flexibility
Because I only needed a unit for a few weeks, I looked for companies that supported month-to-month rentals, easy move-in scheduling, and clear cancellation policies.
2) I Prioritized Convenience Over Perfect Location
I was moving within the greater Cedar Rapids metro area. Ideally, I would’ve chosen a facility on the same side of town I was moving from and to.
Instead, I ended up storing my items across town because the unit availability, building access, and overall layout made the move-in process smoother. When you’re coordinating a truck, labor help, and your own schedule, sometimes convenience wins.
My CubeSmart Storage Unit Rental Process
Overall, renting a CubeSmart storage unit for the first time was a lot more straightforward than I expected. Here’s the process I followed.
Step 1: Compare Unit Sizes and Pricing Online
Since I was moving a one-bedroom apartment (and had less stuff than average), I used online unit size guides to estimate what I needed. This is especially helpful if you’re also renting a moving truck and want to match the unit size to your load.
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Step 2: Call to Confirm the Important Details
Even if everything looks clear online, I strongly recommend calling to confirm monthly pricing, admin fees, any promotions (like first month free), lock requirements, insurance requirements, and the cancellation policy (especially for short-term storage). This is one of the easiest ways to avoid surprise fees.
Step 3: Complete Paperwork + Insurance
I was able to complete most paperwork online ahead of time, which made move-in day easier. Proof of insurance was required, so make sure you check what coverage is needed and whether your existing renters’ insurance can apply.
Step 4: My Cost and Unit Experience
I rented a 5x10x8 storage unit for $52.20/month with a first-month-free special. Since I only needed the unit for a few weeks, I paid around $30 in administrative fees total.
The unit size ended up being perfect for what I needed, and I even had vertical space left over, which is something many renters often overlook.
What You Need, Don’t Need, & What’s Nice to Have
Storage unit rentals can get expensive if you pay for every add-on. On the other hand, skipping key features can create security risks or damage your belongings. Here’s my honest breakdown of what matters most.
What You NEED
1) A Heavy-Duty or Cylindrical Lock
Having one of these locks was required by the CubeSmart facility. However, even if you choose to rent a storage unit from a different storage unit company that doesn’t require these kinds of locks, you should still opt for one to improve security.
2) Strong Security Measures
This is preference-based, but I don’t recommend cutting corners here. Look for features like cameras, controlled access entry, on-site staff, and daily sweeps or walkthroughs. When your belongings are out of sight, security matters.
3) Climate Control
Whether or not you need a climate-controlled storage unit depends on your preferences and belongings. There are many items that would either greatly benefit from or require a controlled climate to prevent damage to the item. Even if your belongings aren’t susceptible to temperature or moisture damage, you may prefer not to risk it.
I also personally received peace of mind knowing my things were in a secure building and not just behind a fence in a shed-like building that is susceptible to natural forces like flooding, for example.
Nice-to-Have Features
1) A First-Floor Unit or a Unit Close to the Entrance
This is definitely up to your preference, but mine is certainly to have a first-floor unit, especially if you’re moving yourself. Even if you’re not, my movers appreciated not having to lug items up and down stairs and narrow doorways. Plus, you can load everything onto a dolly and wheel things directly to the unit.
2) Ability to Drive Up Close to the Entrance
This makes the move more efficient and reduces the amount of manual carrying required.
3) Dollies On-Site + a Freight Elevator (If Needed)
Alternatively, dollies on site and a freight elevator with space. If you can’t get the first two things, I would certainly recommend this combination to prevent a ton of manual labor going up and down stairs.
4) Plastic Bins Instead of Only Cardboard Boxes
Plastic bins can be helpful to see what is in each container, especially if you need to access items throughout their storage stint. These are also more durable than a standard corrugated moving box and can help withstand accidental damage related to shifting items or moisture levels.
What You DON’T Need (Most of the Time)
Storage Facility Upsells
Storage facilities may try to upsell different items. Sometimes those items are useful but I recommend comparing pricing first because add-ons can be marked up. These upsells may include locks, insurance plans, moving supplies, and moving services.
Moving Day Tips: How to Make Storage Move-In Easy
It’s time for moving day! Here’s the general process you could follow based on my experience.
1) Rent the Right Truck
I rented an 11-foot U-Haul box truck to help get my items from my apartment to my storage unit. You can read all about that process in my comprehensive blog about my experience renting a U-Haul.
2) Use Movers for Loading and Unloading
I used UniMovers’ labor-only moving services to load my rental truck, unload my items into the unit, and help arrange the storage unit efficiently.
3) Pack Your Storage Unit Strategically
A few tips I recommend:
- Use a dolly whenever possible
- Lay moving blankets down on the floor for protection
- Stack heavy items on bottom, lighter items on top
- Leave frequently needed items near the front
- Make sure the door has clearance before closing it
4) Check in With the Front Desk
I was able to clarify most details, provide proof of renters’ insurance (which was required by CubeSmart), and complete the majority of my paperwork online before my move-in date. However, I did need to finalize some paperwork in person. Even if you don’t have to, you should just talk to the front desk to ensure you get your key code and are shown to the correct building if there are multiple.
Conclusion
So, overall, was it worth renting a storage unit from CubeSmart for my short-term rental need? I would say absolutely. The staff that I interacted with were knowledgeable, friendly, and cemented my confidence that my belongings were in good hands. The moving-in process was straightforward, and I had the whole building to myself while getting situated.
The checkout process was just as easy, and they walk you through everything you need to do when you cancel your rental online. I had access to my unit at any reasonable hour I may have wanted to get into it (note I did not have 24/7 access, but was not hindered by this, given the nature of the items I was storing).
I was comforted knowing my items were in a secure, video and personelle monitored building with climate control that was also limited to those with unique access codes. I was able to get the unit for a great deal and utilized a first month’s free promotion to secure a rental for just the administrative fees. I would definitely recommend using CubeSmart for short-term storage unit rental needs.
FAQs
How do you rent a storage unit?
The process of renting a storage unit is fairly straightforward. Begin by comparing storage unit facilities for availability, prices, special offers, fees, security measures, and climate-controlled preferences. Then, book online or call your local branch to secure a move-in date and rental period. Prepare for your move-in day by completing documents ahead of time if possible and providing proof of renters’ insurance. When moving day arrives, finish any paperwork on-site and confirm access details before unloading items into your unit and securing it with a heavy-duty or cylindrical lock before you leave.
Can I rent a storage unit for just a month or two?
You can commonly rent storage units on a month-to-month basis or for longer fixed terms like six months or a year. Comparing storage unit companies and available offers can help you find a rental period that best fits your needs.
How expensive are storage units?
Storage unit prices vary greatly depending on the size, security measures, and climate controls of the unit. I was able to rent a 5x10x8 storage unit for $52.20/month with a first month’s free promotion. Don’t forget to budget for administrative fees as well when you are moving in.
Do I need renters insurance for storage units?
Not every storage facility has the same rules regarding renters’ insurance. However, CubeSmart may require renters’ insurance for at least the value of items in your unit at the storage facility’s address.
What is a climate-controlled storage unit?
Climate-controlled storage units commonly refer to buildings full of storage units that control the temperature and moisture levels within the building or even the individual storage unit. While generally more expensive than a standard storage unit rental, climate-controlled units help protect your belongings from potential damage.
Ashlyn Kreshel is the Director of Operations at UniMovers, where she oversees multi-state logistics, mover training, and service quality across UniMovers locations in Iowa, the Carolinas, and Texas. A Coe College graduate with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing, PR, and Communications, she has coordinated hundreds of residential moves, office relocations, and university furniture installations.
Ashlyn contributes expert insights on moving logistics, customer experience, and relocation best practices to the UniMovers blog. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, watching football, and spending time with her dog.
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