Challenger Storage 281-332-5913

Call us:(281) 332-5913

Email Us:info@challengerstorage.com

Visit Us:1730 F.M. 528, Webster, TX 77598

Month: May 2019

  1. Home
  2. 2019
  3. May

Texas Style Climate-Control

May 29, 2019

Almost every storage facility today offers what they call “climate-controlled” units for rent. Many people are often deceived by what they think is climate for storing their items. It’s always a good idea to make sure and check that the facility you plan on storing with offers A/C in the warmer months and also HEAT in the colder months. If this is not the case, a problem can arise especially in states with a lot of humidity near the coast. I have heard many horror stories of people who have stored in so called “climate-controlled” units that were not cared for properly. These people came back months or even years later to find their precious items molded and mildewed. Unfortunately, we all know that in the Texas coastal area, the winter months tend to have high humidity as well. This continuous condensation will also most likely lead to mold and mildew. Here is a general rule of thumb to go by, if you have furniture inside your home, you would most likely want to store your items in climate-controlled unit. If you have items in your garage that you want put in storage just to clear up some space, then non-climate might be just fine for you. If you do choose to with a non-climate unit, here are some helpful tips on reducing moisture

  1. Use a product such as Damp Rid
  2. Open bags of regular charcoal throughout unit to absorb moisture
  3. Do not cover items in plastic (which tends to hold in moisture). If you wish to cover items, a cotton sheet works well
  4. Spray cloth items with Lysol disinfectant spray (which will help eliminate mold growth) but make sure you always test the area first

Most people who store house-hold items such as leather, electronics, photos, furniture, etc., should be recommended to store in climate-controlled. So just remember that when you store your grandma’s treasured heirloom, make sure it is climate-controlled Texas style.

Is it really only a $1 move-in?

May 10, 2019

Let’s answer this question in the most simplistic terms – there is no such thing as a $1 move-in special. I wish life was this easy and cheap, but the harsh reality is, it’s not. When searching online for where to store your items, big storage companies tend to offer a large amount of these types of specials. Therefore, it is easy to fall into the trap of price deception. It has happened to a number of us, including myself and I would like to share my experience with you. A few months ago, I was looking into storage facilities online so that my daughter would be able to store her things from her college dorm room. I looked on a variety of websites and found some really good deals. So I went to this particular storage facility down the road from me that was offering $1 move-in specials. It was a really nice facility – brand new, clean, and it felt secure. All the things you could want. That seemed like an AWESOME deal for just $1. However, when I was talking to the front office manager when signing my lease, she told me that my total for the day would be $41. This amount wouldn’t even include the next month’s rent which I was required to pay at move-in. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. $41???? That seemed like A LOT more than the $1 I was promised online. I couldn’t even follow thru with the lease. After getting home, I looked back on the website and in the tiny fine print it said – administration fees, insurance fees, and deposits not included.*** Also, when I looked further into the company’s reviews, some of them entailed that the company raised their rates continuously year after year. I discovered that the $1 move-in offering was just to nudge you in the door before the storage company squeezed every penny out of you. By this experience, I learned that it is so crucial that you do your research on storage facilities before making your move. Look at the prices very closely and make sure that the company won’t raise your rate often and that they don’t charge you for extra unnecessary fees. Don’t be deceived by the $1 move-in special – it sounds cheap, but in the long run, it’s very expensive.

back to top