Austin, TX: Top Things to Know About Storage
Awesomeness Comes at a Price But Storage Doesn’t Have To
Unless middle school geography failed you horribly, you’re probably aware that Austin, as progressive as it may be, is still in Texas. That means Texas labor laws and Texas wages. The $7.25 minimum wage doesn’t sound that bad (okay, yes it does) if you’re not factoring
Awesomeness Comes at a Price But Storage Doesn’t Have To
Unless middle school geography failed you horribly, you’re probably aware that Austin, as progressive as it may be, is still in Texas. That means Texas labor laws and Texas wages. The $7.25 minimum wage doesn’t sound that bad (okay, yes it does) if you’re not factoring in the average rent of a one bedroom apartment: $1,200. Sure, rent prices aren’t tragically high, but we’ll ask the question you’re probably already asking yourself: Can you even afford storage? The short answer is yes, you can. And if the above average cost of living has forced you into a tiny place that’s jam packed with roommates, you probably need it. Decide on how much you’re willing to spend on a storage unit ($70 a month is a safe middle ground) and calculate how much space you actually need. If you only need a generous closet’s worth of extra room, you’ll be fine with a 5 x 5 unit or smaller. Facilities like Watson and Taylor Self Storage in South Austin can hook you up with a non-climate controlled unit for $59 a month and will only charge you an extra six bucks for climate control. At Great Value Storage you can get an even bigger 5 x 10 unit for just $57 a month. And don’t forget that most facilities will let you share a unit with a friend which will keep the cost even lower.
So if storage isn’t as crazy expensive as everything else in Austin, what’s the catch? Well, an estimated 110 people move to Austin every day and while it’s true that you can expect new storage facilities to pop up and existing ones to renovate in order to accommodate more tenants, it’s challenging for any business to keep up with the influx of new folks. That means less square footage per person and less availability of desirable unit sizes. We suggest finding your way around roadblocks like this by expanding your search radius to include the outskirts of the city. Try not to rent close to downtown or near The University of Texas. This advice is especially relevant if you’ll only be visiting your storage unit a few times a year. ?For example, If you live in North Austin but the cheapest storage unit with the amenities you want is in East Austin, is a little bit of traffic and a half hour commute twice a year going to kill you? We think not. Use the money you save to buy yourself some Lone Star and breakfast tacos and celebrate how thrifty you are.
You Will Work for a Startup
But will your startup need commercial storage? If you have some kind of inventory, chances are that the small (but hip) office you’re working out of could benefit from a little breathing room. There are many benefits to utilizing commercial storage. Many facilities offer business centers and will be happy to accept deliveries on your behalf. They also offer a level of protection for your items that your office or home probably can’t match. Common storage facility security features include 24 hour cameras, gated access and reliable locks. Storage facilities typically limit access to units based on who is actually on the lease and who has permission to enter, so you can be sure that the only individuals coming into contact with your inventory are the people you trust. And hey, if you’re as tech-savvy as everyone else in Austin is, look for a facility that offers online bill pay so that you can pay for your storage unit just as easily as you pay for your Uber ride.
I-35 Will Make You Cry
When it comes to choosing a storage unit, it’s easy to overlook how you’re going to to actually get to your storage unit. Unless you’re a sorcerer of traffic magic, taking I-35 is inevitable. Like most overgrown cities, traffic in Austin is bad. On I-35, it’s really, really bad, especially if you’ve chosen to live in North Austin. The solution? Choose a facility that offers 24 hour access if you’re going to be taking items in and out of your storage unit on a regular basis. And of course, plan accordingly. Google Maps is shockingly accurate when it comes to telling you how long it’s going to take you to get somewhere in current traffic, so as long as you know when your storage facility closes, you’ll know whether or not you’re going to make it and how much time you’ll have there. If you’re moving a small item in or out of your storage unit, you can always save yourself a headache and utilize Austin’s decent public transportation. It runs 24 hours a day, it’s cheap and some buses even have wifi. Thanks to Austin’s tech-savvy reputation, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft can help get you to your storage unit even if you don’t have a car. Or you can just be like that weird guy who rides his horse around traffic. That works too.
Music Storage in the Live Music Capital of the World
Austin City Limits and South by Southwest are huge music events in Austin (okay, that last one is about other stuff too), but if you’ve been in town for over five minutes, you probably know that live music in Austin is a year round thing. If you’re thinking of joining the ranks of Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Elvis and Janis Joplin and playing some music in Austin, you’ll benefit from putting your instruments and equipment in storage when they’re not in use. Learn how to properly store these items before you find a unit so that you know what to do once you’ve locked down a space and so you know what you’re looking for in a facility. You’ll want a climate controlled unit to combat that Texas humidity, which can damage electronic equipment, rust metal and warp wood. You’ll also want to consider an inside unit as Austin is subject to occasional flooding and water has an annoying habit of finding its way under the doors of outside units. And last, if you’re going to be bringing equipment back to your storage unit after gigs (or having your roadie do it for you), you’ll want a facility that offers 24 hour access.
Storage FAQ's
Do you have advice on how to pack my storage space?
Yes, storage managers can provide you with tips and techniques on how to most efficiently utilize your storage space. Their hope is that you can have easy access to your items and that your storage space is worth every penny of your money.
What if I need more or less space after I move in?
Once you move in and feel that you need to move into a smaller or bigger space, storage facilities are happy to accommodate your move. Before renting a space, it is recommended that you speak to a storage facility representative to help you find the best sized unit for your needs. If things change through the course of your lease, they will help make the transition to your next unit as efficient and simple as possible. We also have a size guide that may answer some preliminary questions you may have.
How long is the lease and what are its terms?
Storage companies in Austin offer a month-to-month lease. If for some reason you would like to cancel your lease during a particular month, please contact one of the facility managers to assist you.
Do you accept deliveries for customers?
Most storage facilities in Austin accept deliveries for their customers so that they don't have to go through the process of moving every time they need something to be placed in their storage units. They will keep your items in the office and will inform you when they arrive so that you can place them in your storage unit at your convenience.
Is there anything unique to keep in mind when choosing a storage facility in Austin?
Some factors to keep in mind when choosing a storage facility in Austin are: weather, peak rush hour times, items that you will be storing, and location within Austin.
Do I need insurance for my storage unit?
We recommend that you get insurance for your belongings because the contents of the units are not insured through storage facilities.
If I lose my key, can you provide another one?
No, storage facility employees do not have copies of the keys used for the units. If you lose your key, check with the facility for lock cutting fees. They may also be able to sell another lock and key to you.
What options do I have for payments? What forms of payment do you accept?
Most storage facilities accept cash, credit cards, or checks. Always ask about autopay, it's faster and much more convenient.
Will the company have access to my space?
No, no one in the storage facilities has access to your space unless you specifically ask them or give them the right to do so. For example, you may want them to have access to your unit for things you may want delivered directly to your unit.
Do you sell boxes and moving supplies?
Yes, most storage facilities sell boxes of various sizes, tape, bubble wrap, labels, and other items for your packing and moving needs.
Do you have different policies and prices for students or active military members?
Students and active military members are clients that have unique needs because of the nature of their schedules. Most storage facilities in Austin offer discounts to students, and discounts and different policies for active military members. Please call your local facility or see our students and active military members pages to get detailed and updated information.
Do you provide your customers with movers?
No, storage facilities do not provide movers. However, managers and team members would be happy to provide you with a list of reliable and reasonably priced movers in Austin. See our resource guide for movers in Austin.
What are the prices of the storage spaces? Are prices based on the square footage of the storage space?
Generally the prices of storage units in Austin vary based on the size of the storage unit and the location of the unit in the facility. Prices range between 37.0 and 352.0, but representatives can better assist you once they have the details of your storage needs.
How do I know what size storage I need?
Storage managers would be happy to help you determine which size unit is best for you so that you're not paying for a 20' X 30' unit when you really need a 5' X 5' unit. Please reference our size guide for more information.
Will I receive a monthly invoice?
Most storage companies in Austin only provide invoices upon request.
What security measures are taken to protect the storage units?
Security is every storage operator's priority. Speak with the storage manager of a facility of your liking in Austin to find out what security measures they take to protect your belongings.
What storage space sizes are available?
In Austin, there are 149 storage facilities, with a total of 150 storage units. Storage unit sizes generally range from 5' X 5' to 20' X 30'. Call one of your local facilities to have a representative find what size unit is best for you.
Should I rent a drive-up or interior storage unit?
Drive-up storage units are typically more expensive and not as clean as interior units. Drive-up units are more exposed to the elements (water, dust, etc.) and are therefore not as clean as interior units. Interior units, on the other hand, have a much better climate. Essentially, the desire to rent a drive-up unit comes from clients thinking that they will be visiting their unit very frequently, which is surprisingly not the case. Most people don't come to their units as often as they think they will, so given the cost and cleanliness issues, it's better to rent an interior storage unit.
Can I rent climate-controlled spaces in Austin?
Yes, climate-controlled spaces are available in Austin due to the varying weather. Temperatures range from 37.4 to 51.8, which can dramatically affect things in your storage unit. For storing items such as wine, wooden items, electronics, metals, artwork, etc. storage facilities recommend that you rent a climate-controlled unit. For questions and more details, please contact a local facility.
Do you have pest control?
Most facilities in Austin schedule professional pest control services every month, and twice a month during summer months.
What access will I have to my belongings?
You have 149 facilities to choose from in Austin. Access hours range from 8 to 24 hours a day. Please contact your local facility for more specific information about your unit.
Helpful Storage Resources
Charity
Charity Storage
Charity Storage utilizes existing storage facility operations, namely storage units and auctions, to raise money to benefit the community. Charity Storage is a promotional outreach program that depends on the support of the self storage industry, the Self Storage Association, and millions of North American self storage tenants and neighboring communities.
Treasure City Thrift
Treasure City Thrift is a thrift store that helps out grassroots causes and accepts donation of used clothing, books, household items and all of that perfectly awesome stuff that’s been cramping your storage unit’s style.
Yellow Bike Project
Thanks to your donation of bikes, bike parts and gear, The Yellow Bike Project is able to empower people to experience the joy of life on two wheels.
Austin Pets Alive
This popular local animal charity accepts items like pet beds, collars, litter, food and toys.
SAFE Austin
SAFE helps victims of domestic abuse and accepts used vehicles, clothing, toys and more.
Moving Company
Einstein Moving Co.
Einstein Moving Co. is a locally owned moving company that offers all-inclusive packages on home and office relocation as well as portable storage unit unloading.
Square Cow Movers
Square Cow Movers is a 2014 Better Business Bureau Torch Award winning moving company that offers local and long distance moving and is trained in handling hard-to-move items like pianos and statues.
Green Gorilla Movers
If you’re an environmentally conscious Austinite with items to move, check out Green Gorilla Movers and their 100% biodiesel fleet of moving vehicles.
Recycling
Austin Resource Recovery
The city of Austin itself recycles televisions, computers, fax machines, microwaves, refrigerators and other hard-to-recycle electronic items.
Cinco Electronics Recycling
As a member of the Take Care of Texas Program, Cinco recycles laptops, hard drives, point of sale computers and other e-waste.
Junk Busters USA
If you’ve got large items (furniture, washing machines, televisions, heavy boxes of junk) taking up space in your storage unit but don’t have a way to haul them, give Junk Busters USA a call and let them do the heavy lifting.
Storage Solution is helping you find friendly locations in areas we do not serve.
The following facilities are NOT associated with Storage Solution! Terms and Conditions.
SCA Forney Storage LP
3305 Northland Drive
Austin, TX 78731
BEST PRICE*73*WEB ONLY
StorageMart
15601 FM-1325
Austin, TX 78728
BEST PRICE*40*WEB ONLY
LockTite Storage Dripping Springs
3000 E Highway 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
BEST PRICE*89*WEB ONLY
Storage Direct Cedar Park
945 W New Hope Dr
Cedar Park, TX 78613
BEST PRICE*44*WEB ONLYDripping Springs Storage And Parking
711 W Hwy 290
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Taylor Storage and Parking
1614 Granger Road
Taylor, TX 78733
BEST PRICE*48*WEB ONLY
SCA Forney Storage LP
3305 Northland Drive, Suite 400, Austin,TX 78731, USA
Austin, TX 78731
StorageMart
15601 FM-1325, Austin,TX 78728, USA
Austin, TX 78728
LockTite Storage Dripping Springs
3000 E Hwy-290, Dripping Springs,TX 78620, USA
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
