Are you a small business that is outgrowing your office space? Is inventory taking over your workspace? If either of these questions is answered with a “yes,” then this is the perfect time to reclaim your space with a storage unit! But you may be wondering, how do I go about setting up a unit for my business? Let’s take a look at some simple steps to get started.
Choosing a Facility
The right facility can go a long way in helping you manage your business. Here are some things to consider when selecting a facility:
- Is the facility clean?
- Is the facility close to major roadways with easy access?
- What security features does the facility have? Are there security cameras and a gated entry requiring an access code?
- What does the facility allow and not allow to be stored in a unit? (This blog post will help get you started, though you’ll want to check the rental agreement for your facility’s specific limitations.)
Once you have decided on a facility, you will need to choose your unit. We’ve covered how to select the perfect unit on our blog here .
Before signing the lease, we recommend taking a tour of your new unit. Is the unit clean, with all seals intact? If so, those are good signs that the unit is well taken care of.
Insurance or No Insurance
Now that you’ve selected the facility and unit that best fits your needs, you will find yourself considering whether to purchase storage insurance or not. While you may not anticipate anything going wrong when you store, the unexpected can happen. Your inventory is an important asset to your company, so having insurance is highly recommended.
If you do decide to have insurance, be sure to keep a running inventory of what is being stored in your unit, along with its value. This will help if you should ever need to make a claim.
Prepping Your Unit
Once your lease has been signed, it’s time to set your unit up for inventory. Because you will be focusing on inventory management, consider setting up a shelving system with aisles for easier access and to prevent overpacking. More expensive items should be stored toward the back of the unit, and, where possible, covered to prevent dust gathering.
The Business Side
There are some additional benefits to renting a storage unit for your business, aside from the ability to have more space where you work.
Be sure to keep receipts. All rental payments and any fees associated should be considered expenditures to the business and included in your tax documents.
Record mileage whenever you visit the unit on business-related matters. Whether you are picking up inventory or adding more to your unit, be sure to keep a mileage log as part of your tax documents.
To get you started, visit townestorage.com for a Towne Storage facility near you today!
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