If you drive around any city, you’ll see loads of storage facilities. It seems like they’re everywhere and the demand keeps increasing. However, the high cost of storage rates has many turning to the often more affordable option of vault storage. Understanding the pros and cons of using these will help you to make a sound decision
What Is Vault Storage?
Vault storage is a method of basic storage that involves placing items into large wooden crates closed with clamps. The moving company then moves the crates into its warehouse where it keeps them until the customer needs them. There, the moving company will stack the crates with the help of a forklift.
Vault storage is typically recommended for individuals who won’t need regular or repeated access to their things. This method makes it a great option for temporarily storing items that people will not need to access for weeks, months, or even years.
When Should Vault Storage Be Used
There are a few situations that would benefit from using vault storage:
- House renovations-If you’re tackling a major house renovation, you can use it to keep your things out of harm’s way while contractors are working on your home.
- Home staging-To effectively stage a home so that you can put it on the market, you need to get rid of as much clutter as possible. Vaults would allow you to remove items for a time while prospective buyers are viewing your home.
- Relocations-Employers often transfer people, and the timing of locating a residence in the new location doesn’t always line up as you’d like. You can load your household goods into vaults, then transfer them by truck to a warehouse in the new town, until you find a new place.
- Temporary transfers-When an individual deploys to another country for a temporary assignment, they may not want to take all of their belongings with them. Vault storage will safeguard their possessions until such time as they can return and set up a new residence.
What are the Advantages of Vault Storage?
In addition to the benefit of having a secure location to store unneeded items, vault storage offers the following advantages:
- Packing delegation- Professional moving companies are in the business of expertly packing and moving things. Vault storage allow individuals to turn their items over to a moving company who can the pack the items in a wooden crate with precision and care.
- Cost effective- Generally, vault storage is less expensive than self-storage. It allows users to pay only for the space needed rather than spending money on spaces that are too small/big.
- Limited access by others- In a typical self-storage facility, other customers can come and go as they please, and this increases the risk of theft or fire. Most facilities are only accessible by the moving company’s personnel, as the vaults are usually kept in the company’s warehouse.
- Facility monitoring- Most reputable moving companies provide around the clock surveillance, year round.
- Theft deterrent- In a self-storage facility, individuals typically scatter their belongings around in a garage type unit which, if trespassers access it, could facilitate theft. Vault storage with wooden crates that movers clamp shut and stack inside the warehouse makes theft much less likely.
- Flood protection- Vaults usually sit raised off the ground, just enough to offer protection from sudden storms or leakage from a neighboring vault.
- Fully enclosed- Vaults are sealed on the top, bottom, and all 4 sides. This helps to keep your things free from dust, dirt, pests, and smells.
- Less wear and tear- In a typical self-storage unit, someone loads your things onto a truck, moves them, and unloads them into the facility. When you need to retrieve your things, they are handled again, loaded onto a truck to transported to your home. With vault storage, a team carefully loads your valuables into a crate. The company then stores the crate in it’s warehouse until you need them back. Then, they deliver the still-sealed crates to your location. Thus, they handle all of your furniture and other belongings far less often, saving wear and tear.
It’s Not Perfect and It’s Not for Everyone
While vault storage is ideal for some, and even though it offers many benefits, there’s one major drawback – accessibility. If you want to access your things, you have to notify the warehouse facility and schedule an appointment to visit. You can either pick up your items or have the movers bring your crates to your location for unloading.
Final Words
When storing your valuables, safety and security are of the utmost importance. With vault storage, a climate-controlled warehouse keeps your furniture and other valuables with limited access by others. The warehouse will offer 24-hour security and protection from the risks of burglary, fire, or flood. However, vault storage isn’t for everyone. If you need to access your items from time to time, a more traditional self-storage option may serve you better.
For over 20 years, Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage has been providing quality moving and storage services in the Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin, and Houston areas. Our highly trained moving crews offer the utmost in customer service and will treat your belongings with care and expertise. We provide every move with the high-quality attention and service our customers expect. We have a reputation for excellence and have received numerous awards within the moving industry.
If you’re contemplating a move, need to rent storage space, or if you’d just like more information about our company, visit our website or contact us for a free estimate at 844-715-6625. We look forward to hearing from you!
