Home Improvements

Lately more and more small and large businesses have turned to self-storage over warehouses for their storage needs. There are a few different reasons for this switch including more flexibility, better security, better maintenance policies, and more accessibility. With so many different facilities operating, and the various features each facility offers, businesses need to inform themselves on what to look for in a self-storage company as well as what to do to prepare the contents for storage. Preparations vary according to the items being stored and the length of time of the storage. This article will discuss the various features of self-storage as they pertain to small and large business owners looking for a better solution over the typical warehouse facility. Warehouses allow people to rent a certain amount of space, or a unit, to store inventory, office supplies and equipment, just about anything a business owner would need storage for. The disadvantages to warehouse storage include limited accessibility, lack of security and maintenance and lack of space options. Warehouse storage can be adequate for items of little value and are not made of materials that are hazardous or likely to attract moisture or pests. If the company is not overly concerned with the security or condition of the items (for example a large supply of cardboard boxes for shipping) than a warehouse may be a viable solution. People research many major purchases; but they spend thousands of dollars on home improvements with little or no research about avoiding construction defects or about hiring a qualified and reliable contractor. Information that can help homeowners is available from many sources. Books explain basic construction and building code concepts in plain language. Manufacturer's installation instructions for many products are available on the internet. This does not mean that you need to become a construction expert before you embark on a home improvement project. You can and should; however, become educated so that you can recognize common construction defects. Being able to recognize construction defects puts the contractor on notice that you are an informed consumer. However, most businesses do care about their supplies, even those that are of relatively little value. For this reason it is best to use a self-storage facility, which will better protect your company's items from theft, harsh temperatures, rodents and insects. Warehouses are typically only accessible to customers during normal business hours whereas many self-storage facilities allow renters 24-hour access to their units. Warehouses usually hire a security guard or two to walk around the building periodically, while self-storage companies post guards, use perimeter fencing, security camera and theft-deterrent lighting. To gain access, individuals are usually required to scan a card, or punch in a code on a keypad. Some self-storage facilities have even added thumb print or hand print verification scanners for better security. A building permit is usually required if new electrical circuits, water pipes, or gas pipes are installed or if there are significant additions or changes to any of these systems. A permit is usually required when adding to or making structural changes to a building. A permit is an inexpensive way to get inspections of the work by a qualified third party. It may also reduce your potential liability if a problem occurs. The contractor should obtain the permit. If the contractor is reluctant to obtain a permit, this is a red flag. The contractor may not be licensed to do the work, or he may have other problems that you may want to know about.