It may seem like a no-brainer. Storage is storage just like apples are apples. There’s no difference, right?
Well, the truth is that there are differences between personal storage and business storage in Atlanta, according to Chris Poholek, owner of Space Max Storage. Here’s the insider’s scoop on what’s happening inside (and outside) your local storage facility.
On average, residential customers remain customers for 12 months, Poholek says. On the other hand, business customers stay for 22 months on average, according to statistics from The Self Storage Almanac, a respected industry guide.
Both sets of clients are using the same facility and mostly for identical purposes: to store that which they don’t need or don’t have room for in their current spaces. This need can arise as a result of a variety of life-changing circumstances, but can also result from mundane business activities. For instance, a business may have extra inventory, seasonal decorations, or banners which are used to attract customers at certain times of the year. Or, a business might have files that must be kept for a certain period of time, according to government regulations. This flux in storage needs can contribute to the transient nature of the storage facility contract.
While not all companies offer this benefit to any potential customer, Space Max Storage offers a very convenient option to tenants who sign on, both residential and business: Anyone who’s 21 or older and has insurance can use the company’s moving trucks for free for four hours. For most businesses, meeting this requirement is far from problematic.
Although many people picture office spaces as buildings offering up plenty of room in the storage department, for some businesses, excess space is a luxury, or even a pipe dream. For this reason, companies like Space Max Storage exist: to offer businesses small and large the opportunity to eliminate clutter and securely house their belongings, be it for several months or several years.