Choosing the right storage unit feels simple — until you've moved everything in and discovered the floor floods in heavy rain, there's no electricity for your power tools, or you can only get access during business hours. We've heard these stories from customers who came to us after disappointing experiences elsewhere.
Here's what to look for before you commit.
1. Security that goes beyond a padlock
A basic padlock on a metal shutter isn't security — it's a suggestion. A good storage facility should offer multiple layers: coded gate access so only customers can enter the site, full CCTV coverage with recording, well-lit access routes, and ideally a perimeter that limits who can even approach the buildings.
At Stour Spaces, we have coded gate entry for the whole site, plus CCTV covering every bay and common area. You control access to your own bay with your own lock.
2. Electricity and water access
Most traditional storage units are bare shells — no power, no water. That's fine if you're storing boxes, but the moment you want to charge a vehicle battery, run power tools, keep a dehumidifier running, or even just boil a kettle, you're stuck.
Every bay at Stour Spaces includes electricity and running water as standard. No add-ons, no extra monthly charges. It's the difference between dead storage and a genuinely usable space.
3. Access hours that fit your life
Some facilities are only accessible during staffed hours — typically 8am to 6pm on weekdays. That means no weekend access, no early morning runs before work, no quick visits on Bank Holidays. If your storage is also your workshop or business base, restricted access is genuinely crippling.
Our site is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via coded gate. Your space is yours, on your schedule.
4. A contract you can trust
Watch out for long minimum contract terms, automatic price escalation clauses, and charges that appear after you've signed up. A trustworthy storage provider will be completely transparent about costs: what you pay per month, what the deposit is, and exactly when and how you can leave.
We operate on rolling monthly terms with one month's deposit. No minimum commitment. No hidden fees. If your circumstances change, you can move on without penalty.
5. A setting that feels right
It sounds like a soft consideration, but it matters. A facility that feels run-down, poorly maintained, or located in an industrial estate you'd never want to visit is a facility you'll procrastinate about using. Good storage should feel accessible, pleasant even.
Our converted barn setting in the Dorset countryside is genuinely lovely. The spaces are clean, refurbished, and well looked after. Customers tell us they actually enjoy visiting their bay — and that means they make better use of it.
If you're weighing up your storage options in North Dorset, we'd love to show you around. Get in touch or view our pricing to find the right bay size for you.