There’s a lot to consider when carrying out a construction project, and keeping your equipment in good shape is one of the most important concerns. Whether it’s a small renovation or a large structure, making sure your tools and mechanical equipment are protected from damage and theft is paramount to the project going well.
Fortunately, renting a climate-controlled storage unit is the perfect solution to keep construction equipment safe and secure. In this article, we’ll go over some reasons to consider storing your construction contracting tools in a unit, as well as some best practices for doing so.
Why should I use a storage unit for construction equipment?
Good construction equipment is built to last, but it can suffer environmental and physical damage if you have to haul it to and from the work site every day. Renting a storage unit near the work site not only makes it much more convenient to move your equipment, but also gives it a place to stay where it won’t be damaged by heat, cold, or humidity.
Smaller tools and supplies are more likely to suffer from rust damage and changes in temperature, so making sure your storage unit has climate control is a must, especially if you’re living or working in a particularly humid area. Smaller vehicles, such as forklifts or utility loaders, can fit in these units as well if you’d like to keep them somewhere secure where they won’t be stolen or vandalized.
What construction equipment can you store in a climate controlled unit?
Storage units come in many sizes, but a 10’ x 20’ unit is the perfect size to store hand and power tools, lumber, metal rods and sheets, and even bags of concrete that need to be kept away from humidity. These can all fit around a small vehicle, such as a smaller pickup truck, forklift, or utility loader. Keep your smaller items towards the front of the unit in case you don’t need to use the vehicle on certain days and want to grab small pieces of equipment in a hurry.
If you’re not storing a vehicle and you don’t need all that space, make sure you estimate how much space your equipment will take up before springing for a unit. You’ll be able to save on rental prices by only renting the space you need, and it’ll be easier to access. Small storage lockers and mini 5’ x 5’ units are often more than enough space for this equipment.
How does climate control protect my construction equipment?
When exposed to high humidity, wood and metal materials can develop mold and rust, respectively; low humidity can cause wood to crack and become brittle. Moisture can also seriously damage the circuits in power tools and the joints that hold hand tools together. In addition, extreme shifts in temperature can cause wood and metal to warp, making them unusable for reliable construction. Replacing these mid-project can be expensive and a huge hassle.
Paying a little extra for a climate-controlled storage unit to keep these supplies in is an easy and inexpensive way to make sure you won’t have to replace anything. Climate control systems keep storage units within a predictable range of mild temperatures and reasonable humidities to keep the contents from environmental damage, and the extra cost is far less than you’d pay for replacing your equipment.
How can security features protect my construction equipment?
If you’re storing expensive power tools or vehicles, be sure to seek out a facility that offers a robust security system. Most storage facilities offer some basic security features, such as gated entry and lighting throughout the property to identify intruders, but the highest-quality facilities will have surveillance cameras and 24/7 security staff to help protect your belongings.
It’s also worth seeking out a facility with good locks, such as difficult-to-break cylinder locks built into the storage unit doors. If you have to provide your own lock, however, we recommend investing in a disc lock; these are some of the strongest third-party locks available and are nearly impossible to pick or break.
How do I find a storage facility near my work site?
Self-storage provides all sorts of benefits for construction contractors, from having a convenient storage space near the work site to protecting equipment from environmental damage and theft. If you’re looking at the options available and find yourself overwhelmed, though, you’re in the right place to find help!
Use Storage.com’s built-in search tool to find storage facilities near your work site and compare prices on units. You can filter storage facilities out by the features you need most of all and even get a discount booking through our site.
