12 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Household Storage Company

You are about to entrust your belongings to someone for months. Price matters, of course; but when two companies differ by only a few hundred lira a month, deciding without knowing where the real difference lies is like handing over a family heirloom chest in a sealed box. Ask the 12 questions below over the phone. Make sure the answers you get are clear, and then that they are put in writing. "Sure, we'll take care of it" is not an answer.

The Facility Itself and Protection Conditions

The first question: 1. Is the facility climate-controlled? An enclosed space and a climate-controlled space are not the same thing; don't underestimate this. In a place without humidity and temperature control, wooden furniture swells, mattresses absorb odors, electronics are ruined by damp and books turn yellow. Right after that, ask 2. Do the items come into contact with the floor? Sitting on pallets or shelves is the most basic way to protect against moisture, and it is almost vital for particleboard and MDF furniture.

A wardrobe placed directly on concrete wicks up water from below and swells before you even notice.

3. How is security ensured? Are there cameras, is there an alarm, and who monitors entry and exit? Go one step further: how long is camera footage kept? The answer to this question tells you whether security is actually in place or just talk.

Finally, 4. Is pest control carried out, and how often? Insect infestation is one of the most common problems in long-term storage. "Yes, we do it" is not enough; ask how often.

Insurance and Liability

There are three questions here, and each one requires a separate answer.

• 5. What does the insurance cover, and what is the limit? Fire, flooding, theft — which of these are covered, and what is the upper limit in lira? Details are in our insured household storage article.
• 6. Is the insurance valid during transport? Insurance at the facility and insurance on the road may be separate policies. Confirm each one individually, so you don't hear "storage insurance doesn't cover that" later about a vase broken in the truck.
• 7. How does the process work if there is damage? Within how many days must you report it, who will assess the damage and when will payment be made? All three need to be clear.

Access and Process

8. Is an inventory list kept? Let's say it up front: without a written list, you cannot compare what went in with what came out. If there is no list, saying "one of my boxes is missing" carries no weight.

9. How and how often can I access my storage? With a private room, you can come and go as often as you like during business hours by appointment. Access to a container is limited; you get 3 free openings per year. Partner facilities are open 09.00–18.00 on weekdays and 09.00–16.00 on Saturdays; closed on Sundays. Don't head out on a Sunday morning to pick up your winter things.

10. What is the minimum period and what are the move-out terms? The minimum period is 1 month. Ask whether there is a penalty for leaving early.

Where Your Money Goes

11. Is a deposit required? Troy Depo does not take a deposit, down payment or security bond. This difference directly changes how much you pay up front; if another company asks for one, ask why.

12. What charges are there besides the monthly fee? Packing materials, move-in/move-out fees, weekend access, surcharges for floors without an elevator... The monthly figure looks good, and then these pile up on the invoice. Ask for the total cost as a single figure. We explain the entire quote process in our how to get a storage quote article.

When You See the Facility in Person

The facility itself speaks as loudly as the answers to your questions. If you have the chance to see it in person, trust your nose the moment you walk in: a musty smell is the most honest sign of a humidity problem. Then look at the floor; are items raised on pallets or placed directly on concrete? Are there water stains, bubbling or traces of mold on the walls and ceiling? Are the aisles clear, or are items piled on top of each other (if they are piled up, your sofa will end up at the bottom too)? Are fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and evacuation routes clearly visible?

A five-minute look tells you far more than a half-hour phone call.

Before You Sign the Contract

Every verbal promise should be written into the contract. Three clauses in particular: price increases (what rate is the annual increase tied to? if left vague, it turns into a surprise during long-term storage), access (how many times, at what hours, and is there a fee?) and the liability limit (what is the upper limit in case of damage?). If these three are clear, the price difference becomes a real basis for comparison. If not, you are comparing apples and oranges.

Weighing the Answers

A good company answers all of these questions without hesitation and then puts them in writing. If you hear phrases like "usually," "it depends" or "that doesn't really happen," ask for them to be clarified at the contract stage; if they won't be clarified, that company is not for you. You can see the standards Troy Depo applies at its partner facilities on the Troy Depo Standards page. And here is the article where we take a broader look at the question of reliability: is household storage safe?.

We have gathered the criteria to look for when choosing a company on a single page in our best household storage companies guide.

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