From The Straits Times    |

A self-storage rental facility is the best way to tuck away things you can’t bear to throw out, so you can keep your home pristine.

We suss out three Singapore rental facilities here.

 

SimplyHer Sept 2012, Singapore women's magazineEditor’s Rave: Storefriendly
Address: #04-02 Singamip Building, 9 Bukit Batok Street 22, tel: 1800 731 1111. website: www.store-friendly.com.sg. Open for enquiries: Mon to Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, 9am-2pm. Closed on Sun and public holidays

VERSATILITY Storage units range from lockers measuring eight sq ft to 150 sq ft, the size of an HDB flat’s master bedroom. Wine cellars are also available. There are three other branches in Geylang, Tagore Lane and Serangoon North. All rooms are air-conditioned.

SECURITY 24-hour CCTVs monitor your every move. You need an access card to enter the storage warehouse. You have to padlock your own storage unit.

PACKAGE Rental is on a monthly basis, from $68 to $688; wine cellars start at $98. Insurance is offered at $5 per month for coverage of up to $1,000. Minimum storage period is two weeks; you can get a discount for longer-term storage. And you can upsize or downsize your storage unit any time.
SERVICE The staff were knowledgeable and friendly over the phone. Walk-in customers are given a guided tour of the premises and shown all the security measures.

VERDICT 8.5. Excellent customer service, and the widest range for your storage needs.

 

Best Value: EBC Storage
Address: #04-10B Entrepreneur Centre, 50 Tagore Lane, Tel: 6556 3586, website: www.ebcstorage.com.sg. Open for enquiries: Mon to Fri, 9am-5.30pm; Sat, 9am-1pm. Closed on Sun and public holidays

VERSATILITY They have a good range of storage units – the smallest can take eight to 12 Fedex boxes, while the largest is 200 sq ft, the size of an HDB flat’s living room. There are non air-conditioned and air-conditioned rooms, as well as wine cellars. 

SECURITY The warehouse and storage units have round-the-clock CCTVs. You need an access card to enter the warehouse; each entry is recorded. You must secure your own storage unit with a padlock.

PACKAGE Rental rates are $50 to $120, depending on unit size. Air-conditioned units cost 20 to 30 per cent more, while wine cellars start at $98. The minimum storage period is a month; you can get a discount if you rent for two months or more. All fees include insurance coverage against fire, break-ins and water damage.

SERVICE Staff were patient and readily answered my phone queries. You can also ask for a guided tour of the premises.

VERDICT 8. Good range of storage options, with more bang for your buck.

 

Jumbo Locker
Address: #01-01 Clarus Centre, 37 Jalan Pemimpin, Tel: 6255 5388, Website: www.jumbolocker.com. Open for enquiries: Mon to Fri, 9am-6pm; Sat, 8.30am-1pm. Closed on Sun and public holidays

VERSATILITY Like Storefriendly, its smallest storage cubicle is the size of a locker; the largest is 200 sq ft. They also provide storage for bicycles, and some rooms even come with a clothing rack, almost like a walk-in wardrobe. The units are not air-conditioned, so are not suitable for belongings that may be damaged by humidity.

SECURITY CCTVs run 24 hours and security guards patrol the premises. An access card is needed to operate the lifts that go up to the storage units. Like the other two places, you need to put a padlock on your own unit, which you can buy from Jumbo Locker.

PACKAGE Monthly rentals start from $65, with discounts for long-term storage. The minimum rental period is two weeks. Insurance is optional, at an extra cost.

SERVICE The staff, although professional and knowledgeable, weren’t that friendly over the phone. Walk-in customers are taken on a quick tour of the premises, and staff can advise you on how much space you need.

VERDICT 7.5. A no-frills facility for your basic needs. 

 

All stores are in Singapore. This article was originally published in Simply Her September 2012.

All pricing information was correct at the time of the magazine’s publication. We advise readers to check with the store for the latest pricing information.