Not all car collectors are created equal, and neither are car storage facilities. One local car collector and auto storage expert shared five questions he recommends every car collector ask before storing a collector car.
Not everyone can afford professional collector car storage services, said Dale Norlin, longtime car collector and owner of Calgary car storage. In that case, at a minimum, an antique or exotic car can be covered and kept in a home garage or under a carport.
For those who do have the means to pay for professional storage services, Norlin advises car collectors to research local garages that store collector cars. He recommends asking these five questions when researching options for car storage:
1. If the car storage facility clean and climate controlled: Ask if the garage is insulated and air-conditioned and/or heated, protecting a collector car from extreme temperatures, humidity, and severe weather. Also find a way to determine if the facility is clean. Most will likely want to visit to check.
2. If the garage is secure; what measures the indoor car storage facility takes to secure vehicles; if they have an alarm system and 24/7/365 video monitoring; if they control access to the facility: Make sure the facility chosen has a reputation for keeping the cars under its watch safe and secure.
3. What the specialties of the car storage facility are: Whether a car is an antique, an exotic car, or another type of vehicle requiring storage, each type of car may have different storage requirements. The facility might specialize in long-term car storage for classic muscle cars, show cars and other vehicles that don't see the light of day often. Check if it accommodate unusually-sized vehicles that don't fit in a home garage.
4. What services they provide: Every self storage garage offers a different menu of services to their customers. Ask if they top off the fuel tank to keep damaging moisture from accumulating in a half-full tank of if they keep thecar under a fitted cover. Be sure to ask if they remove the battery and put it on a trickle charge, or if they offer multi-storage discounts. Check if they offer any additional services, such as onsite washing, waxing and detailing. Whatever the car's needs, ask the facility's customer service representatives about the range of services offered so to ensure that the options needed are available.
5. Easy access to the vehicle: Some facilities have hours limited to the work week, while others offer access to the vehicle 24/7, with after-hours availability by appointment. Make sure to choose a facility that allows access to the vehicles when wanted. In addition, make sure if it is a short- or long-term storage.
"In the end, finding the right storage facility for your collector car comes down to doing your homework," Norlin said. "Make sure the car storage facility you choose is right for your priceless investments and you won't have any regrets."
County Hills Storage has attained distinction as one of the largest full-service self-storage facilities in the city of Calgary.
March 06, 2019 – Country Hills Storage Continues to Grow with New Facility Located in Alberta Canada
February 21, 2019 – Country Hills Storage Has Added Small Business Storage to Their Growing Facilities
December 26, 2018 – Country Hills Storage Shows Growth by Adding Business Storage Facilities
December 18, 2018 – Country Hills Storage Expands in Alberta
December 13, 2018 – Country Hills Storage Launches Effective and Convenient Self Storage Facilities
November 12, 2018 – Country Hills Storage to Present at The MicroCap Conference in Calgary
October 15, 2018 – Car Storage Space in Calgary, AB: 5 Questions Every Collector Car Owner Should Ask Before Leasing
October 11, 2018 – Country Hills Storage opens Brand New Storage Center In Ponte Verde, FL And Acquires Self Storage Center In Calgary, AB
October 09, 2018 – Country Hills Storage Adds New Storage Units in Calgary, AB