Portable Storage Sheds or Storage Units – Which is Better for Your Situation?

One of the biggest problems that many homeowners have is finding enough space to house all of their stuff. From landscaping equipment to bikes and toys, finding a place for everything and everything in its place is often difficult to do for a growing family. That is why many consider renting a storage unit to accommodate the overflow. But over time, the rented space can end up costing you more than the contents in it, which is why portable storage sheds are an excellent alternative. So which one is better for your needs? Ask yourself these questions to find the answer.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Granted, buying portable storage sheds is an investment up front, which is why some people consider just renting space until they don’t need it anymore. But what most people find is that the things they store in a storage unit are often forgotten about. And by the time you remove the items from the storage unit, you could have probably just bought all new stuff. A portable storage shed is not only a great place to house things; it is a long-term investment that keeps on giving.

How Often Are You Going to Need Your Stuff?

If you are housing your valuables off-site at a storage facility, it can be a real hassle to go and get them every time you use them. This means most people make do without the item until a time that they have space for it. While it sits idle, you are paying for something that you will probably not use. Also, by the time you get it, it will be outdated and will need upgrading. More times than not, storage units are just a place to put things when you want to forget about them altogether.

How Much Room Do You Have?

One limitation that might make a storage unit a must is if you don’t have the space for a portable shed. You do need to have enough of a backyard to build a portable storage unit or be able to accommodate one that is large enough to put your valuables in. There is no sense in investing in a shed that you won’t ever use because it simply isn’t big enough. That is an even bigger waste of money than renting a storage unit!

Does Your House Allow It?

Some communities and neighborhoods have restrictions about what type of storage shed you can build based on codes and regulations. If you are limited on what type of shed you can have, that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily go with the storage unit. It just means that you might have to be a little more creative with its appearance and how you design it.

If you are tired of not having enough storage space at your home, then you might be considering whether you should invest in portable storage sheds or pay to rent a storage unit. The biggest advantage to a portable storage shed is that you have all you need on your property without having to go anywhere. Although it’s an investment up front, it is yours for the long-term. To discuss how we can accommodate your need for a storage shed, contact Ravenel Buildings today!

Metal or Wood Carport? The Advantages and Disadvantages to Both

Carports are an excellent way to keep your vehicles and toys safe from inclement weather without building a garage. They can be constructed out of either metal or wood, depending on the preference of the homeowner. When it comes to comparing the two, however, metal carports offer everything that wood carports do – and a whole lot more. These are the advantages of choosing metal carports Charleston, SC construction over wooden ones.

Durability

The durability of metal carports far exceeds wood. Carports made from metal are constructed with galvanized steel that can stand up under high winds and extreme weather conditions. Wood carports are more likely to collapse when put under extreme stress, and because they are flammable, fire is also a concern of wood versus metal construction. Metal carports are also impervious to pests like termites, which are common in the South Carolina region. And they won’t rot or warp. Although some homeowners worry about rust with a metal carport, the finish on galvanized steel carports resists corrosion and is typically guaranteed for a minimum of 20 or more years.

Cost

The cost of building a metal carport pales in comparison to a wood carport. It is cheaper from the start because there is less waste when building. Metal carports come prefabricated, so there is no waste. And the small amount that is left over after construction can be recycled, which is a win-win situation for everyone.

Maintenance

Wood carports require staining or painting every season to keep the wood from rotting. That is a lot of maintenance when you compare it to metal. Also, over time, wood carport shingles will need to be repaired or replaced. A metal carport does not require maintenance, and it will hardly ever need to be repaired or have any parts replaced.

Time Considerations and Assembly

Metal carports are pre-assembled so they are ready to be put together upon delivery. They are precisely pre-cut, so all you have to do is piece them together. Most metal carports can be put together in just a couple of hours, whereas wood carports can require the labor of many days to cut and piece together. Unlike wood carports, metal carports need nothing more than a few nuts and bolts to construct, and they also don’t require an extensive skill level if you plan on doing it yourself.

When you compare metal carports to wood carports, metal wins as being the less expensive, less labor-intensive product, and it needs less maintenance. The one place where metal carports don’t always win is in aesthetics. However, metal carports are just a better fit to withstand the high winds and tumultuous storms of the South Carolina Coast! If you are interested in a metal carport, Ravenel Buildings has a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from. We are the leading metal carports Charleston, SC builders in the industry. Contact us today to discuss how we can get your car under wraps in no time.

Should You Buy a Used Utility Shed or Go for New?

With the new year upon us, many are starting to clean up and clear out. If you are looking for extra space to house things like landscaping tools or garage overflow, then a shed is a perfect way to hide it somewhere where it is safe. There are many options when it comes to sheds; they come in many different shapes and sizes. You can also buy them new or used. So, how are you to know what you need and which will suit your needs best? These are factors to decide if you should buy utility sheds for sale that are new or used.

When you buy Used

You Won’t get to Customize

Although it is a shed and in the backyard, that doesn’t mean that it is hidden from sight. If you buy used utility sheds for sale, you’ll get it as is. That means that you can’t customize it to suit your home’s style. If you buy new, you can make it look like an addition to your home, not an afterthought. Sometimes it is better to spend a little extra to increase the equity of your home’s value than to buy an eyesore to save a couple of dollars.

You Won’t get a Warranty

When you buy used, you get what you pay for, and in this instance, that means someone else has used it. A good shed is meant to protect your stuff from outdoor elements, but there is no way to guarantee that your used shed doesn’t have some things wrong with it. If you buy new and something goes wrong, you have someone to turn to to make things right. If you buy it from someone else, you are working under the “buyer beware,” which can really sting if things go the wrong way.

You Have to Move it

If you buy a used shed, more times than not you are responsible for both moving and reassembling it in some cases. There is nothing less fun than spending your day, or even your week, moving a shed and then rebuilding it where you want in the backyard. Buying new might cost a little more, but then you have the luxury of someone delivering it and setting it up. That means you have safety knowing that it won’t be damaged in transit and that someone will be putting it together professionally for you.

You Can’t Finance it

Depending on how much you have to spend, when you buy used, it isn’t as if the person will take installments for payment. Purchasing a new shed might cost more, but if you find a company that will finance the total cost, you can pay it off monthly. For many people that means just a little bit, and to get something new over used, it is well worth it to go for fresh and new!

If you are ready to take the plunge and purchase a little extra space by investing in a shed, invest wisely. Sometimes when you try to save pennies, we end up spending dollars. A new shed will come with a guarantee, delivery, installation and sometimes financing, so what are you waiting for? Forget the phrase one man’s junk is another man’s treasure and get a real treasure by purchasing a new shed from Portable Buildings of Ravenel today.

Buy Yourself the Gift That Keeps Giving – 5 Things to Look for in a Carport Building Company

Although this year has been longer than any other in recent history, the holidays have still snuck-up on us. If you are looking for a way to treat yourself for the New Year ahead, consider investing in a carport. A carport is an excellent way to gain more space, keep things under wraps, and increase equity in your home. But don’t just Google “carports near me,” take the time to find the best builder possible by looking for these signs.

Reputation

Things have not been the same since the internet entered our lives. But the one thing that has not changed is building and establishing a reputation for your business. Before you blindly Google “carports near me” and choose the first one that pops up, consider investigating the reputation that a company has built. Although carport building might not be rocket science, it does require skill and craftsmanship to get it right.

Price

The holiday season is a time when it is okay to splurge, but that doesn’t mean that you should pay more than you have to. But it is also important to gauge price with quality. If you choose your builder on price alone, you will undoubtedly get what you pay for, and that is never a good thing. Try to choose a company by considering all the factors, not just how much they charge. Doing it right the first time is the only way to really save money.

Materials

Carports can be constructed from many different materials. The key is to find what you like aesthetically to fit the style of your home, while also being able to withstand the Southern regional weather. Whether you go with a prefabricated carport or one that you build from scratch, don’t settle on either front, you can get both without a problem if you choose the right company.

Experience

Every neighborhood and municipality has specific rules about whether you need a building permit or not. Find a company that understands what needs to be done and how things need to be handled to have things go smoothly. A company that works in your area will not only have an established reputation, they will also know what the rules are about what you need to build a carport and what the rules and regulations are.

Warranty

The best way to know that a company believes in the quality of their work is to look at their warranty or guarantee. A company that doesn’t offer any sort of confidence through either, is leaving you hanging out to dry if something goes wrong. At a minimum, your carport should come with some guarantee to cover anything that isn’t done correctly, if necessary.

As the holidays approach, it might be time to consider doing something nice for yourself. If you are tired of standing out in the rain getting groceries, having nowhere to put extra things, or you just want a little extra space to move around in, then a carport is an excellent investment to add. Before you just Google “carports near me” and choose, look for all the factors necessary to find the best builder to do it right. Contact Ravenel Builders today to discuss how we can get your carport project underway in time for the holiday season.

Author: ravenel