The Storage Unit You Didn't Know About
Here's a scenario that happens more often than you'd expect: a family member passes away, and while sorting through their paperwork, you find a monthly charge for a storage unit. Sometimes two. Sometimes at a facility 45 minutes away that nobody in the family knew existed.
Now you've got a 10x20 unit packed floor to ceiling with mystery boxes, and monthly rent is ticking away while you figure out what to do. Oregon storage facilities won't just let you walk in and start clearing things out, either -- there's a legal process.
Getting Legal Access
Storage facilities in Oregon are governed by ORS 87.685-87.695 (the Oregon Self-Service Storage Facility Act). To get access to a deceased person's unit, you'll need:
- Death certificate. The facility will want an official copy.
- Proof of authority. If you're the executor or personal representative of the estate, bring the Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from probate court.
- If there's no probate (small estate), some facilities will accept a small estate affidavit plus proof of family relationship. This varies by facility.
- Government-issued ID matching the name on your legal documents.
Call the facility before you show up. Ask what specific documents they require and whether you need an appointment. Some places will have you sign a liability waiver and issue a new access code on the spot. Others take a week to process the paperwork.
While you're waiting: don't stop the autopay if one exists. A lapsed account triggers the lien process, and the facility can auction the contents after 30 to 60 days of non-payment.
What You'll Probably Find
The contents of these units typically fall into a pattern:
- Furniture that didn't fit. Dressers, chairs, end tables -- often from a downsizing move that happened years ago. Quality ranges from antique to particle board.
- Boxes of documents. Tax returns, bank statements, legal papers. Some of these matter. Most don't. But you need to check every box.
- Seasonal and holiday items. Christmas decorations, camping gear, patio furniture. The stuff that lives in a garage if you have one.
- Sentimental items. Photo albums, yearbooks, letters, military memorabilia. This is the stuff that makes clearing a storage unit take three times longer than you planned.
- Actual junk. Broken appliances, outdated electronics, magazines from the '90s, empty boxes kept "just in case."
Budget at least two hours just for the initial sort-through. Don't bring a truck on day one -- bring a notepad, a flashlight (units aren't always well-lit), and patience.
The Smart Approach: Sort First, Remove Second
Day one is assessment only. Walk the unit, open boxes, make notes. Separate into mental categories:
- Keep: Documents, photos, items with clear sentimental or monetary value. Take these with you immediately.
- Sell: Antiques, collectibles, quality furniture. If you're not sure about value, take photos and consult an estate sale company or appraiser.
- Donate: Usable household items. Habitat for Humanity ReStore will pick up furniture in many Oregon cities.
- Remove: Everything else -- and it's usually 70 to 80 percent of the unit.
Day two (or whenever you're ready) is removal day. This is when you call in a junk removal crew.
What It Costs
Industry Baseline Range
| What is being priced | Published national range |
|---|---|
| Typical junk removal job, per load | $150 to $350 per load (most homeowners); $70 to $570 overall |
| Minimum load (up to 60 cu ft) | $70 to $100 |
| 1/4 load (80-120 cu ft) | $100 to $150 |
| 1/2 load (180-240 cu ft) | $200 to $300 |
| 3/4 load (300-360 cu ft) | $300 to $380 |
| Full load (420-480 cu ft) | $400 to $450 |
Source: HomeGuide, "Junk Removal Prices" national cost guide.
These are industry baseline ranges for planning only and may not reflect Otesse's price. Otesse pricing is calculated for your specific home and ZIP code, so enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Current Market Reality
Storage unit cleanouts are priced mostly by volume, which means by unit size and how tightly it is packed. A 5x5 unit usually fits in a partial load, while a packed 10x20 or larger can fill a full truck or more. Heavy items, units on an upper floor or far from the loading area, and anything that needs special disposal all add to the job.
What moves the price
| Factor | How it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Small unit (5x5 or 5x10) | Usually a partial load, so the lower end |
| Mid-size unit (10x10 or 10x15) | Around a half to full load |
| Large unit (10x20, 10x30 or bigger) | A full load or more, so the higher end |
| Packed floor to ceiling | More volume, so more cost |
| Stairs, elevators or a long walk to the truck | Adds labor time |
| Items that need special disposal | Can add handling fees |
Compare any quote to the ongoing rent: every month the unit sits full is another rent payment, and a unit left for half a year can cost as much in rent as the cleanout itself. Enter your ZIP in the price box on this page for your instant price.
Getting It Done
The most important thing: don't let guilt keep you paying rent on a storage unit full of things nobody will ever use. Your relative rented that unit because they couldn't let go. You can.
If the unit is in the Portland, Salem, Eugene, or Bend area, give us a call. Most storage unit cleanouts take 2 to 4 hours depending on size.
