Free Resource
Facility Inspection Checklist
Twelve things to check — on site, with your own eyes — before you hand over the keys to any storage facility. Bring it on the tour; a great facility will pass without flinching. Full explanations in the complete guide.
1. Climate control has numbers, not adjectives
Ask for the temperature and humidity setpoints in writing. Collector-grade is 55–70°F and 45–55% relative humidity. Look for actual dehumidification equipment and ask to see a data log.
Ask for the temperature and humidity setpoints in writing. Collector-grade is 55–70°F and 45–55% relative humidity. Look for actual dehumidification equipment and ask to see a data log.
2. Fire suppression is identified
Know what system protects the room your car sleeps in (sprinkler type, inspection tags current). Ask what happens above the cars — wet-pipe sprinklers directly over open collector cars deserve a conversation.
Know what system protects the room your car sleeps in (sprinkler type, inspection tags current). Ask what happens above the cars — wet-pipe sprinklers directly over open collector cars deserve a conversation.
3. Floors and vapor control
Sealed or coated concrete, no standing moisture, no efflorescence on walls. Moisture coming up through the slab defeats climate control.
Sealed or coated concrete, no standing moisture, no efflorescence on walls. Moisture coming up through the slab defeats climate control.
4. Dedicated space per vehicle
Cars should have real clearance — mirror-to-mirror packing means every arrival and departure risks your paint.
Cars should have real clearance — mirror-to-mirror packing means every arrival and departure risks your paint.
5. Camera coverage with retention
Cameras cover every bay and entrance, footage retained 30+ days, and someone can actually pull a clip on request.
Cameras cover every bay and entrance, footage retained 30+ days, and someone can actually pull a clip on request.
6. Access is logged
Individually coded entry, a visitor log, and a clear answer to “who can get near my car when I'm not here?”
Individually coded entry, a visitor log, and a clear answer to “who can get near my car when I'm not here?”
7. Monitored alarm and after-hours plan
The alarm is monitored by a service, not just audible. Ask what happened the last time it went off.
The alarm is monitored by a service, not just audible. Ask what happened the last time it went off.
8. Garagekeepers insurance, certificate on request
The facility carries garagekeepers coverage and will show a current certificate with per-vehicle and aggregate limits. Hesitation here is your answer.
The facility carries garagekeepers coverage and will show a current certificate with per-vehicle and aggregate limits. Hesitation here is your answer.
9. Battery tending is standard practice
Tenders (not trickle chargers from 1998) on every stored vehicle, checked on a schedule someone can describe.
Tenders (not trickle chargers from 1998) on every stored vehicle, checked on a schedule someone can describe.
10. Movement and exercise policy in writing
Who starts it, how often, are miles logged, do you get notified? “We take them for a spin sometimes” is the wrong answer.
Who starts it, how often, are miles logged, do you get notified? “We take them for a spin sometimes” is the wrong answer.
11. Transport logistics
Enclosed carriers can actually reach the building, there's a staging area, and the facility will coordinate pickups without drama.
Enclosed carriers can actually reach the building, there's a staging area, and the facility will coordinate pickups without drama.
12. Contract worth signing
Access hours, liability terms, rate-lock period, and exit terms are all written down. Read the liability waiver twice.
Access hours, liability terms, rate-lock period, and exit terms are all written down. Read the liability waiver twice.
© FindExoticCarStorage.com — free to share and reprint with attribution (a link to this page). Facilities in our directory are checked against our verification standards.