Millions of Americans pay for storage units they rarely visit. If you have been paying $75 to $200 per month for a unit in Lake County that has become a graveyard for furniture, boxes, and items you forgot you owned, it is time to do the math. A year of storage at $150 per month costs $1,800, and most people keep units far longer than they planned. This guide covers how to clean out your Lake County storage unit efficiently, what it costs, and when to call in professional help.

How Much Does a Storage Unit Cleanout Cost?

Professional storage unit cleanout in Lake County costs between $150 and $700 depending on the size of the unit and how full it is. A packed five-by-ten unit typically runs $200 to $350. A ten-by-ten unit costs $300 to $500. Larger ten-by-twenty or ten-by-thirty units can run $500 to $700 or more. The price includes all labor, hauling, disposal, and recycling. You save money by pulling out anything you want to keep before the crew arrives so they only handle the items being removed.

Cost by Unit Size

| Unit Size | Typical Fullness | Estimated Cost | |-----------|-----------------|----------------| | 5x5 | Full | $150 - $250 | | 5x10 | Full | $200 - $350 | | 10x10 | Full | $300 - $500 | | 10x15 | Full | $400 - $600 | | 10x20 | Full | $500 - $700 | | 10x30 | Full | $600 - $900+ |

When Should You Clean Out Your Storage Unit?

Clean out your storage unit when the monthly cost exceeds the value of what is inside. A simple test: if you cannot list from memory what is in the unit, you probably do not need any of it. Other triggers include a move to a new home, a life change like retirement or downsizing, receiving a notice of a rate increase, or realizing you have not visited the unit in over six months. The sooner you act, the sooner you stop hemorrhaging monthly fees.

Signs It Is Time

You cannot remember what is inside

You have not visited in six months or more

Monthly rent just increased

The items inside would cost less to replace than another year of rent

You are moving and need to consolidate

The storage facility sent a lien notice

How Do You Prepare for a Storage Unit Cleanout?

Visit the unit before scheduling the cleanout. Take photos of the contents so you can assess them at home without the pressure of being on site. Identify anything you want to keep, and plan to remove those items yourself or have them set aside. On cleanout day, meet the crew at the storage facility, point out anything you want saved, and let them handle the rest. Make sure the facility knows a junk removal crew will be coming so there are no access issues with gates, loading docks, or unit access hours.

Preparation Steps

1. Visit the unit and photograph all contents 2. Make a keep/remove list at home with time to think 3. Remove keepsakes and valuables before the crew arrives 4. Notify the storage facility about the scheduled cleanout 5. Confirm facility access hours and any loading restrictions 6. Have your unit key or access code ready for the crew 7. Plan to be present during the cleanout

Can You Donate Items From a Storage Unit?

Yes, and a good junk removal company will sort donatable items during the cleanout. Furniture in decent condition, working appliances, clothing, kitchenware, and household goods can go to local Lake County charities including Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and community thrift stores. Items that have been in an unclimate-controlled storage unit for years may have moisture damage, mold, or pest issues that make them unsuitable for donation. The crew can assess item condition on site and separate donatable goods from true junk.

What Items Are Commonly Found in Storage Units?

Storage units tend to accumulate specific categories of items that people cannot quite let go of but do not actually use. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare mentally for the cleanout process and make faster decisions about what stays and what goes.

Most Common Storage Unit Contents

Furniture: Couches, tables, dressers, bed frames from previous homes

Boxes of unknown contents: Sealed boxes from the last move that never got opened

Holiday decorations: Multiple bins of seasonal items

Clothing: Bags and boxes of clothes that no longer fit or are out of style

Electronics: Old computers, monitors, VCRs, and obsolete technology

Exercise equipment: Treadmills, bikes, and weight sets

Kids' items: Outgrown toys, clothes, cribs, and school projects

Documents: Boxes of old files, paperwork, and records

Tools: Duplicates or broken tools from garage cleanouts

Mattresses: Old mattresses that could not be moved into the new place

Should You Do It Yourself or Hire a Professional?

DIY storage unit cleanout works when you have a small unit, a truck or trailer, time to make multiple trips, and the physical ability to handle heavy items. For larger units or units packed floor to ceiling, professional removal is almost always faster and cheaper when you factor in your time, vehicle costs, and dump fees. A professional crew clears a ten-by-ten unit in about an hour. Doing it yourself typically takes a full day.

DIY vs. Professional Comparison

| Factor | DIY | Professional | |--------|-----|-------------| | Time | Full day or more | 1-3 hours | | Physical labor | All on you | None | | Vehicle needed | Truck or trailer rental | Included | | Dump fees | $50-$150+ | Included | | Donation sorting | You handle drop-offs | Crew sorts and donates | | Total cost | $100-$300+ (not counting your time) | $150-$700 |

How Do You Handle a Storage Unit Lien Notice?

If you have received a lien notice from your Lake County storage facility, time is limited. Most Ohio storage facilities must wait at least 30 days after a notice before auctioning your unit contents. If you want to recover your belongings, pay the past-due rent and clean out the unit immediately. If the contents are not worth saving, you may be able to surrender the unit and walk away, though the facility may pursue the debt. Either way, a fast professional cleanout can help you recover valuable items and clear the unit before the auction deadline.

What Happens After the Cleanout?

After the crew removes everything, do a final walkthrough to make sure the unit is completely empty and broom-clean. Contact the storage facility immediately to officially terminate your rental agreement. Most facilities require written notice, and some charge for the current month regardless of when you vacate. Get written confirmation that your lease is terminated and that no additional charges will be applied. This prevents surprise charges months later.

Post-Cleanout Checklist

Walk through the empty unit to confirm it is clear

Sweep or clean as required by your rental agreement

Return keys or access devices to the facility office

Submit written notice of termination

Get written confirmation of lease termination

Cancel any automatic payment methods on file

Confirm your security deposit refund timeline if applicable

How Do You Avoid Needing Storage Again?

The best storage unit cleanout is the one you never need. Before putting anything in storage, ask yourself: if I would not pay $1,800 a year to keep this item, why am I storing it? Set a firm expiration date when you rent a unit. If you have not retrieved items within six months, schedule a cleanout. Apply the one-year rule to everything in your home: if you have not used it in a year, it goes.

Ready to Clean Out Your Storage Unit?

Evergreen Removal provides fast, affordable storage unit cleanouts across Lake County including units in Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby, Chardon, and surrounding areas. Call for a free estimate. We will meet you at the facility, remove everything you do not want, donate what we can, and have you off the monthly payment cycle for good.

Storage Unit Cleanout in Lake County, Ohio: Tips, Costs, and Services