Have any funny or horrifying stories to share regarding the development and construction of your site? How about remodeling anecdotes? Disasters--and even pleasant surprises--would be fun to read about here.

does anyone have words of wisdom for those about to start the construction phase? Any lessons learned? We all know hindsight is 20/20 ... what have you learned that could help lessen the pain\anxiety for someone else?

We made more mistakes than necessary. It never works out like you or the architects plan it. Plan on some losses, adjustments, and rethinking. Once its done, everything is fixable(meaning it is probably broken.) But it can be repaired.

I went through 4 new construction projects in my self storage management career, and they all brought up different sets of problems. The best advice that I could give anyone is to hire experienced that have worked in the self storage industry. Stay on top of them, and make sure sure that both parties understand the scope of work.

You should also realize that things will inevitably go wrong. All four of my project were delayed for one reason or another. As for mistakes being made, some things are fixable, some less so. If everyone has done what they are supposed to, you will fill up regardless.

Two things we had problems with during construction.
1-Make sure the right foam closures are used on the right panels. (there about 3 or for different panel designs).
2-Make sure the right color of the metal panels are facing out. Contractor put up one wall wrong side out in the bright sunshine (sun glasses).