A Family Blog

Some planning and careful packing is a must for any well organized move.  Whether you are moving your entire household or just cleaning out space in the guest bedroom, it’s important to declutter while you’re packing to reduce any unnecessary items from your tidily packed boxes.  Donating those unwanted items to the Good Will or Salvation Army is always a good move and it helps save your valuable storage space.  It’s also important to gather your packing supplies before you begin, such as packing tab, boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and a marker to label each box.

Boxes: Keep in mind that it’s easier to stack boxes that are similar in size and shape and not to pack your boxes too heavy so portion out your heavier items into boxes that also contain other not-so-heavy items. It’s a good rule of thumb is to keep each box under 30lbs for easy lifting and always stack lighter boxes on top of heavier boxes.  Also make sure there are no empty gaps in your boxes as they may collapse and topple over after they are stacked.  Label all your boxes with its contents on more than one side so you can easily identify its contents.

Breakables: It’s always a good idea to individually wrap any fragile items with packing paper, newspaper, or bubble wrap. Since dresser drawers are hard sided, they are a great place to pack fragile items.  The empty space inside your larger appliances also offers a safe space to pack delicate belongings, along with blankets and towels.  Always label these boxes as ”Fragile” and make sure they are stacked on top heavier items.  Mirrors and pictures should always be wrapped individually and stored upright.

Furniture: Taking some extra time to polish your furniture before storing it can help to protect the finish.  Take apart items like bed frames and tables, and remove lampshades from lamps. Tape the pieces together and label them so you know what pieces go where.  Store nuts and bolts in zip lock bags taped to the main item so they don’t get separated. Cover furniture with sheets or tarps to protect them from dirt and scratches.

Appliances: Appliances should always be clean and dry before placing them in storage.  Tape closed appliance doors during the move, then prop them slightly ajar once in storage to prevent moisture buildup.  It’s a good idea to wrap appliances with a sheet or paper to prevent scratches during the move.

Electronics: It’s always best to use the original packing materials for your TVs & DVD players, etc.  Of course if you don’t have the original box, just do your best to replicate it with appropriate sized boxes and cushion foam or bubble wrap.

Misc: Wiping down your tools and other metal objects with some oil will help prevent rusting.  Drain fluids from outdoor equipment to avoid corrosion, and dispose of any paint or chemicals as combustibles should not be placed in storage units. Do not store perishables or any item which could attract rodents or pests.

Choosing the right self storage unit can be frustrating. Phone calls to shop around for pricing that might only be a three month special. How annoying. Well, check out this information!

Space: Find out the size you need. Usually people that work there are good at gauging how big or small of a unit you need. Just as a tip though, a one bedroom usually fits into 5×10 if you pack it in tight.

Time Needed:  Determine how long you need to store your items for. When you pick your storage unit be sure to read your contract. If you only need three months of storage a year contract is probably not the best option. If you’re staying there for a year, check out what amenities are available. Maybe see if the place is clean and safe, too.

Factors: Think about gas prices when you pick a storage unit. How beneficial is the cheapest storage unit when its 45 minutes from your house? Find out when you have access to your storage, like the weekends.

Rent: Check out the move in special. Find out how long it will last. Find out how much the rent will be after the special. Don’t get locked in until you really know what you will be paying long term.

Deposit: Is there a deposit? How much is it? How much is the competitor’s deposit? Will you get it back, and how much will you get back?

Moving Out: Find out if the storage is month to month. Most are, but you still need to know. Check on the policies of moving out. Most places want notice that you are no longer using the storage, and you definitely want to move out before your rent it due.

Late Fees: Be sure you know when the late fees hit and how much they cost. Be aware of the policies before committing.

Amenities: Check into what the facility offers. Is there fencing and gates? Can you lock your unit? Do they have locks available? How is the security all together? Make sure someone actually works there too. You want to be able to ask questions without calling a corporate office and sitting on hold for 30 minutes. See what types of units they have too. You might want a hobby unit, a construction yard, or even a cooled unit.

Contract: Read your lease agreement thoroughly. Ask if you can take it home and read it. You need to be completely aware of what you are signing before you sign it. Sifting through legal documents isn’t fun, so really take the time to read it.

All in all, you just really want to be aware of what you want and if the facility you’re looking at meets your needs. Following these steps will give you a head start on finding the right place to store your precious belongings.