A storage facility does not have to be a space that you only visit once or twice per year in order to excavate something from a stack of boxes. A storage facility can be a very well-organized, easy-to-access space that frees up more space in your own home or office. In order to get everything you can out of a storage facility, it is a good idea to plan well in advance of you actually starting to load up the facility with your goods. There are a number of steps that you can take prior to putting things into storage in order to make sure that you are maximizing the opportunities the space offers you.
The first thing you should do is to create a list of all the packing supplies you are going to require, such as boxes, bubble wrap, pallets, tape, marking pens and rope. You should take a careful look at the storage facility you are intending to make use of and take your list with you so that the manager can advise you on the size of the particular unit that you are likely to need. If you hire a full-service storage company, they will take care of the proper size crates you will need for the items you’re going to store. A full-service storage option allows a hands-off approach where you can have the team pick up your items and drop them off. Full-service storage does not allow you to come and go as you please.
Your moving company needs to be booked at least 30 days beforehand, and the lease should be read carefully before it is signed. During certain times of the year 45 days+ advance booking is required to get your desired pickup and drop-off dates. Be aware of all company policies relating to paying the rent, moving out and other important details. Find out the size of the truck your moving company will use; if your unit is not accessible to this truck, it could end up costing you more money.
For self-storage you should make use of pallets, plywood, 2x4s and anything else you can think of to stop items from directly touching the floor of the storage facility. In order to best make use of the space on offer in your unit, you need to come up with a plan for how arrange your possessions. Having a good plan in place to start with will save you a lot of time, and if you leave an aisle through the center of your facility then you will be able to walk all the way to the rear of the unit. The use of freestanding shelves will also be a big help to you in organizing the storage facility.
Boxes should be labeled on all sides and you should keep a list for the sake of easy referencing, which is another trick that will save you considerable time if you are searching for something specific at a later date. When you pack the boxes, make sure that you are completely filling them; at the same time, ensure that you are not making them too heavy to lift. Heavier boxes should be placed at the bottom, with lighter ones on top, as this stops the lighter boxes from getting crushed. All boxes should be kept off of the floor. Items you are likely to use often should be stored close to the front of the storage facility for easy access.
myMovingNews
