Storage is a great solution if you need some extra space in your life, if you’re between homes or if you’re downsizing. There’s often a lot involved in the entire process, so it’s important to be prepared before you start packing. Here are 5 things you should consider before moving your belongings into storage. This post is brought to you by Fort Knox.
1. Should you store it?
One of the trickiest decisions to make when moving personal items into storage is whether or not they should, in fact, be stored at all. Will you need these belongings daily, or don’t you have any plans to use them? Perhaps you’re keeping certain belongings for their sentimental value? Asking these tough questions will help you understand whether or not you should be storing items away. If you feel you need a nudge in the right direction, complete the following infographic created by the storage specialists at Fort Knox.
2. Choose the right space
Depending on what you’re storing away, you’ll need to do a little research to make sure you’re choosing a unit that’s the right size. A registered boat, for example, will require a much larger unit than a few pieces of furniture. Even then, certain goods like kayaks, large cabinets or boxes for archiving will need tailored space. Make sure you’re spending the right amount of money for the goods you need stored.
3. Storage security
Ensure peace of mind with secure storage. This means the storage area should be under 24-hour video surveillance and have security guards and alarms. You certainly don’t want anything to happen to your family heirlooms and favourite toys that you simply do not want to part with yet.
4. Keep fragile items protected
If you’re storing china that has been passed down through the family, it’s imperative you pack it correctly to avoid smashes and cracks. Even sturdier items require special care; there’s nothing worse than storing away a table for a little while, only to discover a large scratch once you take it out again. Make sure you understand the best processes to take to look after your goods and to avoid breakage and cosmetic damage during transport and storage. Bubble wrap, carton boxes, tissue paper and other packing goods can help prevent any damage. Tape, stickers and boxes marked ‘Fragile’ are also extremely helpful in identifying what needs particular care. As you are packing make sure every box is given a number and every item contained in each box is written down in a notebook. This will make it much easier to find a single item if you need to access it quickly at a later date.
5. Invest in help
Bribe family members and friends with pizza and drinks so they can help you move your personal items into storage. The whole process is often a big task, and one that requires a few helpful hands. This is especially true if you’re going through a big change, like moving homes. If you can rally up some extremely kind buddies, it would be even better to have them help you wrap and pack items as well. This means they’ll understand what’s fragile and how they can best to store everything in your unit. To help cut costs, ask someone you know who has a van or a trailer if you could borrow it for the move.
If you can consider these few points before moving your items into storage, the whole process will become easier and more cost effective. Get ready for an organised life with storage!
Do you use storage away from your home?