Choosing the right storage facility can save you money, hassle and also protect your valuables from theft or damage.
Remember, you are about to put your books, albums, furniture and keepsakes in the hands of a third party. So do some research before placing your life treasures in the cheapest facility you found on Craigslist.
Check out the storage facility.
Find out how long the company has been in business. Search for reviews. Speak with friends or associates to learn if they have any storage unit advice to share.
Don’t store anything of great value in any unit.
If you are storing items as part of a pre-or post-move, ask your moving company or real estate agent for recommendations.
Our firm, Buehler Companies, has a stellar reputation. We are proudly listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as an A+ rated company. Buehler is part of the American Moving & Storage Association also known as “Pro Mover.” And we are members in the Commercial Relocation Network, an organization made up of the most successful office and industrial relocation companies in the country.
As with so many things, it’s a buyer’s beware world. Inspect the unit before you rent, get to know the storage facility manager to discern his or her level of professionalism.
Bottom line: Trust but verify.
Don’t wait to get this done.
Unless your need for storage came out of nowhere, you should have time to plan things out. Why wait until the last minute?
Step one: examine your needs. Figure out how much stuff you need to store, then assess the sized of the unit you need.
Consider the size of the unit, the cost of the unit and the convenience of getting into and out of the unit, when starting the rental process.
If you are proactive, there’s no rush. This approach gives you time to make a reasoned, not panicked decision.
Take Inventory of Your Items
Itemize what you have to store. This will help you organize the storage space and will help decide just how big or small a storage unit you need.
For greater detail about storage unit capacities, check out this site:
https://www.storage.com/self-storage-size-guide/
Ok, so you’ve done your research and found a great unit to rent. Well done, now comes the next step in the storage unit advice process: How to correctly pack the unit.
If you are good at puzzles, this can be fun. If you have trouble stacking groceries in a bag, review the following tips.
Label everything
All boxes look alike, so it’s best to place labels on the outside to let you know what’s in the box.
Do not store anything of great value
Storage units can be burglarized. If you don’t want to lose it, leave it elsewhere.
Plan out your packaging system
You never know when you will need to get to a specific item you packed. Create a strategic pattern to the packing and stacking. Store the things you might need toward the front of the unit. Leave the stuff you don’t need in the back. Don’t just put materials on the floor, stack items. Use the vertical space when you can.
Try to leave a pathway through the storage unit.
Prepack the boxes with protection in mind
Purchase moving blankets for furniture and packing or wrapping paper for breakables. Don’t rely on plastic coverings, because plastics can capture moisture and that can lead to damage.
Consider insurance
Be sure to determine the level of insurance coverage that comes with the storage unit. See if your homeowner or rental insurance company will cover your storage facility. If not, you can always add on some extra coverage just in case.
Safety first.
Don’t give out the storage code to your unit to just anyone. And buy a good lock as a backup plan for extra protection. Also check to make sure the storage facility has alarms and camera.
Get help
No matter how well planned or prepared you are, it’s never a bad idea to get help. Ask a friend, coworker or relative to lend a hand. It’s no fun stacking heavy boxes alone. So, invite the gang and have a packing party. Just be sure to buy the gang some pizza.
