Storage can be used for many different reasons. If you're trying to sell your home you may want to free closets and rooms of extra clutter so that the place shows better. Maybe you have too much furniture for your new home; the kids have moved out but you can't part with all their childhood memorabilia; you want to store items for different seasons; you have stacks of documents that you need to keep but don't want them to take up living space.
No matter what the reason, finding a storage unit is your first step.
Things to check when locating a facility include:
What size storage is available
How much it will cost
which type is best for you
Access hours
Safety from water and heat damage
Is it free of bugs
Is it secure
Adequate room for parking
Distance from car/truck to unit
Once you've located a storage facility it's important to plan how best to place your items. The following is a list of tips to make your storage experience hassle free.
Create aisles with box labels facing out
Don't stack boxes too high so that getting what you need becomes dangerous or overly time consuming
Make sure that the secure lock on your storage is sturdy
Get a contact name at the storage facility. The storage manager may also be helpful in giving you instructions on how to unload your belongings
Read your agreement for termination and payment regulations
If you're using a professional mover and having some items dropped off to your storage directly, make sure these boxes are clearly marked to avoid confusion.
If you use a professional storage facility (where your things are packed tightly in a crate and loaded in a warehouse) remember that they hold a maximum of 1100 pounds and often have an access charge.
Learn to avoid moving scams Information by WhiteFence
Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about being taken advantage of by a disreputable moving company. A typical moving scam usually involves a moving company giving you an ultra-low quote, but when they arrive at your new home, the movers refuse to unload your belongings unless you pay them a much higher price than you were originally quoted, usually demanding to be paid in cash. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, these are some things to look for to avoid being scammed:
Beware of prices based on anything but the shipment's weight - Legal interstate moving estimates are based on the weight of your shipment, but scam movers often base charges on the cubic feet your goods take up in the truck, and then adjust them to their advantage. Under law, shipment weight must be determined on a scale certified by a state agency.
Don't rely on a price estimate made over the phone or online - Federal rules require a legitimate interstate mover provide a written estimate. While some legitimate movers may offer a survey over the phone, it is a good idea to request that they send a trained, experienced estimator to your home for a more accurate estimate, if possible.
Watch out for required deposits - A legitimate mover generally doesn't require a deposit before moving you except in extraordinary circumstances; however, scam movers frequently require significant deposits even for the simplest moves. If a mover requires you pay a significant deposit before your move to "hold your dates" or to insure "prompt service," you may want to use another mover.
Beware of unreasonably low prices - While honest movers are competitive and their prices differ, they will be within a reasonable range. If a mover comes in with an estimate that is excessively below all the others that you have received, that should send up a red flag that you should probably avoid them.
Personal boxes. Use brightly colored storage tote boxes, one for each person. Let each family member fill theirs with items they'll want 'right away' in the new home -- a set of sheets, a towel, a couple of extension cords, a phone, nightlights, address book, pens and paper, keys, Kleenex, and travel cosmetic case, and so on.
Another Hot Tip
Keep important papers with you. Your list of "important" papers might include: birth certificates, school records, mover estimates, new job contacts, utility company numbers, recent bank records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don't leave these with the mover. Keep them with you! And never leave blank checks.
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Personal boxes.
Keep important papers with you.