Moving Guide – Safe Storage
In an ideal world, every home move would consist of successfully relocating everything you own from its present spot in your current home to its future spot in your new home. However, as with most ideals, it rarely happens this way. Typically moves entail a significant effort to coordinate schedules between buyers and sellers or tenants and landlords. Job schedules and various commitments in the former community may lead to a separation period for families in transit. When circumstances prolong a move, it becomes necessary to find a safe storage facility to house your valuables.
Although it will require moving your belongings twice, a safe storage location will keep your things dry and protected for any length of time. Perhaps you are staying at a hotel or apartment during the transition from one home to another. While it may be tempting to just live with boxes and forgo the added expense of renting storage space, this added clutter in your living space will only add stress and leave you feeling more unsettled at an already emotionally challenging time.
Finding Safe Storage
When examining your storage options, the first step is to estimate the amount of space you will need. This can be a difficult task, but it will be well worth the effort spent planning. Your first step will be to determine which household items you will need access to. If you are temporarily living in a hotel or staying with friends or family, you may not need more than your clothes and toiletries. If you are renting an apartment or other small space, you may need some furniture, kitchen items and linens. The key is to strike a balance between minimizing the stuff you will need to use in your temporary space and having all that you need to run your life available to you.
Once you have noted or packed those items that you will be using while in transit, begin to box up those things that will be temporarily stored. Follow basic packing guidelines to protect your valuables. This includes finding sturdy, well-sized boxes, distributing weight evenly throughout and within the boxes, reinforcing when necessary, and protecting fragile items with additional packing materials. Labeling your boxes becomes especially important when you will be utilizing storage. Regardless of how well you estimate what you will need access to during the transition, you may have to dig up an old tax form or locate your camping gear for an unexpected weekend trip. Thoughtfully labeling the boxes and neatly arranging them in the storage space will make this process hassle-free.
While some people may be able to estimate the space required for storage, the fool-proof way to determine your needs is to simply measure the items that will need to be stored. This includes furniture and boxes as well as any vehicles, boats or motorcycles. Remember to consider any lawn equipment that you will be storing, like mowers, snow-blowers, rakes, shovels and ladders. Large pieces of artwork and any appliances you will be moving may also need to be included. Plot out your storage space to calculate the dimensions required to meet your needs.
Now that you are clear on the amount of space you will need to store your belongings while you make your move, you can call around to local storage facilities to check pricing and availability. It is best to make an in-person visit to your facility of choice before you make your selection. Make sure that everything on site is clean and well cared for. It is especially important to ensure that your storage space will be dry. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and call around to make sure that your space will stay dry in heavy rains. By following all of these tips, you will be able to locate a safe storage space for all of your valuables during your move.