Helpful tips
Tips: Choosing a Storage Facility, Decluttering, Packing and Storing your goods
Questions to ask when choosing a storage facility:
- Location: is the self storage facility within easy reach to your home/work?
- Price: how does it compare to other providers in the region?
- Access: how rigid are the hours of access and is there flexibility for exceptional circumstances?
- Unit sizes: are the units one size fits all or is there a range of unit sizes to cater for the amount of goods to be stored?
- Storage types: are the units internal or external (e.g. metal containers)?
- Flexibility: can you switch to smaller or larger units if your needs change?
- Notice period: are you tied to a yearly contract or how much notice do you need to move out without penalties?
- Customer reviews: are there reviews or testimonials online to see how other people have found the Self Storage facility?
DECLUTTER when selling your home
It is imperative that you declutter your home before putting it on the market for the following reasons:
- Clean, bright, clutter-free homes maximize the space available allowing even a small house to feel large
- A ‘blank canvas’ that isn’t teeming with your personal effects can focus potential buyers on what is important to them
- You will be more prepared when you have to move out because you’ll have done much of the hard work beforehand
- You will have moved out (emotionally) and be ready for the transition when the time comes to close the door behind you
2 Types of Clutter
- Items you want to keep but need to remove for the viewings. There are various things that fit into this category:
o the contents of rooms that are not being used in their original form i.e. a dining room that has been converted into an office or a bedroom that is now a TV room. If you’re selling it as a 3-bed house, then make sure all three bedrooms are fit for purpose
o items that are too large or too small for a particular space – making the dimensions of the room look odd
o an abundance of personal effects can be distracting to buyers and make the house seem smaller
These are the items that you need to move out of the house for the time being to free up space. A self storage unit is an ideal interim solution. - Genuine clutter that doesn’t belong in the home. These could be items that should never have made it into the house such as work-related materials. Another possibility is it is rubbish that you don’t need now or in the future.
A thorough declutter in preparation for the big move will save you time and money. Only spend time and money packing and moving items that you really want to take with you. The even better news is that unpacking at the other end will be so much easier!
Packing is one of the most important things to think about when moving. Download these tips as a PDF here.
Here are some packing and protection tips:
- Buy good quality storage boxes of equal size for easy stacking. Avoid using supermarket boxes, they aren’t strong enough and you risk damaging your goods
- Fill boxes to capacity – partially full or bulging boxes may tip or collapse
- Heavy items should be packed into small boxes so that they are easy to lift
- Books should be packed flat so that the spines don’t break
- Seal boxes with packing tape to keep out dust
- Fragile items such as crockery and glasses should be wrapped in tissue paper or bubble wrap before storing – do not use newspaper (the ink stains)
- Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in bubble wrap, marked fragile and stacked on their end
- Wrap table legs with bubble wrap or corrugated cardboard before storing.
- Use wardrobe boxes which allow you to store your clothing on hangers to keep their shape.
- Protect your sofas, chairs, and mattresses with dust covers
- Stack chairs seat to seat with a cloth or paper to separate them
- Food of any kind must not be stored (including wheat bags, dried flowers etc.) or anything that could attract vermin into your unit and compromise the whole facility
- Number each box on all sides and list the contents within. Make an inventory of your stored items with box numbers and full contents of each box and keep it in a safe place at home. Have a copy of the list available when you come to the storage unit so all you have to do is find the box number instead of reading the contents of every box
- Visit your unit periodically to check on your goods, we do not have access to your unit, so checking their condition is up to you
Here are some storage tips:
- Consider if you require some of our shelving options to maximise the use of your unit
- Lay a dust sheet on the floor of your unit to protect your goods
- Place heavy or bulky items in the room first to provide a good packing base
- Do not place heavy items on sofas or mattresses
- Always place a protective cover over your soft furnishings
- Always fully defrost and clean fridge/freezers before storing them. Leave fridge/freezer doors open for ventilation and to prevent mould
- Garden equipment should be cleaned, and lawnmowers should be drained of petrol before storing
- Cover your goods with a dust sheet to protect against dust
- Pack seasonal equipment at the front so it is easily accessible
Moving checklist:
4- 8 weeks before the big move:
- Decide on a moving date
- Visit Staffords Self Storage to reserve your storage unit or reserve online here
- Book a Moving company (ask us for a recommendation)
- Buy packing supplies (if required)
- Start packing boxes as soon as possible
- Sell or discard unwanted items. Consider Charity shops or sell online
- Start to run down food in the freezer and pantry
- Decide what goes into storage and what you might want to keep
1 – 4 weeks before the move:
- Continue packing and remember to label each box with contents
- Make a list of your household contents
- Advise Insurance company of move and any change in contents value
Day Before:
- Empty, clean and defrost fridge and freezer, check water trays are empty
- Disconnect washing machine and let hoses drain
- Drain garden hoses and store in a clean garbage bin
- Have everything packed and ready to load
Moving Day:
- Carry valuables and important documents with you, bank details, passports etc;
- Have children help out. Keeping them involved makes it easier for them
- Cover mattresses and sofas with dust protectors
- Pick up your rental van if needed (the day before if it’s available)
- One last look to make sure you’ve got everything and off you go
- Don’t forget to lock up