What to do before putting your belongings into storage
A self-storage unit can be a convenient way to store your things, but in order to get the most out of it you'll need to be prepared. Taking the right steps in advance will give you a pain-free moving day and make using your storage unit in future much easier.
Pick your purpose
Many storage units hold household possessions between moves, but not all. An increasing number of small businesses use self-storage units as warehouse space, preferring the security and convenience of a managed space to the challenges of managing their own inventory.
If you're going to use your storage space for business inventory, you may need to choose a slightly larger unit than a domestic customer would, even with the same number of boxes; if you need regular access to your boxes, you'll need to leave plenty of room to move through the space. By contrast, a homeowner moving house may be able to fill the unit with stacks of boxes, taking them out only when it's time to move again.
Compare amenities
Self-storage centres aren't just huge sheds full of lockers -- they offer a wide range of services and amenities. Two centres with different rental prices might have very different security or insurance. Access is another thing to look at -- some centres will offer round-the-clock access, while others will only be open at certain times.
Decide which features you'll need; if you don't anticipate moving house in the middle of the night, 24-hour access may not matter to you. If your business needs to respond quickly to international customers, it might be vital. Location is a similar concern; if you're only going to be driving to and from storage occasionally, distance may not matter as much as it would to someone who'll be there every day.
Pack carefully
Packing some of your items to be stored in advance will help you get an idea of how much you can fit into a box and therefore how much space you're likely to need. Pack securely, but above all label boxes clearly. In the bustle of moving, boxes can get misplaced and hidden by other items, so label them in several places, including the lid and more than one side.
Whether you're packing personal belongings or business inventory, avoid leaving voids in the box that could result in packed items sliding; fill empty spaces with bubble wrap or packing material.
Once you have a list of what you're looking for and have test-packed some boxes, you'll have a clear idea of how to choose the storage facility that's right for your needs. To learn more, contact a company that deals in self storage for help.