No one has any space anymore, self storage is ideal for seasonal items and clothes, a great way to store your stuff until you move into your new space, or when renovating your home.
First thing you need to do is find a storage facility that is reliable and trustworthy. The best way to find a facility is to read the reviews from past tenants. Go with a storage facility that has a proven track record of taking good care of your stuff.
Don’t put off looking for a storage center last minute, start your search weeks in advance to give you ample time to find the best facility for your needs. There are three important factors to consider when researching storage facilities.
- Size. Make sure the storage center has a unit that can hold all your stuff. Most facilities have many sizes to meet your needs.
- Price. Price matters, do your homework and consider how safe the facility is. Is it in a safe neighborhood? Do they have security cameras? Is there anyone there who keeps an eye on the place?
- Convenience. How far is the storage center from work or your home? Can you access your stuff at any time of the day? Is it a drive up unit or do you have to take the stairs up to your unit?
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Not everything should be placed in storage. Once you’ve found a place to store everything, let’s cover the do’s and don’ts of self storage.
The Do’s:
Do take an inventory of what you plan to store. This helps determine what size unit you’re likely going to need, and two, it helps you stay organized once everything is in there.
Do label boxes. Labeling boxes makes the unpacking process much easier, and it also helps when you need to find something.
Don’t leave items unprotected. Prevent items from getting damaged by taking the time to properly pack and wrap them.
Do pack strategically. Store items you’re likely to need toward the front of the unit, and things you won’t need towards the back of the unit. Stack boxes all the way to the ceiling. Be mindful that heavy boxes need to be stacked on the bottom and lighter boxes at the top. Leave a path from the front of the unit to the back so you can retrieve any item with ease.
Don’t store anything super valuable. As a general rule, if you can’t afford to lose it, you probably shouldn’t be putting it in your storage unit.
Do get insurance. Check to see if your renters or homeowners insurance covers personal property in storage. If it doesn’t already, you may be able to add it on or purchase a separate storage insurance plan through the insurance company.
Do ask for help. Ask a friend or family member for help, especially if you’re going to be loading heavy items or stacking things up high.
The Don’ts:
Don’t wrap your items with plastic. Plastic traps moisture causing mold and mildew, which destroys your furniture, clothes and much more. Use cloth blankets and be sure to create space for your items to breathe while in storage.
Don’t keep perishable food or plants. Food can attract insects and rodents which will destroy your valuables.
Do not store anything flammable or explosive. Oils, fuels, propane, weapons/ammunition, aerosols are all flammable items. Nothing flammable is permitted in any storage facility.
Don’t let someone use your unit / keys. Would you let someone drive your car? Don’t do it unless you fully trust the person to take care of your unit.
Self storage is an affordable low cost solution to safely secure your belongings nearby for when you need them. Self storage makes life easy and gives you peace of mind that you have someplace to store things that you don’t have room for right now.
About Montgomery Self Storage
Montgomery Self Storage is your local neighborhood mom and pop self storage center. Making people’s lives easier for 15 years.
Montgomery Self Storage offers indoor and outdoor units. Book a unit online or give us a call. All Units are cleaned and ready for storage.
Montgomery Self Storage follows state and federal guidelines for social distancing and sanitation. The health and safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority.
Please stay safe during your move.
Montgomery Self Storage
9 Factory Street, Montgomery, NY 12549
Phone: (845) 457-6229
SelfStorageMontgomeryNY.com