» Self Storage

Climate controlled storage units are ideal for anything that is sensitive to the climate changes in your region such as hot or cold weather. Depending on what you are storing, you should consider using a climate controlled space. Make sure that you ask your storage professional about the options that are at your local self storage facility offers climate controlled options. You really have to make sure that you do not compromise on what you need as a renter. Many times a customer will pass up that they need a climate controlled space.

There is nothing worse than when a customer decides to go with a self storage facility that does not really offer what they need, but the price is what they want to pay. What they do not realize is that even though the price is what they wanted and the location is in the place they want to rent, their belongings might not make the storing term. If you really need climate control, then find a facility that can offer it. Yes, standard space will cost you less than a climate controlled space. You have to consider that if you place something in a standard space that does not do well in regards to the fluctuation in temperature, you could damage those belongings.

 
So many people try to save some money by storing their belongings in a standard space when they know they should be storing them in a climate controlled space. They will save money in the long run by maintaining the integrity of their belongings. Think long and hard before you store something that should be in climate controlled space in a standard space.

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If you think that you may need to get a storage space sometime in the near future, you may just want to make sure that you are prepared. Since you know a storage space will be in your near future, you should do some research now and do some leg work. Now of course managers will not be happy that you do not need storage right now, but they still will try to take care of you. They do not want to not give you service now in hopes that you will come to them in the future when you need storage. Make sure when you are calling around or checking about storage that you do not just go with the facility with the cheapest prices. There are other things to consider. With just a few tips, you should be able to find a good space at a good price.

 
You should try to find a location that is close to you. No one really wants to drive way out of their way for their storage belongings. So what more people end up doing is on the drive to their favorite destinations see if there is a self storage location on the way. This way, the customer knows that they could have their belongings be conveniently on their normal, daily path. If you end up choosing a self storage facility that is way out of your way, you could spend unnecessary time driving. So you have to decide if the price you are getting on storage worth the drive you have to make to get there?

 
Also, make sure that the site is secure. You are paying someone to treat your belongings like it is their own. You do not want to know that your belongings have the possibility of being stolen or damaged. A facility that has a gate that is surrounding the facility is a start. A facility that has door alarms on your unit that will sound if someone besides you tries to open the door is better. A facility that has surveillance cameras that keep an eye on your belongings when you can’t is even better. There are more bells and whistles that make a facility secure, so make sure you check out what they have to offer.  Security should be your most important thing to look for.

 
Access hours should fit your schedule, as well. Access hours are going to be different than office hours for the most part. The office is going to typically be open a shorter time than you have access to your storage facility. If you need to talk to the property manager about something or need something in the office then you need to see when the office is open. If you just need something out of your unit, then the access hours is what you need to look into. Some facilities offer 24 hour access so you can access your belongings when you need to. Depending on the company they could give you some pretty lengthy gate hours to access your belongings. Some facilities consider it a security option in where they only allow you access when the office is open. This way they can see everyone that comes into the facility. Whatever the access hours, make sure that it fits what you need.

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Self storage facilities will do what they can in order to beat out their competition. With that said they will shop their completion by making phone calls, visiting their website and also by simply walking into their facilities. For the confident storage manager this is not a big deal as they know that they have and they know that they will still get the customer they are looking for. They will gain the amount of new renters they had set as their goal. So what do some facilities do in order to grab the attention of potential renters? They give those discounts and specials off of their monthly storage. They can and have sent coupons on a flyer out to the homes of the people in the area.

If you receive a flyer or coupon in the mail or on line for a self storage unit you might want to hold on to it if you need storage later.  You might not need it now, but you never know when it will come time for you to need self storage. We sometimes do not think ahead so we decide to act spur of the moment. We look through our coupon books and find some things that would love to get discounts on the products that we need, then discard them. We do plan on using those discounts but we are not organized enough to keep then on or near our person so we can use them.

When you are offered a self storage coupon or discount, you should hold on to that and put it away for safe keeping. Your job could relocate you, you could have a death in the family and have to move, there are so many reasons to need self storage. In a time of crisis you do not want to have to worry about how you are going to pay for your self storage unit. That’s why it’s good to have your self storage coupon handy for you to use. It could save you a couple of dollars or it could save you a couple of months of rent. Find a safe place for your self storage coupon.

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In any industry it is never nice to get mad or upset at people for no reason. We all have an emotional side, but we do not have to let the angry or frustrated part of our being override out better judgment. We are sometimes upset at something that happened to us earlier in the day and we decide to take it out on the person we are now talking to. It is not that person’s fault we are upset so why are we taking it out on them? Sometimes our rude and irrational behavior can backfire against us.
When you are calling to get storage info, it would probably benefit you greatly to be nice and courteous over the phone. This will allow you to possible get a little better deal or they may hold a space a little bit longer for you than they normally allow. If the manager likes you, they will probably give you the most conveniently located space out of what is left available. They will be less likely to go out of their way to help you out if they do not like you. In most cases it just pays off to be nice to the person you are speaking to. We all get a little put off when someone decides to rip into us.
We should all follow the universal thought that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. If you don’t want to be treated like the scum on the bottom of your shoe, then stop treating other people like that. It is that simple, but yet that complicated. Many things could fall right in your lap if you can keep your frustrations to yourself. You will be surprised at the people you meet, the willingness of people and the attitude of people if you simply treat them with respect and a smiling face.

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What size storage unit do you need?  This question gets asked everyday.  There are people that will just call into a self storage facility or call center that ask what is the price on a self storage unit. Well this question is very hard to answer especially when the self storage manager you are talking to has a list of spaces in front of them with many different prices. They ware going to have to ask you to narrow it down for you.  Now you just have to work with that person in order to find the right size for you.

 
There are a few things that go into the size you might not have thought about.  First you need to determine what you are putting into the space.  If you only have boxes, you can go with a smaller unit.  Also, do you need to get in and out of the unit on a regular basis?  If you will need to go through boxes, you want to make sure to get a unit large enough to accommodate.  There is nothing wrong with getting a larger space than you need if you need to rifle through boxes and have some room. Just check with your self storage manager to see what the next size up will cost you.

 
Finally, consider how long you need it.  If you may need it long term, you might also go bigger in case you want to add things later. Sometimes if you know you will need the space for a long time, you can get a long term deal from the property manager. Since most storage facilities will have a lease that goes month to month, you might be able to find a space that you need at a price that can make you smile. The first step is to tell the manager what you are storing and have them recommend a size that can work for you.

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What do you do if you are working on a home remodeling project, and your furniture is in the way? There are many people who would actually sit there and scratch their heads. They would really take a lot of time trying to figure out this dilemma. It does not really have to be that hard. Unfortunately many people don’t really there are pretty simple solutions when it comes down to need a little extra space to move furniture in order to remodel.

One suggestion would be to get a portable storage unit.  By getting one, you can bring the unit to your home, and put your furniture inside.  Not only are your things close by, but they are out of your way so you can complete your project.  Some might argue that the cost is more, but I like having the peace of mind that my things are safe on my own property. Another advantage to the portable storage unit is that with some companies they will actually take the unit away and bring it back to you when you need it. How convenient is that?

Not every thinks that portable storage is an option that could really help them. They believe that it could be too expensive even if it is very convenient. So they decide to go ahead and go with standard self storage. They won’t mind packing up their furniture, rent a truck and take it over to their local facility if they believe it will save them money. Sometimes when it comes down to it the decision between using portable storage or self storage, is simply how much is your time worth?

What do you do if you are working on a home remodeling project, and your furniture is in the way? There are many people who would actually sit there and scratch their heads. They would really take a lot of time trying to figure out this dilemma. It does not really have to be that hard. Unfortunately many people don’t really there are pretty simple solutions when it comes down to need a little extra space to move furniture in order to remodel.

One suggestion would be to get a portable storage unit.  By getting one, you can bring the unit to your home, and put your furniture inside.  Not only are your things close by, but they are out of your way so you can complete your project.  Some might argue that the cost is more, but I like having the peace of mind that my things are safe on my own property. Another advantage to the portable storage unit is that with some companies they will actually take the unit away and bring it back to you when you need it. How convenient is that?

Not every thinks that portable storage is an option that could really help them. They believe that it could be too expensive even if it is very convenient. So they decide to go ahead and go with standard self storage. They won’t mind packing up their furniture, rent a truck and take it over to their local facility if they believe it will save them money. Sometimes when it comes down to it the decision between using portable storage or self storage, is simply how much is your time worth?

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There are many families that will be moving all the time up to several times a year. When you move that many times a year, moving is not a big deal to you. You even find yourself not buying so many things because you do not want to pack those extra things up when you move. Most of the people that move consistently are those kind of people that have a plan each time they move. They might not even unpack everything they once had in their last home. They know they will have to move again in months.

 
If you are going to move that much, it is a good idea to make sure that you purchase items that you can reuse over and over. Plastic totes are a great alternative to cardboard self storage moving boxes when you are storing your items in a self storage unit. It is a good idea to place the belongings that will not be unpacked every time you move in to storage. This way you can consider getting a smaller space each time that you move. If you do not need a large space why get one. Use plastic totes each time you move.

 
With plastic totes you do not have to worry about the bottom falling out if you have heavy items in the box. You also do not have to worry about boxes getting crushed. If you have plastic totes when you move often, you can stack them up as high as you want and not worry about them toppling over because of pressure. It might cost you a little bit at first when you purchase the plastic totes, but at least you will not have to worry about purchasing anything else when you move next.

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When you need a storage unit, it should be game time. You should be ready to go. There should not be any playing around. You have your note pad out, your internet browser open, and you are ready to do business. There are to many times in which people are calling around but they do not need storage for months to come. That is great to plan ahead, but you will have to do the same thing around the time in which you need storage. By the time you need self storage, there are elements that could be different.

 
It is best to shop around for storage as a serious customer. When you call in for prices, it should be time to do business. You should be ready to move in and you should have your plan of action in mind on how to get your belongings to the self storage facility. You are not calling around to get an idea on self storage, you are calling around to figure out who wants your business. Pick up the phone with that mindset.

 
Specials come and go. Just because there was a special when you called a couple of months ago does not mean that it will still be available. For this reason you should not be solely dependant on the special to help you out. Maybe there is something else that you need from the self storage unit. Whether it is great security, location or what not. Ensure that you are not just relying on the special to tell you where you want to rent from.

 
Pretty much anything that you could ever need as far as moving and storage supplies can just be picked up at the store you are renting from. Most storage facilities now pride their selves on being a one stop shop for self storage. So do not bother going to the hardware store looking for a lock or what ever else you need, just visit  your local storage facility to help you out.

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guest blog by:
Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, Agents for New York City Condos.

Moving to another home can be an expensive process, even if you’re not heading across the country. When you are forced to move and have limited time and money to get the packing done, your stress level can go through the roof. Here are some tips to help you move affordably, allowing you to make a successful transition into your new home.

The first lesson is to be prepared for anything. This means having more on hand than you really think you’ll need. In particular, this includes having plenty of boxing tape, a few extra box cutters and loads of boxes. Stock up on bags; keep a container of markers handy. Sheets are great for wrapping items and a handcart will save your back. Lastly, keep a toolset handy and you will be ready to go.

In the even that you will be putting items in storage, add a few extra things to your list. Mousetraps will protect your belongings, as will moth balls. You also might consider adding air fresheners so your items don’t pick up that musty smell. Newspapers are a cheap way to wrap fragile items. Stock up on these items and you are prepared to begin the packing.

Label Everything
There’s nothing worse than searching through boxes without labels. Spare yourself the misery by taking the time to label items as you go. It doesn’t matter if its extra soap for the bathroom or your fine wedding china. Label the items to make your life easier when you arrive in the new home. Mark what’s in the box, what room it will go in, how heavy the box is and whether or not it is fragile.

You might also want to consider using a scaling system to mark your boxes as they are packed. Items with a number one would be considered very important and should be opened first, items that are labeled as low as a number ten could be left indefinitely.

Inventory
Nothing helps you get organized at your new home like a well-planned inventory list. You don’t want to toss something on the packing side and then waste time searching for it when you are unpacking. Make the inventory list before packing even begins so you can be sure you don’t forget to pack something. Mark every box on the inventory sheet so you will know that all the boxes arrive safely. Make a note of items you decide to donate or throw out so you won’t forget and search for them later. This step is time-consuming but can save a great deal of frustration later.

Vehicles
If you are moving in town you can recruit friends to help you on the big day. As soon as you decide to move you should start talking to friends and relatives who have big vehicles and might be willing to help. If necessary, rent a truck or hire a moving van. The vehicles should be lined up well in advance so you are not left scrambling to transport items on moving day. Remember that the more people who come with vehicles, the fewer trips back and forth you will have to make.

Ask for Help
This isn’t to say you should hire professionals, but your friends are probably willing to help and you should let them. The chore will go faster, you will have less physical strain on your body and they can help ease some of the anxiety that goes with moving. They can help you pack, label and unpack. The key is to make sure that everyone is using the same labeling method and you will be in great shape when you arrive at your new home.

Following these steps can take most of the stress out of packing. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and with this advice it can be a little less of a dreaded chore.

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If you ask people what they think about moving, many will tell you that they never want to do it, it’s expensive and it is a waste of a day. I am sure there are more opinions about moving out there, but the majority of people dislike moving as a whole. There are people that have deliberately decided not to have a lot of possessions because they did not want to pack all those things up when they had to move. Sometimes moving is more of a have to instead of a want to. You never know when it is your time to move, so many people try to be prepared. They also try to figure out different ways to save money on moving.

 
One way people can save money on moving is by using the same boxes over and over again. The key to this is to buy boxes that are sturdy. If you do not have sturdy boxes, this method of saying money will not work. Now of course you have to realize that you will pay little extra for those storage boxes at first but you will not have to buy any next time. If you are not liking the idea of buying boxes at all, you can drive around to your local grocery stores or retail environments to see if they have any boxes that you can use. They will most likely give them to you since they are just going to compact them or throw them away.

 
Instead of renting a moving truck and movers, you can have a couple of your loyal friends with trucks come by and help you out. Typically one of your friends will know someone with a trailer or a couple of trucks that you can use. It might take a couple of trucks and a trailer or two to help you move but it will save you money. With the addition of many friends helping you move, you will get done quickly. The more time you save, the more money you save.

 
One last tip that can save you some dollars on your move day is making sure you pack things as tight as possible. The reason for this is so you can make the least amount of trips as you can. That will of course save you gas. With the prices of gas, it is essential for you to save as much as you can. So make sure boxes get stacked properly, you bring with you what you are going to keep, and ensure that the right sized item goes in the right vehicle.

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