40 TIPS FOR SELF STORAGE

Choosing Your Unit:

1. Call us to find out what sizes units are available, prices and vacancy information.
2. Choose the unit size that best meets your needs.
3. Meet with the manager and discuss the price, deposit and rental agreement.
4. Ask about security features of the facility (lighting and security gates).
5. Get a copy of the contract, contract information, as well as the hours of operation for the facility.
6. Inspect the unit that you will be renting. It should be clean, well maintained and secure.

Planning:

7. Make a list of all items you plan to store.
8. Purchase a lock when necessary.
9. Gather boxes and packing supplies. Remember that you may need large boxes for lamps and other decorations, blankets or pads for covering furniture, china cartons for dishes and bubble wrap/fill paper for packing valuables. (We can sell you boxes!)
10. Call the manager of the storage facility and confirm your move-in date and time.
11. Make arrangements for transporting your items to the storage facility.

Packing:

12. Use only sturdy boxes and containers for storing your items.
13. Label all containers and boxes.
14. Fill containers to capacity and fill in space with packing material.
15. Pack heavier items in small boxes.
16. Secure mirrors, paintings and pictures in mirror boxes and pack them on edge.
17. Disassemble lamps, tables, barstools and other furnishings as applicable. Wrap pieces individually and store securely in boxes.
18. Wrap wooden table legs and chairs to avoid scratches.
19. Cover sofas with blankets or pads so that they do not gather dust, and stack them on end.
20. Cover dressers with blankets or pads so you can stack boxes on top.
21. Fill drawers and appliances with small items to conserve space.
22. Pack books flat and avoid placing them directly on the unit floor (place on a pallet).
23. Wrap dishes and other breakables individually, layering padding at the top and bottom of the box.
24. Clothing is best stored clean and in hanging cartons.

Storing:

25. Place items in the order that you will need to access them---those that will be readily used should be placed in the front of the storage unit.
26. Before moving in pieces of large furniture, cover the ground with pallets.
27. Do not lean furniture against outside walls.
28. Place tabletops (well padded) on edge.
29. Leave appliance doors cracked open so that moisture does not build within.
30. Do not store food---this will attract mice and other pests.
31. Arrange boxes so that the labels are facing out and easily read.
32. Stack boxes in a manageable manner. Put large, heavy boxes on the bottom.
33. Leave a walkway so that you can access your items as needed.
34. Do not store flammables.

Removing:

35. Give the storage company proper notice of your intent to move out. Refer to your contract for specific guidelines.
36. Remove the top boxes first. Careful—boxed items may have shifted after a prolonged period of time.
37. Remove all of your belongings.
38. Sweep out the unit and dispose of any trash.
39. Secure the unit. Make sure the door is completely shut.
40. Return keys to manager.