Choosing a Storage Company

Storage might be a good solution for property that you want to keep, but are unwilling or unable to take with you. Items such as large pieces of furniture that will not fit into your new home, large tools and work benches, air conditioners and other appliances, clothes which are inappropriate for your new climate are likely candidates for storage. You have two options: self-storage and pick up and delivery storage:
 

Self-storage works best for items that you are likely to retrieve, but don't have available space at home. A mini-storage unit is convenient and accessible, and you provide your own lock and key for added security. Individual units, in a variety of sizes and shapes, are available to fit your needs. You rent a unit on a monthly basis under an "occupancy agreement."

Some companies may also bill you for electricity. You may move your items into the unit yourself, or if you have a couple of heavier items, you can request a pickup. Many facilities will provide free pickup if you agree to keep your items in the unit for a certain length of time. In these cases, when the driver arrives with the truck, it will be your responsibility to load your items. The driver will accept no liability for your items.

 How to select your self-storage unit

Before you place your items into a storage space, it is important that you inspect the facilities. Your unit should have sufficient amount of space for all of your items. Create an inventory of all of the items that you wish to place into storage, so that if you don't know which size unit to select, you'll have something to show to a facility worker.

The storage unit should be clean, and above all, secure. Self-storage facilities offer many types of security features, ranging from alarms, motion detectors, video surveillance, nightly inspections, and guards on duty. You will have to provide your own lock and key, so that only you and those you allow will have access to the unit.

 Insurance for Your Items

You maintain complete responsibility for the items that you place inside your storage unit. The storage facility bears no responsibility for your items. Therefore inquire with the company's representative. Some home owner's and renter's policies cover theft off premises, and would cover what is in storage. To find out if this applies to you, call your home owners or renter's insurance provider. Take a complete inventory and keep it current.
 

 Furniture  Cover all furniture and disassemble, if possible.
  Wrap table legs with packing paper as scratch protection.
  Lay down blankets or a pallet between the furniture and the floor of the storage
  unit.
Place assembled tables top down on floor with legs pointing towards the ceiling.
  Stack chairs seat-to-seat with cloth or paper separating them.
Avoid stacking or leaning furniture against outside walls.

 Metal  Wipe a few drops of oil on bicycles and tools as a rust protector.
  Avoid oil staining by storing exposed items in a separate space.

 Breakables   Wrap plates, saucers, and bowls individually before
   placing it in  a china carton. Use a china carton divider kit
   for increased security.
Fill paper into bottom, top and empty spaces in the carton.

 Books and Valuable Papers
  Use file boxes. They are the best containers for your important documents.
  Pack books flat and fill any empty space to minimize movement.
  Avoid overfilling cartons. Books are heavy.
  Keep pallets free of moisture by placing plastic sheeting on top of them.

 Large Appliances and Equipment  Leave appliance doors slightly ajar. Moisture and mildew will damage your
  valuables so make sure your refrigerator or freezer is clean and dry.
  Use valuable storage space inside appliance's for small items.

 Clothes
  Avoid excessive wrinkling to your clothes by employing wardrobe boxes