Storage is increasingly useful for many people, whether you are moving house or just decluttering.
However the burgeoning self-storage industry isn’t the only option, you could also go to a removals firm.
Mark Prout, managing director of Aussie Man & Van, knows a thing or two about storage, so we’ve asked him for his top ten tips.
He’s duly obliged:
1. Consider traditional storage
If you don’t need regular 24/7 access to your belongings, storage offered by a removals firm will work out much cheaper than self-storage.
2. Ask yourself if you really need to store the items
Most of us would be better off throwing away clutter rather than sticking it into storage for months or even years on end. If you haven’t used it in the past six to 12 months, ask yourself whether you should give it to charity, sell it on eBay or throw it out.
3. Choose the correct sized unit
Self-storage comes in many different sizes and if your unit is bigger than you need, you will be paying for wasted space. Start by making a list of the items you wish to store and then get quotes for the likely space required. If you use a professional removals firm, they will pack the items for you, which means you should get more in.
4. Get everything professionally wrapped
This is especially important to protect clothes and curtains from damp. Use good quality boxes and packing materials – you should be able to purchase these from the storage provider. This will make it easier to stack your belongings.
5. Label boxes with contents
This means you don’t have to open them when searching for something and can direct to a room without opening when you move back into your home. Make sure you put ‘fragile’ on boxes if they contain breakable items.
6. Draw up a map of your container
This will ensure you know where everything is located in your container in case you need to find something. It’s particularly useful if you have a lot of items in storage.
7. No flammables
The storage provider will have a list of hazardous goods, such as acids and highly flammable products, which you are not permitted to store.
8. Make an inventory
This will ensure you know what’s in storage and which container it is stored in if you have more than one. Aussie Man & Van offers a photographic inventory service as people can find that visuals help with this.
9. Ask about security
Adequate security is vital. The building where your container is stored should have 24-hour CCTV and be secured with intruder alarm systems. Self-storage units are usually secured with a padlock. With traditional storage, your container is sealed with a sealing device, which stays in place until you retrieve your goods.
10. Are you insured?
Out of sight shouldn’t mean out of mind as stored items tend not to be covered by household insurance. It is important to value your goods correctly so that you get the right level of cover.
Aussie Man & Van charges £18 per week compared with up to £78 per week for self-storage (depending on quantities).
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