Everything You Need to Know About Renting Out Storage Space When Moving
Let’s be honest: moving from one place to another can be overwhelming on many fronts, with many ‘moving parts’ to manage (…pun intended).
During your move, you may be looking to keep costs low, to maintain your personal comfort, to manage your sentimental associations with the previous place, and so much more.
Plus, in a perfect world, all rental contracts and/or purchase/sale agreement timelines line up perfectly … but as real estate agents, we know that’s not always the case. Add to that the stress of loading your personal belongings from one place to the next. Unless you own a large truck, or two, it is highly impractical to hoard your belongings around with you until you find a home for them.
Fortunately, there are self-storage facilities available to safely store your valuables until you are ready to use them or find a place for them.
Keep on reading to discover the Five D’s to remember in the process of finding the right storage space, and determining what to store in it.
Declutter
Just because you are moving doesn’t mean all your belongings need to move with you. With time, we tend to accumulate items we don’t necessarily need, use, or even like, but we keep ‘stuff’ around because we aren’t sure what else to do with it.
Those extra items that you won’t miss could translate to money on the table if you sell them. Or, you could donate items that are in good shape to a local shelter or consignment store.
Either way, the less ‘stuff’ you accumulate and keep, the more thoughtful and meaningful your new space will be.
Divide
To help even further with decluttering, think DIVIDE: go through all the items that you had planned on storing at the storage facility and ask yourself if you really need or use it … or, to take a nod from Marie Kondo, ask yourself if an item ‘sparks joy’.
Determine what needs to be kept and what needs to be sold/recycled/donated etc. Divide your stuff in four categories:
Sell it
Donate it
Toss it (consider recycling and proper disposal when possible)
Keep it
You’d be surprised by the unnecessary items you had stored in such a small space!
Starting afresh should mean more room for things you truly value. Place the items you need to keep in sturdy boxes and label them for easy storage and accessibility.
Determine
Now that you have your boxes ready, determine how much space they require. Many storage companies offer movable walls to accommodate your needs, but having an idea of the required space makes the moving easier for everyone. Here are the general measurement guidelines for renting a storage space:
5’X5’X10’ ideal for small boxes and books
5’X10’X10’ ideal to store items taking up the space of a small, one bedroom house
10’X15’X10’ ideal for storing items taking up the space of a three bedroom house
Make sure you leave some space for ventilation. Storing plants and perishables is generally not allowed.
Detect
Now that your stuff is ready to move, you need to make sure it moves into the right facility! Read on for a few tips and tricks to find the right storage facility for your needs:
If you will regularly need to access your belongings then you want to make sure that the facility is close by, so location should be a primary concern.
Ask family and friends. Referred spaces take precedence over research because it comes from firsthand experience.
Research the facilities in your preferred vicinity. Go and check the facilities yourself. You may not necessarily need a temperature controlled space, but you do want to make sure that the space is not too damp or deteriorating. You want a clean facility with an effective pest control system.
Compare prices. The most expensive doesn’t always mean the most suitable. Check for a facility that offers great price for greater value.
What is the security system like? Ideally, it should have video surveillance and alarm systems for individual spaces.
Deliver
Now that you have taken care of all the essential steps and processes, it’s time to deliver your belongings to their new home! Happy moving!
Blog written by guest author XYZ Storage
