Whether you are moving around the corner, or to the other side of the country, a storage unit can make your move a lot easier. Moving home is often a complicated and challenging process. Especially if you need to stay in short-term accommodation first, and require a temporary storage solution during the home removals process until you move into your new home.
Perhaps you are moving back in with your parents for a few months or renting a new apartment. If so, you may not have enough room to store all of your belongings. Or may not wish to pack and unpack twice in a short period. Maybe you have plans first to renovate your new home before you move in, and your furniture would get in the way and slow down the process.
Whatever the reason, storage between moving provides a great solution.
Here are the factors you need to consider:
What Size Storage Unit You Need
How big is the storage unit you need? While you will need to find one big enough to store all of your belongings, you don’t want to pay extra for a bigger one with space you will not use.
A professional removalist Sydney will be able to help you determine the size of the storage unit you will need. By using a Home Removal Furniture Calculator, you can find out exactly what you need to fit into storage. This will make sure you don’t get a space too small, or waste money on a unit larger than you need.
Local & Interstate Removals have partnerships with all the leading storage companies around Australia. So if you plan on moving locally or interstate, you can rest assured that you can receive the best deal for a secure storage solution at very affordable prices.
Climate Control Storage
The Australian climate can be harsh and change from one extreme to the other. Do you need to store any items such as electronic, photos, artwork or anything which is sentimental? Then it’s strongly recommended to book a storage unit which is climate controlled.
Changes in temperature and humidity can cause expensive furniture to warp as well as lead to mildew on any upholstery.
You should consider not only how long you will need to keep your belongings in storage, but also the time of the year, and the weather conditions.
If you are storing expensive possessions, you will want to make sure that you protect them from the elements.
What To Move Vs. What To Put In Storage
It can be a difficult process of deciding what to pack and put into storage. For each item, ask yourself if it is something you can live without during the moving process. If so, then securely pack it, and keep it in storage.
Examples of items you should put into storage include out of season clothes, or additional kitchen items which you don’t use regularly.
As you go through your belongings, the amount of stuff you will box up to put in storage will gradually increase. Instead of just guessing, you can set up a ‘staging’ area in a room in your home.
After working out the storage space size you will need, then get some masking tape. Use it to measure and mark out the dimensions of the storage unit on your floor.
Anything which doesn’t fit in the space you have marked out, consider selling or donating. Unless you wish to pay to move to a storage unit with more space.
Declutter Your Belongings
Moving home is the perfect time to declutter, as you have to go through all of your belongings anyway.
Is there something you haven’t used for years? Perhaps there are boxes which you never opened from your last move! Clothes which you no longer wear, or never wear – brand new with label. Or are you downsizing and won’t need as much furniture in your new home?
Instead of paying for extra storage space, either throw away, donate to charity or friends and family. Or sell anything you no longer want or need. You can also use any money from selling your items on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. You can use this money towards covering the cost of storage!
Consider Different Lease Options
Depending on how long you need to keep your belongings in storage, you can find a lease option tailored to your needs. If you are going to need to keep your possessions in storage for a long time, then a long-term lease will be the best option. It’s also cheaper if you rent for a longer period.
But, if you only need to use a storage unit for a short period during the moving process, then a short-term lease will be the best choice. Most storage facilities offer month-to-month leases, although they are generally more expensive.
Local & Interstate Removals can help you find the best lease for your needs, at very affordable prices.
In The Storage Unit
First make sure you clearly label all of the boxes with their contents, as well as which ones you will put into storage.
Inside your storage unit, create aisles of boxes, and ensure the labels are all facing out. Which makes it a lot easier for when you need to access your belongings and will let you quickly find something you need.
Also be sure not to stack boxes too high. Otherwise, they may fall over and cause damage to your items. Always stack boxes with the heaviest boxes at the bottom.
Don’t forget to bring a heavy-duty lock with a key and make sure that it is securely locked! Don’t use a combo lock, as it’s not as secure as a regular lock and a key.
Storage provides a great idea when moving to a new home which needs to be renovated. Or if you have to stay at temporary short-term accommodation in between.
Visit AFRA for additional self-storage tips.
For a quote for storage and removalists, contact Local & Interstate Removals on 1300 705 705 or email info@localandinterstateremovals.com.au.
