Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Self Storage Unit

There are a number of ways that you can use a self storage unit but no matter what you put into it you will get more use if you follow a few simple tips.  You don’t want to just put things in as you get a hold of them as you will find out that your space is used up quite fast and then you will not be able to find anything.  Chances are you may actually end up breaking things that are very dear to you as you didn’t pack accordingly and you stacked up the boxes the wrong way. 

The first step is to let the staff know exactly what it is that you will be storing so they can advice you on the right size self storage unit.  They will also advise you on what items are good for this type of storage or if you need to consider a climate controlled unit.  Be sure to make a list of what you are putting in there and add a column of what the value is for each item placed in storage so that you can get the proper insurance coverage that is needed.  Make sure you value your goods correctly, so that we can provide you with the right insurance cover.

You need to know if you want to have unlimited access to your items or if day access is all you will need.  There are facilities that have 24 hour gate access and then there are those that only allow you day and even access time. No matter which one you choose you will need to supply a lock to your individual unit and give a copy of the key to the manager of the facility in case of an emergency so that they have access to the unit.

Most facilities also offer racks or shelves to use to make organizing the boxes easier.  It is also helpful to use such things as a dolly or trolley that can help you move more than one box at a time saving you a great deal on time and energy as you will not have to lift and manually move all of the boxes.  You will want to put a dust sheet on the floor to protect your personal items. 

You will want to put in the fullest and heaviest boxes first so that they do not damage your other boxes with a cave in.  You will want to store mattresses on their end and if you have chairs you will want to place them pad to pad for maximum space and stability.  Be sure to stack safely you do not want to create a leaning tower that will be wobbly and might fall over.

Be sure to cover sharp edges or pointy items for safety reasons.  Be sure to make all of your boxes especially those that contain fragile items so you can easily identify them.  By following the above mentioned tips you will find that your self storage unit will be as efficient as possible.