Long Term Storage Tips

Long Term Storage Tips
An article provided by Simply Self Storage

There are many reasons why you might find yourself needing to place possessions in long term storage. For example, you may be moving out of the area and not sure if you will stay in your new location. You may want to save yourself the expense of moving until you are settled in your new area. Or you may have moved to a much smaller residence and know that you will not be able to move back into a larger residence for some time. Alternatively, you may want a storage facility for an item like an RV or boat, which need to be stored for months at a time.

Determining Your Needs

Before you select a self storage facility, take the time to assess your needs. You might be surprised to find that you can store a great deal of things in a very small space, provided you plan right and know how to use the space to its best advantage.

There are many ways to compact your possessions so that you use as little space as possible. For example, you can purchase bags for your clothing, blankets and other soft fabric items. These bags allow you to vacuum out the excess air, making the bag flatten or fall into a cube that can be stacked, like boxes.

Also, stop and think about whether or not you will need to have access to specific items even when they are in storage. Some long term storage options are not really intended for you to access your possessions while they are in storage, particularly if they have been placed in a container – this is common with moving companies that offer long term storage services. However, self storage facilities allow you to gain access to your items pretty much whenever they are open. This is an excellent option if you will need to get to your possessions to gain access to business records or to change out of season clothing.

If you are planning on storing an RV or boat, then you will need a facility that provides storage services for this type of vehicle. Be prepared to show proof of current registration and insurance. Also, be aware that many long term storage facilities for RV and boat use do not allow renters to live on the premises. Each long term storage facility will have its own rules for maintenance and whether or not you will be allowed to clean your vehicle or get it ready for use on site.

Using the Space

If you are storing possessions like household goods and know that you will probably not need to access your possessions very often, then you should plan on using all of your storage unit space to its best ability. In this case, you will want to carefully pack all of your possessions and then place items like furniture toward the back of the unit.

Place items like desks, sofas and mattresses up on end to use as little floor space as possible and then stack boxes in front of the furniture. Use flat surfaces like table tops as additional stacking space for boxes, making sure that you do not overload the table with too much weight. If at all possible, consider even breaking down tables and chairs to save even more space.

Another option is to use free standing shelving units. This is particularly advantageous if you are using your long term storage unit for business records, to keep excess inventory or to store boxed items that you will need to access while you are storing them.

Place the shelving units in rows that will allow you to see the boxes and know exactly what is in each box. This way you will not need to wade through box after box, searching for whatever you need.

Know the Rules

Before you sign your long term storage rental agreement, make sure you understand what you are agreeing to and signing. Every facility has its own set of rules about what items you can keep in long term storage and how long you can store them. Also, make sure you understand your payment obligations and the consequences of what happens if you miss a payment or are unable to continue paying for storage of your possessions.

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