Did you always think that self storages were for companies and people keeping plenty of furniture locked away in remote warehouses? Youd be surprised to know the innovative ways people are using Kansas City Storage units on temporary short term basis not only to keep their household items safe while relocating,but also to keep things while reconstructing or rearranging their homes.

Consider this: you are very proud of your antique china which was probably handed over as a family heirloom,or cost the earth to buy. While the display case is pretty alright normally,when you are painting or carrying out home improvement jobs,the china and any other trinkets in the display cabinet may be damaged,broken or even lost in the resulting upheaval. Your expensive electronic items,delicate furniture or other showpieces are also simply not safe at home when it is being turned upside down for reconstruction or remodeling.

Many people just opt for a more intelligent way than to risk their valuables. They store their damage prone stuff at Kansas City Storage. Storage Units of various sizes are available to suit the budgets and requirements of everyone. You can opt for a small 5X5 size to store clothes and trinkets,files and jewelry boxes,to large 10X20 rooms to accommodate even your car. You can easily pack the delicate items in bubble wraps,packing tape and moving blankets which are easily available and provide protection to your goods. Also store your car,boat,RV or yacht,as well as have them regularly maintained at Kansas City Self Storage when they are not in frequent use.

Similarly,if you are relocating to another address or another city,experienced families will unanimously advocate Kansas City Storage. Just arrange to wrap and pack your things (some companies even provide packing materials,corrugated sheets,packing tape and bubble wraps) and stack them into the storage unit,which the company drops to your doorstep. You can have it picked up and delivered at the address of your choice.

The convenience of Kansas City Storage units is that you are free to pack and unpack things at your convenience and leisure,and also to your level of satisfaction. What is more,all the convenience is available at the click of a mouse. The representatives get in touch with you on the basis of an online request. If you decide to use the facility for a longer period,you can also pay the rent online,and get help on storage ideas and tips.

The choice of a storage unit depends on the size of the items to be stored and their nature. If you are storing items which can be damaged by climatic variations,that is,extremes of heat and moisture,you should opt for a more expensive climate controlled unit. Else,a normal unit or room serves well enough to store items such as seasonal clothes,cars and RVS.

Long term users usually get attractive package deals from Kansas City Self Storage facilities. However,more than price,what matters is that your items should be under safe custody at a reliable facility.

Moving as one of the most stressful events in your life so you want to take care when choosing a moving and storage company to be sure you get the one that best suits your needs. Choosing the right company that can help with what you need will take a lot of the load off your shoulders so here’s some things to look for when researching moving and storage companies.

1. Free Estimates – if you are hiring the company to move your household, make sure they will come to your home and give you a free estimate. When they do, be sure you show them everything as large items like pianos and pool tables can have a big effect on the moving bill.

2. Insurance – make sure they have a good insurance policy in case your items get lost or damaged during transit. If you are storing items for any length of time, be sure you find out about the insurance while in storage.

3. Packing – some moving and storage companies will pack the items for you so if you want this service, be sure to find out up front if your company provides it. This, of course, will be at an added cost.

4. Transport – be sure you get the particulars on exactly what the moving company will do. It may seem obvious to you that they will remove it from your old house and bring it to your new house but you want to get specific to make sure you’re both on the same page.

5. Placement – find out in detail where your items will be put when you get to the new house. You should have all your boxes marked as to the room you want them in and be sure that the movers instructions are to place them in those rooms as well as the furniture that goes in each particular room.

6. Protecting your furniture – be sure the movers will take every effort to protect your furniture from scratches and dings including using protective coverings while in transit.

7. Storage – there are basically two types of storage, self storage and containerized storage. If you are requiring storage, you need to decide which type you want and then be sure that your moving and storage company provides it.

8. Recommendations – it’s always good to go with the company that someone else has used and recommends favorably.

9. Cost – find out if there are any discounts for moving at a certain time. Usually movers will charge the highest prices if you’re moving on a Friday or at the end of the month. You may be able to get your move done cheaper if you do not move at these peak times.

10. Staffing – make sure you know how many people will come to your house to help with the move.

11. Storage Access – if you are storing your goods in between moving from your old home to your new home and you want to be able to access them be sure that you make this known to the moving storage company. Some companies store stuff in containers that are stacked and getting to them is not easy. You have to be sure to contract a company that provides access to storage.

12. Shop around – be sure to get quotes from three different moving companies but you might not always want ago with the lowest quote as they may provide low quality service. It’s important when doing this, to be sure that you are comparing apples to apples so be sure that you tell each moving representatives exactly the same thing.

13. Visit the company – if you will be storing your items, be sure to visit the storage facility so you can assure yourself of the security and environment that your household items will be held in.

14. Self storage access – if you’re using self storage, make sure that you find out what hours you can access your storage unit as not all places allow 24-hour a day access.

15. Itemize – if you are using containerized storage you’ll want to make an itemized list of everything that goes in the storage crates and be sure you have a representative from the moving company signed the list.

Choosing the right moving and storage company can make your move a little easier and if you follow these 15 tips, choosing the perfect company will be a breeze.

Introduction

If you are moving in the near future, chances are you might need to think about investigating storage facilities.

As a mover you may require storage for a number of different reasons, for example:

The house you are moving into is smaller than your existing house.

There may be unforeseen circumstances during the move that mean you are unable to move into your new house on time.

You simply might not have the time when you move in to unpack everything at once.

Whatever your particular scenario is, it is always worthwhile being prepared for every eventuality.

How to get free storage

Most peoples first reaction when it comes to storage is to turn to family and friends. This can be a very good solution if you only have a relatively small amount to store, or your friends and family have a large storage space you can use. However, in most cases this option has its limits.

A good cost free alternative is one-way truck rental companies. Many of these offer free storage if you use their service. The period of storage is usually limited to the terms of your contract, to be utilized at either the beginning or the end of your hire period.

This kind of storage, although only short-term in nature, can be an excellent zero cost solution.

What kind of facilities do storage companies provide?

Most storage companies have a network of facilities conveniently located around the country with good transportation links. The facilities are provided to keep your belonging safe and secure, as well as proving you with around the clock access to your belongings. The following minimum standards are normally maintained:

24/7 controlled access to your property.

Security and alarm entrance protection.

A climate controlled storage environment.

If you require additional re-assurance, it is normally possible to take out an additional insurance policy to protect your belongings.

How to minimize your storage costs

Firstly, ensure the price that you pay for your storage is competitive. Request combined moving and storage quotes from companies you are considering moving with. Compare these with storage only quotes and dont be afraid to haggle on price if it appears that you are not getting a good deal.

Before you sign-up with a storage company ascertain whether you will be able to change the size of the storage space later if you find that it is the wrong size when you come to fill it. Most companies offer this service so this should not be a problem.

Secondly, you need to make every effort to make maximum use of the storage space available to you, to ensure that you do not book additional storage! To do this you need to pack efficiently and fill you storage space optimally.

If your storage company has a service whereby they offer a team of packers to come and do the job for you, then it may be more cost effective in the long run. This is because they are experienced, thereby enabling you to avoid booking additional storage due your own packing and storage in-efficiencies.

Packing and Storage Tips

If you are packing and storing yourself, use the following guide to help you maximize your storage space:

Always pack with storage in mind. Use sturdy boxes as these make maximum use of the space available when they are stacked. The contents of boxes should be clearly marked.

Disassemble all electrical equipment and pack in the original packing if available.

Store bookshelves upright so you can utilize shelves for non-standard items.

Ensure fridges and freezers are thoroughly defrosted to prevent damage to your other belongings.

Sofas and mattresses should be placed against the wall of the storage unit.

All garden equipment should be should be cleaned, and any petrol drained away from items such as lawnmowers.

Conclusion

When moving it always pays to be prepared for every eventuality. Having to put your possessions into storage is a possibly in every move, so investigate your options even if you think you will not require this moving service this time around.

As part owner in a Dallas moving company, I am often surprised at how little thought customers give to the selection of a storage unit. Most customers focus on the cost of the storage unit and give little consideration to the impact the storage unit will have on the cost of moving your property into it. Careful selection of a storage unit can save a significant amount of time, money and work for your move.

One of the first considerations is in selecting the size of storage unit(s) that you will need. As a rough estimate, a very small one bedroom apartment with no appliances will fit in a 5x10 storage unit, a typical 1 bedroom or a small 2 bedroom apartment with no appliances, will fit in a 10x10 storage unit, and a typical 2000 square foot house will fit in a 10x20 storage unit. You will have to adjust these sizes depending on the amount of stuff you own. More detailed estimates are also available as given in the author’s bio below.

A second consideration in selecting a storage unit is the type of storage unit to select. Traditional storage units typically come in two styles; temperature controlled storage units which are inside of a building and garage style storage units. Temperature controlled storage units provide a better environment for your property. However, they typically require much more labor to move in and out of. Your items must be loaded from your moving vehicle to a cart, taken up an elevator, and then placed in the storage unit. If you are hiring a mover, the time it takes to load/unload your property can easily double for a temperature controlled storage unit.

The style of storage unit that is recommend is dependant on four factors; 1.) How much do you have to store, 2.) What type of items do you plan to store, 3.) How long do you plan to store it, 4.) The relative cost of each type of unit. In more urban areas the garage style storage units tend to cost more than the temperature controlled units and in more rural areas the garage style storage units tend to cost less. If you have very little to store, the smaller storage units are typically temperature controlled and this is recommended since the effort involved to perform your move is relatively small. Also, if you plan to store your items for more than 3 months, a temperature controlled unit is also recommended. Extreme temperatures can be very hard on your property, especially your furniture, if stored for an extended length of time. In addition, if you have antique furniture, fine art, or items that will melt/freeze these items should be stored in a temperature controlled environment. For most other storage applications, a garage style storage unit can be used and will typically be less expensive or will save a significant amount of work. As an example, if you have two men moving your property into a 10×10 storage unit, it will typically take 1 hour and 15 minutes less to move you into or out for a garage style storage as compared to a temperature controlled unit. When you consider moving both in and out of your storage unit, this is a total savings of 2.5 hours of work for two men. If you are hiring a moving company for your move this might save you roughly $200. This savings will typically more than offset any additional cost that might be associated with a garage style storage unit.

Finally, you should briefly look at the storage site before signing a contract. Carefully check storage facilities that have vehicles parked around the perimeter of the storage to make sure that there is sufficient room for large vehicles to maneuver. Often the storage layout was not designed to have the vehicles parked in these locations and they prevent some large moving vehicles from turning certain corners and parking near some storage units. These vehicles can also reduce the security of the storage site as they reduce visibility. Ask to see where your unit(s) would be located on the site either in person or at least on a map to make sure that your unit is easily accessible. Also, you should check for the availability of additional storage space in case you run out of room.

The feeling of purchasing a home is unlike any other. A combination of elation, pride, nerves and fear all mix together during the days leading up to the closing.

It becomes impossible to think about anything else, as if your brain is solely dedicated to the big, upcoming move. Whether it’s across town or across state lines, everything has to be cleaned, packed and labeled in preparation. Two weeks beforehand, you might find yourself shocked by the amount of stuff you’ve managed to accumulate. Picture your guest room half filled with boxes and your current home isn’t looking bare in the least. The thought is enough to make you wonder if everything in those boxes is really necessary. The answer: Probably not–if you’ve managed to box up or put aside a significant amount of possessions and furniture, and your home still looks comfortable and livable, it’s time for a big decision.

Does all that extra stuff need to move to your new house with you–and will it fit in your new home or just clutter it up (especially if you are downsizing)?

Most of the time the answer is no, but that’s not the biggest question you’ll be asking yourself. What do I do with all of it? That’s the biggie, the question that causes loss of sleep. While you won’t miss boxes containing old yearbooks and childhood mementos on a day-today basis, those certainly aren’t things you want to throw in the trash. After all, you might want to look at them someday, or show them to future children or grandchildren at the very least.

Those antique end tables that came from your grandmother’s house might not go with your more modern decor, but you can’t imagine leaving them out by the curb or offering them up for sale. Those end tables are the essence of your grandmother’s old house, and while you don’t share her design aesthetic, you loved her dearly and can’t imagine not owning them. Surely someday you’ll have a use for them, right?

The solution is simple. A self storage facility will allow you to hold on to the possessions you need to save, but also allow you to free up space in your home. Even better, renting a self storage space will prevent you from moving unused items and clutter into a new home.

It’s ideal, having your cake and eating it, too. Your memories, unused but much-loved furniture and general unnecessary clutter all boxed up and moved out of your way, while still remaining easily accessible. If you were to suddenly have a change of heart and decide grandma’s end tables will look great in your new living room, zipping over to the self storage facility and bringing them home is easy. Alternately, if a current interest in surfing, biking or canoeing fades, you’ve already got a safe, out of the way place to store all that bulky gear. And you’ll know that when the season comes around again, or your interest in it picks back up, you’ll be able to head over to your self storage unit, grab your gear, and get moving, all without having had to trip over surf boards, skis and canoes for the past year!

Storage units can be a life saver during a move, allowing you to keep organized and bring things into your new home at your own pace.