Moving is an ongoing exercise in stress.
You’re under constant threat of back injuries from lifting something the wrong way. You must juggle work and moving responsibilities, though dedicated to-do lists can help manage the chaos.
If you must move before you’ve found a new home, though, the biggest stress is where to put your stuff. You know there are storage sites, but what if you’ve never used one before?
Let’s jump in and shed some light on tracking down the right storage options for you.
Storage Options
Before you start scouring the internet or asking friends around about storage, it’s important to know the options.
Right at the top of most people’s lists are self-storage sites. This is where you rent a unit at a facility and fill it yourself. As a general rule, you want a facility that includes climate control to protect antiques, books, and photos.
Vaulted storage is where your belongings get packed into a wooden storage container and placed in a warehouse. Most vaulted storage facilities offer delivery services. You should, however, make sure they deliver to your final address.
Storage and moving containers are typically steel containers. You can get them delivered to your address to pack before the move. Most companies will also store and deliver the container at a later date.
If you plan to use containers, make sure to ask whether they get stored in a climate controlled facility.
Ask for Referrals for Storage Sites
Good luck finding an adult who hasn’t moved at least a few times. Millennials alone account for around 43% of all moves. The good news for you is that it means you can get referrals from your personal network.
The odds are that someone you know has a history with great, bad, and mediocre storage sites in the city. This can make your local move a much smoother affair. If you’re moving to another city, there’s a chance that someone you know lived there in the past.
You can turn to social media and ask for recommendations. Plus, there are always online review sites that excel at exposing how companies behave.
Ask Friends and Family
If you just need temporary storage while you knock a new place into shape, talk to friends and family. Someone might have a garage, room, or shed they don’t use for anything.
The key here is to play fair. Friends and family might offer the space for free, but you should insist on paying something. There are two good reasons for this.
First, it motivates you to get your stuff out of their space. It’s easy to get apathetic when you get things for free.
Second, it means they get something out of the deal. Even if you’re paying $50 or $100 a month, most people can use the money.
Parting Thoughts
Picking one of the many available storage sites is about making good use of your resources.
Your personal network is always a good place to ask for referrals. People move all the time, and you will know some of them. This extends to your digital network as well, by way of social media.
When all else fails, ask friends and family about temporary storage options.
Browning Moving & Storage specializes in residential and commercial moving and storage. For more information or a quote, contact us today.