Author: Steve Reed

Choosing How to Move Your Stuff

Posted on by Steve Reed

How to Move

You need to move your stuff to a mini storage unit, but how will you get it there?

Option One: Do It Yourself

Moving Boxes Yourself

Take a good look at your stuff.  If you don’t have too much, your best and least expensive option may be the borrow-a-buddy approach (or maybe the cute donkey in the photo). Moving the heavier items will be easier if you plan ahead and borrow or rent a hand-truck. Your friends will love you when the furniture, appliances and heavy boxes are wheeled to your unit instead of hand carried. Having the right tool for the job is a life saver! If you have access to a pickup truck or SUV, you’re almost there. If not, check out your local DIY store. They rent trucks by the hour. Then you just need to line up your fierce-less friends and you can start moving your beloved stuff to mini storage.

The essential elements of this approach:

  • Do you have (or can you borrow) a truck or SUV?
  • Can you and your friends physically manage the move?
  • Estimate the number of trips back and forth you will need.
  • Have you assembled all the supplies you need to make this move go as smooth as possible, e.g. the right sized boxes, a hand-truck to save your back, old blankets to prevent scratching and tie-downs to secure your stuff while in route to your self-storage unit?
  • Plan a “Post-move” party to show your appreciation and to say thank you: budget for pizza and beverages for afterwards!

 

Option Two: Do It Yourself, But Rent a Moving Truck

Loading Truck

Reserve this ahead of time and plan around peak days and months. Look online for coupons and specials and remember that truck rentals come in all sizes so shop around for the cheapest. You need a truck that is big enough to move your stuff in as few trips as possible. Be careful not to get too large of truck, otherwise your stuff might shift in transport to your self-storage unit which could cause damage. When you’re ready, decide what gets packed in the truck first and remember that will be the last item out when you arrive.

The essential elements to consider in Option Two:

  • Can you and your faithful friends physically manage the move?
  • Have you determined how many trips the move will take?
  • Have you (or any of your friends) driven a moving truck before?
  • You will need the necessary moving supplies: boxes, tie-downs, hand-trucks and blankets. The hand-trucks and blankets can typically be rented from moving truck vendors.
  • Don’t forget the pizza!

 

Option Three: Call a Moving Company

Professional Movers

Maybe DIY isn’t quite for you. The last option is to shop around and interview a moving company. You can also read online reviews about the company so you can get a feel for their reputation and what to expect.  While this can be costly, it is the most stress-free and all you need to do it coordinate a few details. The movers will come and pick up your stuff from your home or office, relocate, and unload it at your self-storage unit.  Your buddies will certainly appreciate this option and you can still have that party at the end of the day!

The essential elements in when using a Moving Company:

  • Can you afford to hire a moving company?  Call several to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Ask your friends for a referral and read online reviews.
  • Is this a short or long distance move?  The shorter the move, the cheaper.
  • Call your mini-storage facility manager ahead of time so they know when to expect the movers.
  • Pizza not necessary.

 

 

Move Your Kitchen to Storage, No Problem

Posted on by Steve Reed

Move Your Kitchen Storage

Packing up your kitchen is probably one of the most tedious rooms to pack up, but no need to panic!  With a little planning and a few helpful tips, you’ll be on your way to moving your stuff to storage in no time flat.

Move Your Kitchen to Storage

Just like any job you’ll need the right tools.  Here’s our suggestion for a regular sized kitchen:

  • 6 to 8 large storage boxes (for added strength, be sure to double tape the bottom of the box) – Use this sized box for small appliances, plastic-ware, mixing bowls, etc.
  • 10 or so medium sized storage boxes – food from the cupboards, cookbooks, etc.
  • 5 or 6 small storage boxes – flatware, cooking tools, canned goods, etc.
  • Specialty boxes like cell kits are also available at a little higher price, but are terrific for fragile items like stemware.
  • Newspaper, non-print paper, bubble-wrap and tissue paper (I personally like using plain white tissue paper for packing because it’s clean, easy to work with and eco-friendly)
  • Packing tape
  • Sharpie marker pens

 Make a Plan

First off, it’s very easy to underestimate how much time it will take to pack up your kitchen.  Be sure to give yourself ample time so you don’t end up rushing and not packing properly. As a good rule, add 4 hours to however much time you think it will take.  For example, if you think it will take you 6 hours, add 4 more for a total of 10 hours.  Besides, it’s better to overestimate and possibly be pleasantly surprised if it takes less time.

Packing is a great time to get rid of stuff you no longer use or need. Have a couple of boxes ready and keep close by while you’re packing, one for charity and one for trash.  And you’ll end up packing less!

If you’re not moving the entire contents of your kitchen to storage, be sure to label a few boxes for those particular items.

Begin with stuff that you don’t use as often, you’re “good” china, fancy glassware, bread-maker, etc.  Wrap them with your choice of wrap, but be careful not to use newspaper on items where the ink could transfer. If you’re not sure, don’t risk it and use non-printed paper.

Once you start filling a box, fill the voids with bubble-wrap, various kitchen towels/washcloths (bathroom towels work well too).  This will help stuff from shifting and potentially causing damage during transport.

Be careful not to overload the storage boxes making them difficult to move.

Once you’ve filled up a box, properly tape it closed and label it. Move it to a location in your home where it’s not in the way.  Working your way through the kitchen in this manner will have you packed up in no time at all!

Here are the top 5 best kitchen packing tips we’ve gathered over the years:

  1. Leading up to the day of packing, try to limit how much groceries you buy. Instead, eat your way through what you already have in the cupboards. Eating more means packing less.
  2. Wrap your silverware tray in plastic wrap. This will keep it fully intact.
  3. If you’re not taking the fridge and stove, be sure to pull them out. You’ll be surprised what you might find!
  4. If you’re like most people, there’s a junk drawer somewhere in your kitchen. This is a great opportunity to clean it out, but don’t wait until the day your packing to do it. For stuff that’s ended up in the drawer that has a proper home like tools and office supplies, put them away where they belong.  Minimize the “junk” and get organized!
  5. You’re a big kid now, buy “good” sturdy boxes and supplies.  Cheap supplies will only risk your stuff getting damaged or broken when transporting to storage.

 

Storage Tips for Business Owners

Posted on by Steve Reed

Business Owner Storage

Business Storage

A cluttered workspace can be a huge distraction to running your business. If your workspace is overrun with excess inventory and supplies or you’re drowning in piles of paperwork, consider renting a self storage unit as a cost effective and efficient solution to your clutter conundrum. Whether you work from a retail space, commercial space or a home-based office, we encourage business owners to make use of self storage for both long-term and short-term solutions for:

  • Relocating, remodeling or redecorating your business
  • Storing important business documents
  • Storing excess inventory and supplies
  • Storing sensitive equipment or supplies which require climate control

At Bargain Storage, we like to think of your storage unit functioning like an extra office space. Take advantage of the following tips to get the most of your self-storage investment:

Tip #1: Create an Inventory List

Before choosing what size unit you’ll need, make a list of all of the items you’ll be storing. Based on the list, you can determine the amount of space you will need. With proper packing and organization you can fit a lot more in a self-storage unit than may appear. Our friendly self-storage managers are also at your disposal to help you pick the right size unit, without selling you more space than you need.

Tip #2: Consider Fire-Proof Storage

Not all storage units are created equal – especially when it comes to fire safety.  Most of our self-storage facilities are all-concrete and/or metal.  This all design provides added protection for your personal valuables and business documents while in.

Tip #3: Pack Smart – Store Smart

Organizing you unit in the beginning with easy access in mind will help you later on. Put pen to paper and create a floor plan for your personal storage unit. Tape a copy of your map on the wall of your self-storage unit for easy reference to all of your belongings. Store items you’ll need to access more frequently up-front. Stack your boxes along the wall from floor to ceiling with the heaviest boxes on the bottom to make a sturdy base. Create a clear path down the center of your unit, so you can easily access items stored in the back of your unit when needed.

Our friendly Bargain Storage managers are waiting to answer all of your business storage questions. Let us help identify the best way to help you focus on what matters most – running your business. Give us a call today!