You have decided to place your belongings in a self storage unit because it is such a convenient option. Whatever the reason, whether you are moving, renovating, or packing up a deceased estate, the length that you intend to leave your possessions in storage will affect how you pack them up. There is a big difference between long term storage and short term storage and keeping this in mind can save you time and money.

As a general rule, anything less than three months is considered short term storage, while long term is any amount of time longer than three months. But whichever option is right for you, an important step is to decide what size unit you need. At Stop & Store Lowestoft we offer a range of storage unit sizes to solve most of your storage needs. So whether you need to store only a few items such as your important documents or on the other end of the scale, the entire contents of a three bedroomed home, we are able to help you.

Packing for Short Term long

  • Short term storage normally means that you will need access to your goods more frequently, so pack your unit in such a way as to be able to access your items quickly and easily.
  • Arranging your storage boxes along the walls of your unit and creating an aisle will enable you to access any box or item easily.
  • Leaving spaces between the boxes will give you space to walk around easily, remove or add items as you need to, and lift things.
  • When packing your boxes, make sure that your items are packed securely and wrapped in plenty of bubble wrap or other packaging materials to keep them protected. Often items kept in short term storage are moved around more as the unit is visited often. This makes it important that your delicate pieces are well packed. Inflated wrapping pillows and packaging peanuts can help provide extra protection for your goods.
  • Items that you need to access frequently should be kept at the front of your unit or stacked on the top of a pile. The less your boxes and items are shifted around the less chance there is of the contents being damaged.
  • Wrapping furniture in blankets will help protect it against knocks, scratches, and dents.
  • It is vital to keep an inventory of what you put in your storage unit, as well as labelling boxes and cartons in detail with their contents. This will save you much time if you need to find something in a hurry. You do not want to search through the entire contents of your storage unit every time you need something.

Packing for Long Term Storage

  • The reasons for using long term storage are different. You may be planning a long trip abroad, or you may need to move everything out of your home while you carry out extensive renovations and you are not sure how long you will need the storage for. You may be packing up a deceased estate, the beneficiaries are not ready to take their goods yet, and you need a place to store it in the meantime.
  • You may not need frequent access to these goods, so the need to leave space around the items and boxes is not as important, and you can pack the unit more compactly.
  • The quality of the boxes you use is important as they have to withstand months in storage and not collapse. Remember to pack heavy boxes at the bottom and the lighter ones on the top. Never pack clothing or items in plastic bags as these can fall apart, but can also cause moisture to form, trap it in and you will find your goods damaged by mildew and mould. Moisture is one of the worst enemies of items left in storage as mould can cause extensive damage.
  • Make sure anything you pack away is clean and dry. Same goes for any appliances such as fridges and washers. They must be drained and stored with doors ajar to prevent mould from forming.
  • Appliances and electronic equipment should be wrapped carefully. Keeping track of cords and chargers is important.
  • Adding shelving along the walls of the unit is a good idea. Place a tarpaulin on the floor or pack your goods on pallets so that your boxes are not in contact with the concrete floor which can cause moisture to form.
  • As with short term storage, it is important to label all your boxes in detail and keep an inventory. Without these you will have difficulty in remembering what is stored where after a few months let alone after a year.

How Stop & Store Lowestoft Will Solve Your Long Term Storage or Short Term Storage Problems

  • Our storage facility is fully secured with monitored 24/7 CCTV and intruder alarms. When you need a secure storage space you can be assured that our facility is that place where your goods will be safe from theft.
  • Our booking system is simple. Book and pay online from your mobile or laptop, we email you your individual PIN and you are good to go. Our units are easily accessible for convenient loading and off-loading. We have a trolley available for your use. Ask us about our stackable plastic boxes which are ideal for keeping your goods safely.
  • Our units, which vary in size from 12 sq. ft. to 200 sq. ft., are modern, steel partitioned rooms that are clean, dry, and will ensure that your goods remain free of mildew.  Our facility is well maintained, clean and well lit.
  • Whether you need your unit for less than a month or a lot longer, we are flexible and can assist you. We do not require a deposit, and if you move your goods in or out during the month you pay a pro rate.
  • Check our website for feedback from our clients.

Please contact us on:

Tel: 01502 580005 for more information. We are ready to assist you solve your storage problems.

Website: https://lowestoftselfstorage.com/