Has your domestic situation changed with family members returning home to live with you and are you finding you have to accommodate an extra person or people? Renting a self-storage unit could be the answer of maximizing your home space.

This may be the situation you are faced with during the COVID-19 pandemic as family members could have lost their jobs or taken pay cuts, and are unable to afford their rentals, and need to move back home again. Students have been forced to return home as universities and colleges are no longer able to offer the same studying methods as before and studies have to be carried out online. Whatever your situation is, your priority now may be that you need to reorganize your household in order to accommodate extra people during this difficult time.

The space previously used by your student son or working daughter may have been turned into a study or a workroom, but now has to be changed back to what it was. You will have to pack items and belongings away and make place for them by getting rid of items that are not used regularly. Instead of disposing of them permanently, consider hiring a self-storage unit. This may be an inexpensive way of solving your space problem.

Whether you need short-term or long-term storage, a self-storage facility could be the ideal way of solving your problem. Below are some considerations to bear in mind when deciding on which self-storage facility you should use.

  • Accessibility
    – The facility must be easily accessible in terms of transport so you can take and drop off your belongings for storage with minimum fuss and bother.
    – It must also be accessible whenever you need it, preferably 24/7, so check that access is possible. Ask whether anyone else other than you, such as a staff member has access to your facility.
  • Customer Service
    – Choose a self-storage company that does not lock you into a long-term lease. You may not want a long-term commitment in case your circumstances change, and you need to reevaluate this arrangement.
    – Choose a company that lets you enquire, book and pay online with no face-to-face interaction, making the process more convenient for you.
    – Look out for competitive pricing and special offers for storage units.
    – A facility that is well maintained and looks cared for indicates a well-managed business that will take good care of your possessions, so a good first impression is important.
    – A satisfied customer is a happy customer, so check out the feedback on their website.
  • Security
    – Choose a facility with good security features, 24/7 CCTV monitoring and limited access to ensure that your belongings are safe.
  • Maintenance
    – Ask about maintenance and cleaning programmes, and also if there is a pest control programme in place.

If you require a self-storage facility in Lowestoft and the surrounding areas of Oulton, Hopton on Sea, Kessingland, Stop & Store Lowestoft is conveniently situated near the railway station and ticks all of the above boxes. We offer a variety of indoor self-storage units ranging in size from 12 to 200 sq. Ft for both short term and long-term rental. To help you calculate the correct size of storage unit that you need, we have a handy Space Calculator on our website. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine how big 200 sq. ft is, so if you need personal assistance with your choice, we are only too happy to oblige.

Here are some handy tips for you that will help you organise your self-storage unit.

  1. Storage units should have damp- proof flooring, but to avoid any damage that may occur from rising damp if your items are in long term storage, we advise to place a piece of tarpaulin on the floor under your boxes.
  2. If your belongings are packed properly in strong cardboard boxes for long term storage this should be enough protection against any damage. Recycled boxes will not be strong enough to withstand months of storage and may collapse. Use medium sized boxes as large boxes may be too heavy once they are packed. Place heavier boxes at the bottom with the lighter ones on top. Using boxes the same size will enable you to stack them neatly on top of each other. A tip is to leave an aisle so that you can access the contents of the boxes at the back if you need to.
  3. It is not advisable to use plastic bags to store your items as these are impossible to label properly.
  4. Use bubble-wrap and paper to wrap your breakables and use plenty of tape when you make up your boxes to ensure they are as strong as possible. Take your time to pack properly and in a logical fashion. The more effort you put into your packing, the safer your goods will be against damage and breaking.
  5. Label your boxes with detailed lists of contents. Keep an inventory of these so you can easily locate an item if you have to. Number your boxes and store boxes from the same area of your house together, for e.g. all bedroom 1 boxes together. The more logical you keep your system, the easier it will be when you unpack them.
  6. Create a master list on an excel spreadsheet of all box numbers and their contents so you can keep track of what is in your storage unit. Record any item that you remove so you always have an updated record of what you have in your unit.
  7. It is a good idea to add some shelving to your unit if it is possible to help keep everything tidy and organised. Label each shelf with the contents you have stored there.

One of our self-storage units at Stop & Store Lowestoft could be the perfect solution to solving your problem of creating more space in your home. Our facility is well maintained and protected by state-of-the-art security. Once you have rented one of our secure storage units you will be able to access it any day during the year, weekends and holidays included.

Please contact us on 01502 580005 for more information. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Website: www.stopandstore.co.uk