Want To Rent a Storage Unit? Here’s What You Need to Know First

What To Do With Furniture & Items Without a Permanent Home During a Move

When planning a move, there are many things to consider. For example, what should you do with furniture and items that don’t yet have a permanent home? There is a kind of “limbo” between arriving at your new home and getting organized. Your new house may not be ready, or you may simply need extra space. Is all lost? No, because there is a solution: storage units!

Here we’ll tell you what you should consider before renting one and why it can be an excellent investment to avoid stress. 

Why You Might Need a Storage Unit 

First, it’s important to understand when it might be useful to rent a storage unit from a moving company in Gilbert. For example:

• When you need temporary space while your new home is being delivered.
• When you accumulate seasonal items that you don’t need right now.
• When you are renovating a home and need to free up rooms.

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it may be a worthwhile investment to make your entire process easier. 

Understanding How Storage Units Work

Now that you know when you might need a storage unit, it’s time to learn how they work. There are two types: 

• Self-service storage unit: this is the most popular type. Basically, you are responsible for everything, as the company is only providing you with a space. You have to bring your belongings, organize them, and remove them when you need to. This is your best option if you have the time and resources to move your belongings.
• Full-service storage unit: this is the opposite. You just tell them what you want to move, and the company does it for you. Specialists will collect, transport, and store your belongings. When you need them, they can bring them to you. It’s a safe process and a useful option for those who don’t want to deal with the stress. 

It is essential that you ask exactly what the service includes, because the cost will depend on that. 

Key Considerations Before Renting a Storage Unit

Generally, these services are offered by a good affordable moving company. If the company is good, it will have an excellent reputation on social media. This is the first thing you should look at! Then, research other people’s experiences and rule out any place where there are reviews saying “scam” or similar. 

Once you have chosen the company, check what the service includes. Is it easy to access your belongings? Do the facilities have limited hours or are they open 24 hours a day? This can be a determining factor, especially if you are short on time. The same goes for location, because it could be far away and not useful for your move. 

If the service includes what you are looking for, is available when you need it, and is nearby, you will need to evaluate its security. Preferably, look for places with surveillance cameras and controlled access. This will give you the assurance that the company has high security standards and that your belongings will be in good hands. 

How To Choose The Right Storage Unit Size For Your Needs

No, not all storage units will work for you equally well. These are basic but essential aspects to consider when making a decision:

• First, decide what items you want to store. If you are unsure about an item, it is better to include it just in case. This will give you a realistic estimate of the size you need.
• Next, consider the volume of your furniture. If it’s large, such as boxes or appliances, try to take measurements. You may need them.
• Check if your items will fit in that unit. Any reputable company will advise you to choose something that suits your needs. 

It is also important to ask yourself if you need a climate-controlled unit. While this is optional, not all items react the same way to humidity or temperature changes. 

What You Are Not Allowed To Store

It often goes unnoticed, but not all places will allow you to store anything. Some storage units do not allow food items that may attract pests, flammable objects, plants, or hazardous materials. If you are unsure about a particular item, it is best to ask before storing something that is prohibited.

How to Prepare Your Belongings Before Storing Them

Have you already decided to store your belongings and contacted your trusted local movers? Then it’s time to organize your unit from the get-go. This will make retrieving your things much easier. Here are some ideas to help you do that:

• Make a digital or physical inventory: It’s very important to include quantities as well, in case something is repeated. This will help ensure that nothing gets lost.
• Label all boxes: This will help you significantly when you have to unpack, saving you time.
• Clean and dry items before packing: This is obvious, but it will prevent any moisture problems. 
• Leave a passageway to access everything: When moving your belongings, don’t forget to leave space so you can move around.
• Disassemble what is necessary: Remember to disassemble furniture, if necessary. To avoid forgetting, write down how you disassembled it. This will help with reassembly later. 

It’s not complicated, but it is advisable to follow all these recommendations to make the process even simpler.

When Is It Ideal To Combine Moving and Storage?

There are times when hiring movers is not enough. You also need to have a storage unit available! For example:

• If you are moving long distance. In these cases, it can be useful to have a space to store your belongings if you are not doing the whole process in one go.
• If your new home will be ready days or weeks after your move. This also happens quite often, and storage is the perfect solution.
• If you are renovating your home and want to avoid clutter, but don’t have any more physical space to store things.

This is where a professional team makes all the difference. For example, if you are looking for long distance movers, you can request a storage service so that everything is covered and the process is smoother. 

Avoid Common Problems When Using a Storage Unit

With this information, you are more than prepared to know when to order a storage unit. However, here are some final recommendations to make sure everything goes smoothly:

• Check that your belongings will fit in the storage unit.
• Do not use the space for work, as this is usually prohibited.
• Do not leave trash or objects that do not belong in the designated container.
• Try to keep everything tidy to make the process easier later on. 

That’s it! It’s much easier than you think and can be a very useful resource for your move. 

Ready to Rent a Storage Unit During Your Move?

If you are looking for a professional moving service in Arizona that allows you to move your belongings safely and efficiently, there is no better choice than us. 

At A to Z Valleywide Movers, we have experience handling the entire process from start to finish. Just contact us and tell us what services you are interested in!