How to Store Your Goods

Three options exist for storage of belongings: self-storage, permanent storage and storage in transit [SIT]. The latter two are more costly, but save work for you. Here's how to find what you need.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Inventory Books
• Brooms
• Dollies
• File Cabinets
• Measuring Tapes
• Storage Centers
• Storage Organizers
• Storage Bottles
• Computers With Net Connection
• Spreadsheet Softwares
• Padlocks

1. Calculate the size of unit needed.

2. Locate self-storage sites online and through telephone directories and chambers of commerce.

3. Call sites to determine the availability and size of units, prices, accessibility by vehicle, hours of operation and storage policies.

4. Reserve a unit. A deposit and contract are required.

5. Pack your goods; inventory and label them as well.

6. Wrap unboxed items in plastic.

7. Eliminate foodstuffs, including spices and flammable items, from goods to be stored. These can attract rodents.

8. Transport goods to the storage facility or have a moving company do it.

9. Sweep out the storage unit and unload your belongings.

10. Lock the unit with a heavy-duty padlock.

11. Consider purchasing insurance for your belongings.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose permanent storage, your mover will hold goods for you. This is generally quite expensive.
• If you choose storage in transit, your mover will hold goods for you until a specific date. This is also expensive.
• If you choose self-storage, either you or the mover can move goods to storage.
• Sofas and beds can be stored on end to conserve space in storage units.
• If you are having a mover transport goods to a storage site, make sure the storage unit is accessible by the company's tractor-trailers. If the truck doesn't fit, you may be charged extra for Long Carries, Stair Carries or a Shuttle.
• When your goods are delivered into self-storage, the mover will probably just pile everything into the storage unit. Damage may result.

on 11/22/2005 The best thing I ever did (when I used a self storage unit) was to first lay down wood shipping palettes before any thing was moved into the unit. This kept all my furniture and boxes up off the floor, and away from any potential water. Doing this saved my book collection! That summer was the wettest on record and there was extensive flooding.

on 11/22/2005 Buy a plastic tarp to put down first. This should keep any dampness from getting into your stored items from the usually uncontrolled environment of the storage unit.