Hints & Tips
Everything from a Storage Checklist to Packing Tips
Everything from a Storage Checklist to Packing Tips
If you have never thought about self storage before then learning how it all works and getting the best value for money from it, is going to be daunting at best. Because of this we have put together a brief list of various tips from moving lists to how to pack your goods in storage to what the best merchandise is to use.
It is worth taking the time to read through as there will be at least two or three important things that we guarantee you won't have thought of. The links below can be used to bring up the relevant sections and if you have any questions, then please let us know.
Get The Most From Your Storage
Before moving into a StoreWise centre there are a few things you'll need to organise to make the 'move in' quick and as worry free as possible. These are;
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Insurance Cover Your goods must be insured to their 'true new replacement value' for the complete duration of your storage period. You will need to let us know the value of your goods, to the nearest thousand pounds so we can arrange insurance at a small extra cost. |
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Identification When you move in to your storage unit you will need to provide two forms of identification.
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Credit/Debit Card Payments Your initial rental payment and security deposit needs to be provided via credit or debit card. We are unable to take initial payments by cash. If you then wish to have your card automatically debited on the first of each month for your rental fees, then we will need to have your card details held securely on our storage management system. |
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Direct Debit Payments You will need to give us your bank account details if you wish to pay by Direct Debit. There is also an online 'Direct Debit' form that you can use to change your payment method to Direct Debit. |
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Emergency Contact Details As well as taking your full contact details we will also need to have an alternative contact name, address and telephone number in case of an emergency. |
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Secure Padlock You are the only keyholder to you space at StoreWise, which is secured by a padlock. We have padlocks available to purchase at reception which we feel represent excellent value for money providing security and peace of mind. |
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Moving can be one of the most stressful times in anyones life, so ensure everything goes smoothly,by planning well in advance. To help with the process we have put together a simple checklist to help jog your memory. |
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Two Month's To Go |
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Call and visit StoreWise to view and reserve your storage unit. By getting extra space organised quickly you can make things easy on yourself by storing items as you pack them. This way you will always have extra space at home during the packing process and be able to access your goods should you need to. |
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Talk to StoreWise about 'Van Hire' or book a removals firm to help with the move. We have a list of 'Recommended Companies' that may be able to help. |
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Purchase your boxes and packing materials. You can compare our prices within the Box Shop. (We sell good quality storage boxes which are 'double walled' cartons so they last longer, protect your goods better and are re-useable if they need to be. Once finished with them you can drop them back off where we will send them to a recycle company). |
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Put all your important documents and paperwork into archive boxes and label them clearly. This way you can ensure that your bank statements, house insurance, car documents, passports, birth certificates, utility details etc are all at hand when you do finally move. |
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Start by sorting out the loft and the garage first. These are spaces that typically people forget contain so much stuff and take a lot longer to organise than you think. If you have items that you don't need anymore, then why not donate to charity or one of our good causes. |
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Next think about your pets. People can often forget about kennels or a catery until the last minute so book in advance. |
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Make the most of the space you have in your current home. Place any large items of furniture that you may not need into storage or even think seriously about our 'Decluttering Service' to help improve the space you have and aid in selling your home. talk to us and see how we can help. |
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One Month To Go |
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Moving far away? Then don't forget to take the time and think about servicing your car, checking the tyres, the 'MOT' and also your 'Road Tax', after all you don't want this going to the old address after you move. |
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Moving into a new area? Register with local doctors, dentists and think about transfering your bank account to the new local branch. |
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Contact your utility companies, Gas, Water, Electric plus don't forget your TV supplier, 'TV Licence', Credit Card companies, vehicle logbooks and the childrens schools. |
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Confirm your moving arrangements with the removal company and your 'Van Hire' arrangements with StoreWise. |
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Start packing items that you don't use everyday and think about what else can go into your storage unit. |
Two Weeks To Go |
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Let people know that you're moving. send them new address cards and remember to cancel any magazine subscriptions and home delivery sites that you are a member of such as Amazon, Ebay, and the supermarkets etc. |
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'Redirect your mail' for a minimum of 3 months, although we would recommend 6 months to be sure that even the companies you have contacted update their records promptly. |
One Week To Go |
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Confirm with your solicitor and estate agents that the move is going according to plan. check with your bank or mortgage company to make sure your funds are prepared. |
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Make sure that all no essential items are packed and in storage or in a particular room ready for the big day. Plus remember to label them by room or better still colour code them and then place coloured stickers on the room where you want teh removal men to take them. |
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Remind you friends and family that you may need a hand on the big day. Perhaps they can take care of the kids or pets. |
The Day Before |
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Put essential things in a box and clearly mark it. Items such as, toilet paper, kitchen towel, kettle, tea, coffee, sugar, mugs and biscuits (goes down a treat with removals guys!) and keep out any paperwork that you will need and don't forget the pets if you haven't placed them in kennels etc. Include their water bowl and food for a day. |
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make sure you have car keys, wallet and any other everyday items you carry eaily at hand. sometimes it is the simple things that are easily forgotten. |
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Collect your van from us or your 'Van Hire' comany, confirm your plans with teh removal company and place all your boxes and smaller furniture items in a downstairs room or garage. |
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Our 'Box Shop' has virtually everything you need to make sure your goods are well packed and protected whilst in storage or during the move. |
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Storage Boxes |
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StoreWise storage boxes are double walled to make sure they don't fall apart while you're moving your goods. This also means that you can stack our boxes in order to minimise the amount of storage space you need. After all you pay by the floor area so the more height you can utilise, the better. |
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Archive Box the ideal choice for all paperwork, files and documents that need to be organised and kept safe. These boxes are also ideal for books and magazines. |
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Medium Box This is the perfect choice for everyday small items and packing delicate stuff like glasses and china. Remember that heavy items shoudl go in the smallest possible box otherwise you will make the box too heavy to left safely. |
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Large Box For bigger and bulkier items such as bedding, curtains, sleeping bags, cushions etc where weight is less of a concern. |
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Wardrobe Box Specially designed with an incorporated bar so you can store clothes on their hangers. This is ideal to prevent creasing to garments such as suits and dresses. |
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Moving Box Packs A multi-pack is by far the easiest and cheapest way to purchase boxes for your move. with a variety available to choose from, you are sure to get the best value from our 'Box Shop'. |
Packing Materials |
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Having the right box is only half the job. You can select from a wide choice of packing supplies to make wrapping and protecting your items quick and easy, after all better to invest in bubble warp than a new TV! |
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Bubble Wrap The best choice for wrapping large electrical items and other delicates - PLUS great for popping and keeping the kids quiet! |
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Sofa & Mattress Covers Whilst removal trucks, hire vans and our storage units are clean you still need to think about protecting your furniture with simple covers. Guaranteed to keep your items clean and protected. |
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Acid Free Tissue Paper Ideal to wrap glassware, chinaware and crookery. |
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Fragile Tape This helps remind you and your helpers that the box shoudlbe handled with care. |
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Marker Pens It is a lot easier to write on the box what is inside that to pull in out from under three others to find that it doesn't contain what you thought it did. Buy a marker pen and remind yourself the eay way. |
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Miscellaneous Supplies some things are not essential but do help with the whole process. Items such as bin bags, collapsable creates, scissors, disposable knife, brown tape, string and gloves all help make life easier. |
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Visit our 'Box Shop' and order your packing supplies now. |
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To help your packing go much easier and prtect your goods whilst in storage, make note of these simple tips. |
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Start by putting together a ‘Portable Packing Kit’, with a marker pen, parcel tape, labels and scissors |
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Make sure you have the right number of boxes to hand, in a variety of sizes |
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Use protective wrap on your delicate belongings – it’s the best way to stop scratches, dents or breakages |
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Stack plates on their sides and use acid free tissue paper to wrap them individually |
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Drain fridge freezers and washing machines two days before storage. Make sure these items are stored with the doors wedged open |
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Always pack bedding in boxes to prevent moisture damage from ‘sweating’ that can sometimes build up in plastic bags. You can use our special wardrobe box to store clothes whilst still on their hangers to prevent creasing of suits and dresses. |
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Chair legs and furniture corners are easy to protect but expensive to repair – wrap them in corrugated card for best protection |
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Clean all outside tools and equipment thoroughly before putting them into storage |
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Make sure you don’t pack away the essentials, like the loo roll, mugs, milk, tea, the coffee and the kettle! |
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At StoreWise our staff are always available to help and advise you on the best way to get the most out of your storage unit. They can answer any questions or ease any concerns that you may have in particular on the best way to store certain items. the following information will help you get the most from your storage unit. |
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Please let staff know some general information about the items to be stored when reserving your unit. They’ll be able to advise on the right amount of space and also make sure you're not storing items unfit for self storage. |
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Make sure you value your goods correctly, so we can provide you with the right levels of insurance cover. |
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Identify your heaviest and most full boxes and place these with your bulky items in first. |
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Clearly identify boxes containing fragile items and make sure the labels can be easily seen from the front. |
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Storing sofas and mattresses on end and stacking chairs pad-to-pad will help you to minimise the amount of space you need. Ask our staff for advice. |
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Stack your boxes maximising your space from the back of the unit and fill your space methodically towards the front. Don’t forget to use single items for filling the odd gap as you go. |
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Secure your unit with a padlock. We have a choice for you to buy in our receptions or online for our unmanned storage centres. |
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If you have hired a van from us then please clean it out, diesel it up to full and return it by the agreed time. |