During 2020 and 2021, when we had the stamp duty exclusion, the housing market went bonkers.
This meant that many people were putting in offers for the same house, which resulted in homeowners selling one property and not being able to find another.
During that time we moved a lot of homeowners’ belongings into storage facilities whilst they rented and continued looking for a new home.
We got to know the ins and outs of storage companies around Bristol so thought we would share some tips with you. Read on to find out what to look for when choosing a storage solution, what to store, and how to store your belongings.
Our guide to storing your belongs
Choosing a storage unit
- The costs of moving house are adding up and you are looking to save money, but don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option when choosing a storage solution. It’s tempting, but consider the cost to your belongings if they are not looked after properly or go missing!
- Many storage companies will offer an initial discount for a few weeks or months but be sure to check the ongoing cost after that period runs out as you may need the facility for longer than you plan for.
- Check if the storage company will allow you access 24/7. You never know when you might need an essential item!
- The best storage units should be clean, dry, and well-lit, with good drainage in case of water leaks. You don’t want your things going mouldy!
- Ensure the unit has good security day and night.
- Make sure the units are clean and looked after, rubbish attracts rodents and the last thing you need is something hibernating in your sofa.
- Check that the storage company has insurance for your belongings.
Packing up for storage
- Accept that you don’t know how long your belongings will be in storage, so be prepared for anything from one week to months or even a year.
- Clearly label your boxes, what’s in them, and what room they go in. When you go to search for something in a cold storage, the last thing you want is to be ripping open all the boxes looking for it.
- Write a list of everything you will need to take to your new space, it could be you are staying with family, or renting a furnished house – plan for a few months.
- Will the seasons change before you move into your new home? If so you might want to keep some seasonal changes of clothes and footwear with you.
- Dismantle furniture as much as you can and put all the screws in a bag and clearly label them!
- It might be useful to create an inventory of what you are storing, as it’s easy to forget what’s in there.
Hiring your moving van and team
Plan and book in your moving company in advance, especially if it’s a busy time of year as in the summer holidays. This goes for when you move into the storage and when moving into your house again. Talk to your moving company, they may offer you a discount for handling both moves.
Packing a storage unit
- You want to stack your furniture at the back and then put smaller items around it to ensure everything is stable.
- When packing the unit, don’t use a plastic sheets as they can attract mildew. Instead, wrap soft items such as sofas and mattresses in protector bags or dust sheets.
- Dismantle furniture as much as you can and put all the screws in a bag and clearly label them!
We hope this will help you when moving. We have moved families, individuals and workplaces since 1978, we are well-recommended, our prices are competitive and we aim to make every move painless!
