Monday, April 20, 2015

REDUCING STRESS CAUSING PROBLEMS IN MINI STORAGE

Whether you're moving across town or across the country or storing seasonal furniture, important files or appliances, the following moving and packing tips will help you keep your items safe and protected, while getting the most from your mini storage unit.

What do you get from a mini storage unit? A mini storage unit can be a great place to store seasonal items that you pull out once a year, such as an artificial Christmas tree and ornaments.  Just getting your seasonal items in one spot and organized will alleviate loads of stress in an instant. Mini storage units decrease the amount of time you would normally spend navigating the black hole of items in your attic, too.  This would indirectly save you money and could directly organize your house or office space.  Mini storage units can protect your items better from damage or theft, too, which means you won’t have to spend any money replacing those items.

How do you start packing? Taking the time to carefully pack your items for your move or during long-term mini storage can go a long way to minimizing breakage and keeping your items safe. First, make sure to make an inventory list of your items and keep it in a safe place (at home or in a safe deposit box) away from the unit. It will give you time to prepare your mini storage space by installing protective covers and such.

Are you ready to store your items? When storing, don’t just throw all of your items in a mini storage unit haphazardly. When it comes to placing items in a storage unit, consider how often you’ll need to remove certain possessions. Place items you’ll use frequently closer to the door for easier access. Also, cushion any fragile items and put them toward the top of the mini storage unit. Finally, label your cartons and create a checklist that you keep at home so you can more easily find your property when you need it.

The process of renting a mini storage unit can also be stress-free when you contact the friendly, helpful and professional staff. A thorough investigation about the mini storage facility will surely help you with all your needs. Never fail to ask about insurance, security features and other moving services you might need in the future.

Jacksonville Self Storage
10724 Lem Turner Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 322-0229

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Questions to Ask a Mini-Storage Company



If you need to store some of your belongings, whether it's for a short-term or long-term period, you'll want to learn more about a mini-storage facility's storage solutions before you sign a lease. As you begin your research, there are a few basic questions you'll want to know upfront. Having an idea ahead of time of what you want to store, how long you need the mini-storage, and how much space you'll need will help ensure you receive the most accurate information.

What is the best deal you have for my storage problem?

Many people rent more mini-storage space than is really necessary. Since mini-storage units come in a variety of sizes, you should do all you possibly can to pay for only the space you need, especially if you do not need frequent access to the space. You don’t want any surprises when you take the final steps and secure your rental. Most mini-storage facilities have some sort of setup or admin fee. Make sure to ask.

What kind of security protocols does your mini-storage facility use?

It's important to select a mini-storage facility that takes security seriously. Whether you're storing textbooks that you won't need this semester, business inventory or household items, you'll feel more comfortable with an operation that has security in place and also respects your privacy. The best self-storage facilities maintain "perimeter" security systems to deter entrance by non-clients, and many also have video surveillance.

Is the climate-control advanced and regularly maintained?

Ask for details on how your mini-storage company handles climate control. There is temperature control, which only has a set temperature, and there is climate control, which is humidity and temperature control. Typically units are kept between a range of temperatures to avoid extremes in the winter and summer months. Some valuables may require stringent climate control, so be sure to discuss what you'll be storing with the facility.

What are the insurance policies?

Mini-storage facilities are generally not responsible for the contents of your unit. It is always a good idea to insure the goods you are intending to store. Mini-storage insurance is almost always available to you at the time you rent your unit. Sometimes the facility collects the premium from you directly. When they do this, they usually have a financial interest in doing so. Before you buy insurance from the manager, check with your own agent, because sometimes your homeowner's or renter's policy will cover you for no extra cost.

Some of these questions and answers may seem like common sense, but every one of them is important to consider. A property manager who can quickly answer these questions and provide you the options at the facility which you desire will be a great choice for your storage needs.

Jacksonville Self Storage
10724 Lem Turner Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 322-0229

Thursday, February 26, 2015

In Need of the Best Mini Storage Facility?



Storage units are available in a wide range of sizes. To determine the best size storage unit for you, take an inventory of all the items you plan to store. Making a list is often useful, since you're less likely to forget items which require more space. Also, think about your future needs. If you do not have much to store, a mini storage is the best option for your items.

When it comes time to look for a self-storage facility, there are several things to take into consideration. If you are planning to store your items, they must be valuable to you, and you want them to be safe and secure at all times! Be sure to make your decision on the entire storage experience, not on price alone.

·         Know what you need. Once you have packed everything, separate what will be stored short term and identified those items that will be stored for a longer period of time; you need to decide, “How much storage space do I need?” You will find that storage units come in a variety of sizes. The goal is to avoid choosing a mini storage that is not too small and too large for your needs.

·         Tour the facility. A mini storage is much easier to maintain; thus, it is your job to see whether the mini storage looks well fit.  A mini storage facility that takes pride in its appearance and keeps everything in good repair and working order is the ideal choice. A facility like this will have better customer service and cares about each and every tenant.

·         Adequate security. Even mini storages must provide adequate security for items that are stored there. Look for mini storage units that have security measures in place such as motion detector lights and alarms, solid fencing, guards and surveillance systems including CCTV cameras.

·         Know the staff. Does the manager stand up and greet you as you walk into the office? A friendly property manager is key to having a great mini storage experience. You want someone who listens to you, treats you as the most important person to them at that moment and has knowledge about the property and the industry. If you have a question, you want to be sure he or she can answer it, and answer it correctly.

Finally, determining the right size of mini storage unit for your needs will prove to be your best value. Before making a final decision, visit the facility and ask to see a unit which is the same size as the one you plan to rent. Viewing the space may be easier than trying to picture it in your head.

Jacksonville Self Storage
10724 Lem Turner Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 322-0229

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Are You Getting the Right U-Haul Moving Truck?



If you’re all packed and ready to move, the only thing left to do is to rent a moving truck. While it seems like you’re almost at the last leg of the move, don’t underestimate the task ahead of you. Many movers make the mistake of renting the wrong moving truck, only to find themselves spending more than they should really have.

It is indeed very critical that you are able to choose the right U-Haul truck for your move. Not only should that guarantee a pleasant move, it should also not burn a hole in your pocket. When you pick a truck that is too small, it may require a couple of trips to complete the move. If it’s too big, then you’re paying more for what you actually need.

There are two ways how you can assess if you’re getting the right U-Haul trucks rentals. Here are the two ways:

1.       The Rooms

Assess how many rooms you are actually moving or storing. Or better yet, estimate how much stuff per room you are packing. Include everything that you will have to load into the U-Haul trucks rentals. Make a list so you don’t miss anything.

When you talk to a truck rental company, they will usually base the estimate of the size of the truck based on the rooms you have. This is the simplest way to determine the right size you will need. While, this is more of a general estimate, consider how many things you actually have per room, hence the need to make the list.

For a studio apartment, a 10 foot moving truck is suggested. For 2 to 3 rooms, a 12 or 15 foot truck is advised. For 4 to 5 rooms, a 20 foot truck is needed. For anything higher than that, a 24 to 26 foot truck should be rented.

If you are in doubt, or feel like the amount of things you have for storing is in between, always go for the size higher. This will eliminate the need to cramp everything inside the truck, which may result in damaged furniture, applicances and other things.

2.       The Space

In other U-Haul trucks rentals, they will estimate the size of the truck based on the square foot measurement of the storing needs per room. This is a riskier way to go about deciding the size of truck because every room will differ in the amount of things it has.

Nevertheless, by now, you should already have an idea on how U-Haul trucks rentals estimate the size of the truck you need. Don’t get tricked and make sure you get what you need. Moving trucks aren’t cheap to rent, so make a decision wisely.

Jacksonville Self Storage
10724 Lem Turner Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 322-0229

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Why Choose Moving Services


Most companies have websites that list their moving services, moving storage history, destinations they move to, and roughly how much all of these cost. This is a great place to get background information and to start compiling a list of potential companies. Also, most companies will list contact information, including e-mail addresses, allowing you to ask questions and be provided with a written response. Once you're able to provide a date, it's time to start shopping for moving storage companies. This is the single most important decision you'll make — not only because you want the best moving service, but also to avoid fly-by-fighters who will do their best to fool you into thinking they are legitimate. These shady characters often hide behind very professional-looking websites, so it's critical to make sure you know who you're dealing with.

One good way to begin your search is through word-of-mouth or recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers. While researching these companies is still an important step, having a rough idea of which are competent and which should be avoided can save you a lot of time. If you've hired a moving storage company, it is best to have the company make an additional stop at the storage facility so you don't have to move twice. Just remember to properly label storage items and load them as a group either first or last depending on when the truck will be unloading at the storage facility. You may be tempted to hire a "moving broker" that claims to arrange a good deal for you. Unfortunately, moving brokers are not subject to the same consumer protection laws that prevent ordinary moving storage companies from scamming or mistreating their customers. It's best to avoid moving brokers entirely and stick with hiring a company yourself.

Lastly, no matter where the storage facility is located, moving service information can be obtained over the phone. You can ask about size, cost, climate-control, security settings and updates, affiliations and your ability to access your things when it's convenient to you. If this is not feasible, ask the company enough questions so you can make an informed decision.

Jacksonville Self Storage
10724 Lem Turner Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 322-0229