Garage Storage - Tips for Organising Your Garage Space

Organizing your garage is one of the most tedious yet necessary home improvement tasks that you will come across. Although it may sound completely boring, there is a very comprehensive and logical way to go about this exercise.

The first thing you should do is a get a blueprint or a floor plan of your garage if you have one. If you do not have this, then just pick up a pen and paper and draw a rough sketch. Now mark out the areas of the garage that you believe will be apt for creating storage space. This will give you a broad idea of the amount of space you have to work with.

Next item on your agenda should be to get into the garage and sort through all the clutter you have and categorize them. You may have categories like, bikes, car supplies, tools, ski equipment, etc. When you come up with categories like this, you will get a sense of whether you need items like hooks for hanging your bikes or boxes for storing your car supplies. You will be able to logically make note of the different shelving material that you will require.

Garage cabinets and shelves are found in various materials. Metal Shelves are generally more sturdy and reliable. However they are more expensive than plastic coated ones. If budget is a constraint, then you can consider plastic cabinets and shelves for your garage. You can also opt for wooden shelving, but they don't handle moisture very well.

Once you have settled on the type of shelving you want, you just need to go out to the market and get the relevant material. If you like home improvement projects, then you can consider doing up the system yourself. If hammer and nails is not your cup of tea, then you should leave this to the professionals. Professional garage organizers will help you set up your garage space efficiently and in a much faster span of time. If you can afford it, then you should seek professional help to organize your garage.

An organized garage is a symbol of a well-managed household. Take a look at your garage every six months to ensure that your storage space is keeping up with your requirements. If you have more stuff than you can store, you need to take a hard look and decide if there are any items you need to discard. If you still have excess material and equipment lying around, then it is time to augment your garage storage requirements.

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Top Tips for Getting the Lowest Price on Your Self Storage

Self storage prices can be a bit of a minefield. If understanding the pricing of storage units isn't difficult enough, on top of that there are so many offers, introductory deals and discounts that it can make getting the cheapest price a bit of a lottery. There are plenty of ways to ensure you achieve the lowest price possible on your self storage rental but before we get to those it helps to understand how prices are calculated. There are three fundamental components for the pricing of storage rental.

1. Floor space - units are calculated on size in square feet. As a general rule, the higher the square footage the more the unit will cost. The price per square foot is the foundation of every storage unit price - but in many cases there will also be a scale, where the greater the square footage the cheaper the cost per square foot. Think of it as bulk buying.

2. Storage facility location - a central London location, where property prices and demand for space are high will cost more per square foot than a similarly sized unit somewhere with lower property costs and demand.

3. Duration of stay - most self storage companies have a minimum stay duration. Usually that's a week, sometimes it's a month.

So that's the basics of how a basic self storage price is calculated, here are ten top tips on how to keep your storage rental costs as low as possible:

1. Size is everything - Spare space in a storage unit is money wasted, because you are paying to have it. Estimating the space you need accurately means you'll use every available inch with little to spare. All good self storage companies will be able to help you with that and some even have online calculators and space estimators.

2. Can you go the extra mile (or two)? Storage centres in central city locations tend to cost more than those on the outskirts. It's a demand thing. If you don't need regular and quick access to your unit, think about renting one in a cheaper part of town.

3. Check the minimum stay and early move-out conditions. Choose a storage provider that keeps these short or doesn't charge any administration fees for early move-out. That way you'll ensure that when the time comes to leave you won't be stung for some extra dosh. If you're very lucky you might find a storage company that charges by the day.

4. Need to reserve? Check your fee is refundable, most self storage companies offer a reservation service. That's ideal if you are in an area of high demand but need to guarantee a unit for a specific time frame (such as moving house). Most storage companies will charge a fee for reserving. Some offer a refund, whether that's knocking the cost of reserving off of your first bill when you move in or simply refunding it if you don't. If you need that flexibility, check the terms at the time of booking.

5. Exploit a competitive market, as storage companies love to compete on price. Almost all offer some form of 'we'll beat any like-for-like price' guarantee. If you're prepared to shop around you can save a significant amount. It's up to you to do the legwork though, as you won't find self storage on price comparison websites.

6. Make the most of offers and discounts - offers and discounts on storage units are everywhere. 1p a month storage, Free for the first 4 weeks, discounts for long-term storage, business, students and uniformed services. The range of promotions to tempt you is vast.Make the most of them!

7. But don't get caught out - Look for those special offers that could you save more money but also check out the terms and conditions. 1p for your first month's storage or free storage for the first 4 weeks are attractive proposition but they'll have terms and conditions attached, usually that you have to store for two months. You'll also want to calculate the cost of the storage over the whole time you'll need it; if you're storing for a year the lowest price for the first month is not necessarily going to be the lowest price overall.

8. Customers really should count - There's a lot more to value than just price. Pick a company that properly cares about great customer service.Look for little extras and lots of lovely customer testimonials.

9. Research the 'on costs' - reputable storage companies are up front about additional costs. Find out what they are. The most significant is insurance, an additional amount charged on top of your rental fee to cover the things you are storing. It's important to research and compare insurance too, the lowest rental price added to an expensive insurance cost might not be cheapest overall.

10. It's worth doing the math - getting the best deal depends on your circumstances. Long stays bring discounts which could outweigh a tempting introductory offer and vice versa. Some companies might include discounted insurance or packaging supplies and if you need either you might be able to make some sort of saving.

Only you know the details of your storage needs, so ultimately only you can work out the best deal. Using these ten top tips you can enjoy your new space reassured with that you'll probably have achieved the lowest rental price possible.

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Amazing Packing and Storage Tips to Make Your Life Easier

You may be faced with packing for a cross-country move, or maybe you need to conserve space at home and must choose what goes into a storage rental unit. The idea of placing personal belongings, especially fragile and treasured items, may inspire worry. Out of sight, out of mind for some, but occasionally your mind could wander back to your grandmother's antique china and you'll wonder how it's holding up in a box. What would it take to make you feel better about the items you have packed and stored? For one, knowing that you packed them well could be enough for your peace of mind.

If you visit home and do-it-yourself blogs, you'll find a variety of tips and trick that make life a bit easier. You may slap your forehead and wonder why you didn't think of them yourself! Next time you are faced with a move or major event that involves clearing a room of stuff, here are some amazing tips that will help keep your belongings secure in storage or transit.

1) Use foam plates. Every time I have moved, I worry about the dishes. While we do get specific boxes for them, I worry about scratches and chipping while the packages are on the road. I recently learned, though, that inserting a foam picnic plate in between each dish in your stack creates a nice, protective buffer. Best of all, these plates don't cost much, and you can stash them away and use them for another move.

2) Colored duct tape. Of course, you'll label all of your boxes, but if you pack them in a unit labels may be difficult to see right off the bat. For a bolder, color-coordinated organization, get rolls of colored duct tape and place a strip on each box. Assign a specific color for a room - kitchen, bedroom, etc. - and this way you'll find your things more quickly.

3) Rubber bands. Used to be with silverware, I just kept them in their tray and put the tray in a box. Next time, I'll use rubber bands to better secure forks and spoons and other utensils. Sounds like a good way to keep some from slipping through a box.

4) Free boxes. One of our first stops during packing day is the liquor store. We know, moving a home is enough to make you want to drink, but if you call ahead some store manager will let you have emptied boxes. Liquor boxes in particular are sturdy and good for some heavy items. Best of all, they're free!

Hopefully these handy tips will get you through packing and storage much easier. Good luck!

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The Self Storage Rental Contract

One of the most important things you need to be careful about when renting a self storage unit is the contract or agreement. This is a basic requirement that a renter needs to fulfill before occupying a space at the facility.

Some people are not very particular about this and complain at a later time. But if you take the time to read and understand carefully the terms and conditions involved, you can be sure to avoid problems renting self storage units.

In order to be briefed about a facility's policies, it would be a good idea to gather some sample contracts from several providers you are interested in. This way, you will have a better view of their requirements for renting space. Not all facilities follow the same policy so it's best to know what each requires from their tenants.

Normally, the general contract agreement is straightforward. But you have to remember that the company is also protecting itself hence, it is a must to read the fine print before signing the document.

Be mindful about the payment terms, in particular. There are some facilities that when a renter misses his payments immediately closes down your unit without issuing any notice. Some may access your unit right away and put your items on hold or schedule them for auction.

Keep in mind that when renting, nobody from the staff should have access to your unit. Only an emergency situation can warrant any employee to go inside and move your items. Moving them to another unit to give your prime slot to another renter is an unacceptable thing to do.

If a free vehicle service is being offered, be sure to know the company rules. It's easy to be tempted to avail of a free use of vehicle or equipment which is often offered when you sign a contract with a facility. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of this to move your stuff from your house to the self storage facility? But again, there's something that may be hidden behind this provision.

What you need to be wary of that sometimes, free may not always mean you won't be paying anything. Some facilities may require a deposit which can be refundable or the free service may be for a limited time only. If it's for a specific period of time only, make sure to stay within that time frame otherwise, you'll have to pay additional fees.

You may also be asked to pay for labor fees if you avail of the free vehicle service. As always, you need to really check on what's really included and the actual costs before committing to them.

The insurance aspect is another thing to learn. Many contracts will tell you the importance of having a certain protection for your stored items. The agreement may offer to you the facility's own insurance or its partners. Whatever you choose, make sure to know the rates and the policy is suited for your needs. The basic cover provided by traditional home insurers should be your basis before agreeing to purchase one.

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Portable Storage Units - A Guide for First Time Users

If you're looking for an ideal place or container to store excess house or office supplies, portable storage units is the answer to your questions. These units are not meant to be used just for storing these particular supplies; in reality their very useful for many purposes. Once you've placed your belongings or supplies in these portable storage units, you can opt to either keep them in your house or office is you have ample of space to accommodate the container, or you could keep it in a storage place, preferable the storage place of the company you're renting the unit from. You don't have to worry about the security of your belongings because all companies offer excellent security, ensuring that your belongings remain safe and intact when you come to collect them later on.

If you plan on using the company's storage space facility and plan on placing the portable storage container under their care, it is always possible for you to access the container and its belongings whenever you want to. There are absolutely no restrictions on this. The policies are very flexible, allowing you to even store items in the unit for up to one or two days if you wish! These containers are a helpful solution for all those people who are planning on cleaning their houses and office spaces, or getting construction work done; they can simple lock away all their belongings in the container and retrieve them when all the work is completed.

It's probably best that you choose a company that's located near you, so that its storage facility is easy to access. With a company near you, you won't have to travel too far if you need to retrieve something from the container. However, don't just choose any company near you, at random. You must remember to go through all their policies and their charges before selecting a suitable one for yourself. For some people, it's necessary to have flexible policies and waiting several hours or days before being granted access to the container in the company's storage might be a difficult task. For such people, it's necessary for such individuals to look for a company that offers a flexible access policy to the container.

It's probably best to use your credit or debit cards when paying for these containers. The reason behind this is that you will always be able to contact your bank for details or verification of details, if anything happens to go wrong. Since we're talking about personal belongings, you definitely don't want anything to go wrong when you trust a company with your belongings. Either search for a trustworthy company who can provide you with reliable services, or choose the other alternative mentioned here to make sure everything goes just as smoothly and safely as planned.

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Make The Best Out Of Your Business With The Help Of Self Storage Services

Inventory is a part of every business, big and small. This inventory is in form of raw materials, work in progress or finished goods waiting resell. All forms of inventory are very important to a business inventory and thus should be stored safely. Safe storage of inventory prevents from theft and spoilage.

As a business entity, you need to check for a better and economical way to store your inventory. In the past business people used to rely on the services of public warehouses. These houses were not only expensive but also inconveniencing due to their distances from the business. It would take a lot of time to access products from the warehouse when a customer makes an order. To solve these storage problems, there have been introduced self storage services. These services let you store your inventory in a container supplied to you by the service providers. After you have packed your inventory there, the container is transported to the service provider's storage location. Once there, you can access the container or ask it be delivered to your business premises at any time.

The main advantage of this form of storage is saving on space. Many businesses have limited space. They therefore would not find a space to place the container containing their inventory. Self-storage services solve this problem of limited space. You store your inventory in the container provided and then the container is moved to service provider's business premises.

Another advantage is that you do have to have tons of workers to help with loading the inventory to the container. The service provider provides you with people who will assist you with loading and offloading the inventory. This saves you money.

If you are dealing with perishable goods, you can request for a special purpose container. A special purpose container would have things like refrigeration or air conditioning. Were it not for self-storage services, the business owner would incur extra costs in terms of refrigeration and air conditioning in their stores. When you are sure that your inventories are safe from spoilage you will be able to relax and concentrate with other more important business matters.

The self storage services providers provide security to the business person. As a businessperson, you know that your inventories are safe. By using self-storage services, you save on the costs of employing security guards. The service provider provides the required security. The time and resources previously spent on security can now be directed to other more important uses. In addition, the problem of pilferage by workers is eliminated. No inventory lies idle in the business premises thus solving the problem of pilferage.

As a businessperson, you need to take advantage of these self-storage services to propel your business to greater heights through reduced costs. A business survives through profits and profits increase through reduced costs. By using self storage services, you will be able to reduce operational costs and in return increase business profits. The increased profits will help the business grow.

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