By Anonymous October 14, 2010
Nice website, easy layout and easy to navigate! ...read more
Moving can be a stressful experience. First, you have the stress of sorting out which of the many items in your home you’re keeping and which ones you’re trashing. Then, there’s the Herculean task of ensuring that everything you’ve elected to hold on to is neatly packed into boxes. And even after all those hours spent packing your items away, there’s still the tedious process of unpacking to look forward to. Most people wish there was a way they could zap their property from one home to another. Science isn’t quite there yet, but it has made some headway. If you own a smartphone and you’re a fan of functional apps, the following are a few innovative resources that could make your next move a little easier: 1. Moving Van The Moving Van iOS app offers you an effective way to organize the moving process. In addition to providing a flexible date range, it features a status update function that lets you know how far ahead or behind schedule you are with your moving plans. You can gauge your readiness level by checking off items on the default checklist or by creating a customized checklist of your own. The app also takes advantage of the camera on your phone for digital recording. Using this, you can take pictures of each box while you’re packing so that you have an idea of what’s contained in each box. You’ll never have to worry about which box contains your toilet paper again! 2. iMoving Take control of your move with Apple’s iMoving app, which comes packed with tools and features designed to optimize your packing and moving process. Clicking on the “Start Moving” button gives you an overview of the different rooms in your house. You can add or remove rooms and then create a list of the different items in each room. This will come in handy when it’s time to unpack. You can also request a moving quote or make moving estimates through the app. 3. Let’s Storage As the name suggests, Let’s Storage is a storage management app that’s perfect for people who have items stored in multiple units. This program allows you to track the items you have in different storage spaces and gives you a general idea of the total storage volume you need—a feature that is bound to come in handy when requesting transportation quotes for your move. Its useful search option allows you to find and track different items—you can even sort your items based on category, name, or moving destination. 4. MoveTools Some people need a little help with their moving plans. For these individuals, MoveTools is a good fit. Created by State Farm Insurance, the app comes with a comprehensive list of things you need to do, all spread across a specific timeline. Working with the app, you’ll be able to track your completed tasks while counting down to your moving date. It also gives you the ability to create a to-do list and offers an ingenious “smart label” feature, which allows you to mark each of your boxes and check the contents without even needing to open them. 5. Suddath’s Moving Guru Need moving advice? Turn to Suddath. This iOS app comes with tons of useful tips that can help you plan your move over a 10-week period, with actionable advice offered through articles and video tips. You can use the app to find professional movers around you, as well as to create a moving estimate based on your items. And once you’ve settled into your home, it offers a convenient “We’ve Moved” feature that allows you to share that information with the contacts in your phone. 6. SmartStop Self Storage’s Inventory Tracker The problem with moving boxes is that, after a while, they all start to look the same. Oftentimes, the only difference is that some are larger than others. The SmartStop Inventory Tracker iOS app gives you a good way to track what items are where, preventing you from having to spend half your morning driving between storage facilities. Even better, this app is totally free to use. 7. Move Atlas Available on the Android and iOS platforms, MoveAtlas is a robust application that’s packed with useful resources. Not only does it feature checklists of things you need to do to prepare for your moving day, it has a separate set of checklists for the day itself. Offered free of charge, the app also comes with tons of packing tips and expert advice on how to best organize your moving schedule. The app’s tracking system also allows you to keep tab on your shipment if you use the Atlas Van Lines. 8. Moving Planner How many things do you need to deal with before your moving date? Ten? Twenty? Try more than two hundred. Moving Planner is an invaluable Android app that offers you an extensive checklist to help get these key preparation steps under control. The free moving checklist makes it easy for you to track what tasks you’ve already completed and what still needs to be handled. In addition to the default checklist, you can customize your own list for added flexibility. 9. Yelp Settling into your new home isn’t the only thing that you have to deal with – you also need to get to know your neighborhood! You’ll need to find the right schools for your kids and figure out where the best restaurants are located. And if you need to grab a pizza, it helps to know just how far away the nearest place is. This is where Yelp comes in. Available on Android and iOS, this community reviews app can help you to find the different necessities you’ll need to access around your neighborhood. With it, you’ll be able to find and choose different options for businesses and services based on the reviews left by other patrons, easing the stress of your relocation. Get the Help You Need Engineers are still a long way off from building a robot that can help take over your packing and moving preparations. But that said, there still plenty of helpful apps and resources that can ease the process. Downloading moving apps on your smartphone or tablet can make the tedious process of moving a little easier by helping you to organize your packing, catalogue where each item is stored, and get quotes from the movers near you. You’ll still need to do some of the lifting, but the burden of moving will be a little lighter. ...read more
By Self Storage Finders August 21, 2013
There’s no question that storage units are convenient. If you plan to move to a new home and want to store some of your items away in the interim, chances are that one of your first calls will be to a storage facility. Of course, the facility you choose matters. Storage units are not all created equal. For instance, not every storage unit offers climate control features, and some units restrict your hours of access. The following are some tips that will help you keep your stuff safe and sound – no matter what type of storage facility you choose – while you complete your move. Protecting Your Stored Goods Most people understand the importance of choosing a reliable storage unit. But in addition to choosing the right storage unit, you need to be careful of how you pack away your stored items—otherwise; you could very easily wreck them. The following is an overview of how to prepare different types of home items for storage: Storing Dishware Dishes do not handle rough treatment well. One wrong bump or a fall and you could end up with a carton full of broken china. Because of this, it’s vital that you take the proper precautions when packing your items. Simply lumping dishes into a box is asking for trouble. Protect each one of your fragile pieces by wrapping them with packing paper. Avoid using newspaper if you can help it; the ink may be indelibly transferred to the dishes. A cheaper alternative is to pad them with towels, cloth, or any other soft fabric found around your home. For dishes, you’ll need a stronger box than usual—something that will be able to handle the weight of the items. If you cannot find a stronger box, consider reinforcing your standard box by taping the sides and edges. If you can afford it, look for boxes with individual cells. These come in handy when you’re packing different kinds of dishes in the same box. In addition, choose several smaller boxes over one large box. Smaller boxes mean your dishes will be lighter and easier to carry, reducing the risk of your dropping them. How you arrange your items is also important. When putting the pieces in, rest each plate on its side. You can make the most of the space by nesting similar pieces together. Your cups should be placed rim down. Fill up any of the open spaces with scrunched packing paper, which will prevent your items from moving around while being carried. Storing Books Thanks to the compact size and uniform shape of books, they fit neatly into boxes—but you need to be careful how you pack them. Standing books on their ends will cause the spines to warp and bend over time. Instead, stack them flat on top of one another. Don’t pack too many books into one carton; split them into smaller boxes to make them easier to carry. Before you pack your books away, clean the dust off of each one. Leaving the dust that accumulates over months of shelf storage causes books to deteriorate faster. Check between the pages to make sure there is nothing trapped within. Left for months in a storage box, papers or markers can damage the print. It’s also important that you choose the right type of cardboard box. One of the downsides of using low quality cardboard boxes is that they tend to degrade very quickly, leaving your books exposed to the elements. Once the books are in place, fill up the empty space with packing material. Avoid packing material that contains acid or lignin, as the pH of these substances can deteriorate books. For good measure, wrap your book storage boxes in plastic wrap, especially if you are stacking them against a wall. Storing Metal Items The primary risk when storing metal items is rust and corrosion. You can prevent this by carefully cleaning each metal item before storing it away. Protect smaller items by wrapping them in plastic bags or non-acidic tissue paper. If you have a larger metal object, have it rubbed down with a little oil before covering it with wrapping material. Handling Electrical Equipment Take pains to store your appliances carefully. Most types of electrical equipment are sensitive to humidity and fluctuating temperatures. If you still have them, the original boxes for your electronics are a good choice, as they provide an easy, compact fit for your appliances. However, if you do not have the original boxes, you can also store your appliances by packing them into cartons. If you’re packing multiple items into the same box, make sure that each item is carefully wrapped before you transfer it. Check to make sure your items are securely positioned so they don’t get damaged as a result of jostling during the transfer. Finally, for large appliances – like refrigerators or freezers – make sure that their interiors are clean and dry before packing them away. Be sure to leave the door slightly ajar to allow for circulation. Storing Furniture To preserve the beauty of your favorite furniture pieces, make sure you protect them properly. If you have any assembled pieces of furniture, disassemble the units and have the individual parts wrapped and stored in bubble wrap or paper. Group related pieces together so you don’t have to look far for them once you’ve completed your move. If you have furniture pieces with glass or sensitive surfaces, protect these by covering the fragile areas with packing paper or a sheet. Wrap the legs of your sofa with plastic wrap to protect them from scratches. Before you put your mattress away, have it wrapped in plastic. Never store a damp mattress, as this will result in the growth of mold and mildew. What to Avoid Not every item is a good fit for storage. For example, it’s generally a bad idea to store incendiary items. Things like paint, oil, diesel, or gas shouldn’t be stored with your regular household belongings. Leaving such items lying around doesn’t just put your belongings at risk—it also puts the items of other tenants whose storage units are near yours in danger. You should also consider alternative storage options for your valuable items, like jewelry or prized paintings. These items require increased security and may be more susceptible to damage within your storage unit. Final Reminders Don’t forget to clearly mark each box with its contents so that you know exactly what each carton contains. You should also note that sensitive items like clothing and furniture are best stored in a climate-controlled unit. If you can’t find a climate-controlled unit, be sure to purchase a moisture-absorbing system to protect your items from exposure to the elements. Above all, make a habit of checking your stored items regularly. This way, if any item is in danger of being damaged, you’ll spot the risk sooner (rather than when it’s too late). If you take the right steps, your items should do fine in storage—just be smart when you’re packing and loading in your items. ...read more
By Self Storage Finders August 21, 2013
Moving can be an emotional period. Part of it comes from the strain of leaving a familiar neighborhood for a new one. But in addition to the emotional aspects of the experience, moving can be quite expensive, especially if you don’t take the time to plan it out. Most people have different views on the best ways to handle a move. However, if you are looking for ways to save money while moving, the following seven tips are a great place to start. 1. Don’t Move Everything Don’t always listen to your heart. You do not have to move everything. One of the benefits of moving is that it gives you the opportunity to conduct a frank appraisal of your junk—and if you’ve been living in the same place for two or more years, there is bound to be junk. Get rid of anything you no longer need. If you haven’t used an item in over a year, or reread a magazine since you bought it, it’s probably going to stay unused. Don’t forget that the more items you carry with you, the more you’ll spend on moving or storage. Downscaling your load also gives you a way to raise some money for your move. The weekend before your moving date, you can hold a yard sale to get rid of some of your things. If you plan to do this, make sure you set aside enough time to plan for the yard sale, so it doesn’t affect your moving schedule. 2. Move During Low-Traffic Windows If you have the opportunity, schedule your move date to fall in the middle of the month. Most people move at the start and end of the month, which means moving companies have a lot of business during that time period. Most people also prefer to move on a weekend. If you schedule your move for an odd time—in the middle of the week and the middle of the month—you will have less competition from other moving customers and will be in a better position to negotiate lower rates. For the same reason, moving between the months of October and March can help you trim your expenses. Fewer people move outside of the spring and summer months. If you don’t have a deadline to meet, waiting until this time comes could earn you significant discounts. 3. Avoid Last-Minute Moves Trying to plan a move at the last possible second is the surest way to rack up a large bill. You’ll end up paying more for almost everything. The moving company will cost more. You’ll pay more for boxes, and you’ll have very little time to plan. To save money, it’s best to start planning your move at least a month in advance. Among other things, this will give you time to shop for quotes from different movers. 4. Take Advantage of Tax Deductions Not everyone is eligible for a moving expense deduction. To qualify for this tax break, you must be moving to a location where the distance between your home and workplace is at least 50 miles greater than it was before you moved. It sounds a lot more complicated than it actually is. This means that if you had to travel 10 miles every day to get to the office from your old home, your job would now need to be at least 60 miles (50 plus 10) from your new home for you to benefit from the tax deduction. If your job falls within this description, be sure to save the proper documents to demonstrate your eligibility. 5. Don’t Pay For Boxes Unless You Have To During a move, you need boxes. That’s a given. But there’s no rule that says you have to buy them. Most people buy cardboard boxes from moving companies, and that’s a good thing. The boxes sold by moving companies are strong, resilient, and have low pH levels, so they don’t affect your items. But if you can’t afford to buy boxes from a moving company, there are other ways to find them. There are plenty of boxes available, but the key is to pick resilient ones. You will find discarded double-walled cardboard boxes at laboratories and hospitals—they’re used for shipping medical supplies. Other great places to look for boxes include restaurants and bookstores. And if you live close to a recycling plant, try paying them a visit as well. 6. Consider Pods Moving doesn’t always have to involve trucks. If you have a limited number of items to move, consider using a storage pod. Pods can save you a lot of money. You simply have them dropped off outside your home, load them up, and then have them carted to your destination. You can save even more if you load the pods yourself. 7. Get Friends to Help Instead of hiring moving professionals, get friends and family members to help you out on moving day. It will save you money and make the moving process a lot more fun. You don’t have to pay friends, but you can reward their efforts with ice-cold lemonade or the promise of a meal. The Bottom Line Even with all these tips, it’s still important that you find a good moving company—one that won’t try to trick you by racking up the bill on made-up services. Before you choose a company, review its past performance. Check its Better Business Bureau profile to see if there have been any complaints lodged against the company, and if so, in what areas. But ultimately, don’t focus on the price alone. Look for companies that offer reliable service. The last thing you want is to settle for a cheap moving company and end up in your new home with several boxes of broken china and damaged electronics. If the company can’t get the job done, it won’t matter how much you saved. ...read more
By Self Storage Finders August 21, 2013
A storage shed provides a place to store tools and landscaping supplies. There are manufactured sheds available from most home improvement stores that can be assembled within hours, or you can purchase all of the materials to build your own design. ...read more
Storage unit businesses are increasing all around the world. There are many situations where putting items into traditional storage or temperature controlled storage is necessary. Items can be kept save for a few months, or even several years. Here are a few tips on how to value personal storage. ...read more
