Long term storage is not something everyone has to think about, but when you have to move across the country, want to adopt the nomad lifestyle, or have any other event that requires the need for long term storage, you could have concerns about the type of storage you need, how to box or pack your items or what type of things you should store.
Deciding on what to do with your stuff while you are away from home for months or years can be difficult. And the last thing you want to do is worry about your belongings while you are on an RV trip or backpacking across Europe.
Depending on your situation, it might make more sense to let your residence go and pack up your belongings so you can store them in one of the storage units available at a self-storage facility.
Actually, there are more than a few benefits to using a storage unit to keep all of your stuff for an extended length of time. But before you gather up everything and take off for your nearest storage center and rent one of the storage units, you should look at these 5 long-term storage tips first.
Determine Your Needs
If you are going to take up the nomad lifestyle, you need to make a plan and take care of the belongings you want to keep first. Look around and determine how much of your stuff you are going to store while you are away. This is an important step as it will determine the size of the storage unit you will need. Depending on your belongings and their value, you will need to choose the size of the unit and whether you want climate-controlled storage space or an unsecured outdoor unit.
Declutter, Seriously
If you actually take the time to go through your stuff piece by piece, you will realize you actually don’t need them all in your life. If you have some things at home that have been left untouched for years, the chances are you probably won’t need them in the next few years too. If you are going to take up the nomad lifestyle, you need to get rid of what you don’t want. There are many ways around it. You can sell your items online. You can donate to the people who need them. If there are valuable items that you cannot give away, you can send them to relatives, and ask them to keep the items because you know they will be useful while you’re away. Pack them properly especially if they are items that are perishable or sensitive to heat.
Pack Carefully
Pack things carefully to ensure they remain safe in the unit. Take the time to wrap things and pack them well. Make sure your breakables are carefully packed and boxes are secured. When storing your stuff make sure you place furniture up off the floor and boxes secured with tape.
Look for Climate Control for Household Items
Household items are climate-sensitive. Wood, electronics, paper, photos need to be stored in a climate-controlled unit. It is a more expensive unit but your belongings won’t deteriorate due to heat, humidity and weather conditions.
Get Storage Insurance
Add insurance for the things you store while you are traveling. Research storage insurance and check to see what is required to qualify for the insurance. Make sure your insurance covers your belongings.
Ask Someone To Check on Your Belongings
Ask someone who lives nearby to visit your storage unit and check on it. The person needs to have access to the unit and be able to ship items to you if needed while you are away.
Set Up Autopay
Set your self-storage bill to autopay while you are away. You can set your bank’s bill pay feature to pay the rent and that way you won’t have to always remember to pay it on time.
Bottom Line
Although you probably want to avoid long-term storage, there are times when there is no getting around it. Whether you are moving temporarily to a job abroad, to an apartment while you are renovating your home, or moving to another state, you want to keep some things for the future. Preparation is the name of the game, so by following these tips you can make the experience a swifter and more efficient one.
