Tips for Using Self Storage Before a Long Trip

Do you have plans to travel the world? Traveling gives you a chance to disconnect but planning long-term travel can also be a big hassle. In particular, deciding what to do with your belongings while you’re gone can be stressful. The last thing you want to do is store your belongings in an unsecured basement only to return and find you’ve been the victim of burglary or water damage.

A self storage unit can give you a secure way to store personal belongings and keep them safe until you come home. The following tips will help you rent a storage unit before you head out on your next adventure.

Only Store What You Want to Keep

Many people make the mistake of storing items they don’t really want. Not only is this a waste of time, it also costs more money as you end up renting a larger storage unit than you need. Before you even rent storage, take the time to go through your belongings and decide what you actually want and what you can either sale, donate, or throw away. Downsizing will help you get rid of clutter and save money on the storage unit itself.

Choose a Secure Facility

The whole reason behind getting a storage unit instead of storing boxes in your garage is the security and safety. Don’t go with the first self storage company you find or the one that’s closest to your house. Take the time to research facilities and look for value over just the price. You want your belongings to be safe during your travels so you should look for a self storage facility with good security, cleanliness, and the options you need. The facility should have security cameras and lighting as well as individual door locks and alarms.

Ask about the type of storage units you can rent as climate controlled storage may be important, depending on your area and what you plan to store. Remember that electronics, wood, instruments, paper, leather, clothing, and many other items can get damaged by extreme temperatures and humidity. Climate controlled storage works by keeping the unit within a safe temperature range with an HVAC system.

Prepay for the Unit

You can usually prepay for the storage unit when you sign your contract or pay online through the facility’s website. Always pay in advance to eliminate any chance that you will forget to pay the lease while you’re off seeing the world. You don’t want to come home to find out that the storage company auctioned off your property because you forgot the bill for a few months!

Stay Organized

No one wants to come home from a vacation to be left digging through dozens of boxes trying to remember where everything is. Take the time to carefully organize them pack your belongings as you load them into the storage unit. Make sure all boxes are carefully labeled so you know where everything is when it’s time to unpack. Be sure to store heavy boxes on the bottom and consider adding a shelving system to the back of your storage unit to store fragile or oddly-shaped items.

Keeping your belongings secure and safe in a self storage facility can go a long way toward giving you the stress-free vacation you’re dreaming of. Do what you can to take care of as many details as possible before leaving — including downsizing, protecting your items, and prepaying the rent — to avoid any surprises when you get home.