Helpful Articles
The Best Packing Tips for Moving|Ten Smart Reasons For Renting a Self Storage Space|Solve Your Space Problems With Self Storage Units|Find a Moving Truck That Best Meets Your Needs|Advantages of a Climate Controlled Self Storage Unit|How Much Do Storage Units Cost? |Self Storage Facilities: Practical Solutions While RenovatingThe Best Packing Tips For Moving
Even if you’re just moving down the street, the prospect of packing up your entire household can be daunting. It’s so stressful that many people put it off until the last possible minute, which is a recipe for disaster. Instead of letting anxiety and dread take over, make this move the best one yet by taking an organized approach to your packing. While not an easy task, it’s much more bearable when you break it down into three stages. Let the experts at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage help you.
Stage 1: The Seldom-Used Stuff
Whether you’re packing up over a period of hours or weeks, this category includes everything that you won’t need any time soon—and probably haven’t used in months. In fact, some of it may still be in boxes from your last move! This includes off-season clothing, seasonal decorations, old photo albums, financial records from the past decade, that fondue set that’s been sitting there since your wedding…you get the picture. Anything that you haven’t touched in at least two months—and that you won’t need within the next couple of weeks—makes it into this category.
Stage 2: The Need-It-Soon Stuff
You can pack these things a day or two in advance to make moving day easier and less chaotic. Need-it-soon stuff includes all of the items that you generally need on a daily basis but can live without for a day or two. For example: your clothes. Pack everything up except one or two changes of clothes. Kitchen items tend to fall into this category as well. When you’re in the midst of organizing yourself for a move, you probably won’t be doing much cooking—delivery, please!—so pack up your pots and pans, silverwear, plates, glasses, etc. For the day or two when you’re in between houses, use paper plates and disposable utensils.
Stage 3: The Need-It-Now Stuff
You shouldn’t pack items in this category until the day of your move.
Some need-it-now may stuff may include hygiene items, pet supplies, a change of clothes, daily prescription medication—and don’t forget to leave a roll of toilet paper. It’s always a necessity. Also, remember to leave a vacuum and other cleaning supplies so you can do a once-over before turning your house over to its next occupants.
Your boxes should be loaded into your moving van in the above order as well, with seldom-used stuff in back and need-it-now stuff in front. This way, you won’t have to dig around for immediate necessities in a hot (or cold) moving van.
More tips for a stress-free move:
- If you have time—and you should, unless your boss told you to report for duty in another state tomorrow—weed out your possessions either before or as you pack. In addition to the moving boxes you’ve got set up, make two additional piles: toss and donate. Haven’t used that camping gear in…well…ever? Donate that and any other usable items to a charitable organization. Some stuff is beyond redemption, however, and there’s no use dragging it to your next house. Just dump it.
- Not having enough boxes on hand leads to delays and promotes frustration. Double whatever number of boxes you think you’ll need, and about a week before your move (or earlier if you can motivate yourself to get started), designate one room to store boxes and other packing material.
- You can buy boxes, of course, but if you want to save a few bucks, hit up area grocery stores and ask if you can have their empty boxes. They may be flattened already, but that actually makes them easier to transport. And it takes just seconds to reassemble them at home.
- In a pinch, you can use kitchen linens to cushion breakables. Place pot holders between layers of glasses and wrap fragile items in hand towels and cloth napkins. Bonus: you won’t have to wash newsprint off of everything when you reach your destination.
- Mark every box carefully—on top and on at least two sides—using a two-step approach. First, identify the room or area where the box should be delivered (“kitchen,” for example). Then, indicate what the box actually contains (“pots and pans”). This way it’s easy for the movers to quickly determine where to dump the box, but it also lets you know whether you need to open it right away or sometime next week.
- Make a concerted effort to either eat or toss the majority of items in your fridge and freezer. Depending on how far you’ll be moving, it can be tough to keep cold things cold on a moving truck.
- Pack and load the truck so that you can put some of your items directly into storage, rather than having to sort them and move them again once you reach the destination. Load the storage items in the truck first, so that you can unload the destination items before the storage items, and then
If after reading the above guide, you are still unsure of what your truck rental requirements are, ask for the assistance of the personnel at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage, at 866 727-7276 or 954 428-6969.
Ten Smart Reasons For Renting a Self Storage Space
When your belongings overflow your house, sometimes it's just best to get rid of what you don't need. There are times, though, when you don't want to part with certain possessions, but it would be convenient to have them out of the way for a while.
Here are ten valid reasons why you may want to consider renting a self-storage space:
1. When you are in the process of moving to a new home and you don’t have room for your valuable collectibles and they may not fit in your new home. What better way to protect your valuables than storing at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage. All spaces are 100% climate controlled with direct drive-up access.
2. You currently have your house on the market for sale and want to de-clutter your home to ensure potential buyers can see all the beauty in your home. Why not put the things you don’t need in boxes and bring them to Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage. We will make sure your belongings are safe and secure until you are ready to bring them back home.
3. How about those things you only need during certain times of the year, like Christmas decorations. Are they taking up room in your garage only to be pulled out for 3 weeks during the year? Bring them to Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage in Coconut Creek Florida.
4. Do you have a spare bedroom that is filled to the ceiling with boxes or files that you keep for tax reasons and rarely need access to? Each year you keep adding more boxes and none leave? What if you have guests that what to come to visit and you have to send them to a hotel? A better option is to put those boxes in self storage at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage.
5. When you are repairing, remodeling, or repainting your home, it's a lot easier if you aren't tripping over stuff or constantly having to move it out of the way. Consider renting a storage unit to hold them until your project is finished.
6. During times of family crisis and a beloved one passes on, many times there are entire homes filled with furniture that you can’t bear to part with. Self storage can ease the stress during these difficult times by putting the valuables in storage until the family can determine the next steps.
7. As your family grows, you may have outgrown baby clothes, cribs, walkers, strollers, toys and other equipment you want to save for the next child. Storing them in a locker keeps them safe and out of the way until the next child grows into them.
8. Are you a small business owner who is paying a costly price for your retail rent? Why pay the higher cost of retail space to store boxes when you could be using that space to expand your business. Bring all those boxes to our 100% climate controlled self storage facility at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage in Coconut Creek Florida.
9. Are you parking your car in the driveway because you just don’t have enough room in your garage? Self storage can take care of your over stuffed garage. Bring the boxes to Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage in Coconut Creek Florida.
10. Collectors or hobbyists may find they have run out of available space at home. Renting a small self-storage unit can give you the little extra space you need, and keep your collectibles or hobby supplies handy for when you want them.
Find a Moving Truck That Best Meets Your Needs
With increasingly high transportation costs, more people are choosing to move themselves when they need to relocate. Moving a home or office requires a lot of planning and one of the most integral components is the moving truck. Getting a good bargain on a moving truck can really help keep costs down. Read the following for some useful advice on how to rent a moving truck.
The cost of a moving truck can be calculated and estimated on a number of factors which includes the size of the vehicle and the distance you will be driving it. Nationwide companies may charge a little more than your local moving truck rental company, but they offer hundreds or thousands of locations, which makes one way rentals possible. All you need to do is to keep the factors of reliability and safety of your goods in mind. Whether you are planning to do a local move or interstate move – the moving truck must perform when you need it to. After all, the prompt delivery and safety of your goods is what you’re striving for. To rent a good moving truck you can always refer to local directories and even browse online sites that detail moving truck rentals. No matter which company you go with, the steps for renting a moving truck will be as follows.
Select a moving truck size. With a variety of sizes and rates offered by moving truck companies, you must first decide what size moving truck you need. After all, the primary factor determining the cost of the rental truck is the size of the truck. Common truck sizes offered by the major moving truck rental companies are 8’, 16’, and 24’. Of course you want to rent a truck that will hold all of your belongings, but renting a truck that is too large just wastes money. If you are moving locally, keep in mind that you may have to make more than one trip with your moving truck.
Estimate the cost. The cost of renting a moving truck is usually comprised of four factors: truck rental rate, mileage rate, insurance, and fuel. The low rental rates you see advertised are just part of the overall cost you will incur by renting a moving truck. Rental rates are typically quoted on a per day basis. However, you will almost certainly have to pay an additional fee based on how many miles you drive the truck. These rates may seem low, such as 19 cents per mile, but really add up for longer hauls. Of course you must fuel the moving truck, and with most trucks getting around 10 miles per gallon, this component of the total cost will be significant. The final fee you may choose to pay is for insurance. Paying this ensures that you will not be financially liable for the truck or other vehicles in the event of an accident. Remember that weekdays are comparatively cheaper as compared to weekends and similarly summers are more expensive than winters when renting a moving truck.
Make the reservation. Most moving truck reservations are made online these days. The major companies have easy to navigate websites that provide rates for different size trucks and for local and one-way moves. You will be required to leave a deposit in order to confirm the reservation. A word of caution is necessary here - when you do make a reservation for a moving truck, what you are actually reserving is a rate, not a truck. I’ve moved numerous times over the past ten years and several times I have arrived to get the truck only to realize that they didn’t have the truck I reserved. In most cases they had a larger size truck than the one I wanted, but in one case they didn’t have a truck for me at all. As you can imagine this was a major inconvenience for me on the day I was supposed to move out of my apartment. I won’t mention the name of the company, but I will say I had to haul all of my belongings by another method.
Pick up the truck. When you go to pick up the moving truck, you must show your drivers license and sign the rental documentation. Remember that large moving trucks have a larger turning radius than the car you probably drive on a daily basis. So be sure to leave room to keep from plowing into other vehicles, etc. Also remember the truck will be much taller than your car, so don’t visit any drive-through windows with short clearances.
It’s best to do a bit of research first. Get quotes from different companies on the rental rate and mileage cost, and then decide which company is the best for your move. Keep in mind that all moving trucks are not created equal. Some companies maintain fleets much better than others, so look for a company that has newer trucks. This will make your move easier and more comfortable. Finding a good moving truck rental company gives you peace of mind and allows for an easier relocation whether it is an office or home furniture and household items.
Tip 1: Once you have the above information, do some searching with the moving companies’ name online and see if you can find any customer service reviews. Remember the cheapest moving truck may not always be the best way to go. If your truck breaks down during your move, the rental company will bring you a new truck to use, but you must transfer all of your belongings from the old truck to the new. The rental company will not help with moving your belongings at all. Lastly, make sure you have the phone number of the rental truck company should anything go wrong on the moving day.
Tip 2: Renting a hand truck and furniture pads to help with your move are a really good idea. These items can greatly speed the moving of boxes and heavy furniture as well as protect your valuable furniture during transport.
If after reading the above guide, you are still unsure of what your truck rental requirements are, ask for the assistance of the personnel at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage, at 866 727-7276 or 954 428-6969.
Advantages of a Climate Controlled Self Storage Unit
Simply put, Climate Control means just what it sounds like. The environment in which your possessions are stored is in some manner controlled to either reduce or increase heat as necessary and should also include humidity control. Simply controlling the temperature does not protect artwork, clothing, paperwork or furniture from damage due to humidity. Read on to learn what you should know about climate control and why you should store your possessions and vehicles with Safe and Secure Automated Self Storage.
Not all Climate Control Storage Facilities comply with the strict regulations that Safe and Secure Automated Self Storage follows. We are committed to going the extra mile to assure our Guests that their stored possessions and vehicles are properly maintained in a fully air conditioned and de-humidified environment with less than 55% relative humidity and an air conditioned storage temperature range of between 60-75 degrees. Our automated system utilizes both inner and outer doors to constantly maintain the climate control aspect of our storage, as it delivers our guest’s belongings and automobiles to them at street level. In addition, we do so while maintaining our commitment to operating an eco-friendly property, and are in compliance with the stringent guidelines of LEED Silver Certification.
Why Do We Need It?
Climate–Controlled Storage has become a necessity for many families and businesses throughout the United States and South Florida is certainly no exception. In fact residents and business owners here in South Florida require even more climate-controlled storage space; meaning de-humidified and air conditioned storage due to the following facts:
- We have no basements or below ground storage, which provides a type of climate control storage for people in other states.
- We have few attics in general (and I don’t mean crawl spaces), and even fewer that offer stand up access and air conditioned storage, let alone de-humidified storage to properly store our belongings.
- We have hurricanes –Your belongings and automobiles should not only be kept in air conditioned storage and de-humidified storage, but should also be in a hurricane proof storage structure.
- We have extreme heat and humidity, which has a direct bearing on the lifetime of items that we store, such as holiday lights & electronics, photographs, important papers, furniture and clothing. Properly climate-controlled storage protects your belongings from excessive humidity and heat, which can lead to extensive damage to your belongings and vehicles.
What to Ask…
The following things are important to know, when securing climate controlled storage:
- What is the temperature range that is and will continue to be maintained in your climate-controlled space?
- Does the warehouse have devices, such as PC interface to monitor storage conditions, including temperature and humidity to ensure that your items are always in a climate-controlled state?
- What happens if the temperature or humidity deviates from the acceptable range? Is there an alarm or some type of notification to the facility operators to ensure rapid repair and maintenance of all aspects of their climate control program?
- What if the power is lost? In South Florida – your facility should have a backup generator that ensures continued climate control of your space – for a number of days. In addition, their disaster plan should include additional resources to ensure that the generator can be fueled in order to maintain air conditioned storage and de-humidified storage for longer periods of time, if necessary.
For more detailed information, or if you have questions about climate-controlled storage and climate-controlled automobile storage, contact a Storage Specialist at Safe and Secure Automated Self Storage by calling (954) 428-6969 or emailing info@safesecure.com.
How Much Do Storage Units Cost?
Even though the average home size in our country has increased over the past 20 years we are a consumer driven country and still find the need to put our extra valuables in self storage. It may seem crazy, but as our home sizes have increased so have our possessions. There are many reasons why we need self-storage (check out the article “Ten Reasons For Renting Self-Storage), but how do you know what the best price is to make sure you are getting the value that is appropriate.
There are self storage facilities that only offer standard self storage without climate controlled units and some that offer both. Almost all of the facilities that offer climate controlled storage you access your unit through an elevator and down a hallway. That is not the case at Safe & Secure Automated Self-Storage! NO MORE ELEVATORS AND HALLWAYS! Where else can you find every single space in a self-storage building that is 100% climate controlled (fully air-conditioned) with drive-up access right to YOUR storage door… in Coconut Creek Florida, only at Safe & Secure Automated Self-Storage. Our extremely large fully covered loading bay area will keep you cool and dry while you are accessing your self storage unit. Constant climate control and convenient drive-up, ground-level access makes every unit prime space. Easy drive-in forward/drive-out forward entry avoids backing into unit. Multiple loading bays, as well as a fully enclosed and air-conditioned private access area. You have to see this self-storage facility to believe it! Come by and see our self storage facility in Coconut Creek Florida.
Because the rates will vary based on the type of access to your unit, is it climate controlled, non climate controlled, drive up access, access through an elevator and a hallway, or outdoor parking. What type of security and access control is provided at the facility? What is the neighborhood like where the facility is located? All these factors will determine the cost you will likely pay for the unit. Below are a few points to remember as you determine the best value for self storage:
• Do you want your goods to be stored in a facility with extra security like security cameras, electronic gates, access to the building?
• What size unit will you need? Do you only have enough belongings to fit in a closet? If that's the case, the smallest unit will suffice. You will need a larger unit. If you have most of belongings from your house. Some people choose a large unit, only to find out that if they stack things carefully, they have more room than they need. This situation can be avoided by organizing your stuff before you procure your storage unit.
• Will you be needing convenient loading and unloading? Remember at Safe & Secure Automated Self-Storage every single unit is drive up climate controlled self storage. Visit the self-storage property to determine how far you will have to cart your storage items. Some self-storage properties have hallways as long as 200 feet!
After you've completed these steps, you should have a good idea of the unit size needed, the amenities you want, and the best price per month. Before you sign any lease or rental agreement, be sure to read the fine print. If you have to move your stuff out of the unit, you want to make sure that you will not pay some kind of penalty fee.
If after reading the above guide, you are still unsure of what your storage requirements are, ask for the assistance of the personnel at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage, at 866 727-7276 or 954 428-6969.
Self Storage Facilities: Practical Solutions While Renovating
Are you in the process of remodeling your home? Are you one of the unfortunate home owners dealing with the Chinese drywall issue? If so, the use of self storage will be a life saver for you. Instead of leaving your valuable household goods in your home during renovation causing you to move things back and forth from one room to another it is much easier to bring them to a self storage facility until the renovation is complete. The team at Safe & Secure Automated Self-Storage is available to help you determine the appropriate space to meet your needs.
A few things to consider as you determine the best self storage solution for your needs:
Climate controlled self-storage units
This is essential to protect your furniture and valuable collections from mildew and fungi, during the storage period. So evaluate the ventilation and climate control features. Will you have control over your storage environment?
Insurance
Does the self storage facility provide you with insurance or do you have to buy a separate insurance cover? It is best to check before signing the lease deed.
Security in the storage facility and storage units
If you want to store precious heirlooms and valuable collections, its best to go with a ultra modern self storage facility with state of art security systems.
Moving Truck
Check with the self storage facility to see if they have moving trucks available to help you with your move. It is better to be prepared while packing and organizing your belongings inside the self storage unit.
Handy tips for organizing your valuables and boxes in a self storage facility:
Judge your storage requirements and discard anything you really don’t need:
You need to sort out the essential items that need storage and throw out the junk so that you rent the space for storing what you really want to keep. You will save money by renting out less space and then time when you resettle the house.
Packing and storage inside the storage unit:
Put the heavy unbreakable items be on the floor and pile up the fragile items on the top. Disassemble and store large furniture and appliances to save on space. It is better to store goods in completely covered locked boxes to keep them away from dust and mildew.
As renovation might take some time, it is better to have everything safe, stored and out of the way. After the renovations are done, just arrange to get back your boxes put your home back together again.
If after reading the above guide, you are still unsure of what your self storage unit size should be – take your inventory with you and ask for the assistance of the personnel at Safe & Secure Automated Self Storage, at 866 727-7276 or 954 428-6969.
