Interactive Help When You Need It
If you are new to renting a storage unit, you might be brimming with questions from the very start. New customers often wonder what size of storage space is best for their needs, what they need to do if they want to upgrade, and how to handle vacating paperwork. While it is true that kiosks can run 24/7 and offer a lot of automated information, nothing quite compares to talking with a real person who innately understands facility policies.
Resident managers are typically available around the clock, because they live on-site in facility-owned apartments. If you are moving from another state and have no idea what time you will arrive, a simple ring of a doorbell will put you face to face with someone who can help you to take care of your rental paperwork.
Resident managers are also able to offer valuable advice about choosing unit sizes, saving people from renting spaces that are bigger than what they need. If any problems arise during the course of your rental experience, resident managers can talk with you about your options, place service calls, or help you to troubleshoot the problem when it occurs.
Site Security
While it is unlikely that your storage unit will be burglarized, it isn't unheard of in the storage industry. In 2012, which is the last year data has been collected on the subject, 8.9% of storage facilities reported some kind of theft. Although this number might not seem significant, further reports have shown that theft is typically underreported in the storage industry, which is why having on-site managers looking out for trouble is such a valuable asset.
Resident managers are typically required to perform daily, or even hourly, checks of the facility to make sure everything is running accordingly. Since managers have one-on-one contact with all new renters, they are more likely to notice someone who doesn't belong and can contact the authorities if something seems awry.
Some facilities even ask their managers to perform daily lock checks, making sure that each unit has the same lock as the day before. This added security measure helps to ensure that someone doesn't access the unit, remove someone else's lock and replace it with one of their own. By using special stickers that are placed on the lock during move-in, managers can identify new locks, significantly improving site security.
Additional Services Offered
In addition to looking out for trouble and always being on hand to answer your questions, having resident managers on-site also gives customers the chance to enjoy other services, such as more flexible payment options, on-site fax service, and even other perks like being able to buy packing supplies or rent a moving truck.
Some storage facilities with on-site managers can even accept commercial deliveries, for smaller businesses who might be using a storage unit to house their inventory. While a kiosk might not be able to sign for a new shipment, resident managers can grant access to delivery personnel, allowing businesses to operate even when owners aren't available.
When you are ready to rent a storage unit, stop by The Attic Self Storage. With resident managers who are available 24/7 to give you a hand, renting storage space has never been easier. Our facility only consists of easily accessible ground units with 10-foot ceilings, and we focus on site cleanliness and security every day. To learn more about our available storage spaces, visit our website or come by our office.
Sometimes life throws unwanted curveballs. The weather may take an unexpected turn for the stormy on your planned moving day, or you may just have a short window of time to move your stuff from your home into storage. No matter what your situation may be, follow these tips when you need to move your things into storage during rainy weather.
Create a Moving Plan and Checklist
Managing any move requires careful planning. That's especially important when you're moving in bad weather. You need to be aware of which tasks you must complete for a successful move. Consider whether it's worthwhile to go through previously packed boxes to try to reduce your possessions. Otherwise, you may plan to move boxes you packed years ago directly into storage.
As part of the plan, also outline how you can realistically complete each moving task promptly to avoid spending extra time in the rain. For example, if your car has a carport or garage, you may need to clear those areas first. They can be very useful for completing moving tasks in the rain.
Consider Having a Preparation Party
Helping with a move is a duty most people take on in the name of friendship. You don't need to call it a party to enlist the help of your friends and family members. However, you can liven things up for everyone if you throw a preparation party for moving in the rain. It's not all fun and games, but the party perks can help hard-working friends feel appreciated.
Since moving in bad weather may present logistical problems that you need to solve on short notice, the preparation party is a solution that may work for all. Offer something fun during and after the work. For example, you may offer your guests snacks during breaks in the work. Also, you may plan to order pizza and drinks after you complete the moving preparation tasks.
Be specific about what you are asking friends to do at the party before extending an invite. For example, you may ask for help covering all your furniture in plastic and taping the plastic coverings securely over the furniture. Letting people know what to expect in advance will help prevent conflict and confusion.
Cover Walkways if Possible
If it's possible to cover the walkway from your front door to your vehicle, do so. It's best to move your items from the house to the car without risking damage from the rain. Otherwise, try to keep the walkway as dry as possible. If friends and family members are helping you, try to give them jobs that don't require them to walk in the rain or on slippery walkways.
Exercise caution when you're walking on walkways during the rain. Keep in mind that the walking surfaces are likely to be slippery. Even a few steps from your front door to the moving van can be risky. Move slowly and take your time when it's raining. Watch your step. Wear shoes that provide traction. Also, it's wise to layer and wear a bulky coat.
Start Moving Your Things as Early as Possible
If inclement weather is expected throughout the day, afternoon, and evening, try to move as early as possible. That way, you have it out of the way and avoid the possibility of worsening weather. Pay close attention to what's going on around you. Wear sunglasses during the early moving move to help you see things clearly. Be aware of each step you take.
Finally, if you have questions about packing, moving, and storing your items, contact The Attic Self-Storage. Whether you're planning to store a few belongings or the contents of a house, we offer a wide variety of storage options to fit your needs.
If you need help making the decision and executing it, there could be an easy way to overcome your difficulties. You could engage in self-storage.
How can self-storage help you through the downsizing process? Here are three ways.
Run a Trial
If you're feeling "on the fence" when it comes to getting rid of a lot of your things, a test of your new lifestyle can be just what you need. Self-storage units allow you to remove items from your home without actually having to sell or donate them. You can try out how living without certain items feels while knowing that you can always change your mind.
Depending on how much you want to downsize your living situation - whether you want to find a smaller house or move into a tiny home - you could simply pack up a lot of items you use infrequently or pack up one of the rooms you'll lose. If you really want to pare down, you'll want to rent a larger storage unit (or even two medium-sized ones) and pack in nearly everything you don't use each and every day.
The good news is that if you decide that living without your things isn't right for you, you've made no permanent changes. You can simply restore your things, cancel the rental agreement and walk away confident in your decision.
Act Now
Some people have considered the idea of downsizing for years without ever being able to do it. If this description fits you, there could be a number of things holding you back. You may not be able to make time to sort through your belongings. Or you may not know exactly what to do with them all. And some families just cannot agree on what to discard.
Any of these problems can be resolved easily by putting things into a storage unit and immediately placing yourself in the position to downsize right now. Once you've moved to a smaller home, you're unlikely to bring most things back into the house, and so you'll be more motivated to deal with items as you collect them.
Act Gradually
Finally, storing extra stuff can give you the space to figure out what you need to do with everything over time. If your place and your life are full and complicated, clearing a lot of things out of your house may give you the breathing room you need to make the best decision. You will then have the time to find the best homes for your stuff.
If downsizing is hard for you or your kids, start slower by emptying out a little-used room, such as a formal dining room or guest room. Inventory what you put in the storage facility and place pieces you're likely to sell in a prominent and accessible location. Turn the storage unit into a staging area where you have the room and objectivity to decide on the best plan for each thing.
Keys to Remember
If using self-storage is right for your family, look for a convenient facility that's on a route you regularly use. This will help you feel free to drop things off and make finding items you end up needing easier. Look for a unit that's a little larger than you think you'll need so that you have time to grow or to move around comfortably.
The Attic Self-Storage offers a variety of unit sizes so you can pick just the right one for you. Give us a call to start your grand adventure in downsizing today.
