Your Most Reliable Mississauga Moving Company
Moving is a draining feat on its own; now, add to the burden of decluttering, especially if you are downsizing your house. Places of residence often reflect your personality; sometimes, parting with belongings or generational antiques can be emotional. But what if you do not need to give up any of your prized possessions even if you shift to a smaller place? You can opt for a short-term or long-term storage option! Certainly, the idea of storage facilities raises a lot of questions. But this blog ensures you are walked through the details so you are well aware of all the potential options.
As the name suggests, short-term storage refers to storing your belongings for a short time, typically lasting from a few days to months. Usually, there is a transitionary period between leaving a place and moving to another. In these cases, a short-term storage facility comes in handy.
Similarly, in times of home renovation and revamping, decluttering your space by availing of storage services can prove helpful, all while ensuring your belongings are safe from dust, debris, or potential damage. Even if you are a college student living in the dorms, a short-term storage facility can make your life easier, saving you the hassle of packing and taking your belongings back and forth every semester!
Here’s why it’s a good idea to get short-term storage.
Short-term storage typically comes with flexible terms, which allow you to adjust the duration according to your needs. You may also be able to select a flexible size option. Whether you require a storage facility about the size of a small closet or you need some place to fit four bedrooms’ worth of stuff, it can all be arranged.
The distinctive feature of short-term storage options is the time constraint, so they are naturally intended to be efficient and easily accessible. Some facilities even offer storage services with minimal time for heads-up!
Here comes one of the most crucial determinants: cost. Your perfect storage option is the one that fits within your budget while serving the purpose you intend.
You can rest assured that your belongings will be well-protected with surveillance, gated access, and alarms, ensuring their safety.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind when opting for short-term storage.
⭕ Even for a short time, your belongings need to be kept in a safe and secure space, so look for storage facilities that value security and transparency.
⭕ Go for services that come with flexibility in rental agreements.
⭕ Ensure the location of the storage facility is convenient for you to access.
⭕ Always compare pricing from competitor firms to ensure you’re getting value for money.
A long-term storage option is the solution if you want to store part of your belongings for years or until an indeterminate period. It is usually chosen by people traveling for a long time because of work or other commitments to keep their treasured possessions in a secure, weather-resistant space. At certain times, many use long-term storage warehouses to keep seasonal items like winter gear or party essentials. It proves to be more suitable and reliable than self-storage options like a garden shed. A long-term storage option can also come in handy if you want to downsize or declutter your house by storing away the items you rarely use.
Here’s what makes long-term storage so desirable.
Storage facilities, especially long-term ones, have climate control protocols in place. The warehouses themselves are weather resistant, whether it be heavy snow, storms, or even unfortunate fires. So, if you choose a long-term solution to your problem of decluttering, you will not have to worry about the safety and condition of your stored belongings.
There are certain items you may refuse to part ways with; they may have sentimental values or are generational heirlooms you are in charge of. In such scenarios, long-term storage facilities preserve the integrity of the precious items and keep them safe from becoming a victim of pests and damage. Some storage facilities also offer vaults or safes to secure items of monetary value.
It is a no-brainer that opting for long-term storage options comes with discounts, which makes them more pocket-friendly. It is most definitely a better option than renewing short-term monthly contracts.
Now that we have sufficiently explored the differences and purposes of long-term and short-term storage options. Let us shift the discourse towards the types of storage facilities so we can assist you in making informed decisions.
A warehouse storage unit is essentially a large unit in which you can store a variety of items. It is typically offered by renowned storage companies, which have large buildings divided into dozens of units of different sizes.
It is one of the more temporary options, often well-suited for moving goods from one place to another in cases of relocation. Basically, it is a metal shipping container that offers up to 160 square feet of storage space. The biggest plus point to this storage option is its portability, as the storage facility providers can easily pick it up or deliver it to your relevant location.
Lock-up garages may be located near residential facilities. Typically, they are smaller enclosed spaces that can be rented to store personal or business items. The perk of these is that they could save you commute time, especially if they are near your residence, allowing you to quickly run to the storage garage in case you want something from there.
Above, we have discussed some of the most prominent storage options available. However, if none of these sound like something you are looking for, you may explore your options by directly contacting your local storage service providers.
Finally, on to the most important question: how do you pick the right storage option? Let’s quickly go over the basics together. First and foremost, you need to pinpoint why you are looking for a storage unit. Once you have your answer, whether it be a temporary relocation while your home is renovated or leaving your city for an indeterminate period, you can go over the type of things you want to store. If it is old furniture, you must disassemble it and pack it appropriately before sending it to a storage warehouse. Going for safes or lockers may be a more appropriate option for ornaments and jewelry. So, a need assessment has to be at the top of your list before you decide on your storage option.
Aside from this, it would be best to pick a storage facility close to your home. It would save you not only fuel costs but also the time and hassle of going there if need be. However, if that does not sound like a big deal, you may opt for strategic locations. Research all your local options, and maybe you will find a surprising variation in the storing unit prices based on the location! For instance, those at the heart of the city are likely to be more expensive than those at the outskirts. And, of course, the budget. Your best-suited storage option is the one that is not a burden to your wallet now, as it will be the most sustainable option in the future.
Certainly, you are not the first person to acquire a storage unit for their excess goods, and you will not be the last. So, you might as well be on the lookout for common mistakes to avoid.
Packing your items before you store them is one of the most crucial steps. Now, you cannot just shove things like old furniture down a warehouse and expect it to be damage-free over the years.
So, to avoid amateur mistakes like this, you can follow certain protocols to ensure the structural integrity of the belongings you store. Now, you may channel your spontaneity and pack your items yourself or reach out to the storage service providers to help you pack, inventory, label, and transport the items to the unit. It’s a simple, straightforward pick; let’s leave that to you.
Now, before you think of it as a reiteration of the previous point, let us convey what we mean. Not everything belongs in a storage unit, so you must sort the items. You may even need to dispose of some items, especially if you keep them, thinking you may need them someday. Hoarding stuff will not get you anywhere when the items only have perceived value. For instance, old charging cables you clung onto or the box your phone came in. Make it an unsaid rule that if you have not used an item in a year, it is useless to hoard it, as you may never use it. You may opt to give things like that away, or you may even put it up for sale – either way, the item will go to someone who truly needs it.
Always remember to label the boxes. Better yet, keep an inventory list and paste it on the relevant boxes to keep track of the items in them. Right now, it may seem redundant, but years down the lane, you will certainly forget exactly what item is in which box. In that situation, labeled boxes can come in handy and save you the hassle of ripping every box to locate one thing.
If you are in search of a reliable and secure solution to your storage needs, permanent or temporary, MPR Movers are your best option. Whether it is for your business or home, we provide a secure, private storage area for the goods you do not need right now. Our storage facility is weather-resistant or climate-controlled, which means that even in extreme weather, our storage units guarantee the safety of your belongings.
Aside from this, we at MPR Movers work to make your life easier; that is why we also offer packing services using appropriate materials like bubble wrap, boxes, packing paper, tape, etc. On top of it, we send our team with a truck to your location to do the heavy lifting and load the items onto the truck to take them to the storage facility designated for your items. We also allow you to pick a delivery date, time, and address in advance, or if you want to store items with us until an indeterminate time, that can be arranged, too!
You can count on our team of experienced personnel to handle all your items with care. Additionally, since we aim to keep our operations as customer-friendly as possible, we have a policy that only requires a 24-hour heads-up when you want to access the belongings you have stored with us!
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with MPR Movers today to get the most out of our storage services!
It can seem daunting to navigate the variety of storage options, but you are not alone. The details and insights provided in this blog are all you need to make a smart, suitable, and sustainable storage decision. Whether you are downsizing your belongings, moving to a smaller residence, renovating, visiting home after a semester, or simply choosing to declutter your house, a perfect storage solution will be waiting for you. Short-term solutions offer flexibility and convenience, while long-term solutions focus more on cost-effectiveness with discounted offers. So, you need to carefully untangle the cluster of your storage requirements by doing a need assessment. On top of all, remember to remember repeated mistakes so you do not fall victim to them. These are all the guidelines you need to embark on the journey to declutter your house and live in a stress-free, minimalistic space!
Immensely passionate for literature, Arsh-E-Bareen is a freelance writer. She writes content for many renowned firms, including this one. In her spare time, she loves to write sonnets and short stories that touch and inspire people. You can contact her on LinkedIn