Decluttering For Winter

The clocks have gone back and winter is now well and truely here! With the weather turning wetter and colder now is the time to tackle those indoor tasks that you have been putting off over the summer..... Its time to declutter! The cupboards are full and wardrobes are bursting so the first question we often get asked at storage stockport is where do I start? For this reason we have listed some tips:

Work through room by room - Trying to tackle the whole house in one go will be too demanding and if you approach it this way you will not get the task completed properly.

Be ruthless - Get rid of anything and everything you no longer use

Sort - Everything you want to keep sort out and place then where you will remember.

Preparing For Your Next Move

Moving is one of the most stressful periods so here at storage stockport we have put together some helpful tips:

Make Lists - When looking at moving we strongly recommend you make a structured list. This will help you keep ontop of things you need to do when moving and help keep you organised.

Declutter - Don't waste time moving things you don't need

Don't keep hold of it - Don't overvalue items. You need to be ruthless! If you won't use it or don't need it then bin it!

Contact your suppliers - When moving it is essential you contact all of your utility suppliers to advise them of your move.

Removal Companies - Take time to work out the cheapest and most productive way of moving your household items. In the long run hiring a van may actually cost you more due to the time you will spend loading and driving it. A specialst removal company maybe a better option.

Storing Quilts And Blankets

Handmade delicate quilts are not just for keeping you warm in the cold winter months, they can also be valuable and family heirlooms!

As time goes by the quilts age and can become very fragile, but by handling the quilts with care will prolong their lives and protect their appearance for a much longer period. Our team of experts at self storage stockport have some tips for protecting your quilts when in self storage:

1. Avoid extreme temperatures - Consider chosing a self storage facility with temperature control. Changes in temperature can damage the material of the quilt.

2. Keep insects out - Rodents and insects will totally destroy your cherished quilts

3. Store your quilts in the dark - Storing in darkness will stop the colours fading over time

Downsizing Your Home

A smaller property can help reduce your bills and offer you a more affordable lifestyle, but getting rid of your excess belongings is easier said than done! Based on our experience the experts at storage stockport have a few valuable tips:

Think before throwing away - Establish what items you don't need before getting rid of them. The last thing you want to do is throw away items you may need later down the line. Renting a self storage stockport unit will help you keep your items without taking up that much needed space in your new smaller property.

Stay on top - Start packing away your items or putting them into storage well before your move. Leaving it until the last minute will cause added stress!

Let things go - Don't hold on to things you will not need for the sake of it

Living In A Self Storage Unit

People who are struggling to make ends meat and are down on their luck may consider making a self storage unit their temporary home and residence. Its considerably cheaper than renting an apartment or booking a hotel room after all!

Believe it or not some people have tried to get away with it, but in all cases these living arrangements cause a hell of alot more trouble than they are worth. Whilst people resort to drastic measures to put a roof over their head residing in a storage unit is certainly not the way to go.

Self Storage Stockport strongly advises to avoid living in a contained storage unit not just for legal reasons, but also the potential health risks which could occur.

Storing Kitchenware

If you have ever picked up a box of damaged glass or porcelain you will know how important it is to pack and store your kitchen items with extra care . Whether you are worried about broken plates and china, smashed glasses or lost kitchen utensils read our advice on keeping your kitchenware protected.

Plates - Do not pack and store your plates and dishes on top of each other. Items such as plates should be packed on their sides.

Glasses - The best way to pack your glasses securely is to purchase specialist glass packing boxes which are made out of cardboard with separators that create separate compartments for each individual glass.

Fragile & Valuable Items - Wrap each fragile possession in some form of felt to act as protection and then further wrap the item in a layer of newspaper for that little extra protection.

Small Kitchen Utensils - Its easy to store all of your utensils in one large box however this could cause you a huge headache. Using this method will cause extra stress when looking for your items when you are ready to unpack. Storage Stockport recommend keeping all of your matching utensils together in separate boxes and packaging.

Sharing Your Self Storage Unit

If you are looking at ways to reduce your self storage Stockport costs one thing you could do is to share your unit with someone. By sharing your unit you will be splitting your rent thus reducing the overall cost.

One thing to consider is how well do you know the person you are considering sharing your storage Stockport unit with? If you rent a unit with someone who you do not know very well or who is not responsible then your belongings will not be secure.

To avoid any misunderstandings we recommend you sit down with your self storage roomate and establish clear and transparent ground rules which suit both parties before you sign your storage agreement.

Using Self Storage For Business

As well as using storage for personal and household belongings small companies are now beginning to use self storage instead of renting premises. What attracts businesses to Self Storage Stockport is the flexibility, little and short notice period and extremely low overheads removing costs such as rates, electricity and lighting.

Using self storage is perfect for seasonal businesses as it gives you choices. If your business isn't performing as required you can give one month's notice and move on. Alternatively you can down size to a smaller unit, thus reducing your overhead. On the other hand if your business expands and starts to grow you can move to a larger size unit within the same building.

The majority of storage centres are based on the outskirts of town and city centres meaning they have good transport links for delivery's coming in and out of their business. Self Storage units are the perfect base for e-commerce companies where they do not need to have a prestigious property for customers who are wanting to browse such as on the high street.

Small firms like to use storage facilities as along with reduced overheads many storage companies have a front of house reception to accept deliveries. If you need to be out and about and can't take deliveries this is no problem as the storage company will accept them on your behalf.

Questions To Ask Your Potential Storage Provider

1. Do they help you move in?

When choosing to put their belongings into storage many people don't take into consideration just how expensive removal costs can be which can prove to be a very expensive mistake. Van hire can cost anything up to £100 per day depending on the size of vehicle required, so any saving made by using storage can be countered by paying a fortune to hire a van.

Unlike many of our competitors Storage Stockport offers a free collection and delivery service or free van hire meaning there are no extra hidden costs to using self storage.

2. Is there any charge for insurance?

Some self storage centres make insurance compulsory as part of their agreement which can be expensive so check first if this is the case. Whilst in storage your items need to be insured, however this may already be covered by your existing household contents insurance policy so its worth double checking first. If this is the case then show this to your storage provider.

3. Do you need to pay a deposit?

It is certainly worth checking this before you decide which storage provider to use. Some companies ask for a months deposit up front, and then use this against you when you want to move out. It is worth noting that Self Storage Stockport don't charge a deposit at all which can be handy when money is tight.

4. Is there a charge to access your items?

If you need regular access to your items it is essential you check before renting a unit that you can get to your belongings whenever you want at no extra charge.

5. Do you get money back for unused storage days?

The majority of self storage companies charge for your storage in advance which is usually a period of 4 weeks. It is important before choosing your storage company that you read all terms and conditions to ensure you get refunded when you decide to move out if you do so before your storage period has ended. Normally you will be entitled to your refund as long as you adhere to their notice period conditions. There are however some companies who don't refund you if you move out earlier than initially expected and this can make storage expensive so it is essential to check the terms and conditions first.

6. What are their opening hours?

Not all storage centres are open 7 days a week and if you think you will need regular access to your storage unit including over a weekend it is important to chose a storage company who can cater for your needs. Some companies offer 24 hour access but with this comes a surcharge as it is expensive to have facilities open 24/7 and especially if they are manned.

7. How safe are your possessions?

Security should be one of your biggest priorities especially if storing items of value. Check what security the storage centre has in place. All modern storage facilities should have CCTV along with a red care alarm centre as a minimum.

8. How cheap is the storage?

Along with security price is also important when deciding which storage centre to use. The internet is a great place to research storage companies and help you shop around for price. Its worth calling the storage centres you have found on the internet to get them to explain their pricing structure as some can be misleading. Also don't forget to ask for discount and try and haggle!

Use Storage For Valentines Day!

With only a few days to go until Valentines day arrives it will soon be time to spoil your loved one and dedicate the weekend to showing just how special they are. With this in mind there is no better time to get something useful for that special person in your life.

It goes without saying that you will be getting them a card and maybe some flowers to celebrate the day, but have you thought about giving them a gift which would be really useful to them and that they can actually use this year?

A self storage stockport unit could be a fantastic rental purchase for you to get together on valentines day and go through all of your old possessions and memories, and get your items organised and stored in one dedicated place so you can access them quickly and when ever required. A self storage unit is not the most romantic of gifts I am not trying to say it is! However a storage unit can be more functional than you think and is certainly something to consider.

Organise your belongings

Self storage is the most efficient and organised way to store your items ensuring you utilise everything you have and may need in the not too distant future. If your better half is unorganised like me, you can make it a great excuse to get them organised and have the same mindset as you!

Safe and cheap storage

With a good spacious and secure storage unit you can store your treasured possessions safely and at an affordable expense. From the minute you rent a self storage unit you will not need to worry about where your items are and if they are secure and safe from damage and harm. Storage Centres provide high tech security features ranging from CCTV cameras to key coded entry along with regular security patrols all for an affordable fixed monthly charge.

24 7 Access

One other point to consider when using a self storage centre is you have access to your items whenever you need to get to them. There are no restrictions or rules literally visit your storage centre whenever you like whether it be day or night. All storage facilities are 100% secure and well lit giving you peace of mind if you decide in the middle of the night you need to access some of your belongings.

As you can see above renting a storage unit can be a surprisingly worthwhile and fun gift to give someone for valentines day, especially when it comes to organising and storing the possessions that really matter to you and your loved one.

Storing Items In Your Garage

The garage is the one place in the house which people tend to neglect and "dump any old rubbish". We throw our dirty trainers, boots and shoes in there along with work and sporting equipment and other bits and pieces. At times the garage can become so cluttered there is no room in there to park your car and you are often too scared to open it to face what's in front of you.

If you are anything like me then the last thing you want to do is spend half an hour looking around for the garden shovel. The team here at Storage Stockport have put together a few simple but clever tips and tricks enabling you to keep your garage clean and organised.

Create Bin Bag Holders

With some spare pieces of scrap wood you can keep your bins from taking up valuable floor space in your garage with materials you probably have "kicking about" meaning it wont cost you a penny! This also means your bin liners are easy to access and dispose of rather than having them stacked on top of each other.

Chair Storage

Again using spare scrap wood or an item which can be drilled to the wall make brackets to hang your summer chairs which helps keep them out of the way. If you garage space is small it is essential to make the most out of the walls.

Bike Shelf

If like me your families bikes are strewn on the floor then they are prone to getting damaged and dented. By holding your bike securely on the wall with a nice self made shelf it makes your bike easily accessible but also keeps it looking like new.

Screwdriver Rack

Using a piece of wood drill some different size holes into it and then with the aid of L-Brackets secure to the wall. This way you will never lose a screwdriver again...... Or have one the floor making it dangerous if you have children who want to get into the garage to get one of their items.

Wire Basket Storage

Using wall mounted wire baskets as storage makes it easier to find certain items you require with just a quick glance. Make sure nothing too heavy is put in the baskets and use them for things such as packaged food which doesn't need refrigerated storage.

Garden Area

It makes logical sense to reserve a specific area in your garage purely for your gardening items. This way you are keeping everything for your garden in one area making them easily accessible. From experience it is advantageous to have your garden area towards the front of the garage especially in the summer months.

Ladder Storage

Unless you are a tradesman and use your ladder daily it is an idea to build a couple of ceiling brackets to store your ladder and keep it out of the way until you need it.

Top Tips For Seasonal Self Storage

If you are like me and want to make your life easier throughout the year then it is important to take some time to re-arrange your belongings once a year.

As the seasons change throughout the year the items that we use most often change also. In the height of summer with the warm English weather who wants be wearing long padded coats with scarves, hats and gloves? Not me that's for sure!

Follow these tips put together by our team of experts here at Storage Stockport to enable you to easily get to the items you need for the current season whether it be winter, spring, summer or autumn.

Clothing and wardrobes

If you only make one change to organise yourself for the appropriate season then focusing on your clothes and what you wear is an absolute must! Ensuring that your current and up to date wardrobe is easy to get to is the change that's makes the biggest difference to people in their busy lives.

Move inappropriate and out of season clothes out of your wardrobes and into some drawers. If space is tight use places such as your garage or loft to store clothes that you wont be wearing until you find a use for them again....... there is nothing more frustrating than trying to hunt down that summer shirt when the sun is shining but being obstructed in your wardrobe by big winter coats and hats. If you don't have a garage or loft then a simple but effective storage place can be under your bed.

One thing to bear in mind when storing the clothes you do not require is to clean and wash them before you store them away to prevent any damage happening to them from insects such as moths.

Decorations

When storing your decorations ensure they organised so they can be accessed all year round. Store all appropriate items together based on the season i.e. any scary decor for Halloween and your Christmas tree and tinsel for the festive period. If you organise your decorations correctly then they are easy to get to an when you take them down put them back together in the same place you originally had them so you can access them quickly and easily next time that period comes around again.

It is important to label all your boxes clearly with labels facing to the front when in storage. This makes it easy to find what you are looking for. When you only use decorations once a year don't rely on your memory....... It will not be easy to remember where you have stored your child's Halloween costume from last year!

Kitchen

As the weather changes so does our eating habits. You will change places with the slow cooker and the ice-cream maker when the temperature goes from zero to red hot. Store the roasting pans for the summer weather and then bring them back out as the temperature starts to plummet.

Sporting equipment

Certain sports can only be done at certain periods of the year...... Cricket can't be played in the snow! Re-arrange your sporting equipment storage so that this seasons items are easy to get to.

Is there something we have missed? With over 20 years self storage experience we can give you advice on how to store your items appropriately so feel free to post a question or comment.

How To Survive Moving Property In Winter!

Moving in winter can be hard having to contend with freezing temperatures, ice and sometimes even snow! Due to these hazardous conditions there are some things you need to consider. If you are moving properties in the middle of winter and require storage stockport to store some of your belongings here below are our tips to help:

• Recruit Help - Hiring a professional removal company or taking advantage of our FREE collection service is the safest way to go and saves you from a risk of injury due to slippery conditions under foot and freezing cold temperatures.
• Dress For The Occasion - Dress in layers so you can remove clothing bit by bit if you start to overheat. Just because its cold outside doesn't mean you wont get a sweat on! Make sure you have gloves that enable you to get a good grip on what you are carrying.
• Protect Furniture From Damp & Moisture - If rain or worse snow is forecast for the day you are scheduled to move then its a great idea to have some stretch wrap on hand to cover you furniture. Stretch wrapping with furniture pads will keep moisture out as well as offering an extra layer of protection from scratches and damages.
• Protect The Interior Of Your Home - Constantly entering and exiting your property with dirty wet footwear can cause all sorts of damage and mess to your floors of both your old and new property. We suggest you protect the carpets and all flooring in the hose with cardboard boxes or some old sheeting.
• Drive Carefully - Take your time when driving. Navigating slippery and wet roads with a heavy van is challenging even for the professionals!
• Be Intelligent - Safety is of paramount importance. If conditions are not conducive to moving properties then put it off for a day or two. Call and move the date back with landlords, estate agents and moving companies. They will be understanding of the situation and accommodate your needs.

Things To Consider When Renting A Storage Unit

Things To Consider When Renting A Storage Unit

When shopping around for a self storage unit it is essential you know your belongings will be in safe hands. Every self storage stockport customer has his or her own list of priorities when it comes to renting a storage unit.

These are some of the critical points you should keep in mind when choosing your storage facility:

1. Security
Obviously this is a major concern if storing valuable items and prize possessions.

Storage Stockport go the extra mile with regards to this and provide an array of up to date, modern and sophisticated security measures including over 120 CCTV cameras and a red care alarm system linking straight to the Police. All of this is included in your storage price starting from as little as just £1 per week!

2. Environment
It goes without saying that you don't want your items regardless of the value to end up damaged or battered and bruised. A storage centre that houses its storage units inside is essential to keep your possessions from the elements but there are a few points to ask yourself first:

• Is the storage facility in a modern environment or been recently updated and refurbished to ensure they are committed to storing your stuff with protection.
• Is there anything to suggest a potential fire hazard?
• Are there staff on hand to help move your items ad answer general enquiries you may have?

3. Convenience

Convenience doesn't just mean how close the storage centre is to you. It also refers to:

• Readily available information about the storage facility. For example are the prices clearly displayed on the website so there are no hidden surprises or costs when you chose your storage unit.
• Easy access once at the storage unit. Does the centre offer drive up units? 
• Do you need insurance? Most storage companies make this compulsory but this is just a way to make a few extra pounds at your expense. Depending on the value of your goods you may want to select a storage centre that offers insurance as an optional extra rather than a must!
• Do you get any perks?...... Things such as free collection and delivery or free boxes all help keep the cost down and make storing easier for you.

Ultimately you should chose a storage facility which best meets your needs and requirements. If you are in doubt then give the storage facility a call and ask and questions of which you have any doubts.