Tips for Packing a Storage Unit

Packing a self-storage unit requires some planning and skill.  Your ultimate goal is to use all of the space in the most efficient way, while maintaining access to all your items in the event you need something while they are in storage.  Here are a few tips to help you pack your storage unit.

1.     Leave a walkway.  When you are packing your unit, make sure you leave a small path down the middle.  If you need something later, you won’t have to unpack the whole unit to find something, even if it’s all the way at the back.  You might feel like a pathway is a waste of space, but if you need to find something, you will be happy it’s there.

2.     Use boxes AND labels.  In order to maximize the space in your unit, try to use boxes that are uniform in size, so they can be stacked high.  This will utilize the available vertical space.  Be sure to label the boxes, and be specific!  After months in storage, you won’t remember which kitchen box contains the coffee pot.  Be sure to face the boxes so the labels are toward the walkway for easy identification.

3.     Take an inventory.  Before you pack your items and place them into storage, make a list of what you are storing.  This is important for a couple of reasons.  First, it will help you to recall what’s inside, if you need to access something later on.  Second, if there is some sort of disaster or accident, and you need to file an insurance claim, you will already have an accurate accounting of what was inside. 

4.     Use covers.  Our buildings are solid and well-built, with concrete floors.  All units are swept clean, but covering your furniture will protect it from dust and moisture.  Consider using mattress covers, sofa covers, and upholstery bags.  Placing a rug or tarp on the floor, or using pallets can keep items safe from condensation during high humidity times.

5.     Pack tallest to shortest.  Store your tallest and bulkiest items like furniture and mattresses closest to the walls.  Start with the tallest items in the back and the shorter items in front, closest to the aisle.  This will give you a clear view of what’s inside your unit at first glance and help you to use the space in the most efficient manner.

www.126selfstorage.com 

Need a Storage Facility for your Car, Truck, RV, Boat or Trailer?

Need a place to store your car, truck, RV, boat or trailer? Ashland's 126 Self Storage offers a safe, convenient outside storage area, as seen below:

www.126selfstorage.com

Why Climate Controlled Storage?

Ashland, MA - Severe hot or cold weather can damage items stored in storage units. Important documentation for your home or business, computer equipment and electronics, wood or leather furniture, photographs, books, clothing, artwork and other valuable possessions can be destroyed if not properly protected. If you live or work in a geographic area (like Massachusetts) with these weather conditions, climate-controlled storage units provide the ideal solution for storing your personal or business-related items.

Climate control maintains a steady temperature of 55–80° using central air conditioning and heat. Maintaining a controlled environment minimizes risk of:

• Warping, cracking and splitting
• Rust, yellowing and corrosion
• Mold, mildew and bacteria overgrowth
• Infestation of wasps, mice, termites and other vermin

Climate-controlled storage units are typically part of a finished building with indirect heating and cooling (compared to air conditioners or heaters within individual units). The enclosed environment of these buildings can also provide increased protection from dust, dirt and flooding.

How to Choose a Climate-Controlled Space

Follow these three steps to determine whether climate control is an appropriate investment for your needs:

Step 1: Consider Your Geographic Area
As a general rule, the temperature in climate-controlled storage units should not fall below freezing in the winter, or rise above 90°F (32°C) in the summer. If the geographic area where you live or work exceeds 90 degrees in the summer but does not freeze in the winter, air-conditioning would be a viable option to consider. Same with only extreme cold temperatures – a heated storage unit would work well. If your area experiences both extreme hot and cold temperatures, climate control may provide the best benefit.

Step 2: Consider What You Plan to Store  
The following is a list of items commonly stored in climate-controlled storage. 

Home Goods Leather or wood furniture Antiques & heirlooms Clothing Furs Craft supplies Plastics Food stuffs Paintings & other fine art Photographs Musical Instruments Media such as DVDS, CDS, vinyl records, cassettes & 8-track tapes Cameras Televisions & stereos

Equipment Computers & computer parts Video equipment Audio equipment Tools & machines Restaurant equipment Construction supplies Business Items Products & supplies Software, videos, DVDs & CDs Pharmaceutical samples & medical     supplies Archival documents, tax files, & other paperwork Seasonal inventory

If you plan to frequently access your stored items as you add, remove or organize them, keep in mind your comfort when working within your storage unit. A pleasant temperature can make the job much easier.

Step 3: Consider the Value of What You Plan to Store
Climate control storage units cost more than standard units. To determine whether the cost is justified, it’s important to assess the value of what you plan to store. If you are packing away electronics, products or equipment that are covered by insurance, and replacing them would mean only an inconvenience, you may decide that a standard storage space is sufficient. If, however, you are storing items of sentimental value or historical documents for your business, the additional cost may be insignificant, especially if it gives you peace of mind. Whether your items would be costly and inconvenient to replace, or irreplaceable, if you are going to pay to store them it is wise to store them well.
   
For those in the Framingham, Ashland, Natick, Holliston, Sherborn area, please contact 126 Self Storage for more information about climate control and other storage options.

7 Ways To Lower Moving Costs

Ashland, MA - Experts say the best way to get a good deal is to plan ahead. Here's how to cut costs -- and maximize value:

Time the move
If possible, go with a weekday move mid-month. Prices can be up to 30% higher on weekends, and at the very beginning and end of the month, when leases turn over, says Phil Liu, co-founder of CityMove.com, a free site where consumers solicit bids from movers.

Lighten the load
De-clutter as you pack, especially if you're moving into a smaller space, Darr says. Long-haul moves are priced primarily by volume and weight; local moves by volume and time. Either way, "you're paying to move all that crap you're going to throw away when you get there," she says.

Enterprising consumers may be able to cover part of their moving costs by hosting a yard sale -- and donations can ease next year's tax bill.

Comparison shop
Get at least three movers to conduct an in-home inspection and provide a written estimate, says Reed. An in-person quote will be more accurate than a phone or email quote, because the mover can spot issues that might add to the cost -- such as a dresser that will need to be disassembled to fit down the narrow hallway, or a book collection that puts your 30-box estimate to shame. For an apples-to-apples comparison, get details of what's included, such as packing materials, road tolls and insurance, she says. Liu says many movers will match competitors' prices, so don't despair if the mover you like best isn't the one with the lowest bid.

Check references
"Know who you're hiring," says Darr. A number of groups track complaints about moving companies, which can reveal not just rogue movers, but also those with a track record of damaging goods or showing up late. AMSA and the Department of Transportation both monitor licensing and complaints for interstate movers, and state regulators often track local companies. Check the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Angie's List, too, Liu says.

Browse daily deals
Moving services have started taking advantage of the daily-deal industry, offering vouchers for a few hours' service at discounts of up to 60%. But unless your move is very simple, it's likely that the discount isn't as significant as advertised, says Darr. Additional hours are typically billed at the regular rate, which, tallied with other fees, may not yield the most competitive price. Shoppers should also check that the moving company offering the deal has a good reputation, she says.

Review insurance
Most credentialed movers offer so-called valuation coverage, which reimburses based on an item's weight rather than its value. In most cases, you can expect to get roughly 60 cents per pound for a damaged item, which could be far less than its replacement cost, Reed says. "A painting doesn't weigh very much," she says. "Neither does your flat-screen TV." Check to see if your renters or homeowners insurance policy covers belongings in transit. If the item is particularly valuable, she says, "you probably either want to move that yourself, or pay very close attention to when it's packaged and put on the truck."

Do your own packing
If you're paying by the hour, consider doing as much of the prep work as possible to reduce the time it takes to get everything out of the house, Reed says. Pack boxes yourself, and take on easy tasks like rolling up rugs and securing cords of unplugged appliances like lamps and electronics. If you're up for it, disassemble bed frames and other items that will need to be moved in pieces.

And if you have storage needs 126 Self Storage is your best choice!

Framingham MA Storage!

Looking for a storage facility in the Framingham area of Massachusetts? 126 Self Storage is the answer!

A clean, family-operated storage facility that can handle all of your residential and commercial Framingham storage needs.

24-Hour DVR Cameras
Storage for RVs, Boats, Cars, Trailers
Temperatured Controlled Units Available
Fenced & Lighted
Ground Level - No Stairs!
Great Truck Access
Boxes & Moving Supplies
Sizes From 25-300 Sq. Ft.

All Your Storage Needs!

126 Self Storage is a clean, family-operated self storage facility that can handle all of your residential or commercial storage needs:

Fenced & Lighted

Ground level – No Stairs!

Great Truck Access

Boxes and Moving Supplies

Sizes from 25 – 300 sq. ft

Residential and Commercial Storage

Family Owned and Operated

24-Hour DVR Cameras

RV's, Boats, Cars, Trailers

Temperature Control Available