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First-Time Renting Guide for New Jersey Storage Units

First-Time Renting Guide for NJ Storage Units

If you’ve never rented a storage unit before, it can feel like a daunting task. Whether you need to temporarily store your belongings due to a move or need longer-term storage after downsizing, a storage unit is a great solution. Reliable storage facilities provide excellent security as well as a variety of unit sizes to match your needs. Of course, before you rent out the cheapest unit available, you should follow this storage guide for first-timers to make sure you’re covering all your bases.

Finding the Right Storage Facility

Before you start looking into units, you will first need to figure out what kind of storage you need. There are two options:

  • Full-service – as the name suggests full service movers, the company will help you pick up your belongings and deliver them to the storage unit as well as to your house. Many also have an app where you can schedule your return and/or pickup from your phone. As well, these companies will also take photos and document your stuff so you can take a look at this information in case you forgot what you put in the unit.
  • Self-storage – this is the most popular and more accessible option for most people. The facilities are safe and secure, but more importantly affordable. In addition to storing your standard household items, some can even store large items like cars, boats, and hot tubs. The downside is that you are responsible for delivering your belongings to and from storage. You will also need to keep an inventory of everything in the unit because the company will not. 

Which option is right for you? That depends on your needs. If you have a very small budget, going the self-storage route is the best way to go as it’s definitely more affordable. Plus, you can pick up your things whenever you want.

Full-service is a good option for people who don’t have access to a car or truck. Since you have no way of getting your things to the facility, you will need to either rent a truck or hire a full-service storage company. 

You can also go for the middle ground and ask NJ moving companies if they provide storage services. The storage solution tends to be priced in between full-service and self-storage with all the benefits of full-service storage. The moving company will pick up and return your belongings between the two locations. 

In addition to the type of service they offer, make sure you ask about the actual unit location. Some fasciitis only have outdoor units. While this is great for storing things like vehicles, gardening equipment, and outdoor furniture, it’s not so great for everything else in your house. These outdoor units are not climate-controlled and also exposed to the elements. There are more opportunities for damage to occur to your things. And if you own a lot of expensive electronics or furniture, you’ll want to keep these protected. 

That’s where indoor storage units come in. These are situated inside a building and are climate-controlled, which provide protection from water or fire damage. In addition, it is more resistant to pests and dust and are monitored 24/7, equipped with alarms and guards.

Create an Inventory List for First-Time Renters

You might already know what you plan on storing. If you’re renting one because of a move, it might be tempting to just throw everything into storage. Don’t forget that you’ll need some basics while you’re in an AirBnB or staying at someone else’s house. Depending on how long you have to wait to move into your new place, the list of things you need to have with you might be pretty long!

Keeping all of this in mind, you should do a thorough walkthrough of your house and create a basic inventory of what will go in storage. Make sure to include an estimate of how many boxes you plan on storing, the pieces of furniture that will go in there, and measurements of larger pieces. This information will help when it comes to deciding the size of the unit you need.

As you perform your inventory, keep track of items that might require climate-controlled storage. Not only do you have to worry about electronics and furniture, but other items like business documents, photographs, and art all will require consistent temperatures and lower humidity.

It’s Important to Calculate Your Space

Once you have completed your inventory, it’s time to estimate the storage unit size you need. There are a few approaches to measuring your stuff. You can put everything into a pile and use a measuring tape to figure out the dimensions you need. Alternatively, you can measure each item individually. Either way, you want to have two measurements:

  • Square feet – multiply the length and width of your belongings. If they make a pile that is 5 x 5 you need a storage unit that is at least 25 square feet.
  • Cubic feet – multiply the length, width, and height of your belongings. If your larger items make a pile that measures 5 x 5 x 5 you need a unit that is at least 75 cubic feet.

Storage units come in a variety of sizes, with the most common sizes being:

  • Small – 25-50 square feet, 200-400 cubic feet
  • Medium – 75-150 square feet, 600-1,200 cubic feet
  • Large – 200-300 square feet, 1,600-2,400 cubic feet

If you’re moving to a one bedroom apartment, changes are you probably will only need a small unit. Of course, that might change depending on how much furniture you have to store. Ultimately, the more stuff you have, the larger space you’ll need for storage.

Knowing how much space your belongings take can save you a lot of time and money! You don’t want to accidentally rent a unit that’s too small as you’ll then have to find a larger space and potentially pay rent for two units. Alternatively, you don’t want a unit that is too large as the you could be shelling out an extra $100 for a space that’s half-empty.

Do Research on Storage Facilities

While it’s ideal to find a storage center near you, don’t get hung up on location. It’s all too easy to choose a location that doesn’t provide you what you need because it’s close to your new home. If you’ve got a car, you can cast a wide net and find some locations that offer exactly what you need. Plus, if you live in one of the major NJ cities, you’ll be able to find plenty of options just outside of the main places.

Once you’ve picked out a few that match your price point and needs, it’s time to check the reviews. While you should always take online reviews with a grain of salt, if you see recurring issues or complaints, it can give you better insight into what you might want to look for when you visit. In addition, if you know of anyone who uses a storage unit, ask how they feel about it! There’s nothing quite like word-of-mouth.

Finally, go visit the locations and ask questions. Don’t let the sales people pressure you to sign a contract immediately. Most companies will hold a unit overnight if you’re interested so you can think it over. When you’re visiting, make sure to ask the following questions:

  • Ask the manager if you can see the actual unit. That way you can see how well maintained the unit is and if there are any issues. 
  • See if there are any specials or discounts. Most places offer you the first month for free or for a greatly reduced price if you’re transitioning from another storage unit. Even if you’re moving into a new unit, some places might give you a nice discount.
  • Find out what happens if you are late or miss a payment. If you’re planning on long-term storage you definitely want to figure out what happens in case you can’t make a payment. Some facilities offer a grace period while others do not. In some cases your unit might be auctioned off if you are just a few days late!

If you like what you see and think the terms seem agreeable, ask the manager to put the unit on hold. Even if they can’t hold the unit, ask for their business card so you can get in touch later.

Must Read the Rental Agreement Carefully

Before you sign the dotted line, make sure to take your time and read the rental agreement. This will specify all the terms of your lease and it is a binding document. In general, the agreement will have:

  • Basic description of the unit
  • Length of lease
  • Rent amount
  • Rent due date
  • Amount of security deposit
  • Accepted payments
  • Non-payment terms
  • Additional fees
  • Tenant rights and responsibilities
  • Landlord rights and responsibilities
  • Cancellation terms
  • What you can and can’t store
  • Value limit
  • Move-out process

Once you have everything ironed out, then it’s time to sign the paperwork! Congratulations, you have a storage unit!

Find Storage Solutions Today

Looking to store your belongings? Then the sooner you get started the better. You don’t want to leave this to the last minute, especially if you know you won’t be able to move into your new house immediately. If you want to make storage easier, ask your NJ mover if they provide this service! That way you get full-service storage at slightly elevated self-storage prices.

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Storage

4 Reasons You Should Consider a Storage Solution for Your Next Move

4 Reasons You Should Consider a Storage Solution for Your Next Move

Regardless of the size of your house, if you have lived there for several years you have accumulated a lot of stuff. Most people don’t realize how much they have until they need to move, that’s why downsizing is such a huge part of the moving process. However, it’s not always easy to let go of items you’ve had for a long time. Doubly so if you’re moving to a much smaller space or just don’t have the time to go through everything you own. You don’t want to accidentally throw out your late grandmother’s quilt!

While you can find your own storage units, many moving companies (like Great Movers) provide storage options for customers. The best part is that the movers will help bring your belongings to your storage unit and then to your new home once you’re ready, saving you a lot of time. There are many reasons a storage unit can be beneficial to the moving process so it might be worth it to consider it for the future.

Declutter Your House

Once you’ve decided to move out of your house, you will want to attract as many buyers as possible. For best results, you should declutter your house as much as possible as a tidy home will showcase the space in the best possible light. Even if your house is large, a cluttered garage, full closet, or large stack of boxes strewn about the house can turn off potential buyers.

While it might be easier to start packing up when you know your closing date, it’s not always possible. In many cases, even if you do know the closing date, your move-out and move-in dates might not overlap.

Whatever the case is, the idea is to get as much non-essential stuff out of your house and somewhere else. If you’re not able to move into your new place yet, you will have to put your boxes into storage for a few months. Luckily, most reputable movers offer safe and secure short-term storage solutions. Plus, they don’t necessarily need to have exact dates. When you’re ready to move your boxes into your new place, all you need to do is give them a call and let them know your plans. They’ll deliver the items to you with zero hassle.

Plus, putting your stuff in storage early on allows you to also take a second look at what you own. With so much going on from finding a new house, closing on the new house, finding a buyer, packing, and all the dozens of other tasks you’ll probably be overwhelmed. Chances are you might throw out something accidentally and/or bring too many items to your new place that you don’t need. You might even bring bulky items like furniture that won’t even fit in your new place!

With everything in storage, you can spend a bit more time sorting through your belongings. If you can, wait to declutter the storage unit until after you’ve moved in. There’s nothing quite like living in a new place to give you a clearer picture of where you want to put things and whether your old aesthetic matches your new house. Plus, you’ll have a clean, empty space when you move so you can easily paint the walls without worrying about dirtying up your stuff.

Reduce Moving Costs

It might sound counterintuitive, but renting a storage unit could save you moving costs. The smaller units can often cost as little as $100 and many places offer a discount on the first month. Many CT moving companies might even offer discounts on your move if you also use their storage solutions. Of course, you shouldn’t assume that you’ll get these discounts so make sure that you ask about any promotions when you talk to the movers over the phone.

Even if you don’t get a discount, moving might still be cheaper if you put some things in storage. With less stuff to load and unload, the movers will take less time, which means a lower price tag. Of course, it also means you will need to move your own boxes into and out of storage yourself for maximum cost savings.

Alleviate Stress

While you can reduce stress by planning ahead, sometimes you’ll still run into some hiccups. Maybe your new house isn’t ready in time or maybe the people who want to purchase your home need to move in faster than expected. There are so many things that can happen that it can be overwhelming. The last thing you need is not having a safe place to store your belongings.

Even if everything goes according to plan, it can still be tricky to try and pack and move everything in a short amount of time. Thai is especially true if you’re making a long-distance move. That’s why renting a storage unit can be a great option. You can start packing even before you put your house on the market and store your stuff as early as possible. Plus, you can keep adding to the unit as the selling and buying process gets underway.

Find the Right Buyer for Items

Yard sales might be great for selling the basic knick knacks you don’t want to bring with you, but they might not be the best for more valuable items. Of course, anything could be considered ‘valuable’ so it really comes down to your knowledge of what you own and how well you know the pricing. Things that can sell for a lot include:

  • Collectible toys
  • Comic books
  • Trading cards
  • Camera lenses
  • Vintage clothes
  • Designer purses and shoes
  • Scientific equipment

Of course, to make money on things like collectibles, they need to be in almost pristine condition. For toys, most are only worth money if they are still in the box so make sure to do some research and price accordingly. There are a lot of places online where you can list your items for sale, but the most popular remains eBay. Depending on the quality and rarity of the item you’re selling, you might even be able to sell it at a profit. In order to do this, you can’t have a deadline where you need to get rid of your items. That’s why a storage unit is so useful. You can simply pack them away and spend some time doing your research and finding the right buyer.

Consider Storage Solutions for Your Next Move

Moving is both an exciting and stressful endeavor, but you can lighten the burden by adding on either long or short term storage options. That way, you will have most of your things packed already weeks before your move. And if worse comes to worst and you have to move out before you can move into your new place, you will already have your belongings in storage. It’s a win win.

If you are interested in storage solutions, make sure to ask the professional movers what they offer.