There are several reasons why people use storage units. For some, it is the perfect way to store their personal belongings while staying with a family member or friend temporarily. For others, storage units are ideal after decluttering or downsizing to a smaller home. They provide a home for items people want to hold onto without overcrowding their home. No matter what your reason for getting a storage unit may have been, there are several steps you should take when moving out of one.
- Notify the company in advance: For some storage companies, you’ll have to call the company to inform them. Meanwhile, other facilities require an email or written notice of your intent to move out. This is especially true if you’re on a month-to-month contract to avoid paying for months in vain. We recommend informing the facility of your plans to vacate 30-45 days in advance just to ensure that all your bases are covered.
- Have a plan: While moving your belongings out of a storage unit is one thing, having a plan of what to do with them is another. Make sure that your concession plan is in place when the time comes for you to leave the storage facility behind. Are you moving into a larger home where you can accommodate the items in your storage it? Or are you planning to have a sale to sell a lot of the items while you give away others? No matter what you decide on, having a plan is essential to ensure that you’re not trying to figure out your next step with a ton of heavy belongings.
- Be prepared for a move: Just because your storage unit move may be less stressful than your initial moving experience, it doesn’t mean that some of the same elements of relocating aren’t involved. For starters, make sure that you have a vehicle large enough to accommodate all of your belongings. Depending on the size of your storage unit and the kinds of things you need moved, you may need to hire a professional moving company to help you out. If you happen to embark on the move on your own, borrow a friend’s truck and have as many quality moving supplies on hand as possible. Remember, the goal is to get your storage unit cleared out as quickly as possible without damaging any of your valuables. If you’re storing something valuable like a grand piano, be wise and leave it to professionals.
- Review everything before packing: As you begin to pack up your storage unit, don’t just blindly toss things into boxes and take them up. This is the perfect time for you to do a thorough inventory of your belongings to decide what you want to keep and what you want to give away. Without this process, you could very well create more work for yourself where you’re consistently getting rid of things that you moved out of your storage unit over time. Be smart and declutter as much as possible to ensure that you’re being both productive and efficient.
- Finalize things: Once you completely clear out the storage unit, all that’s left for you to do is notify the facility and wrap up your contract. This could mean returning keys and signing additional paperwork etc.