If you have ever rented a self storage unit, the property manager probably talked with you about getting insurance that is designed specifically for self storage. At Harrisburg Self Storage, we have a contractual requirement that every tenant must have insurance on their storage unit contents as part of our rental agreement – whether it’s the third-party insurance that we offer or their own personal policy.

Self storage insurance is designed to cover the contents of your self storage unit. As with any insurance, it’s there to protect you if anything were to happen to your belongings while they are in storage. Fortunately, most tenants will never have to file a claim, but it’s good to know if something happens to your stuff that you are covered.

Self storage insurance will cover a multitude of things, such as fire and smoke damage, roof leaks, burglary and theft, rodent and insect infestation, natural disasters and even in transit coverage within a 100-mile radius of your storage unit. When you select one of our third-party insurance options, the manager will provide you with contact information so you can speak with an insurance agent to get answers to any question you could possibly ask.

Another common question is the cost. We offer three affordable options so you can choose the level of coverage you need for your belongings. The property manager can help you decide which level of coverage will best suit your needs ($2000 for just $9 per month, $3000 for just $13 per month or $5000 for just $21 per month policies are available), so be sure to ask questions while you are in the rental office. Almost all personal and business property you keep in storage is eligible for coverage under these policies.

Many tenants ask why they need to have self storage insurance. We care about your storage experience and your stuff! Trust me, you want your stuff to be covered in case the unexpected happens. And, it is our company policy. It’s up to you whether you purchase a third-party policy through us or provide proof of coverage through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy. There are a few things to keep in mind about choosing our third-party options versus your own policy:

• Choosing one of our third-party policies means your contents are covered. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy may not cover self storage. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent and read over your policy closely to see if you have coverage.

• The storage insurance we offer has a very small deductible, and that is waived if theft occurs when using the recommended disc lock. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy most likely has a hefty deductible, and it will probably not be waived for any reason.

• If you have to file a claim, your premiums do not increase with our policies – ever. Typically, any time you file a claim through your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, regardless of the payout, you will receive an increase on your premiums, and sometimes it is extensive.

If you have any questions about self storage insurance and why you need it, you can contact us or give our property manager a call and he or she can direct you to the correct person to have your questions answered. As the saying goes, if it is worth storing it is worth insuring!

You need to keep your motorcycle in storage for an extended period of time. Maybe you are traveling abroad for six months, you’re in the military and will be on deployment for over a year, you broke your leg and can’t ride, or you need to store over the winter months – regardless of the situation, you will not be able to ride for a long while and need to keep your baby safe!

Rust, corrosion and inactivity can take a big toll on a motorcycle, dirt bike or ATV. Before you put your wheels away, make sure you take some important steps to protect her or you may be in for some nasty surprises when the time comes to break her out again for the next ride:

• Fill up your gas tank and fluids.
  Be sure to thoroughly inspect your ride for fluid leaks, then top off the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer. Refill or replace your brake, clutch and coolant fluids.

• Change your oil.
  Old mucky oil can corrode engine parts in just a few months sitting in storage. Be sure you have the oil changed right before you place your motorcycle into storage.

• Manage your battery life.
  Either remove the battery completely, trickle charge it while in storage or charge it completely initially and renew the charge once every month.

• Keep your tires healthy.
  The best way to store your bike is on some kind of rack that prevents the weight of the bike from resting on the wheels. If that’s not possible, fill up the tires, rest the bike on its center stand, and if possible, rotate the front tire once a week.

• Wax on.
  Wash, dry and wax your bike to make sure rust doesn’t creep in over the long months of rest. Make sure you get all the dirt out of the crevices and touch up any nicks in the paint.

• Protect your exhaust pipes.
  Spray them with WD-40 and shove a clean towel inside the pipes to keep moisture from making its way in. And, if you end up with a spider nest or bees nest in there, that could be a real problem!

• Choose a dim corner.
  Sunlight can stress your leather and paint, so find a dark place to store your motorcycle. Storage units are great for this with the metal roofs, walls and doors, very little light will make it in. Plus, the only time light will enter is when you open the door to access your bike – keeping it in the dark until you are ready to ride again.

Now that you’ve got everything in order to keep your motorcycle safe while in storage, make sure your motorcycle insurance policy covers anything that could happen while it’s sitting idle for long stretches. Contact your insurance provider for details on your coverage.

We are here to help! If you have questions about placing your motorcycle in storage, please contact us today or give our property manager a call. If you are ready to store your bike now, you can reserve a unit or rent a unit online today to get started!

The weather has finally changed into that springtime loveliness we all know, with summer right around the corner. You’ve been busy breaking out the lawn furniture, the gardening and yard tools, and all the pool stuff that you packed away in your storage unit for the long, cold winter. And, you are happily moving all that winter stuff – like the snow-blower, shovels and sleds – back into your storage unit. But what if when you go to open your unit, you suddenly realize that your key is gone, disappeared, vanished! Like all the other problems that could occur when using storage, your property manager has a solution.

First things first: It’s very important to remember that you cannot remove the lock from your rented storage unit by any means other than with your key. This includes bolt cutters. Simply put, you could inadvertently cause damage to the hasp or the door for which you could be billed, and that’s no fun. As soon as you decide that your key is gone forever and you need to get into your storage unit, call your property manager for help. There are a couple of options to look at here, and we’ll explain each in detail for you.

Harrisburg Self Storage Lock Removal

The first option you have as a tenant of Harrisburg Self Storage is to schedule your lock to be removed by a designated staff member. We require written permission from you, as the tenant, to remove a lock from your rented storage unit. We cannot remove any lock with first receiving permission to do so.

Simply contact your property manager to set up a time to visit the rental office and complete the ‘Lock Cut Request’ form. You can also just stop in the rental office during regular business hours to fill out the form. The property manager will then go over the small fee to remove the lock for you and the lock replacement purchase with you. He or she will also schedule a time for the lock to be cut – it’s important to understand that service will not be rendered immediately.  This service is offered as a convenience, but can often take a number of days to schedule a time to physically remove the lock. If you are finding yourself short on time, the following option will better suit your immediate need.

Contact a Locksmith Service

Your second option for lock removal would be to contact and hire a locksmith service. Tenants should note that while it is completely within your rights to have a locksmith remove your lock for you, there are a few steps that must be taken for that to happen at our facility:

• The locksmith service should only remove your lock in the presence of the property manager. Make sure they contact the property manager to set up a time to visit your storage unit to perform the lock cut.
• The employee of the locksmith service must provide identification and validation of the company to the property manager.
• Just like all visitors you bring onto the property, as the tenant, you are responsible for any vendor as well – even if you are not with them at the time of the service. That includes any damage they may cause during the lock removal.
• The cost for this option would be entirely between you and the locksmith company. Harrisburg Self Storage will have no input on your contract with the locksmith service.

If you decide to hire a locksmith service, there are many reputable companies in the areas we serve. From time to time it’s necessary to contact them for assistance.

One Last Thing to Note About Lock Removals 

The tenant of the storage unit must be the person to authorize any and all lock removals. The tenant is defined as the person who signed the rental agreement. You cannot send in a friend or family member to arrange this service for you. Without the signature of our tenant, these services cannot be performed. This is just another step we take to protect our tenants and keep their belongings safe and secure, and to uphold our promises to each and every one of our valued customers!

If you are met at any time with an inconvenience on our properties and you need some help or assistance, our experienced property manager is ready and able to help you. Just give us a call, contact us via our website or stop in the rental office and we’ll find a solution for you!

As a musician, your instruments are how you speak to the world. They are valuable to you and many of them can be quite costly to purchase or to repair. Of course, when keeping them in storage you want to protect them as best you can. Whether you are storing brass, percussion, woodwinds or string instruments, all of these instruments need to be stored correctly to keep them in tip-top shape and working like they did the day you brought them to storage.

The most important thing is the temperature where they are being stored. Keeping this in mind, you should always keep musical instruments and sensitive electronics in a temperature controlled environment. Varying temperatures and humidity can cause brass instruments to expand and shrink, key pads on woodwinds can dry out and crack resulting in expensive re-keying, strings and wood on guitars and violins can warp causing changes in the quality of sound they produce and drum heads can become too dry and could crack. Extreme heat can also damage elements of electronics like the hard drive in a computer and other sensitive components inside like the memory sticks. You also don’t want parts of your computer to melt or warp, rendering it unusable.

There are several other things you need to consider as well:

• If you are storing a computer, printer or other external devices, be sure to clean out the dust with compressed air made for electronics and wipe down the exterior and in between the keys. Then place them inside a plastic cover or bin to keep the dust out over time.
• The next thing you want to think about is cleaning and conditioning your instruments to prepare them for storage. Often a simple damp cloth is the best way to remove dust and dirt residue. Be sure to never use alcohol or an oil-based polish on wood instruments or you could cause damage; you can use paste wax for wood and resin to protect the finish instead. You will also want to disassemble all parts, remove the mouthpieces, reeds, mutes and straps, and relax the strings.
• You will want to place your instrument in the proper case that came with it for added protection. If you don’t have the original case, you can purchase a compatible one at a local music shop or online. Whatever case you use should be in good condition with no cracks or holes. It should be clean with no fraying or powdering. If a case is not in the greatest condition, line it with buffered acid-free paper to protect against humidity that happens during the hot summer months. Inside the case, drape a clean cloth over the strings for guitars and other stringed instruments.
• Always, regardless of how long you plan to use storage, cover a piano with a furniture pad to protect it from dust particles in the air and anything that could bump into it, and wrap the legs in bubble wrap. It is best to have professional movers transport your piano to storage for you. They will take extra precautions securing it properly to prevent damage in transit, and they usually work in teams to lift such a heavy item.
• Place the instruments and any electronic equipment on shelving or place them somewhere to keep them off the floor and away from vents.
• Store backup flash drives, DVDs or CDs in waterproof containers.

Another good tip is to keep an inventory of your items and photograph the contents inside your storage unit. This will benefit you in accuracy in the event you ever need to file a claim for any damage that occurs. We offer affordable third-party tenant insurance coverage for the contents you store. Policies range from $2,000 – $5,000 worth of coverage for low, affordable mnthly fees.

If you still have questions about storing or insuring your electronics or musical instruments, we will be happy to help! You can contact us for more information or reach out to our property manager directly.

Everyone can be a little forgetful from time to time, especially during the moving process. Think about it, you have ten zillion things on your mind and some of the less important ones seem to just vanish from memory in the hustle and bustle of the move.

You visited your storage unit at least 20 times over the last several months while you staged your home, sold your home and then purchased your new home. You visited so much that it becomes second nature taking off the lock, moving stuff in and out and securing the lock again to be on your way.

As you are driving down the road full of excitement because the moving process is now coming to an end, you look down on the seat of the rental truck and see nothing…and your storage lock is supposed to be there. Oops!! You think to yourself, “What did I do with that lock?” Then it hits you; like clockwork you secured your unit with your lock after you were done. Then you think to yourself that you have been driving for about 45 minutes, and by the time you would turn around and get back to your storage unit, the rental office will be closed. So, what do you do?

Not to worry, it’s not the end of the world. However, you will need to take care of this as soon as you can. The property manager has no access to your unit, and cannot rent it to another customer – only you have the keys to the lock. Even though the property manager was notified that you were vacating, if your lock is still on your storage unit, you are still renting the unit. That means you are responsible for the monthly rent until it is removed.

First things first, give the property manager a call and let him or her know that you forgot to remove your lock. There is no way for them to know if your storage unit is full of your stuff or if you emptied it out to vacate. To avoid any additional rent or fees, you will need to come and remove the lock from your storage unit. Remember, when you first rented the unit it was clean, empty and unlocked for you – it must be returned in the same condition.

Now, if you moved halfway across the country, it probably makes more sense to complete the appropriate paperwork and ask the property manager to cut the lock, and simply be assessed the lock cutting fee. Otherwise, you would likely spend way more money in gas and tolls (and time) driving back to your storage unit to remove it yourself. But, if you still live locally or you will be back in the area very soon, your best bet is to stop in and remove your lock then notify the property manager. Either way, if your lock is still on your unit and a new month has begun, you are responsible for the monthly rent – we do not pro-rate rent when vacating.

As much as you think you would never forget to remove your lock, we see it happen from time to time. Be sure to make a note that says “Remove Lock!” and tape it to your dashboard when you go to your storage unit for the last time. When you are moving, you are going to forget some things and there’s no avoiding that. Removing your lock from your storage unit when you move everything out is certainly no different!

If you have any questions about vacating your storage unit, you can read our blog on “Vacating Your Storage Unit” or contact us for more information. You can also give our property manager a call and he will be glad to answer all of your questions.

Spiders and bugs and mice…oh my! Nobody likes these unwelcome visitors in their home. The same goes for your storage unit. Keeping them out of your home is pretty easy; you can have the exterminator come on a regular schedule, you can put traps out and even get a pet cat or two to do some hunting for you. But, you are probably wondering how you can keep the out of your storage unit. You certainly can’t keep a cat in there! Don’t worry; we are here to help!

There are several steps you can take to greatly reduce the likelihood of having these pests in your storage unit:

• First of all, be proactive when you are packing your items to take to the storage unit. Plastic containers with lids that seal tightly are a good idea. Mice cannot chew through them, and they are great for stacking.
• Never pack food items. For one thing, it violates  the terms of the rental agreement you signed with Harrisburg Self Storage. For another, that is just a bad idea – you may as well put it on a plate with a napkin and a sign that says, “Hey mice, this is for you. Come and get it!”
• Wrap your sofa, chairs and mattresses in plastic. That way, if one of those critters does decide to visit your unit, it will be walking on the plastic and not all over your furniture. In case you didn’t know this, as mice walk they leave a trail of urine everywhere they go…pretty nasty!
• When you are loading your items into the moving truck, be sure you are not taking any unwelcome passengers along for the trip. Give your boxes, totes, furniture and appliances a really good once over and make sure they are free of critters.

Now that the truck is loaded and ready to go, take the time to gather a few weapons that will help you deter spiders, bugs and mice from your storage unit. You can grab some bug spray, mousetraps or poison. Or you can grab some peppermint oil, a spray bottle and cotton balls. You can spray the cotton balls with the peppermint oil and stick them inside drawers, boxes and so on to keep the critters away while your stuff is in storage.

Great job preparing ahead of time! Now that you have been proactive in the packing of your items, the loading of the truck and packing your weapons of choice to deter spiders, bugs and mice, what should you do when you arrive at your storage unit?

First thing you should do when you arrive at your storage unit is open the door and look inside. Make sure the unit is swept. Look around the walls and door to see if there is any evidence of rodent or spider activity. The storage unit should be clean and ready for you to move your stuff right in.

Before you place anything inside the unit, get your weapons ready:

• You can spray the walls, floor and ceiling of the unit with the bug spray to give it a good barrier right from the start.
• Place mouse bait or traps inside the unit, near the door and also in the back corner if you have a large unit. If you choose this method, you will need to stop back at your unit regularly and check the traps for any mice you may have caught and empty them (yuck).
• Another option would be the peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent to mice and spiders and will make your unit and items smell much nicer then mothballs. To use peppermint oil, take the peppermint oil and place a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball at any hole or crack that you think a mouse could enter the unit. You should also place the peppermint oil cotton balls right inside the door on the left and right side. For the spiders, take your spray bottle and fill it with two teaspoons of peppermint oil and one cup of water. Replace the spray bottle lid and shake. Spray along the bottom of the walls, along the sides and the back. After you have everything inside the unit, spray the front of the unit before you close the door. Mice and spiders will steer clear of your unit because they do not like the smell of peppermint. You can repeat this process as the seasons change to keep it most effective.
• You can also choose our third-party insurance policy for as little as $9.00 per month. This coverage offers rodent protection, as well as protection for many other events, just in case those pesky critters still make it in. Adding this coverage will keep you worry free about the items in your storage unit. Please see the property manager for full details.

As you can see, these are some really easy and inexpensive ways to keep out all the creepy crawlies.

As an added layer of protection, we have an exterminator visit our locations on a regular schedule year-round to spray around the building exteriors and inside the hallways. We also keep bait boxes around to catch any mice that still wonder onto the property. If we both do our part, we can keep spiders, bugs and mice out of your storage unit. The last thing you want is to find a nest of mice inside grandma’s antique velvet couch!

If you need a storage unit and you are ready to tackle these tips right away, stop in our rental office or give us a call. You can also reserve a unit or contact us for more information.

Instead of letting these “worldly possessions” collect dust and clutter your storage unit, why not get creative? How about turning them into something useful? Something that now has even greater sentimental value because you brought it back to life. Get creative, get your artistic juices flowing and get to work!

You know that old wooden spindle chair with the ugly brown stain? Make it ugly no more! Use some paint thinner, a rag to remove the stain and a can of brightly colored paint to rejuvenate it. Now you can transform it into an awesome antique display piece in the corner of your child’s room, on your covered porch or even in your kitchen. You can do it all yourself or make it a family fun project with your kids. Let them help you pick out the paint color, especially if it is for their room. You can even let them add decals or painted handprints to personalize it. This is a project they won’t soon forget, and the chair will be cherished even as they grow older. That old ugly chair has now become a family heirloom (which it may have been already) that everyone wants for themselves!

So, what about that old canvas painting taking up space in the back of your unit? Bring it home, too! Everyone has those partial cans of paint in the garage or basement that have been sitting there for who knows how long and who even knows why you kept them. Give that old canvas painting a nice coat of white paint to get started, and let it dry overnight. Then, give your child a rainy day project to paint a new picture onto that canvas! They can hang it in their room to showcase their artistic talents, or they can give it away as a gift to a close family friend or relative. That sounds like so much fun, doesn’t it? And, it’s way better than just posting something on the fridge for a few weeks.

Have a couple old and ugly lamps sitting in storage? Ones that still work just fine but you wouldn’t be caught dead with them in your house? We can change that! You can easily paint the lamp base to match any décor, and purchase some new lamp shades. They will be just like new lamps but at a fraction of the cost. This idea works well when the kids are going off to college and need things like lamps for their dorm or apartment but you don’t want to drop tons of money when they could very well break them (you know some kids are just clumsy) or they leave them there over the summer and they get tossed (most kids are forgetful or just don’t think about things like bringing home a lamp). At least if that does happen, you are only out a few dollars.

Maybe you have some milk crates to hold those really important things like dried up cans of paint, old magazines and that one roller skate that has been missing its mate for the last six years…seriously, throw that lone skate out! Geez… Toss that junk inside of them and breathe new life into them! Give them a good coating or two of spray paint, in whatever color you choose. You can then stack them in the corner of the kids’ rooms for toys and puzzles, the game room for board games and extra controllers for the PS4, or in the garage or basement for extra shelving. They are typically very sturdy and can hold quite a bit of weight easily without bending or breaking.

So, when you think about all of “that stuff” in your storage unit, attic or basement, pause for a moment. What can you do with it to make it shine again? Can you fix it up easily and for little cost? Will the kids want to help you with some projects? I am sure a lot of it has some potential that you may not have thought about before. Spring time is the best time to tackle projects like this – it is the perfect time to renew, refresh and revitalize!

Do you have some fun tips and projects that you created out of “that stuff”? Share them with us! You can leave your ideas in the comments below and we can share them with our customers.

If you are doing a little cleaning out of “that stuff” on your own and need somewhere to put all of it, contact us today! We can help with all your storage needs and help keep those sentimental items safe until you decide what to do with them. If you know you need a storage unit, you can reserve one now. You can also stop in and talk to our friendly property manager who will help you find the best storage unit to suit your needs.

Ah, home sweet home. The movers have gone, the kids’ beds are put together, the dishes are all stacked in the cupboards and fresh towels are hanging in the bathroom. All that’s left to do is throw away all that packing paper piled up in the corner from all those boxes…oh, the many, many boxes. Or, maybe not!

There are plenty of ways to reuse, recycle or re-purpose that packing paper and clean newsprint. Grab one of those leftover boxes, then grab all that paper and fold it up neatly. You’re going to want to save as much as you can to try some (and maybe all?) of these fun ideas!

For the Kids…

• Large pieces can be used as a protective tablecloth during arts and crafts time. They can get as much glue on there as they want, who cares! At least it’s not on your brand new bamboo dining room table.
• Craft paper for your kids to draw or paint on. Let’s face it, kids love to draw and color on everything. Get creative – tape some large pieces to their bedroom walls and give them some crayons to go crazy with! You may want to monitor them a bit so they don’t start drawing on the wall if the paper rips.
• Back to school book covers your tween can doodle all over. Remember the good ole’ days of saving your brown paper grocery bags to make your custom book covers? Same idea here, but you will probably have enough packing paper left over so they can make a new cover every week!
• Use it as wrapping paper and let your kids decorate it with crayons, markers or stickers. Let’s face it; grandma and grandpa want those hand-made gifts from the grandkids, even the ones crafted from popsicle sticks and clothespins. Now, just think how happy they will be if the grandkids also custom decorate the wrapping paper! Can you say Kodak moment?
• Cut a strip of cardboard from a cereal box (or one of the many moving boxes you have left over) and cover it in packing paper. A quick bookmark your kids can personalize! Make it fancy by punching a hole in the top to add a pretty ribbon or cord.
• Make a countdown garland for a birthday, holiday, vacation or the last day of school. Each day they can write on the paper what they did or why they deserve that awesome new bike.
• Party hats your little guests can decorate themselves. What kid would turn away the chance to personalize a party hat to wear all evening? So much better than the cheap ones from the party store.
• Chinese paper Yo-Yos! All you need is a straw, lollipop stick or pencil along with some glue, packing paper and some markers or crayons to decorate. You can find several patterns online if you need help.
• Make clothes for paper dolls. Your budding designer will have a blast decorating his or her own fashion line!
• Two words – Paper Mache. You can make dolls, little boxes to store things and even a piñata if you are really inspired.
• Paper snowflakes – way better than the real ones if you ask me!
• Paper beads for necklaces, bracelets or garlands. This one may be a little more difficult, but with all the paper you have leftover you can surely make plenty of mistakes and not run out of supplies.
• Weave your own basket to store treasures and trinkets. This one is more for the older kids, but could be a lot of fun.

For the Grown-Ups…

• Wrap recycled tin cans to store pencils, pens, and scissors. (This is a great craft for the kids, too!)
• Make a wreath for the front door of your new home. These are so popular right now when made from fabrics, so why not try it out of paper?
• Sewing patterns. You need durable thin paper when making patterns, so packing paper would be ideal.
• Make personalized envelopes for giving gift cards.
• Design some custom gift tags. Decorate with markers or paint and punch a hole in one side for a string or ribbon. You can even cut them out into cool shapes to give the tag some more pizzazz.
• Giving a bottle of wine as a gift? Wrap it up and add a colorful bow or ribbon! A simple line art design would be perfect.

For the Home…

• Line pantry or linen closet shelves. Who needs that expensive tack paper?
• Line dresser or cabinet drawers. You can easily swap it out every couple of weeks or months to keep dust and dirt to a minimum with very little effort.
• Cut into a pile of notepad sized pieces and use them for grocery, chore and to do lists. You can even staple little packs together to keep in your purse, or write special notes for your kids’ lunch boxes.

For the Great Outdoors…

• Crumpled newsprint makes great kindling to get a warm fire started.
• Add a few sheets to your compost pile. Most packing paper is free of ink and dyes, and will biodegrade nicely.
• A thick layer under mulch can help control weeds in your flower beds. Way cheaper than buying that fabric week liner that just tears anyway. Packing paper won’t hurt the environment and simply break down over time from the elements.
• Wrap a few layers around the flower pots you leave outside in winter to insulate them.

Run a few sheets through your paper shredder…

• Instant holiday confetti! You can even decorate the paper before you shred it so it looks more festive.
• Use it to pack fragile items for shipping. After you shred it, simply crumple it up and it works just as well as those annoying packing peanut that get everywhere!
• Store breakable holiday ornaments. Crumple the shredded paper and use to insulate delicate ornaments inside the boxes.
• Use as filler for gift baskets. The brown crumpled paper strips work great for country and modern looks.
• Fill the kids’ Easter baskets with homemade shred instead of buying that awful plastic stuff. And, if your dog or cat eats a piece or two, there’s no rushing to the vet!

I bet when you read the headline for this story you never thought there could be so much to do with some used packing paper! Have you reused your packing paper in interesting and creative ways? Tell us how in the comments below – we would love to hear about it!

And, if this story got you so excited for some quality craft time, but you are fresh out of packing paper, be sure to stop in to see us and pick up a roll today! It is inexpensive and easy to work with…come on, who says it’s only for packing?

We Give You the Ultimate ‘How-To’ Guide when Hiring a Moving Company.

Sometimes a move is just too big an undertaking to handle alone; and sometimes the help that’s needed is whatever help you can get! (Seriously, wanna help me move? Can you be there on Saturday at 8am? Can I borrow your truck?) OK, obviously I am just trying to represent the situation in words…but you know what I mean. Moving is stressful and you will want and take whatever help you can get. And, when you just don’t want to deal with it, you need to be sure you hire the right professionals.

What you need is a system to follow to make it all easier. There are certain steps you need to take when looking to hire professionals to handle your move. If you follow this process, it will all come together nicely. Here’s how to do it…

Determine where you’re going.

If you’re moving more than a few towns over, you’ll want to search for a company that specializes in moves from state to state. There are regulations in place that may prevent some companies from crossing state lines. Moving companies have to be certified by the government for national or international moves. Be sure to pick a company that fits your geographical needs.

Another point to examine is the area you’re moving from and to; is it a city, a suburb, a rural area? City moves may require a company that has experience with the smaller streets and stairways found within the city and inside older city homes. Plus, most city streets have street parking on both sides and traffic going both directions – you want a company that can maneuver their vans or trucks easily and without causing damage or disrupting traffic flow.

Get referrals.

Never underestimate the benefit of calling your friends and family for referrals or accounts of their experiences. There are so many moving companies out there and you’ll need to weed through them to find the right one for you. Asking for actual experiences with moving companies will help you to determine the best choice.

If you cannot locate any referrals on your own, simply give our property manager a call or contact us today and we will gladly give you some companies to check out. We have a few we refer to our tenants because we know they have a good reputation and we have referrals directly from our customers.

Contact several companies and discuss your needs.

Once you have narrowed it down to a few companies who can cover your needs, it’s time to call them and discuss your move. It’s important not to make decisions prematurely. Discuss things beyond the hourly rate, such as the fees per mover, mileage rates, packing, larger items, etc. You will even want to ask if they are licensed and how they are licensed (remember what I said about national and international moves?). Also confirm they are fully insured in case something would happen to your stuff during the moving process.

Get several estimates.

Next, schedule a free estimate. Companies unwilling to conduct an in home estimate for free should be removed from your list immediately. An in-home estimate is the best way to be completely prepared for the move and will help avoid any surprise charges if you should choose that company.

Make sure the moving company is aware of everything you want done – what needs packed, what goes where, how you want it handled and moved. If you have an antique piece of furniture passed down through your family for generations, you want to make sure they know how to handle it and protect it when they move it around. Many hidden fees can be added to the final billing if companies are unaware of surprises such as your attic, the backyard shed, etc. Take some time and show them those areas so they know exactly what they are getting in to.

Find out what items the company cannot move. Some regulations will not allow moving companies to handle and transport certain items such as chemicals, propane tanks, etc. Some states won’t even let you take plants across state lines. Again, eliminate surprises for your moving day and discuss everything during the estimate.

Be sure to ask them if they have any questions for you. And, they should. A company that doesn’t ask you anything isn’t being thorough enough in my opinion. Unless you gave them a printed and bound report that is beyond detailed, they surely have at least one question they can ask you.

Review the contract.

Read the contract carefully. And, don’t be afraid to ask questions about it. All moving contracts should state in detail the rates and pricing, liability, delivery dates, the move description and claims protection. Ask about the insurance the company holds for the contract. Discuss accident and damage protocol. You’ll want to know how well the company will handle the mishaps that can occur. And, be prepared for mishaps to happen, it is often inevitable during a move. Make sure you get a copy of the contract to keep for your records so you know what you signed.

It’s time to move!

Finally, the big day has come. There are some key things you need to know for moving day to keep it as stress-free as possible and without major catastrophe.

First of all, you should be present during the move. If you cannot be there in person, you should have your spouse, partner, close friend or a relative stand in for you. Be sure you have gone over your wishes with them ahead of time so they are prepared in case the moving company has questions or finds a small issue. The last thing you want is to leave the moving company there alone and have no one available to provide them direction or give them answers.

You also want to have someone at your new home to meet the movers there as well. Of course, if you can be there with them that is best. You will want to direct the movers on where to put all the boxes and furniture to make it easiest on you after they are gone. You may want to have a diagram of what goes where, and clearly label your boxes and the rooms inside the home to prevent hiccups. If you plan to renovate one of the rooms right away, make sure nothing is placed in there, and instead set it in a spare room or the garage so it’s out of your way. Planning is important for this step.

Give them feedback.

Now that the move is complete and you are getting all settled in at your new place, think about giving the moving company some feedback. Moving companies, like all companies, rely on the reviews of clients to fuel their business. Reviews help ensure customers get the best service possible, and allow the company to correct any issues you may have discovered during your move. If you had an experience worth sharing, you should!

Negative reviews are something you want to avoid if possible. If you had a problem, it is best to reach out to the company first by phone or email. Talking directly to a supervisor may very well lead to a resolution quickly and prevent any bad mojo between you and the company. Mistakes do happen, and you shouldn’t penalize a company without first giving them the opportunity to resolve it to your satisfaction.

Are you planning to move and would like some help? You can give us a call to speak with a property manager or contact us today and we will gladly assist you. If you need a storage unit to help with your move, reserve one now to get started!