Category: Self Storage

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Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Vacating Your Self Storage Unit

First of all, we don’t like to see you go! However, we understand that many people use self storage on a temporary basis to get them through certain situations: buying and selling a home, downsizing, marriage/divorce, home remodeling, estate storage and so on. Whatever the reason for vacating your storage unit, there are some things you need to know and need to do to help make the moving out process smooth and easy.

Written Notice
Before vacating, you will need to notify your property manager in writing. As per your rental agreement, we require written notice a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the date you plan to vacate. You can mail your letter, drop it off at the office or email it to the property manager – whichever is easiest for you. Be sure to include the date you plan to vacate, your full name, the unit number and the reason for vacating.

If your situation changes unexpectedly and the date you planned to vacate needs to move, simply let the property manager know as soon as you are able. You can call the office, send a new letter via mail, email the property manager or stop in the office. We can then reschedule you for the new vacate date and update your file.

Cleaning Your Storage Unit
After you have given written notice of your intent to vacate, you need to make sure your storage unit is in the same condition as when you moved in. All items need to be removed, the unit should be swept out and any stains or spills need to be cleaned to the best of your ability to avoid any fees. If you need to borrow a broom and dust pan to clean up, you can simply stop in the office and we will be happy to provide one for you to use.

Be sure to remove your lock as well. Please remember, we do not have access to your unit at any time. If you leave a lock on the unit, we will need to remove it and you will be charged a lock cutting fee.

After you have emptied out all your belongings, swept and cleaned the unit and removed the lock, simply stop in the office and see the property manager. He or she will walk out with you to inspect the unit and confirm it has been returned to us in the satisfactory condition.

Tell Us How We Did!
We Want Your FeedbackWe strive to make your self storage experience a great one, even when you are vacating. The only way to guarantee that is to ask for your feedback. It will only take a few minutes of your time, and the feedback we receive from you is vital to providing the best customer service to our tenants during all stages of the storage process.

We have several options for you to give feedback:

  • Write a Google Review on our Google+ page.
    The property manager can provide you a quick instruction sheet with the link to our page, and even email you the document if you prefer. The whole process only takes a few minutes of your time.
  • Provide a written testimonial.
    The property manager can give you a form to fill out by hand quickly before you leave the office.
  • Provide a video testimonial.
    The property manager will simply record you using a camera or a smart phone before you leave the office. We ask for a quick, 15-30 second testimonial about your storage experience, which we may use on our website. You will need to sign a model release for this option.

Lastly, we would like to thank you for choosing Harrisburg Self Storage for your storage needs! We hope that you enjoyed your stay with us and will come back when you have future storage needs.

Referral BonusDon’t forget, even after you vacate you can still earn referral bonuses! For every person you refer to us who signs a rental agreement, you will receive $25. There is no limit to how many referral bonuses you can earn. Simply have them provide us your full name, address, phone number and email; or you can give them a referral card to hand in to us. Be sure to ask the property manager for a stack of referral cards before you leave.

If you have any questions about the vacating process or just want to learn more about self storage, you can contact us for more information.

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Organization Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Part 2: Seasons – Preparing for Fall Storage

Is Your Self Storage Unit Ready for Fall?

Before you know it, summer will be over and the cool, crisp feeling of fall will be upon us. If you already store with us, now is the perfect time of year to get into your self storage unit and give it a check-up to make sure it is ready for fall. If you are planning to start using self storage this fall, it’s a great time of year to move things into storage with the cooler temps and lower humidity.

Here a few steps we recommend you take to ensure that your valuables are in good shape after surviving the hot summer months, and while in storage during the fall and winter months.

Give Your Storage Unit a Check-Up!

August is when the summer heat and humidity are at their peak in our area. If you used a drive-up storage unit all summer long, you really need to get in there and check that everything is in good shape – especially if you rarely visited. No matter what type of storage unit you have, be it drive-up, inside access or temperature controlled, this is an important step to take when the seasons change.

Everyone knows the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind.” That can be the case quite often when using storage. Come visit your unit and re-familiarize yourself with is contents. If you haven’t visited in a while, it’s easy to forget what you have tucked away in there. Now is the time to replace the container of Damp-Rid you placed in there during the spring. This will help keep the moisture levels inside your storage unit as low as possible and help prevent mold or mildew. If you simply gathered free boxes from the grocery store to pack away your stuff and they are falling apart now, you may need to purchase some new ones. Our retail store is fully stocked packing and moving supplies, including a variety of boxes that resist crushing, will stack nicely and are specially treated to help prevent mold and mildew.

Double check that you are using the recommended disc lock on your unit. Disc Locks have been created specifically for the storage industry and will provide your valuables the most protection and keep your mind at ease. Remember that your tenant insurance deductible is waived when you use a disc lock.

Is your door bulging, drooping or squeaking when you open and close it? This is very unlikely, but if you do notice anything of this nature, please stop in the office and notify the property manager. We can then have our maintenance team take a look and keep everything in tip-top shape.

Pack Away the Summer Gear

Patio FurnitureIf you store with us all year long, the fall months are the ideal time to pack away your patio furniture, pool accessories and summer gear in preparation for winter. You can also move your lawnmower and other yard equipment and tools into storage since you won’t be mowing the grass in November (well, let’s hope not!). Just remember that you need to drain the tanks of gas, oil and other flammable liquids before placing them into storage.

While you are packing away the summer gear, be sure to unpack the winter gear and take it with you. Make sure your sweatshirts and comfy jeans are pulled from storage and placed into rotation in your closet; and you move the tank tops, sandals and swimwear into storage. Don’t forget the snow-blower, shovels, ice melt, sleds and skis…everything you plan to use frequently during the cold and snowy months should either go with you or be moved close to the door so it is ready when you need it.

Get Your Student Ready for College

For parents of college students, self storage is a great option! You can pack away all of your student’s extra belongings so you can turn that bedroom into an office or an in-home gym like you always wanted while they are away. And, when they come home between semesters or for the summer, their belongings are just a quick storage trip away when they need something.

College Students on BikesYou can also find a self storage facility close to campus for your student. That way, they can keep the bulkier things they can’t live without (but just won’t fit in their dorm room) close at all times: a bicycle, kayak, extra school supplies, an extra hot plate or toaster and so on. Dorms, in general, are typically small bedrooms that are often shared amongst two or three students and have little to no space to store anything outside the essentials. You can rest assured knowing they have everything they need at their fingertips while far from home when using self storage.

Get Ready for the Holidays!

Feel free kick off the holiday season by pulling out your fall decorations! Make your residence a bit cozier by having those fall wreaths hanging from your front door and the cornucopia resting over your mantle.

Make sure the holiday lights, wrapping paper, Christmas tree and other decorations are moved closer to the door of your unit. That way you can easily swap out the fall décor for the winter stuff after Thanksgiving.

Put Away the ’57 Chevy

Antique AutoWe all know the invention of the automobile was legendary. For those of you who own a piece of history and treat it better than your children (well let’s hope not, but we all know that guy who won’t take the car out in the rain), fall is a great time to give your “baby” a tune-up and prep it for storage.

Our partner facility, Sierra’s Glen Self Storage, has drive up units that are the perfect solution to keep your car out of the elements, while at the same time granting you easy access to provide the necessary battery and tire pressure checks (or just a monthly visit to make sure she is hanging in there in the middle of January…you know who you are). You can learn more about storing titled property at our facility by reading one of our recent blogs.

Fall brings cooler weather, the return to school and the end of vacation season. Make sure both you and our self storage unit are ready for the season.

If you would like to get more information about fall storage, you can contact us at any time. Enjoy the rest of summer…it will be over before you know it!

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Organization Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Part 2 – Life Events when Self Storage is Beneficial – the Unexpected

In part one, we talked about the events you can plan for in life. However, there are a lot of things that happen in which we cannot prepare for ahead of time, at least not completely. Many of these events happen at a moment’s notice and suddenly you are faced with many important decisions that need to be made quickly. Self storage is a great resource to lean on during these tough times.

Here’s how storage can be beneficial when these (mostly) unexpected times rear their head:

Job RelocationJob Relocation.

You found out today that your position is moving to the corporate office in another state out west and you need to relocate in a couple months if you want to keep your job. You know you’ll be living in an apartment until you can find a new home to purchase. Rather than moving everything with you initially, you can move your unnecessary belongings into storage for safe-keeping. Once you are all settled in the new home, you can pack up your storage unit and make the trek with everything in tow. We also provide you with tips on how to move to keep you organized and ensure you don’t forget anything.

Divorce or Break-up.

No one plans to break-up or get a divorce when they start a relationship. But it’s a fact that many relationships end this way. When this happens, you are suddenly faced with a change in living arrangements. One or both of you will be moving out of your apartment or home, and possibly even selling your home. After the decision is made to end a relationship, having a self storage unit is a quick and easy way to move your things from your home into a safe place until you figure out the next steps. We can help you with tips on how to pack, how to move and even how to store your belongings – giving you one less thing to worry about during this difficult time in your life.

FuneralDeath of a loved one.

The untimely passing of a loved one is something that happens to all of us. Let’s face it, most of the time we haven’t planned for it because it is unexpected. All of the sudden you have all the items from their estate and nowhere to store them until the estate can be settled. This is especially true if your loved one rented or was in a retirement or nursing home. Using self storage is an affordable option that is available quickly. Moving their belongings to a storage unit will keep everything safe until all the other immediate needs are taken care of first. Then you won’t have to worry about it until you are ready.

Military Service.

You are called to active duty and you have no idea how long you will be deployed. Suddenly you have an apartment or house full of stuff and you need to get it out quickly before you leave. You probably have at least one vehicle that will be sitting around while you are away as well. Using storage for your belongings while you’re away is smart. You can choose a parking space for your vehicle or even a large drive up unit to use like a garage. There is no long-term commitment so you can store only as long as you need – which is perfect if you aren’t sure how long you will be deployed or if your deployment changes suddenly. We have the convenience of online payments and we also offer automatic payments so you can set them up and forget about them. Both perfect for a military member who is overseas.

Tragic Event – Flood or Fire.

There aren’t many things more devastating than a flood or fire at your home. You could have just a small flooding issue when your sump pump breaks suddenly and only your basement is affected or you caught the kitchen on fire in a cooking accident (it was the stove’s fault, I swear). But there are also those times when you could have a whole-home tragedy from a major flood or massive fire. One moment everything is just fine, and the next moment your life is in pieces. We see these stories on the news all the time and think that it can’t happen to me.

In either case, storage can be a real asset as you begin the process of cleaning up the mess and salvaging what you can. You can bring everything to your storage unit and sort through it to see what you can save in a clean, safe and protected environment, out of the weather and in privacy. You can also use your storage unit to keep all the donated items your community has pulled together to help you and any new items you purchase until you get set up in a new home or your home is repaired or rebuilt.

Mold in Your Home.

Mold issues in your home or basement can be a health issue for you. They need to be handled quickly to prevent long-term negative effects. While the restoration company is removing the mold and repairing your home, you can house your items in a self storage unit.

Accidental Damage to Your Home.

A severe thunderstorm comes raging through and knocks a tree down, and it fell onto your home instead of in the yard. The damage is extensive, but at least no one was home when it happened. Your roof has major damage, some windows are broken and your bedroom is not safe to sleep in until everything is repaired.

Or, you live near a busy intersection where accidents are common. Unfortunately this time a car managed to run right through your fence and into your living room. Luckily no one was hurt, but your house needs some major repair work completed.

In both instances, you can move everything into a storage unit while the repairs are being made. There are a lot of things that can happen accidentally to your home, and most of us are lucky enough to avoid them throughout our lives. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones, having a storage unit can be a real benefit.

The unexpected things in life can really throw you a curve ball. Let us help you by providing a safe and secure storage unit to house your personal belongings during your time of need. Our property manager is very friendly and knowledgeable, and is here to help. You can contact us at any time with questions or concerns about using self storage.

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Organization Self Storage Storage Tips

Part 1 – Life Events when Self Storage is Beneficial

Everyone experiences big events in life that can be stressful, exciting, unavoidable…some of which are planned and also some that are completely unexpected. To keep your stress level down and your sanity at normal levels, you need to plan for them. You would be surprised to learn how self storage can play a role during these times.

In part one of our two part series, we will focus on the events you can plan for and how self storage can be beneficial:

Selling Your Home.
Most people have moved at least once, and it isn’t the most fun thing to do. If you are like most of us, you need to list your house for sale while still living in it. We are a great place to store all the items you don’t need on a daily basis and that take up a lot of space. When staging your home, you want it to look clean, organized and big – so move all that extra stuff into a storage unit.

You always have the possibility of selling your house faster than expected as well. Everyone should be so lucky to sell in a couple of weeks, but most people don’t plan for that. Now you need to get out quickly but haven’t found your next home just yet. That means you need to move into an apartment or stay with relatives until you find that dream house. All of your belongings need somewhere to go and self storage is the perfect solution! Our leases our monthly, so you can store only as long as you need to without a long-term commitment.

Getting MarriedGetting Engaged or Married.
He finally popped the question…and you said yes! You have decided to move in together in your apartment, but realize you have two of just about everything and it’s not all going to fit! You don’t want to get rid of it, because you know you will be buying a home down the road and can use it then. Choosing a self storage unit to house all the extra furniture and kitchen appliances is a great idea!

Or, maybe you don’t have too much stuff right now but are planning to start collecting all those items you will need for your first home while you save money living in an apartment. Think about it, buying your first house together is usually one of the next steps after you tie the knot. You also have the registry gifts to think about from the big day…where are those going to fit in your one bedroom apartment?

You can store all the great gifts from your wedding with ease by renting a self storage unit. Plus, you can purchase those brand new big ticket items you want for the new place as they go on sale and have no worries of where to keep them all.

Starting a Family.
You have just told your family and close friends the exciting news of a new baby to come in a few months. Congratulations! Now, where are you going to put the nursery? Time to clean out that extra bedroom or office to make room for your new bundle of joy! You know you want to keep all your stuff but don’t have any room for it. Self storage is a great solution! You can hang on to the extra bedroom set, either for your next house or for when the baby grows up and needs one of her own.

Downsizing.
Your kids just left for college; your kids have recently rented or purchased their own place; you just decided you no longer need all that extra space at this time in your life; or maybe you (or your parents) are moving into a retirement community that has much less closet space and only a one car garage. Downsizing is a fact of life for many people at some time or another. Use a self storage unit as your “extra closet space” or “extra garage” so you don’t have to rush around selling all your family heirlooms. We have many sizes to choose from so you can be sure everything will fit nicely.

College Graduate Moving Back InKids Moving Back Home.
These days, the kids who are moving back home aren’t always college students or recent graduates. Many families are making decisions to save money by moving back home. The reasons are many; loss of employment, ailing parents who want to stay in their home, life-altering injury that requires around the clock care, and so on.

Your college student or graduate who comes home probably has more stuff to bring back than when he or she left for school, but you have no room to store it. If you lose your job, you probably want to keep all of your furniture and appliances for when you get back on your feet, and you know your parents don’t have enough room to store an entire extra house of stuff at their place. Or if you are one of the many adults moving back “home” to take care of your parents, you have a lifetime of belongings that you don’t want to get rid of right now. You know at some point you will be out on your own again and it makes more sense to hang on to your stuff than get rid of it now just to purchase it again later down the road. Selecting a self storage unit to keep your stuff safe and secure makes a lot of sense.

Life is full of changes, many that are very exciting and some that are just downright stressful. Let us help you by providing storage space during these times. Our property manager is very knowledgeable and can help you decide what size and type of self storage unit is right for you. Contact us at any time for more information or to answer any questions you may have.

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Organization Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

Are All Boxes Created Equal?

You’ve settled on the perfect self storage unit for your needs, signed the lease and purchased your disc lock. Now it’s time to start packing up all the extra stuff in your attic, basement or garage. Should you talk to the local grocery clerk or call around to department stores asking for leftover boxes from the back? Or, should you purchase the brand new moving kit or separate boxes you saw at our rental office?

Although free boxes can be very appealing (I mean come on, they’re free!), they aren’t the best choice when packing things away for storage. You may end up keeping those boxes in your self storage unit for many months or years at a time – even if you think you will only be using storage for a couple months. You’d be surprised how quickly time flies and how beneficial your self storage unit becomes. You could very well end up keeping it for a lot longer than anticipated.

Boxes you collect from stores are built for short-term use. They may seem sturdy and dependable, but they have been designed to transport goods from one place to another over a very short period of time; then be discarded quickly. Think about how easy they are to break down and flatten. It takes only seconds to reduce them to mere cardboard. They are often much more flimsy than they appear, and won’t stand up to the test of time. You also need to remember that store employees aren’t worried about keeping the boxes in good shape. They will open them – often times using a box cutter and slicing right though the box. Then they empty them, crush them and flatten them immediately for disposal. Food, grease, oils and who knows what else may also have been spilled on them.

There are many advantages when purchasing specialized boxes from the retail shop located inside our rental offices:

Boxes Designed Specifically for the Self Storage Industry.

  • They are made of superior materials and high-quality liner board that will stand up over extended periods of time.
  • They are treated to prevent mildew and mold from growing and boast specialized glue to improve durability in high humidity situations.
  • The edges are crush-tested; meaning they can be stacked up for several months without sagging.

Convenient Retail Shop in Our Rental Offices.

  • You can get all the boxes you need in our retail shops. No need to run from store to store trying to find enough boxes and different sized boxes. Only need one or two extra-large boxes? Need lots of small boxes for your extensive movie collection? We’ve got you covered. With our large inventory of boxes, you can find exactly what you need to keep your belongings safe and secure, all in one place.
  • We have boxes of all sizes for you to choose from. Extra-large boxes are great for quilts, pillows, shoes or your Tupperware collection. Large boxes work well for clothes, holiday decorations and kitchen gadgets. Towels, linens or photo albums are a good fit for our Medium boxes. And Small boxes are perfect for DVDs, video games and books – the items that can make a box very heavy if you pack them away in a box that’s too big.
  • We also stock boxes specifically designed for particular items. You can purchase a dish saver kit that is designed with molded inserts to protect your dishes and glasses during the move. We have boxes made for your framed artwork, pictures and mirrors. We even have wardrobe boxes so you can hang up clothing to prevent damage and creases…you can literally leave your clothes right on the hangers!
  • By purchasing your boxes from us, there are no worries of having 20 different box sizes that are hard to stack and take up awkward spaces. Storing in uniform box sizes keeps everything evenly stacked and maximizes the available space within your self storage unit.

We Have It All – Not Just Boxes!

  • Our retail shop is well stocked with everything you need to make packing, moving and storing as easy as possible for you.
  • In addition to not having to call all around looking for boxes, you also won’t have to visit four different office and department stores looking for the other moving and storing essentials. Packing paper, tape and dispensers, markers and boxes to bubble wrap, locks, furniture covers and DampRid – we have everything to help you pack, move and store your belongings. Everything is all right here at your fingertips, often at better prices than other retail stores.

Knowledgeable Property Manager – Here to Help You.

  • Our on-site property manager is more than happy to help you figure out how many boxes and what sizes you will need. That task itself can be almost as stressful as the move! Most people don’t even think about how many boxes are necessary, and are often scrambling around trying to find enough boxes in the middle of the packing frenzy. We also offer a handy box calculator to help you decide how many boxes will work best for your needs.
  • We can help you with much more than simply finding boxes. Our property manager is a self storage specialist, properly trained to help you with all of your moving and storage needs. He can help you find the right self storage unit size and type to best suit what you want to put into storage. He can help you decide which moving and packing supplies from our retail shop are best suited for your needs. He can even help you set up an online account to make payments and manage your account. Our property manager is also willing to give you advice and tips on packing your items, preparing for moving day and making the best out of your self storage experience.

Remember, all boxes are not created equal! If you want to protect your items from damage while in your self storage unit, you should choose wisely and consider purchasing our specialized boxes. We are your one-stop shop for all packing, moving and storing supplies. And, our friendly property manager is here to help you. Stop by our facility today and check out everything we have to offer. If you have questions you can contact us at any time. And, don’t forget to print out the 15% Off Coupon on all retail items!