Tag: storage tips

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Our Storage Facility Self Storage Storage Tips

What is the best way to organize my unit?

Organizing your belongings inside your storage unit is an important step you really need to think about when utilizing self storage. If you organize your stuff properly when you first move in, you will be able to easily access anything at any time without stress or hassle. This step is often overlooked. And when it is, that day comes when you need an item all the way in the back and underneath several boxes, and you realize you have to move everything around just to reach it. Well, that’s if you even remember where you put it!

Organize My Unit

All of that can be frustrating, time wasting and even dangerous. If you have everything shoved in there with no rhyme or reason, you run the risk of knocking things down, possibly breaking your valuables and items could even fall on top of you causing you harm. But don’t worry, we are here to help! Follow these simple steps to get organized right from the start, and to stay organized over weeks, months and years.

STEP 1 – Choose the best unit size and type for you and your needs.

Harrisburg Self Storage UnitsA good rule of thumb – it’s better to have too much space than not enough. Most likely you will fill it over time even if you have a little extra when you first move in. Talk with the property manager. Tell them what you will be storing, and they can show you the different options available. Make sure you walk into the unit and visualize what you want to store, and how you think it may fit best. Don’t be shy – ask the property manager for their expert advice. Our property managers are well trained, knowledgeable, helpful and very friendly. It is their job to be your new BFF. They can help you decide which unit size and type will work best.

STEP 2 – Create a plan.

Organize UnitNever just put things into boxes and into the unit without really thinking about them first. Think about which items you will want to access frequently, which ones you only need on occasion and which ones you won’t need for a very long time. Your plan should have a layout of where each item should be placed and what needs to go inside boxes or totes. Think about what items cannot go inside boxes, and where they will need to be placed in the unit.

If you have large appliances or furniture, plan for these items to go in the back of the unit. Chances are you will not need them at a moment’s notice. If you are storing a sofa or a loveseat, see if these items can be safely stood up on end in the corner to free up more space. You may want to check with the manufacturer to make sure this will not damage the item if stored in this manner for long periods of time. For example, something like a kayak cannot be stored upright, as it will compromise the strength of the product over time and ultimately damage it. It can also be very difficult to stack items on top the sofa seats. You can potentially damage the cushions or fabric and shorten the lifespan of the springs. Additionally, boxes will not stay evenly stacked because of the springy nature of cushions and can easily fall over.

If you plan to store furniture and mattresses, it’s best to use furniture and mattress covers to protect them from dust and surface damage. When using these covers, you will need to remember to poke a few holes in the plastic to allow the fabric to breathe. Don’t go running around town trying to find the right size covers though – we have many types and sizes available for purchase in our retail shops on site to make this process easier for you.

STEP 3 – Pack your items for storage.

Once you have chosen the best unit size and created your detailed plan, the next step is packing your items for storage. First of all, stick to your plan, because doing so will determine how smoothly the move goes, how easily you can access your belongings down the road when you need them and how best you can utilizing every square foot of the unit.

Organize UnitLabel your boxes appropriately, and neatly, so you know what is inside at a glance – plan to have markers and labels on hand when packing and moving. Make sure to mark which boxes can go inside larger items like dressers. Wrap valuables and breakables in bubble wrap or packing paper to protect them during the move and while in storage. Don’t pack your boxes too heavily. You want to make sure you can easily pick them up and move them about without hurting yourself or needing assistance. Sometimes using many smaller boxes is easier than using a few large ones, especially if you cannot lift them alone.

Make sure you pack the moving truck or van correctly. Items that are going to be placed in the front of the unit need to be loaded into the truck or van first. All the large items that are going in the back of the unit and along the walls should be loaded onto the truck last, as you will want to unload them first. Many people don’t think about this, and end up having to unload the entire truck first so they can pack the storage unit correctly (and according to the plan they created).

Step 3 – Move into the unit.

Stick to the plan. And, if you must stray from it at all, be sure to notate what changes you are making so you don’t have questions later. Large items like furniture and appliances should go in the back and along the outside walls. All items you don’t need regular access to can also be placed toward the back and the corners. Heavy items and boxes need to go on the floor and lighter items and boxes can be stacked on top.

If it’s possible, create an aisle down the center of the unit as a way to access anything located in the back and along the walls. If you are using a really large unit or one that is much wider than it is deep, you can create two aisles; one on the left and one on the right, to access items along both walls, all the way to the back and in the center.

If you are unable to create an aisle down the middle, be sure to keep things you may need often in the front of the unit so they are easily accessible. Things such as important documents, Christmas decorations, children’s winter clothing, tools and so on.

Be sure to properly label your boxes and totes. This should have been done when you were packing, but it is a good idea to check as you move in. Sometimes you can miss one here or there, or you added some boxes last minute. As you move them into the unit, make sure they are stored with the label facing out or toward the aisle so you can see what is inside quickly. Make sure you write neatly and large enough to see at a distance.

Step 4 – Maximize your storage space.

For example, if you are storing a refrigerator, clean out the inside and stack boxes or items inside it. Make sure you can still get the door open for easy access to those boxes inside. Tape labels on the refrigerator door notating what items are inside. If you are storing a dresser, stack things on top and inside the drawers. Again, make sure there is room to open the drawers and tape labels to the outside stating what’s inside. Don’t put heavy boxes inside the drawers to prevent damaging them. If you are storing a bookcase, you can stack small boxes or items on the shelves.

By storing smaller items and boxes inside your larger items and furniture, you are utilizing the space inside your unit wisely. You will fit more items in the unit this way. Don’t waste space!

Step 5 – Maintain organization from start to finish.

Organize UnitKeep a simple diagram inside your unit that shows where everything is located. Now is the perfect time to create this. You just moved everything into your unit, so it will be fresh in your memory. You can tape this diagram inside the door or on a wall, or even on one of your boxes or large items in the front. Each time you visit and need access to your belongings, refer to the diagram to find things quickly. If you move things around, update the diagram so you are not confused the next time you are there. This step may seem unnecessary to you because you think you’ll remember where you put everything. As time goes by you will forget placement of some things, no doubt. So, rather than kick yourself for ignoring this idea, take a few minutes as you move everything in and jot down where you placed it. You will thank yourself later.

Moving can be a really stressful event for many people, nothing is going to change that. However, if you follow these simple steps you can greatly reduce your frustration and moving day will go by more smoothly. Remember to create your plan and stick to it. Get and stay organized. And, if you need help or assistance at any time throughout the process, see your friendly property manager. They are always eager to help!

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Our Storage Facility Self Storage

Here’s the 411 on Making Payments

We pride ourselves in providing great customer service – you, the customer, are our number one priority. We want you to be satisfied and to feel that our property manager did everything in their power to keep you happy and make your stay with Stop and Store Harrisburg a pleasant experience. One of the great benefits of moving in with us is that we offer a variety of payment methods. You are sure to find one that suits your needs and is most convenient for you.

Making Payments

First of all, we accept most forms of payment at all of our locations. Some people prefer to pay with cash each month, which is perfectly fine with us. You can also pay with a check or money order. And, we accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Not only that, you can change how you pay if you need to. One month you can pay with cash, the next month with a credit card and later with a check or money order – whichever is easiest for you. Allowing this flexibility to our customers is very important to us. We understand that times can be tough and sometimes one form of payment just works better one month than it did previously. Our goal is to make is easy for you.

We also offer several convenient methods to make your payment to us:

Automatic Credit Card Payment.

At any time while you are renting a storage unit with us, you can be set up for automatic payments using your preferred credit card. You can sign up for this option when you sign your rental agreement, or switch to it at a later date. When using this method, your credit card will be charged on the first of each month automatically and a receipt will be emailed directly to you. There is nothing you have to do beyond the initial paperwork and setup, which you can do at the office with the property manager or on our website at your convenience.

Credit CardOnline Payment.

We offer you direct access to your account through our website. Here, you can view your account and make payments with a credit or debit card. This allows you the flexibility to make your payment on the date you prefer – giving you more control to pay early or on the first when rent is due.

You can set up an account in a few easy steps. Visit our website, go to the “make a payment” page and click the button to “make a payment”. Click on “create account” and fill in the information. Then click “submit” and you are done. Pretty simple, right?

Now you can login and manage your account and make payments at any time. If you run into any problems or questions during this process, simply call your friendly property manager and he or she will help you out and answer any questions you may have.

Phone PaymentPhone Payment.

You can make your payment by phone. If you call during normal business hours, your property manager will take your payment information and email you the receipt. If you call after hours up to midnight, our answering service can take your payment information and email you a receipt as well. If you call after midnight, you will be directed to voicemail to leave a message, and your property manager will return your call the next business day.

Mailing Payment.

This may be a little old-fashioned for some of you out there…but for those of you who still write checks and use “snail mail”, you can mail your payment to us. Simply ask your property manager for payment envelopes. Then you can simply add the stamp and mail the payment directly to your facility. No need to worry about the mailing address because our payment envelopes are addressed and ready to go. We are not responsible for delays by the postal service, so be sure to allow for the mailing process (usually 3-4 days locally) and drop it in the mail with plenty of time to arrive to our facility by the due date.

Office Payment.

You can always stop in at the rental office and pay your property manager directly. Our managers love to see your smiling face when you stop in, and always have some candy available to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you happen to drop by after hours, no worries! You can simply drop the payment in the secure drop box and we will email you a receipt the next business day. Remember to write your unit number on the envelope and check or money order so we can credit your account correctly.

Now that you know all the convenient ways you can make your payments, here are a few quick tips to remember:

  • Make sure your unit number is on your check or money order.
  • Rent is due on the first of every month.
  • There is a five day grace period before late fees begin accruing.
  • Late fees are added on the 6th, 16th and the last day of the month.
  • We offer discounts to all Military personnel (active and retired), senior citizens and students. You will need to show proper ID to receive the discount.

Making your monthly rental payments is easy with the convenient options we offer. If you have any questions about any of these options, you can leave a comment below or contact your property manager at any time.

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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.