Three D’s of self storage…

There are many reasons why you might need to use a self storage unit. Perhaps you’re moving house and need to store your soft furnishings until your new home is decorated and ready to move into properly; maybe you’re super-organised and want to put away your summer clothes now that the Autumn weather is on its way, to make room for your winter wardrobe; maybe your children are starting university and you need somewhere to keep their stuff during the holiday periods;

There are three reasons however which are particularly common: “the three D’s”…

Downsizing

Moving from a larger home into a smaller one naturally means that you’ll have less space for all the belongings you’ve amassed over the years. Many of our customers are people who have retired and moved into smaller, more manageable homes, and others are parents of grown-up children who no longer need as many bedrooms. They’re looking for somewhere to store those belongings that no longer fit into their home but that they don’t want to sell or give away yet.

Items of furniture that don’t fit the space available can be hard to part with, particularly if they have sentimental or significant monetary value. Furniture that you don’t have room for anymore can also still have huge potential practical value for your loved ones: if your children or grandchildren are not yet settled in their own homes, it’s possible that they may need to use your spare beds or wardrobes when they get their own places. Keeping that furniture safe and dry in the meantime could really help out, financially, at a time when your children or grandchildren have had to pay legal and moving fees as well as a hefty deposit on a new home.

Divorce

Alas, divorce is a common event for many people and necessarily involves a move for one or both spouses. Even the swiftest divorce proceedings take 3 – 6 months with a fair wind, and until they are concluded it can be difficult to finalise financial arrangements and agree who will live where. Many separating couples move into temporary, rented accommodation pending a resolution of their financial affairs.

If you have to move into a smaller property or into furnished, rented accommodation, you will probably have possessions that you don’t have room for in your new place. Like the ownership of the matrimonial home itself, you and your ex may not agree on who will get what furniture in the early days, but you shouldn’t forget that you will ultimately need to furnish your own home in the long term. Even if you don’t have room for them now, you should still try to keep what you’ll eventually need after the dust has settled. A bed, wardrobe, chairs, as well as personal items such as clothing can all be safely stored in one of our self storage units until you have space for them again.

Death

Death is never easy to accept, and as well as coping with the emotional aspects of losing a loved one you may have to deal with practical issues too. Sorting through the home of a deceased relative is not something any of us would choose to do, but it will be necessary in order to wind up their estate. It can take time, and it can also be very difficult, in the midst of grief, to know exactly what to sell and what to keep. There may be items of furniture that you can’t use right now, but will probably need in the future – selling them now will mean that replacements will have to be purchased at a later date.

If you’ve lost someone close to you, there may also be items of sentimental value that you want to keep to remember them by: their favourite chair; a picture that always hung in their living room; blankets or items of clothing that still hold their scent. Giving those things away or selling them might be unbearable. Storing them somewhere dry and clean will give you time to decide whether or not to keep your loved one’s belongings in the long run

For more information about any of our self storage services, please have a look through our website or contact us by email [email protected], telephone 01981 541180 or via our website quote request form.

Building Work – Don’t let your dreams turn into a disaster.

With the warm weather and longer days, you’ll want to get all your building work or renovations done now. After all, having work done in the house when it’s pouring down is no fun at all – in fact, it can be a major inconvenience!
While the workers you hired are happy to get on with their tasks, you’re probably on standby with the hoover to catch any dust or are busy keeping the kettle on the boil for any on-demand brews.
This is all fine. The problem begins when you have to tuck all of your belongings away. This can be a bit challenging and send your stress levels sky high. Of course, it doesn’t have to be like that. Building work shouldn’t be synonymous with building stress.

No Space, No Problem
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home you will probably need to move your furniture about. After all, the workers need to move around freely without being hindered by your furniture. However, you may not be able to place your furniture in another room of your home, especially if you don’t have a spare bedroom (and piling your stuff on top of your other stuff is far from ideal)!
And can you imagine anything worse than having to take out all of your furniture and put it on the kerb while you have work done in the house? You’ll soon get tired of explaining to your neighbours that no, you’re not having a garage sale or quickly trying to cover your prized possessions in plastic during the unexpected rainfall.
On the other hand, putting your furniture in storage temporarily, can solve all of your problems. You don’t have to worry about space and will have peace of mind of knowing that everything is safe and ready for you to collect when you want.

Damage Can Be Real… Very Real
If the work you’re having done has even a slight chance of damaging your belongings, you’re likely to be stressed about it. It could be simple paintwork, a mess about with the water pipes, or the installation of a new floor.
No matter why you’ve called workers to your home, the last thing you want is to be on edge worrying about your antique table or model car collection.
The only sure way to ensure you can avoid any damage to your belongings is to get them out of the house! By placing them in storage, you can rest assured that your belongings will be well-taken care of and there’s no way they will get damaged during the building work.

The Old “I’ll Just Cover This with Plastic”
No matter how long workers take to finish the job, it’s likely you won’t want to live in a crinkly mess for that time. Maybe you’re having the house painted or maybe you’re finally getting that wall knocked down to make more room for a baby – instead of resorting to plastic, have you considered putting your belongings in storage?
This way, your home will still look tidy (well, as tidy as it can be when you’re having work done…) and you don’t have to live in a plastic nightmare!
Take Advantage of Self Store & More’s range of storage options to suit your needs
Be it because you don’t want to keep moving furniture around or because you’re afraid that despite your precautions your possessions may still end up damaged – take a look at our range of self storage options available as we are sure there is a solution to suit your needs.
The alternative is to keep covering the furniture with cloth or plastic sheets, keep moving each piece around as needed (especially difficult if they weigh a ton, making you regret getting that solid oak dresser!), and constantly and obsessively checking for any marks or chipped corners. Not to mention the inconvenience of clambering around and over all the out-of-place items.

Why go through all that?

With building work ongoing, life is often stressful enough. So, don’t add to it by stressing about your belongings all the time.

Why not visit our website pages and take a look at the following options to find out which solution suits your needs? Of course, if you wish to discuss your requirements with an experienced member of staff then please do not hesitate to call our 24/7 customer support service, email [email protected] or complete our website Quote Request Form.

• Warehouse Storage Units – Available in three different sizes
• Mobile Self Storage Collection Service – Save time, money & effort on removals and van hire and let us collect direct from your door.
• Store @ Your Door – Why not have a secure storage unit delivered and sited at your home – the most convenient storage solution you’ll find.
• Steel Storage Units – Available is 8’, 10’, 20’ and 40’ lengths
• Heated Store Rooms – Starting from only 45 sq. ft

Access to all of our units are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (some by appointment only) so, if you need to collect, drop off or simply have a look through your items, we will be here to help when it suits you.

For further information, please have a read through our website or contact us 7 days a week to find out how we can help protect your possessions in a cost effective, convenient and stress free way.

Tips for DIY Beginners.

Tips for DIY Beginners

Now the days are longer and the weather is warmer many of us will start to think about improving our home ready for the summer. For some, this can be an exciting time but, for others, the thought of DIY can seem daunting. If completed correctly, it is a great way of improving your home whilst saving money on professionals so here are some tips before starting.

1. Know what you’re getting into – Before starting your DIY project, brush up on the work needed and educate yourself by reading a DIY how-to site on-line, watching a demonstration video or even asking a friend who has relevant experience. Having motivation is essential to see the project through, but you really need to know how to do the job first.
2. Budgeting for your project – keep some budget aside for unforeseen costs – even a professional will have a contingency for each project. Having to stop your project before it’s finished due to lack of funds can be avoided if you budget correctly and keep a list of all the materials and their costs as you go along.
3. Know what you CANNOT do – Some things, such as working with gas and most new electrical work, are covered by regulations which prohibit the ordinary DIY’er from carrying out the work even in their own home The regulations are there for safety sake so don’t try to do these jobs, not only is it against the law but you can endanger yourself and your family.
4. Stay safe at all times – Make sure to always read safety instructions on all products and tools, and use protective clothing when necessary. Protective clothing such as goggles and gloves won’t cost you much and will be of use for years to come.
5. Start small – To avoid disappointment, possible damage and possible expense of getting a professional to finish it off, make your first DIY project a simple job and get bolder as you gain experience. Although knocking down a wall may look simple enough, more experience DIY veterans and professionals will know to look for possible complications such as what the wall supports, water pipes, electricity cables and other issues.
6. Always test – For many DIY projects, particularly for complicated ones always test your skills and materials on a small scale first. This will allow you to try out your tools, ensure you have all the necessary materials and avoid causing any damage. For example, if you decided to re-coat your hardwood floor after several years of use, testing your method first on a small surface area is what most retailers recommend.
7. Allow enough time and don’t rush the job – When starting your DIY project, the chances are you will discover that whatever it is, it takes longer than you thought. Because there’s nothing worse than ending up with half a job done, make sure you allow enough time to complete the work and allow some extra time for complications. Some projects seem to require one weekend, but in reality one weekend could eventually spread across a few.
8. Protect your prized possessions – this is where a local self storage company can help. There is nothing worse than trying to carry out DIY whilst constantly bumping into the furniture that has been left stacked up in the middle of the room. There are not many homes that can accommodate two rooms in one and still be habitable so, by clearing out the bulky furniture you will ultimately save lots of undue stress and effort. At Self Store & More, we have small, medium and large storage solutions to suit your needs so why not contact us to find out how we can help you.
9. Finally and most importantly  – Enjoy your project so you look forward to the next one.

Spring is here – Is it time to declutter your clothing storage?

 

Winter is over so it’s a great time to declutter your clothing storage and make more room by putting your bulky winter items away for next year.

It may not be a one-day job, or even a one-person job, but imagine how much better you will feel looking at your immaculate wardrobe every day and on no occasion wasting time finding your favourite outfit.

Here are some top tips:

Remove everything out of storage and cupboards.

It’s easier to start with a clean canvas and you’ll see how much storage space you’ve got in your wardrobe. Sort through each piece of clothing. Ask yourself, do you wear it anymore? Does it make you feel good? Is it just wasting space?

Neatly, fold all your loved items and put them back in their rightful place. If you are unsure about a piece of clothing, make another pile – you can always come back to it.

Take any of your partners, your kids or your winter warmers like coats or thick knitted cardigans that you won’t need anymore and store them in a suitcase, sturdy boxes or vacuum-packed bags for safe keeping until next winter. You can always keep a few cardigan’s handy just in case you need an outer layer before Summer arrives.
Wash or dry clean your items before storing away as any dirt or stains can cause long term damage to your clothes.

Dispose or donate?

Go through that “unsure” pile again and if you are sure it can be of no further use to you or someone else then simply dispose of it. If you however believe it could be of further benefit then start a donation box. Nothing will feel better than donating perfectly wearable clothes to others in need. You won’t feel like you’ve wasted your money if it’s going to someone who will get lots of wear out of it.

Organise your storage space

Every item needs a designated storage space. Organisation will help your time management. Keep your work clothes in one space and your t-shirts in another. Hang up your dresses or shirts because no one likes to iron. Keep your shoes together and while you’re there, sort through and let go of any worn out, unwearable pairs. If you’re lucky and have walk in or built in clothing storage, have one side for your partners clothes and one side for yours for extra organisation.

Organising family storage

If you are decluttering your own clothes, you may as well help your partner or your kids (or both!!) while you’re at it. If your partner is unenthused about decluttering get him or her to sit down and answer a simple “yes or no” game. Hold up each shirt, blouse or pair of jeans in front of him or her and make quick decisions.
As for kids, how many toys do they really need? Have they grown out of anything? Keep a few of your favourite items for sentimental reasons and donate the rest. If you don’t want to part with anything, store it all for when you have grandkids!

Don’t get distracted, stay focused on decluttering
Yes, it’s hard, but stay focused – the more you procrastinate, the more time it will take to achieve your goal and you’ll end up living in more mess than when you started. Make it a family joint effort or if you are working solo, grab a glass or mug of your favourite drink and pop on your favourite music!
Take a step back and admire your decluttered clothing storage space.

If you want to declutter clothing (or any other belongings) but don’t wish to throw items away, contact us 7 days a week at Self Store & More to find out how we can help provide stress free storage for as long as you need.

How to Prepare Your Home for Sale.

How to Prepare Your Home for Sale.

Selling your house can be a very emotional experience and one full of competition. Your home will be one of many to be offered to prospective buyers by estate agents in your area, so you will need to make sure that your house is ready for the brochure photographs and subsequent viewings. By doing so, you will significantly increase your chances of a successful sale at quick as possible for the right price. Here are a few handy tips to help.

Improve the exterior appeal of your home

First impressions count, and the first impression a potential buyer gets of your home is from the exterior. Many buyers will already have made the decision about whether they intend to buy your house before they’ve even made it over the doorstep. For this reason, you need to make the first impression a good one.

The wind, rain and snow during these winter months may have caused the exterior to become tired so any peeling paintwork should be given a lick of fresh paint, weeds removed and, as soon as you can, the lawn should be mowed. Driveways, gutters and paths should also be swept clean of leaves, twigs ad winter grime. Having this ‘fresh’ and well maintained look upon arriving also shows any prospective buyer how much you care about your home, which will hopefully persuade them that they are investing into something worthwhile.

Store outdoor equipment 

A further way you can improve the exterior is to get rid of any toys, bikes, tools or other larger items you may have lying around. The best place to keep these is in the garage or shed. However, if you do not have this type of storage space, it could be worth considering using self storage on a short-term basis until you have sold your house.

Clean the house

One of the simplest tips given by estate agents and property experts is to give your house a thorough clean. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves living in a house and they are less likely to be able to do this if they see your home looking unclean. Although it requires some effort, this is not a difficult task and it may be one that pays off.

General maintenance

As you are used to living in your home, it is possible that you have not noticed the condition of different areas of your home. You will have become used to any small problems, but a buyer is likely to notice them and look upon it negatively. One tip is to pretend that you are a potential buyer. Take a notepad and a pen around the house with you and write down the things that catch your eye.

If the paintwork is scuffed on the skirting boards and around the doorways, then this is something that will need your attention. Likewise, if you have patches of missing wallpaper or a kitchen cupboard door with a broken hinge, you will need to do something about these too.

Clean the clutter

Part of making a house a home is to have your personal possessions on display. However, what you see as prized possessions with huge sentimental value, a buyer may consider to be clutter. To help a buyer imagine themselves living in the space, it is better to clear away the extra stuff. Pack your items away in cardboard boxes, individually wrapping any possessions that may break. These can be stored in the loft space, garage or the shed. If you are concerned about potential damage to your things, then another alternative is to use a self storage unit until your house is sold. This way you can be sure that your items will not get damaged and will be completely secure.

Speak to your estate agent

An invaluable source of advice about preparing your home for sale is your estate agent. They will have lots of experience in understanding what can help a home to sell and will be able to give you tips to improve your chances of a sale. They are likely to be almost as keen as you to sell your house, especially if they are on commission or working towards targets.

Rent a self storage unit

Large pieces of furniture may be your style and a reflection of your personality and personal taste, but they can make a room look cramped and much smaller. A house with space is more likely to sell. Therefore, to create a feeling of space in your home, it may be necessary to clear your house of some of the furniture. Think about which pieces you actually use on a daily basis and which do not have much of a practical use. It might be necessary to store your furniture in a storage unit for a while. Choosing the right size storage unit is a very cost effective and flexible way of creating space at home and, if it helps you to sell your house quickly, it’s also a great investment in the long run.

Although selling your home can be stressful, using these steps to prepare your home for sale can help to limit the amount of problems. By following these tips, the chances are that you will get positive feedback after viewings and you are more likely to achieve a quick and successful sale of your home.

If you are not sure about how, or what, to put into self storage then please feel free to contact us at Self Store & More seven days a week on 01600 735001, 01981 541180 or 01594 840860. We are happy to listen, discuss and advise on whether you first of all need self storage and, if so, what size will best suit your needs.

Are you moving, renovating or running out of space at home? Here is some advice on how to declutter and how Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye Self Storage can help you.

Preparing your home for sale or moving into a new house is the perfect excuse to purge excess items you no longer need. However, if you already live in a great location but the house is just too small or overrun with toys, tools, boxes or broken bits then extending or simply having a declutter and rearrangement of space could be the answer you are looking for.

Whatever the reason, it can sometimes be tricky to determine what to keep and what to throw away. Storing is, of course, another option, especially for those items you don’t use often enough but don’t want to dispose of for sentimental or value reasons.

Here is some advice to help you evaluate if you should pack, throw or store your belongings.

How to Categorise Your Items.

When sorting through your belongings, ask yourself a series of questions to help categorise items:

·        How often do I use it?

·        How emotionally attached am I to it?

·        Is this ready for an upgrade?

·        Could someone else get more use out of it?

·        Does it still function correctly?

·        Will this fit the décor of my new home or extension?

·        Is there room for this in my new house if I move?

Pack up or keep all the items that pass these questions. The rest will fall into one of the categories in the following sections.

What to Throw Away (and Other Options)

Remember to be honest with yourself when sorting through items. This will help eliminate unnecessary clutter taking up valuable space in the future. Besides broken items, some items to consider kicking to the curb are:

·        Items with missing parts.

·        Old greeting cards, letters, magazines.

·        Rusty equipment, such as gardening tools, rakes or hoses.

Although getting rid of excess items can be a relief, sometimes it may be difficult to just throw your items away. If so, why not consider other options that can give your useful belongings a second life, such as donating, selling or giving them away.

·  Apparel that is no longer worn.

·  Extra or unused kitchenware (plates, glasses, mugs, silverware).

·  Lightly worn furniture.

·  Lightly worn rugs.

·  Décor that is no longer used, such as lamps, paintings or sculptures.

So How Can Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye Self Storage Help?

Some of the items you want to keep may not be of use to you anymore but have sentimental memories or be future hand-me-downs for when the children go to university or move into their first house.

Self-storage is a perfect solution as you’ll have access to them anytime without taking up space in your home. At Monmouth & Ross-on-Wye Self Storage, we offer a wide range of cost effective options so whether it’s one box or a whole house, we will listen to, and discuss with you the best solutions to suit your needs. For example, even if you only have a small amount of family keepsakes that you want to keep safe, we have secure racking space available from only £1 per week.

Some items to consider storing, include:

·        Unused musical instruments.

·        Holiday decorations.

·        Family photographs or keepsakes.

·        Patio Furniture.

·        Kitchen appliances.

·        Seasonal apparel (e.g. coats, hats, sweaters).

·        Outdoor tools (e.g. lawn mower, rakes, shovels, DIY tools).

If you wish to discuss your storage requirements, or simply need some free advice then please call us on 01981 541180 seven days a week or email via our contact us page.