Anybody who has packed a hired trailer at dawn knows how easily the excitement of a move is quickly replaced with frustration. Loading boxes, driving to another end of town and then unloading only to repeat the process weeks later makes it even harder. Mobile self-storage solves the tiring process by making the storage container arrive at your driveway.
A New Concept in Contrast to the Old
The old system of storage expects the client to take the effort of packing everything up and transporting it to a facility. The mobile self storage option takes a different approach. A container is delivered to your house, filled at your pace and then collected. It either goes to a storage facility or remains at your location. This makes the concept ideal for very different scenarios like a quick kitchen renovation or an interstate relocation.
Fewer transportation efforts mean less time spent packing, less chance of dropping something valuable and fewer lost weekends. In vast Australian suburbs where facilities might be too far away, this becomes extremely important.
Life Events That Make It Relevant
One of the most common reasons for people to use flexible storage is renovation. Whether it’s new flooring, kitchen reconstruction or painting of rooms, everything has to be taken out and safely stored somewhere.
More extensive renovations like a knock-down require additional time, and people in such cases do not have the same space in a rented place.
Moves also have their challenges related to timing. Not always will the settlement dates match, and using a container to store everything in the meantime will help with that.
Lastly, downsizing is quiet and personal. People in retirement are not always able to decide which items to retain or throw away, or give to the relatives. The same applies to estates of deceased people.
Packing a Container the Smart Way
The way a container is packed can either safeguard everything inside, or leave it all battered and worse for wear. Containers are hauled around on trucks, so you can just imagine that a poorly balanced load can get all over the place in transit.
There are a few little habits that make a huge difference when it comes to packing:
- Heavy furniture and boxes need to go on the floor, and try to spread the weight as evenly as you can across the base of the container.
- Lighter, more fragile boxes should go on top; no sense in putting them underneath heavier ones where they might get squished.
- Fill up any empty spaces with cushions, blankets or pillows to stop everything from shifting around.
- Make sure to label every single box on at least two sides with what room it belongs in and what’s inside.
- Snap a photo of any valuable items and keep a basic written list of all your belongings.
When packing up bed frames and table legs, it’s a real bonus if you can take them apart; not only does it save space, but it also reduces the risk of damage. And before you know it, those pesky dust and scuff marks on your furniture will appear, so consider investing in some protective covers for your mattresses and upholstered bits and bobs.
The trick to avoiding packing-related headaches is to tackle the stuff you need most near the doors first. And it’s a good idea to set aside a box of essentials, tools and paperwork that you can easily get to.
Climate, Moisture and Unwanted Visitors
You’ve got to be on your toes when it comes to storing your belongings in Australia; the weather can vary so wildly from one region to another, and that means your storage needs will follow suit. In humid areas like coastal Queensland and the Top End, mould can start to grow inside a sealed space in no time.
To avoid this, only pack up completely dry items; that’s your first line of defence. Moisture absorbers and breathable covers are a good idea during long storage periods to keep things dry.
And then there are the pests, the quiet little monsters that’ll give you a nasty surprise if you’re not careful. Food crumbs are a special problem, especially if you’re storing your fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to defrost, clean out and leave them slightly ajar to avoid all that nasty mould and smell.
Some things really shouldn’t be put into storage at all:
- Perishable food, pet food and other edible bits and bobs.
- Flammable liquids, fuels and gas bottles; just no.
- Live plants; they’re better off outside where they can breathe.
- Important documents that you might need at some point in a hurry; why take the risk?
The Practical Checks Before Booking
If you’re putting a container on the street or nature strip, you’ll probably need to get permission from your local council first. The rules will vary from one council to the next, and some will outright ban it for any length of time. As for driveways, they usually avoid the need for a permit, but don’t forget to check for width, slope and overhead clearance first.
Insurance is something else worth thinking about. Your home contents policy probably won’t cover your belongings once they’re out of the house; that’s where specific storage cover comes in handy, especially for valuable or sentimental items.
Access terms differ from one provider to the next, so ask about how quickly a container can be returned or opened; you don’t want to be caught with a long wait ahead of you. Some providers need several days’ notice before delivering it back to your doorstep.
Getting a clear answer on the costs is another good idea. Delivery, collection, monthly storage and redelivery may each be charged separately; that’s a lot of potential surprises.
Making the Model Work for You
Mobile storage does best when it’s part of a bigger plan, rather than a last-minute solution. Sorting through your belongings before you pack them can cut down on the space you need and often save you some cash.
It’s also a good idea to do a quick clear-out before you start packing; when you’re unpacking, you’ll be much more pleased if you’re not facing a mountain of clutter. Opening up a container full of stuff you actually want to keep is a very different experience from unpacking boxes of things you completely forgot you had.
Moves and renovations are always going to involve some disruption, but if you pack things up sensibly, do the necessary checks, and have a container waiting in the driveway, you can at least keep the worst of it at bay and avoid a heap of stress.
