What To Expect Your First Time

What to Expect Your First Time
It’s your first time renting a storage unit and you want everything to go right. Problem is – you’ve never
done this before and you are not really sure what is involved. Here’s some advice from someone on the
inside…..
Before you arrive at the storage facility it’s a good idea to ask what methods of payment they accept.
Also ask if you are eligible for any discounts (senior, student, etc.) and be prepared to show id as proof
of eligibility. At the least you will have to pay for your first month’s rent and buy a lock for your unit. If
the facility you chose requires a damage deposit, admin fee, charges for a gate fob or supplies the lock
the amount will vary. Either way you have to pay for the use of the unit in advance.  Read More

Make Renovations Easier with Self Storage

Is it time to spruce up your home? Are you planning to renovate the kitchen or basement? If you are, you are not alone. Over 50% of Canadian homeowners plan to do some sort of renovations in the next couple of years.

Almost everyone dreams of a renewed living space. But, almost no one talks about the stress of renovating — the dust, the delays, the trades people coming and going, the spilled or splattered paint. . . .Don’t let these things stop you from improving your living space, but give serious thought to minimizing the hassles of remodeling. One underutilized tool that can ease the pain of renovating is self-storage. Whether it’s a quick paint job, a major kitchen update or an addition to the home, self-storage is a low cost way to solve some challenges home renovators face. Read More

All My Best Moves Involve Stretch Wrap

Want to know a secret to taking some of the stress out of moving?  Plastic wrap! Plastic wrap (also known as stretch wrap) is one moving supply that you shouldn’t skip. It’s a great way to protect your furniture from scratches and scuffs. Also, use it for wrapping things that are hard-to-pack like rugs, furniture, and bed rails. And, because there is no adhesive on plastic wrap there is no sticky residue left on your furniture. Here are some other stretch wrap tips from our moving experts. Read More

Tips for Moving With Cats or Dogs

Our furry friends mean a lot to us. As a dog and cat owner I know that moving can be an overwhelming change for pets. Here are a few tips to move your pets without causing additional stress for them. Read More

Organizing Your Self Storage Unit

The trailer is packed and you’ve signed your lease for your new storage unit. Now comes the fun part; Unloading. How do you pack your unit so you are able to find everything when the need arises? Here are 5 tips for organizing your storage unit to make this chore stress free come moving day.

  1. Labels. Always label your boxes – if you’re putting a variety of items in them try to add a description. This will help you organize your unit into sections. Use a brightly colored label & stack your boxes or totes with the label facing the front, so that you will be able to find things quickly in your unit.
  2. Regularly Used Items in Front. Pack the items that you will be using most towards the front of your unit. This will prevent you from having to move any extras away so you can reach them when the time comes. This includes items like seasonal wear, sports equipment, Christmas décor etc.
  3. Leave an aisle. One of the most common mistakes when storing is not leaving any room to get to the items in the back of your unit. The last thing you want to do is come to grab a box and have to move all your items out to get to it. Leave an aisle down the middle of the unit so that you’re able to reach most, if not all boxes and items.
  4. Take Pictures. When all of your items are loaded into your storage unit, take a few pictures so that you know what is in the unit and where to find it. This will save you time when you get to your unit and is especially important if you are storing long term.
  5. Draw a Map. Even if you’ve taken pictures it’s good to draw a map of where your belongings are, especially the important items that you do not use often. This will make your visit shorter if you know where these are packed away. This may include family photo albums, jewelry, tax files etc.

Using these 5 tips will not only save you time when you visit your storage unit but it will also reduce the mess you would have to make when searching through boxes to find a specific item. Have you stored before? Let us know your organizing tips in the comments below!

— Kayla Akerstrom

Relocating – How to Make the Move Better!

Source: TJC Properties
Source: TJC Properties

The time has come and you have decided to move for your job, your family, or maybe both. Whether you are moving across the province or the country, relocating is a big commitment, and a big job! Here are a 10 tips from an expert to help make the move better:

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How To Pack Your Storage Unit

When you sign up for storage, you are responsible for how your things are packed. This means you’ll want to take every precaution to ensure that your boxes, furniture, and appliances are safely packed. Here are a few tips to help you to pack your storage container in the most effective and secure way possible.

Is Your Unit The Correct Size?

The last thing you want to do is realize you don’t have enough space to store all of your possessions. If you are unsure of the size you need we can always show you first.

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Packing & Moving Tips From The Experts

In my 26 years, I have averaged a move every couple of years, these tips have helped to create a sense of organization and efficiency during an otherwise chaotic time – Moving Day!

Packing, preparing for, and executing a move can be quite overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you pack and prepare efficiently and effectively, to help your move go as smoothly as possible:

Read More

Television and Storage

Can I store my TV? A burning question for all of us technology lovers, we don’t want to get it home and it doesn’t work. In order to clear up this confusion, we’ve contacted the major electronics companies regarding storage for their LED, LCD, and Plasma television screens.

Fuzzy TVNote: These are the ranges of the brands if you’d like a specific model information please contact them directly as it may vary. It is greatly recommended from all companies to acclimate your television after taking it out of storage. This means letting the television warm up to room temperature for 24 hours before plugging it in and using it.

  • Samsung Canada: After speaking to a rep at Samsung he noted that their LED, LCD, Plasma and Smart TV screens should be stored between 10°C and 40°C.
  • Sony: The representative at Sony recommended a temperature of 0°C to 40°C for the storage of their TVs.
  • Toshiba: For Toshiba TVs the rep suggested a range of 0°C to 35°C for safe storage.
  • LG Canada: They could not give us a range. However, you can visit their website to download the manual for the specific model number. This will tell you what the safe temperature of storage is. http://www.lg.com/ca_en/support/software-manuals

So, what is our suggestion? If you’re going to store your television be sure to do so in heated storage, ensure it’s taken to a friend’s place or your new home first.

-Kayla