Keep Yardwork Under Control with Mobile Storage

Summer is the perfect time to tackle yardwork projects that you may have been putting off for a while. Do you have an extensive project planned, such as a new patio, garden, or lawn? Avoid sprawling all of your yardwork equipment over your property or cramming your garage by renting a mobile storage unit for the duration of your project. Improve the value of your property without creating an eyesore at the same time by storing rakes, tools, large equipment, and more. Once your project is complete, your mobile storage company can pick up the unit, leaving your yard open and clutter-free.

Already Moved but Can't Sell Old Home? Go Mobile.

A recent article by The New York Times illustrated the plight of families stuck between a sale and a hard place. One unfortunate reality of the current real estate market is that homes are not selling quickly, meaning that owners may find that they have to move on or live in limbo before the sale goes through. If you are facing a similar dilemma, consider placing a mobile storage unit on your old property so that if you need to return before it sells, any belongings you might need will be safely stored.

Too Much Stuff on Moving Day? Go Mobile.

If you are unpleasantly surprised on moving day by how much stuff you have--so much that it does not all fit on your moving truck--you may want to consider last-minute rental of a mobile storage unit. Hopefully, you are able to leave your spillover belongings at your old location until the mobile unit is delivered. Once it arrives, you can pack the extra items into the mobile unit and have them delivered to your new location, most likely for much less than the cost of renting an additional moving truck.

Use Mobile Storage for Hard-to-Move Items

Do you need to temporarily store a large, bulky, or fragile item? Perhaps you need to temporarily move a piano outside of your home for an event, but you don't want to pay hundreds of dollars to have it moved to a new location. Or maybe there is an armoire, chandelier, or large painting that you want out of your way for a few days. Whatever the problem, mobile storage is a convenient solution for storing large or bulky items. Standard size mobile storage units each hold about 1.5 rooms' worth of stuff. Just remember, if you are storing something of high value, you should purchase mobile storage insurance to protect your investment.

Mobile Storage for the Home Office

Has your home business grown recently? Are the papers, equipment, and supplies related to your business taking over your home office? If you need a convenient way to store work-related items outside of your home, but still keep them handy, consider mobile storage. A tidy home office will allow you to be more productive, but if you lack a garage or basement space to keep the growing amount of items for your business, put them in mobile storage. You can keep the mobile unit on your property (for how long depends on whether or not you are the owner), or you can have the mobile storage company pick up the unit once it's packed to be stored at a local warehouse. The growth of your home business is a good thing, but don't let it turn your home into a messy nightmare.

Mobile Storage for Charity

Are you planning a charity event that will gather unused belongings to donate to the less fortunate? Use mobile storage to easily contain the donated items and have them shipped to the location of the charity. For example, Seattle-based Door To Door Storage Inc. recently partnered with Loyola University of Chicago for its second annual "Think Green & Give." Since college students are notorious for trashing unwanted items when they move out of dorms at the end of the school year, this program allows gently-used items to be delivered to those who could use them, such as a service for the disabled and a food pantry. The mobile storage containers were left on campus for the last couple of weeks of class, allowing students to give items at their convenience.

Avoid Hidden Costs with Mobile Storage

Most of us are more price-conscious these days, and when it comes to budgeting a move, hidden costs can become a nightmare. Unlike most full-service movers, with mobile storage, your price is based on the amount of space or number of containers you use rather than the weight. Some moving companies reweigh your goods after the moving truck is loaded, resulting in an increased price. With mobile storage, you'll never have to worry about your belongings being reweighed or surprise charges. All fuel and transportation costs should be included in your quote.

Leader of the Pack

No one wants to pack up their storage unit only to return to find a moldy couch. Here are some do's and don'ts to pack your stored belongings for the best results:

Do:

• Prevent water from entering the storage container and damaging your items. Use a plastic sheet, tarps, or plywood to seal the container.


• Try to distribute the weight evenly on all sides when packing a mobile storage unit. Pack heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on time, and pack your items as tight as possible to prevent shifting and damage.


• Make sure heavy appliances are clean and completely dry before packing. Store them in an area that will avoid the formation of mildew. Pack lightweight items inside the appliances carefully so that they are not hard to find when needed again. Secure any moving parts (doors, etc.) with strong industrial tape, rope, or bungee cords.


• Secure your storage unit with a strong, commercial-grade padlock after you finish filling it.


• Keep an inventory of the items in your unit and take note of the unit number.
  

Don't:

• Place flammable or hazardous materials in your storage vault.


• Store liquids or perishables.


• Let children play in, on, or around the unit.