Getting the New House Ready for Move-In

The papers are signed, the deed is drawn up. You’ve even managed to get your whole family on board with the idea of moving and everybody is excited. Now how do you even get started with trying to get the new place ready for everybody? Perhaps you’ve managed to get some guys to help you move your stuff over and you know how to pack up the old life and get ready to move on and into the new.

What do you need to consider about your new house anyway?

Getting everything ready and into storage was a breeze, but you don’t want to move into the new house and realise that there’s a lot of work left to be done. It’s important to time the move carefully so that whatever loose ends are tied up just about when you’re ready to make the full transition into living in a new location and neighbourhood.

It is a good idea to also not be stranded without anywhere to stay while renovations are going on as well, so timing really is key to being able to live without inconvenience in your old house while the new one gets gussied up, and do the final move when everything is all cleaned up and things can be used.

Besides obviously the location and the amenities, the house itself has to be in a good livable quality. If you’re lucky enough to have bought a brand new house that comes with fixtures and everything fit in, there’s not much to worry about with renovations and the like. With older houses though, if there are any usable furniture left behind, it’s a good idea to see if they can be reused from the old house and therefore have arrangements made to put these items into storage while works are being done.

The objective here is to make sure that there is as little disruption to your daily lives as possible. Everybody knows that time is money and that every day that you’ve taken off from work to get the house moved also means more days for the kids away from school too. As exciting as that may seem, it is not something that you want to see dragging what with the inconveniences to living out of 2 separate locations.

Plan carefully which items can be done without and move those items out into storage first and then into the new house once it’s ready. The less things to deal with the better and staggering the installation of carpets and personalised knick knacks like the pictures, books, decorative items and other embellishments can wait until the last moment to really be broken out of their storage boxes for displaying again.

It is actually perfectly fine to do a partial move if you have the time and would like to keep costs cheap. You can save quite a fair bit of money slowly ferrying things over. But do keep the necessities with you - as simple as it may seem to carry laundry to your new house and then back, it’s not as smart.

There are lots of options from moving and storage companies that are more than happy to throw in extra services like clean up and painting and removal of refuse for you if you are willing to pay a little bit for the value-add. So do have a look at the different packages that companies have available. Even simply just going with a storage company to get everything from point A to point B may be a good idea because of the less stress and hassle that you’ll have worrying about how you can handle things.

Leaving things to the expert can sometimes really be a weight off your shoulders, but whatever you may choose, stay calm and keep being happy all throughout the entire process. A new home should be filled with laughter and joy and taking the whole event in your stride can only lead to a great start.

Why do you need EXTRA Storage

Everything is fine just the way it is, or isn’t it?

Are you worried about your bulging closets and do you worry that the things in the store room are just going to come crashing down on you the next time you open up its door. Maybe everything is in tip-top shape, you are just so sick of looking at that paisley sofa, or you’d love to get a new bed frame to match that new coat of paint but it seems such a waste to just throw or give away the ones that you have.

Even more of a waste for you to throw away perfectly good clothes that might just come back into fashion like how high waisted shorts and shoulder pads came back into vogue - we bet you wished you kept that leather jacket from the 60s that would be so couture and vintage right now!

So maybe you’re moving to somewhere and need to move your portable storage unit to a different location in Australia, or even if you’re going somewhere else in the world for a temporary assignment. You’ll probably want to keep your items somewhere safe and will eventually need to collect your items back.

There are tonnes of reasons out there for why storage is so important!

Well look no further, that’s an excellent idea to start looking into putting your things into storage! And it maybe not necessarily mean that you need to hire storage space at a storage facility per se. We’ll be happy to share with you some tips and trips of using the storage you’ve got at home and even creating extra storage for yourself right where you are.

The easiest way and cheapest way to create storage in your place without paying a crazy price is to compartmentalise! Buying boxes and other container units of different shapes and sizes not only help you to organize and clear up the clutter, but if you choose the right kinds of containers, they can actually complement and brighten up your decor. It’s 2 birds with one stone we tell you!

A more expensive way of doing it is of course renovation and expansion. Besides the fact that this method will be taking a lot of time to plan and schedule into your already busy daily life, there’s really nothing quite like having your own storage space on your own land and premises; and POOF! There’s your new storage room or whatever other room you’d like to have so you can convert the old one into a storage room! Much like how any house improvement project is exciting, so is creating a personalised storage space akin to creating just about any other new room in the house.

The cheaper option would be ready made sheds or shacks that you can get from your local hardware or big department store. Even less fuss and muss. Just purchase and install and Voila! Instant storage space!

But we saved the best for last. The easiest method of creating storage is to outsource it! With today’s new innovations in the storage industry like portability and extra transporting services that come along with, it becomes so simple to just give storage company a call and have them bring a mobile storage unit right to your doorstep.

Best part about this, is that you don’t even need to worry about your things while they’re in storage because they’ll be monitored by the company in a high security facility. There are also specialised options which might be able to provide better care for the more sensitive items than what could be afforded at home.

Whichever option you choose, there’s no doubt that there is no bad reason to have extra storage, so put in that little effort and create a new space for yourself.

How to make use of self storage facilities when running an online business

People are getting more comfortable with the thought of buying something online as online shops and services get safer and more common. If you are running an online business from home, one of the major problems is the sourcing of a cheap but spacious storage facility for your stock. This article shows the tips you might like to follow in sourcing for one.

You start an online shop from home and its business starts coming in. It starts off at a nice leisurely pace, a few orders here and there. You only needed a small space to store your stock. Then you decide to expand, and why not. Your customers seem eager to be able to order more stuff from you, some of them even writing in to request a brand that they might like. You don’t want to lose your loyal customers, so you order more stuff and before you know it, your room is filled with boxes upon boxes of stock.

It’s time to look for a storage space.

A look around your area shows a few places for rent. Some landlords dislike the idea of you storing goods in an office space. Some warehouses are way too expensive and don’t necessarily have the security or the right condition for your goods. One option many online shop owners go from being a self storage facility. The self storage facility has the following advantages:

1. Choice of size

The keyword is choice. You can rent a tiny unit for products that are not too big or you can go for a huge one - it’s entirely up to you. You can even start small and upgrade to a bigger space later or even rent a few units for different categories of items.

2. Security

Many of these facilities boast of good, high tech security to ensure safety.

3. Price

Many have a long-term rental discount so if you’re planning to rent for months or even years on end, it might actually be worth it.

4. Location

These facilities usually have branches in different areas so you could pick one that is most convenient for you.

5. Climate control

You can choose a unit that has climate control if your items can spoil.

With all these good factors in mind, you might want to consider renting a self storage facility. Of course, every shop’s needs are unique and may require different considerations. Do remember, when sourcing for a space, that you must cater for a possible expansion in the future. Many online shop owners, whilst happy they are doing well, find out the hard way they simply are not prepared for the overwhelming number of orders that an “out of stock” label becomes inevitable. An “out of stock” label placed too long will cause an exodus of your customers, so be very careful. Always plan ahead. Give time for stock to be delivered as wholesale delivery takes a while.

That being said, looking for a bigger space for your online shop should be considered a “happy problem” as this means you are doing well in this competition online shop global market.

Pitfalls to Avoid When You Are Working From Your Own Home

Intro: Working from home can be a bliss. There are fewer interruptions, less commuting time and more flexibility in your time management. But if you are not careful, you could fall into some horrible traps too. This article lets you know what exactly to avoid or watch out for when managing your work from home.

Does working from home sounds awesome to you? Well, it does to most people. The idea of not having to dress up and commute two hours each day to and from the office is what many people aspire to these days. While starting a business and working from your own home definitely has its many advantages, it may not be the right cup of tea for everyone. Here are some tips on the pitfalls you should avoid if you choose this path.

1. Lack of Motivation

Most people who work from home would tell you that discipline is the key to keeping your business going. Getting yourself motivated to work instead of watching television or playing Call Of Duty is very important. It is easy to lose your work regimen and productivity when you work alone. So, while working from home gives you some level of flexibility in your time, be sure to keep a fixed work schedule at the same time.

2. Distraction

Distraction is your number one enemy at home. Did you forget to buy milk this morning? Let’s run out to the grocery and get some now. Did you forget to walk the dog? I can do it quickly and get back in no time. Are your kids bored and knocking on your door? The list goes on…

3. Lack of Dedicated Working Space

 It is vital that you get your own dedicated work space; better still, your own office. The kitchen table or the couch just won’t do. I would suggest that you clear out the extra room, store your extra furniture and belongings in a self-storage facility and turn that room into your office. If your business needs inventory, it is also advisable to keep them in a self-storage facility too. The last thing you want is to have your dog digging into your boxes and helping itself with the bottles of wine or whatever else you are selling online!

4. Stress on Family Relationship

One of the main reasons why people wanted to work from home is that they think it will allow them to spend more time with their family. Yes that may be true, but there could be cases where you might spend too much time with your family so much as that they get tired of you. Think of it this way: your wife might already have gotten used to the idea of you working in your office daily and thus she might have plans of her own. If you are at home all day,  it adds stress to the relationship. The same goes with your kids.

5. Degradation of Social Skills

This is particularly so if your work is solidarity, such as writing, designing, programming, etc. When your interaction with people reduces, you may spiral into that vicious “I-don’t-like-to-meet-people-anymore” cycle.

Of course, there are many perks of working from home, so ultimately, you need to weigh the pros and cons and work out the best plan that suits you and your personality.

Self Storage Prices – Paying Only For What You Need

Fancy storage solutions do come with a price, and you may not need all the fringe services offered. Understand your storage needs before signing on the dotted line.

There are many types of storage solution available in the market today and very often, it is hard to make the right choice. Whether it is a self storage or a premium storage solution, you can keep those self storage prices down if you know exactly the kinds of service and facility you need.

Most of us need extra space at some point in our lives to store our personal possessions. Whether you are moving to a different state for a new job, a bigger house with your family, or simply storing your personal belongings away for a few months while you travel to see the world, there will be a time when we need to decide on a storage solution that could best suit our needs. 

Self storage or “Do-It-Yourself” storage solution is fast becoming popular among people who prefer a more flexible way of storing their stuff. Unlike traditional storage methods, which basically involved removal companies and large storage organizations storing your possessions on your behalf (and that means having to play by their rules such as long contracts and little flexibility), self-storage allows you to rent storage space according to your own requirements such as size and duration of storage, and types of services needed. Self storage is a no-frill storage solution, and because of that, self storage prices are often a lot cheaper than traditional storage solutions.

However, prices do vary considerably even among self storage solutions. So how do you choose the right one? The answer is: you should pay only for what you need. When asking for a self storage quote, do examine the following:

1.       Space Requirement

Choosing the right self storage unit size ensures that you only pay for what you need. Most self storage companies offer tips on maximizing your storage space and some even have calculators on their websites to help you with your space estimation. Be sure you make full use of them. If a self-storage company offers you a minimum size that is more than you need, move on to one that can match your requirement.

2.       Duration of Storage

How long are you planning to store your possessions? Three years? Three months? Or three weeks? If you are storing your possessions for only a couple of weeks, be sure to choose a self storage facility that offers weekly or even daily rental options (some only do monthly contracts). If you are not sure about your schedule, always go for the ones that are willing to refund you for the unused time. On the other hand, if you are storing your possessions on a longer-term basis, you are in a much better position to negotiate for a better self storage price because your business means stability to these companies.

3.       Auxiliary Services

Most self storage quotes come with free security features such as guards, CCTV, alarms and other security measures. These features are necessary and should already be part of the self storage price that you are paying. However, there are other services which you may not need, but are already built into the self storage prices. For example, some companies offer twenty-four hour access to your storage unit. It may sound like a wonderful free service to have, but if you think about it, it is not really “free”. Having all hours access means that the company has to employ more workers to operate the self storage facility around-the-clock. Guess where is the cost transferred to? Of course, there are always people who have the need to access their possessions in the middle of the night, but the question you want to ask yourself is, do you? Would you drive down to the storage facility at three o’clock in the morning? If the answer is “no”, then you might be better off choosing a self storage quote without a twenty-four hour access service.

You can save yourself a lot of money if you understand your storage needs before committing yourself. So choose wisely!