Declutter Your Home in 3 Simple Steps

Over the years it becomes easy to accumulate more than you need. Garages and basements soon become home to all kinds of unused items. Closets get overfilled and guest bedrooms become improvised storage areas. Clutter can be frustrating and can make tasks like moving, cleaning, and having company over into difficult situations. Luckily there's a very simple way to free up space. In order to reduce clutter, simply spend an afternoon sorting your possessions into three categories: items you can give away, items you can sell, and items that you can store.

Give away
Anything that you don't use and that has little value should be sorted into the “give away” group. Old clothes, books, toys, furniture, and gadgets can all be eliminated. Check with local charities and see if you can donate any of your old goods to them. Other items can be advertised for free on Craigslist. Giving away items is both beneficial to others and can save money by eliminating the need for special garbage pickups. If you do find yourself having to throw out items make sure that all of them are safe to be discarded. Certain products, like television sets and batteries, need to be taken to special recycling facilities.

Sell
If you have any unnecessary items that might be worth money you can sell them. Depending on what you have, it's possible to make quite a bit of money by doing this. There are numerous ways to sell off unwanted possessions. Traditional avenues like garage sales are great for people who like face-to-face interactions. While online marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, and Amazon can all reach wider audiences. Whether you're selling at a garage sale or online, make sure to do a little research into how much each item is worth. A quick Google search can keep you from selling something valuable for very little.

Store
Items that are necessary but get used infrequently should be grouped together and placed in storage. Seasonal items like barbeque grills, skis, surf boards, camping equipment, and winter jackets should all be boxed up and placed someplace safe. There are plenty of cheap storage facilities that offer all kinds of amenities. Many offer storage services such as climate control, high end security, and various sized units to fit any need. In addition, most facilities offer both long and short term storage. This allows customers to pay low rates even if they are only storing items for a few months.
 
While excessive clutter is frustrating, it can be dealt with easily. By sorting through items a homeowner can reduce unnecessary possessions and create more free space. Eliminating low value and unneeded goods is an easy way to reduce clutter. Selling off more valuable items not only frees up space but can also be quite profitable. While needless goods are easy to get rid of there are certain things which are only used seasonally. These items are great for placing in storage, where they will remain out of the way until you wish to use them again.

What to Look For In Storage Services

Whether you own a home or rent one, chances are that you will need a temporary or permanent place to store some of your belongings at some point. In the recent past, self storage services have improved greatly. Digital security monitoring systems, automated gates and light-weight locker gates are some of the ultra-modern services you will find in storage companies that are focused on protecting their client’s properties. This being the case, you should know exactly what to look for in storage services other than the obvious before settling on a particular company to ensure you are getting your money’s worth. Finding the cheapest storage facility is usually the first thought that comes to minds of the most people who need storage space.

While there is nothing wrong with looking to save an extra buck, a low budget doesn’t have to mean shabby and shady services.  There are still companies out there that offer very decent long term and short term storage at reasonable prices.

Discussed below are some of the tips on how to choose a storage facility that is right for you:

Access and security – how safe is your property likely to be in the facility? How advanced are their security measures? Do they have staff patrols?  Are they located in an open and well-lit area? Can you access your unit at any given time or are there any restrictions? Can you authorize a third party to access your storage space? These are some of the questions you should ask the service providers before signing any papers.

Storage Facilities – are their storage units or facilities climate-controlled to prevent damage? Some items will require stable temperatures whereas others will call for humidity, cooling and ventilation control.

Professional services – do they have their own movers and packers, quality packing supplies, protective care? Do they provide excellent customer service? How long did they take to get back to you about the quotes and other inquiries?

Long/short-term storage – do they offer long term storage, short-term storage or mobile storage? What kind of flexibility do they provide that matches your requirements? Ask if they offer long-term storage discounts or any other special offers.

Location – although not crucial because you won’t be accessing he unit all that much, the location of your chosen facility should be close and convenient enough. This will save you extra costs and time to make a trip there when you need to.

Insurance – ask for information regarding any insurance options they have against theft and damage. Also, if insurance is included in their pricing.

Reputation – if available, check them out via online forum and communities for customer feedback and how the company handles customer complaints.

Contract – make sure you understand what the contract entails. Is it a flexible, no lock-in contract? How easy or difficult is it to cancel or extend? Are there any cancellation fees?

Hidden fees – check for any hidden fees. For example, are the costs of packing materials, wrapping, protective materials included in the package? Are there any fees if you need an emergency access to the unit?

Next time you shop around for storage space in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, remember the above tips and don’t just compare storage prices alone. Remember that cheap storage might turn out to be more expensive in the long run. Consider all the factors above to give yourself some peace of mind.

How to Safely Move Your Boat into Storage

Moving a boat to a new location or into a storage facility needs to be carried out in an organized and efficient manner and there are precautions to be taken to ensure it’s done carefully, and safely. 

If you don’t move your boat in the correct way it could easily be damaged or even be a danger to other drivers during transportation. At the end of the day the proper preparation of the boat before it’s moved is down to you as the owner. Make sure you:

1. Check and clear out anything inside the boat that can move around. This includes fishing gear and anything that could fall out whilst it’s being towed as this can either result in these items being damaged or them falling around inside the cabin and causing damage or breakages.
2. Locker doors and hatches should all be closed and secured so they won’t open during the move.
3. Secure the outboard motor correctly or consider removing it to store it safely.
4. Disconnect the terminals on your batteries and double check that they are fastened correctly.
5. It is best not to move the boat with any fuel left in as this is flammable and could ignite. If there is some fuel remaining then consider siphoning it out.
6. Drain the boat of any excess water using the draining plug, especially if it has been sitting unattended in the yard for a while. There shouldn’t be any water during transportation.
7.  Make sure any attachments are removed and stored safely, especially if you are moving a sailboat or other bulky vessel. The transport company will hold you responsible for preparing the boat so if anything isn’t secured properly and gets shaken loose or falls off and breaks it’s entirely your fault.
8. All parts, including the radar, horns, antennas, propellers, flag masts, lights, anchor lights, and windshields have to be detached, packed firmly and stored inside. The carrier will not be accountable if they are broken or vibrate off. There is a possibility that canvas covers can get damaged or even cause damage if they get loose in the wind whilst the truck is transporting them so it’s advised they are removed.

Moving something so large as a boat takes a lot of attention, care and attentiveness because there are simply too many things that can go wrong. If you don’t have the correct equipment or the know-how to move the boat yourself then there are professional transport services that can help. 

They have specially adapted vehicles and do all the liaising with marinas or boatyards necessary. They’ll collect your boat from where it’s moored and transport it safely to the new location, even dealing with the police and traffic agencies if that’s what is called for. 

You could also store your boat for a while in a self storage facility until you decide where it is to be moored.

Storage services are very economical and work out cheaper then mooring the boat in some cases.

Starting out with Storage and Removal

If you are a self-storage newbie then choosing your first storage unit can be difficult and complicated. You need to start off by figuring out just how many items you intend to put into storage and whether you will be adding to the contents at a later date. Make sure you are not just storing items that you could throw away or sell as otherwise you are literally throwing money down the drain.

Be ruthless with yourself. If you are unsure whether to keep something then it’s probably time to part with that particular item. Remember, storage is only really good for non-perishable items, as well as medium to large pieces of furniture, office equipment and shop fittings. If you do want to store very large items or perishable goods then you will have to find a specialised storage company.

Before you store any items, ensure you make a comprehensive list of everything as this can be essential for your own peace of mind, but also helpful if you have items stored that you will want to use again at a later date as you can refer to it to remind yourself what’s in the self storage unit.

There are plenty of tips and sound advice on the internet about storage facilities and how they work so it’s worth taking a look before you enter into a contract with a storage service. Some companies also explain it in very easy terms via short videos, or search YouTube as they upload videos there too. These cover a range of storage aspects, from finding a unit near to your location and how to pack efficiently, to choosing the right size unit for your needs and loading a unit to get maximum space.

Most towns and cities have storage facilities so there will never be one too far away from your neighbourhood, if you can then it’s advisable to pay the facility a visit as you want to check it’s clean and tidy and secured. Websites are also a good place to start as they will give all the information you require, any promotions or discounts will be displayed there, and there’ll be all the contact information available here if you require further information or want to book a unit.  

Storage is designed for personal and business use and used by people from all walks of life, including large corporations and small 1-man businesses to home-owners, students, retail outlets and travellers. Everyone needs extra space at some point and a storage unit is ideal for keeping your personal belongings or excess stock in a secure and safe place. Whilst there are those that have the use of a unit all year around and use it when it suits them, there are others that simply want to clear the spare room whilst relatives stay during the summer for instance. Everyone has different reasons, but are after the same thing – security, space, affordability and convenience.

Security Features in Self Storage Units

One of the key benefits of having your belongings stored in a managed or self storage service is the added security it offers. While you may think your garden shed or garage is secure enough it will be limited in space and will never be as secure as a managed facility with 24 hour surveillance. 

Security is one of the top priorities for a storage company as their clients are putting their trust in them to take good care of their personal, valuable and private possessions. These could be family heirlooms, client’s records, personal letters, or childhood memories.

Any modern storage facility near Brookvale business should use sophisticated surveillance equipment as well as security guards at vulnerable times, this includes throughout the night when break-ins are more likely to happen and there is not so many people around. They offer a level of security that is difficult to match if you store your goods elsewhere. Most storage units are located in either fenced-off premises with CCTV cameras positioned around the perimeter and then also in alarmed buildings.

For a thief to gain access to your belongings they would have to first gain access to the facility, then to the building, and eventually into your actual unit which is fitted with a strong padlock. Storage facilities are designed with this in mind and deterrents such as lighting, visible security patrols and staff presence are often used to deter intruders.

Some facilities offer alarms within the building and even individual door alarms for each unit, these are the kinds of things you can ask about before deciding where to store your possessions. Electronic pass-code gates are also becoming more common as a security measure and clients are asked for ID either at the entrance barrier or they are given a special card that allows them access to the premises.

You can also further protect yourself by organizing insurance cover for stored items, ask the storage provider if they offer their own insurance protection and if so what it covers. If you feel this isn’t sufficient for what you are storing then organize a further plan.

You should be able to buy your own strong lock and lock up the unit yourself, most facilities will also have a supply that are guaranteed to be extra strong and will be available at discounted prices.

Don’t be afraid to ask the self storage facility manager questions about their level of security, after all this is your lifetime items you are intending to leave in their care, and that is his job. Some things you might want to know are if they have CCTV, how many do they have, and if they have it who monitors it and at what times, and if the alarm is triggered who is alerted?

Security Checks for a New Neighbourhood

Places you have lived in for some time can feel secure to you because you are familiar with the area and know the faces that live in your vicinity. However, when searching for a new house to buy make sure you perform a security check of both the property and the neighbourhood before investing, as a safe environment is one of the most important elements for a new home.

In every city and town, there are particular areas where burglary and theft is more common. It’s worth checking out the statistics for crimes, as this will also affect your insurance premium, which could be high if the area is a high risk.

Before you make the major decision to buy a new home, make sure you take a good look at the local neighbourhood. Go for a drive or take a walk around the area after you have inspected the property and see if you have a good feeling about the place. It is a good idea to visit the area at different times of the week; the atmosphere will be very different on a Monday morning than a Saturday night for example, and go at night times too.

If you don't feel comfortable or safe then avoid it, even if it is relatively safe. You don’t want to live in a place that makes you feel nervous or edgy as moving house is a stressful enough, and expensive, venture and you don’t want to have to move again in the near future if you aren’t happy there.

Looking at your potential neighbours’ homes and yards will give you a good indication of what the people in the area are like. Avoid poorly maintained areas or places where there may be many graffiti and vandalism as this demonstrates that the community isn’t concerned with taking care of their surroundings or homes and this will affect the value of property in the area.

Check the property for good security features such as fences, spotlights and even alarm systems. 

Don’t let this deter you too much; however as extra security can always be added once the purchase has gone through.

Also check the local facilities and amenities to get a sense of community. A community should have a local shopping parade with convenience shops, grocers and bakers, a pub, and a post office for example. These are the kinds of places where the locals can meet and get to know who their neighbours are, and then they’re more likely to look out for one another and be friendly to the familiar faces they see around.

Change the locks, as you will never know for sure who might still have copies of the house keys. Arrange for a Master Locksmith to come and fit new locks to all the exterior doors just to be on the safe side.

You should take your time when considering a new area to move into, if you have to be out of the old premises before you are ready then put your belongings into a self storagefacility and stay somewhere temporary whilst you look around.