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Dispelling Five Common Myths About Self-Storage
Many myths have grown up around self-storage units in the UK – either from people who have never used one, or whose experience of them is limited to an American reality TV show, where the rules and regulations are very different.
At Hamiltons Removals, with our two Safe N Stored sites at Harleston and Aldeby we are one of the leading self-storage companies serving customers in Suffolk and Norfolk. Here we dispel five of the misconceptions surrounding the industry.
False: ‘Storage Facilities Aren’t Safe’
Self-storage companies take great care to look after your possessions. At both our Safe N Stored sites, our secure storage units are protected by CCTV cameras and alarm systems which is linked to a 24 hour monitoring service. The self-store shipping containers at Aldeby are also covered by CCTV cameras and all the containers have high-security padlocks.
We don’t allow you to keep combustible or flammable materials, firearms or explosives, chemicals or radioactive items, in any of our units for safety reasons. Perishable goods which could attract rats and vermin are also banned. We can also offer an insurance quote which is tailor-made for the type and value of your items.
False: ‘They’re Just for Hoarders’
One common misconception that has grown up around self-storage units is that they are only used by people who cannot bear to throw anything away, but who have run out of room in their own homes. The truth is very different. If you are moving home but are stuck in a property chain, or you are downsizing and don’t have enough room for everything in your new house, then self-storage could be the ideal solution.
And people who are posted to work abroad on a fixed-term contract, and who don’t want to sell or rent their home in the meantime, can keep valuable or bulky items in a storage unit.
False: ‘You Only Need Them Part of the Year’
Self-storage can come in handy at any time of the year. Caravans, motorhomes and boats may not be in use in the winter months and leaving them outside your home could upset your neighbours, as well as being vulnerable to theft or vandalism. In spring, giving your home a major clean can be a lot easier if you put chairs, tables and other items of furniture into storage.
Because summer is the most popular time of year for house moves, demand for storage units is always high. And students are often looking for units close their college or university to keep text books and other items during the long vacation.
In the autumn, you can put your lawnmower into storage for the next few months once you have given your grass its final cut of the year. Patio furniture and bulky garden tools can also be stored away if you don’t have much room in your garden shed or garage.
False: ‘You Can Get Stuck in an Expensive, Long Contract’
At Hamiltons Removals we appreciate that people may only need self-storage for specific reasons or for a short period of time. Our rooms at Harleston are available on a monthly basis, with the cheapest costing just over £65.
At our Aldeby site you can also hire our containers for as short a period as a month, with our 5’ units – roughly the size of a garden shed – costing only £52 including VAT.
False: ‘They’re Only for Homeowners’
Businesses, as well as private householders, find storage units extremely useful. Last year, the UK’s Self Storage Association estimates that more than 10,000 new enterprises were launched in self-storage facilities.
Storage units offer somewhere secure for your company to store your paper records and receipts, which you may have to keep hard copies of for legal reasons. Retailers can use storage units either to store excess stock, or new product lines, until there is enough room for them on the shop floor. And desks, chairs and filing cabinets can also be kept here if you decide the office needs a new coat of paint or some upgraded IT equipment.
Safe N Stored with Hamiltons Removals
If you are looking for leading self-storage companies in Suffolk and Norfolk, Hamiltons Removals offer far more than just a self-storage room or container. You can hire one of our self-drive vans if your own vehicle isn’t big enough for all the items you want to store, and once you reach us we can offer a porter service – by prior arrangement – if you want any professional help putting your possessions away.
To find out more about all our Safe N Stored facilities, which are ideal for people living in Harleston, Diss, Dickleburgh, Halesworth and the surrounding areas, follow the link above or call us on 01379 855203.
Five Key Reasons to Put Your Furniture into Storage
At first glance, putting your furniture into self-storage might seem an unusual thing to do – after all, you need it and use it every day, don’t you?
In fact, there are many sets of circumstances in which self-storage units are the ideal solution for many people who need somewhere to put their furniture, either temporarily or long term. At Hamiltons Removals, we offer high-quality furniture storage units in the heart of East Anglia. Here we look at five of the commonest scenarios.
On the Move?
You may be stuck in the middle of a property chain during a house move, and there may be a gap between selling your old home and moving into your new one. If you want to keep your existing furniture, then the simplest way of keeping it safe and secure is to put it into self-storage, then move it in when your move is complete.
Downsizing
Self-storage is particularly useful if you are moving from a bigger property into a smaller one and find that not all the furniture will fit into your new home. Putting these items into self-storage will give you some breathing space until you decide what to do with it – after all, there are plenty of other things to think about during house or office moves.
A Spacious Selling Point
On the other hand, many people move because they have outgrown their current home or office. If you have too much furniture for your current property, this can make it look cramped. Putting some of your possessions into self-storage will help create space, helping to impress would-be buyers.
Room to Renovate
If you’ve decided your home or office needs a new colour scheme, then you don’t want to run the risk of spilling paint all over your valuable chairs and tables. Your project – which could also involve building or restoration work, or even deep-cleaning the carpets – will be much easier if you don’t have to manoeuvre your way around furniture.
The solution? Put your items into self-storage while the work is being carried out, then bring them back once it’s all been completed.
Long-Term Security
If you need to move away, perhaps because your company needs you to work abroad, then you could make some valuable money by renting out your home. However, prospective tenants could damage your furniture, which may have a high sentimental value if it is a family heirloom. Putting these items into self-storage for the duration of the rental period will ensure it stays safe and secure.
If you have a young or growing family, you could consider putting expensive items into storage to guard against childhood accidents. Some people also keep items of furniture in self-storage units to pass on to their children when they have grown up and are ready to get on their property ladder themselves.
Hamiltons Removals – Furniture Storage Units in East Anglia
At Hamiltons Removals, we can keep all your valuable items safe in our two Safe N Stored furniture storage units in East Anglia. They are both close to the Norfolk/Suffolk border, making them ideal for customers in Diss, Beccles, Bungay and Dickleburgh. We have a range of storage container units at our site in Aldeby, while at Harleston we can offer furniture storage units from 25sq ft to 200sq ft. Both locations are protected by CCTV cameras, and access is via a secure key fob system. If you would like to know more about any of our Safe N Stored services, just click on this link.