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How Self-Storage Can Help Businesses Work from Home
One of the biggest trends in the labour market in recent years has been the increasing number of people who are regularly working from home. Advances in technology, plus the need for a improved work-life balance, means that almost two million employees work mainly from home, even before the coronavirus restrictions came into effect.
Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer secure self-storage in the heart of East Anglia, look at how renting out a storage unit can help staff and businesses to operate ‘remotely’.
It Helps Create Space
If you need to work from home, then finding enough space can be one of your biggest difficulties. If you have a spare bedroom or other room to work in, then the chances are it will need some clearing out to function as a proper home office. Renting a self-storage unit will mean you can get rid of beds, armchairs, sofas and other bulky items of furniture if you need room to set up a new work desk and computer.
If you are keeping your commercial premises open whilst government coronavirus restrictions are in place, you may need to reconfigure your office space so that everyone can move around safely and adhere to social distancing requirements. Self-storage units will provide a temporary home for any furniture or equipment which needs to be moved out.
It Avoids Accidental Damage
Working from home can also be difficult if there are young children or pets around, as they don’t always appreciate how important and valuable some documents can be. You can put any important files in a self-storage unit knowing they won’t be damaged, spoilt or moved around.
It Keeps Items Secure
If you or your employees are working from home, then self-storage units such as Hamiltons Removals’ Safe N Stored sites have far more robust security systems in place than the average house. You won’t need to worry about any commercially sensitive documents and files being stolen or mislaid if you leave them in a secure storage unit.
Commercial premises, such as shops, beauty salons and gyms, which must close down as part of any coronavirus restrictions will find self-storage particularly useful. If you need to tell your customers that you have shut down temporarily, then unfortunately you might be letting potential criminals know as well. Secure storage units can accommodate large amounts of expensive stock which might otherwise have to be left on the shelves in empty premises, making them an attractive target for thieves.
It Could Help You Downsize
Increasing numbers of businesses are finding they can function effectively and productively without large numbers of staff on-site. This means moving to smaller premises becomes a more viable proposition, potentially saving owners money on business rates, as well as on heating, lighting and water bills.
However, if you do choose to downsize, you could be forced to have a good ‘declutter’. Renting a self-storage unit will give you breathing space while you decide what you do and don’t need, as well as providing a temporary home for any documents and records you are required to keep by law.
Secure Self Storage in East Anglia from Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals have two secure self-storage sites at Harleston and Aldeby on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Our Harleston site, which has a range of rooms of varying sizes, is protected around the clock by CCTV cameras and an alarm system which is directly linked to Norfolk Police.
Our Aldeby premises are also protected by CCTV and are suitable for storing larger items, such as boats and motorbikes, as the site has a selection of storage containers from 35 square feet to 150 square feet in size. If you would like to know more about our self-storage facilities, click on this link.
Our staff are continuing to man both our depots. The Harleston self-storage centre is currently open Monday to Friday from 09:15am – 17:15pm. If you need to visit your unit outside these opening hours please contact our sales team on 01379 855203 to arrange a suitable time.
How to Organise Your Self Storage Unit
Deciding what goes into a self-storage unit, and how it’s packed, is not a particularly difficult task but a few commonsense rules will help you get the most out of your new space.
Hamiltons Removals have competitively priced rental storage units available at two sites near Diss. Here are our top tips for making sure you pay for what you need and can access everything quickly and easily even when it’s packed away.
Keep a Plan
It can be extremely frustrating if you can’t remember whether you put something into your storage unit or not – and, assuming you did, which carton you put it in? It is best to keep a complete inventory, including pictures, of everything inside your storage room or container. This will also help in the unlikely event of any insurance claims.
As well as individually labelling every single box with full details of what’s inside, make sure you keep a separate ground plan which shows where every carton is located within the unit. Keep at least two copies of everything – one at home and one in your storage space – so there’s no problem if you ever lose one.
Save Space Where Practical
It can be tempting to put large items of furniture face down on the floor, but this will severely restrict your floor space. You could also damage your sofa or mattress if you put heavy items on top. If you lay them on their ends you will protect them and use your space much more efficiently. However, it’s not a good idea to stack furniture against the walls, as this could prevent the air inside from circulating properly.
Chairs can be stored in pairs with the seating pad providing cushioning or placed on top of one another if they are stackable. Try not to leave any empty space. If you haven’t got enough clothes to fill up a wardrobe carton then add something else, such as bed linen or pillows.
Be Methodical
Heavy boxes or individual items should be moved into your storage unit first and, where possible, placed on the floor or at ground level. Stacking smaller cartons on top of these will reduce the risk of any crush damage.
When filling up your storage space, always work from the back to the front of the unit. Don’t be too fixated on saving space, as you should always leave a clear route through the whole unit so you can reach everything. For convenience’s sake, put any items you know you will need regular access to close to the entrance.
It’s A Wrap
If you are worried about anything being damaged, then the simple answer is to wrap it up. Items of china and glass should be individually wrapped in tissue paper and if your furniture has any exposed corners or bare legs (which you can’t dismantle) then tape it with bubble wrap to avoid damage when it’s moved in or out of the unit.
White goods like washing machines and dishwashers should also be wrapped up to avoid scratches but remember to drain them first as any residual moisture could lead to mould. Put a cover over any large items once they are in place to keep dust at bay.
Clean Everything
This is important if you are using your unit to store items which are normally kept outside, such as garden tools. Lawnmower blades and cutting tools should be oiled before storage. Make sure they are all in good working order too, otherwise you may face some expensive and time-consuming repairs before you can use them again.
Items which are normally kept inside your home should also be cleaned, or given a wipe down, before being put into storage. Clothing can be kept smelling fresh if you put a sprig of lavender in with it.
Leave it Up to Us
If you are worried about the best way of organising your self-storage items, then you can leave it to the experts – us! At Hamiltons Removals we offer on-site porterage as well as collection and delivery, so if you have any particularly heavy items or need help wrapping pieces of furniture, we can sort this out for you. These services need to be booked in advance.
Rental Storage Units from Hamiltons Removals
Hamiltons Removals has two ‘Safe N Stored’ rental storage units on the Norfolk/Suffolk border near Diss. Our Harleston facility has several rooms which can be rented for as little as £65 per month. There is 24/7 CCTV in place and an alarm system which alerts Norfolk Police when activated. The site also boasts a shop which sells a range of packing materials, including boxes, tape, bubble wrap plus glass and bottle dividers. We also have an online shop.
Our Aldeby premises house a selection of storage containers, from 35 square feet to 150 square feet. This makes them ideal for storing larger items, including boats, caravans and motorbikes. The site is also protected by CCTV.
If you would like to know more about our self-storage facilities, click on this link or call us on 01379 855203.