Baltimore Storage

Baltimore Storage Facilities

If your move-out date and your move-in date don’t line up, you might need a temporary place to house your belongings. Baltimore moving and storage companies provide storage options to keep your belongings safe until you move into your new home. Some provide self-storage units that allow you to go in and out any time of day or night, others provide warehousing at their own on-site facilities. If you use an all-in-one moving service that also provides storage, you will save money by having storage bundled in with the rest of the moving package. Cheap Movers Baltimore can help connect you with movers that also provide storage, to streamline your relocation. Every service we represent is fully vetted, insured, and licensed, so you can trust your belongings are in good hands. Request a free quote now!

What to Look for in a Storage Service

If you need storage, be sure to go to the facility to look it over before signing the contract. There are specific characteristics that you want to look for to prevent any problems or damage to your belongings.

• Affordability: Ask for rates for various options, so you can customize your storage needs to match your budget. For example, you might prefer a self-storage unit, but a warehouse facility might be more economical. If you bundle storage with your move, you will certainly save a good amount.
• Security: Be sure the facility has gates, cameras, monitoring by security personnel and/or law enforcement.
• Accessibility: If you think you may want to go in and out to add or retrieve items any time of day or night, then you’ll probably need to get a self-storage unit rather than the moving company’s warehouse, as self-storage is usually accessible 24/7. If your items are only going to be stored for a week or two, then accessibility might not be an issue.
• Climate-control: Whenever there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity, you need to be sure your belongings are protected. This is especially true if you are storing fine wooden furniture, art work, wine or other items and fabrics that can be damaged by climate changes. Be sure to ask your moving company about climate-control storage options.
• Cleanliness: Be sure to check that the units are clean and pest-free. You don’t want to move critters and crawlers into your new home with you.
• Selection: If you go the self-storage route, then you should ask about size options and capacity to be sure all your belongings will fit.

Storage facilities service a variety of storage needs, including:

• Residential: Storage for your home goods, furniture, lawn equipment, etc.
• Commercial: Storage for inventory, office equipment, office furniture, machinery, and supplies.
• Furniture: If you only want to store your furniture, your mover can provide a safe, clean space for it. Be sure that the furniture is adequately covered and protected.
• Wine: Storage for you vintage wines usually means strict climate-control to keep your wines from spoiling.
• Art: Storage for your fine art, just like wine, requires dry, temperature-stable conditions.
• Documents: Holding years’ worth of important papers requires low humidity and clean conditions to avoid the growth of mildew and mold.

Tips for the Best Way to Set up Your Self-Storage Unit

If you opt for self-storage over warehouse storage, follow these tips for packing and stacking your unit to maximize the space:

Be sure everything will fit.

Don’t get a unit that is too big, or you will be paying rent to store air. Don’t get one that is too small, because if you booked in advance there may not be a unit available when you are moving everything in and find out it will not all fit. Choose one that is just right; your moving service should be able to help you estimate your storage needs.

Be safe.

If you are storing gasoline powered items, like lawn mowers, drain the fuel. Air out your fridge, clothes washer and dishwasher, make sure they are completely dry inside and leave the door open a little bit to prevent mildew. Cover mattresses and couches with plastic to keep dust off them.

Box everything.

Use the correct boxes to suit the purpose. Your movers should be able to advise you on what types of boxes to use. For example, you may find you need dish barrels to keep your china or dishware safe, while more uniform boxes will suffice for your other household goods. Since you will be stacking them, you want to use boxes with sturdy sides.

Stack on a good foundation.

Set up pallets first to prevent insects from setting up homes under your boxes and hitching a ride to your next. The first layer of boxes should be the heaviest. Make full use of vertical space by stacking as high as possible, with the lightest boxes on top.

Put most-used items near the door.

If you know you’ll need access to some items while they’re in storage, be sure to place these things where they’re accessible.

Leave an aisle or aisles.

Having an aisle that allows you to move to the back of the stacks, makes it easier to move around and get things from anywhere within the unit.

Use empty furniture and appliances.

Put boxes in your fridge, in your stove, or in your washing machine; anything that has a hollow inside can be used to store items that will fit. Pack boxes in dresser frames, cabinets with shelves removed, desk hutches and shelving units.

Break down and remove parts.

Take apart bed frames and wrap the pieces together using movers’ wrap. Remove shelves from cabinets and hutches. Remove and package the shelf pins and tape to matching unit. Remove and wrap glass, put soft wrap between glass pieces. Wrap these breakable pieces securely with bubble wrap.

Draw a map.

Keep a list or diagram of where everything is, so you can retrieve anything you may need.

Stay away from plastic.

Don’t use plastic bags for storage, because it may invite mildew and mold. Instead, use breathable materials like moving blankets and furniture pads, which still offer protection.

Solve your storage problem with Cheap Movers Baltimore. Call us today and we will gladly connect you with moving companies that can also provide storage services during your transition. It’s free to request a quote, so what are you waiting for?!