Building a new home can be a rewarding experience and in many cases it can become an all-consuming project. Understandably, you need to have your mind completely dedicated to the building process and the day-to-day build requirements. This means that, once you’ve packed all your belongings for storage, you want complete peace of mind that they’re safe and secure, so that you can focus your attention on the details of building your new home.
So we have asked the experts at Kent Secure Storage to put together some packing tips so you can ensure that your belongings are in prime condition when it comes time to move in after you build a house.
Preparation to Save Time and Money
Storage prices are all based on the volume of the goods you need to store. So, be ruthless with your possessions and sell or donate anything that you can live without. If you need some pointers, take a look at How to Declutter Your Home for Storage.
Once you’ve culled your belongings, creating an inventory is the next step. You can use your inventory to source accurate quotes from storage providers. Plus, it will help you ensure that everything that goes into storage, comes out once you have built your new house.
Now that’s taken care of lets get down to the packing…
Don’t Just Pack—Pack to Store
People tend to forget that a storage space isn’t like the spare bedroom you usually chuck all your odds and ends into. Storage spaces are affected by environmental conditions like extreme heat and cold as well as mould, mildew, humidity, dust, dirt and pests. So make sure delicate items are double wrapped and leather and wooden goods have been treated to protect them from moisture.
Never store dirty whitegoods. The dirt will multiply and completely ruin your goods so make sure that any fridges, dishwashers or washing machines have been disinfected and thoroughly dried before they’re stored. You also need to prop doors and lids open to prevent odours from building up.
Any items containing fuel or oil need to be completely drained to ensure the safety of the storage space.
Optimise Your Storage Unit
Don’t waste an inch of that space you’ve paid for! To get the most out of your space you need to:
- Grab some sheets of plywood to create levels between your boxes. This will enable you to pack all the way to the roof of your storage unit, whilst keeping the space safe.
- Use wooden pallets to keep your boxes off the floor and away from the moisture and damp that can sometimes creep into storage units.
- Always double wrap items that contain liquid, even a small spill can create havoc when you’re not there to clean it up right away.
- Make sure you label your boxes and create a system that allows you to tell where everything is just by glancing at your itinerary.
- Colour code systems work well but just make sure you choose something that works for you.
For even more tips and tricks, check out Kent’s Storage Checklist & Tips.
iBuildNew is here to provide advice for anyone looking to build a new house. So feel free to give our expert phone consultants a call on 1800 184 284 and they will endeavour to answer your questions.
Let us do the legwork for you.
- We’ll ask the right questions to better understand your needs
- We’ll create a recommended shortlist ideally matched to you
- We’ll answer specific questions or concerns related to home building, land purchasing or financing
Zoe Langenberg
Zoe is passionate about coffee and interior design. You can find her most weekends exploring an art gallery or devouring a good book.
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