Using storage to move house
We’re in the business of moving house, something which can be an incredibly stressful process. The use of storage could take the stress right out of some situations, but it sometimes gets overlooked as an option because people feel like it’s ‘moving twice’, when in fact it can be an incredibly useful option.
When might using storage be helpful?
Putting your house on the market
Lots of people will tell you to “clear the clutter” so that photos of your home look spacious and appealing when your property is put on the market. There is truth to that, but also it’s a bit rude when those are your possessions! The main reason isn’t to make it look better, it’s to give potential viewers the chance to imagine themselves living there – some people struggle with this when surrounded by personal possessions and photos.
If you know you have a lot of things on show, utilising temporary storage before your Estate Agent takes marketing photos is a great idea, to appeal to a wide range of buyers, and potentially speed up your sale.
Moving into a new build
New builds are exciting! They’re especially popular with first-time buyers who are often renting prior to purchase. The issue that can sometimes arise here, is that when renting you have to give notice, and if something happens to delay your build close to your move-in date, you might have to live somewhere else for a short time before being able to move into your new home.
You might also have got really excited and purchased some furniture pieces already which is totally understandable. In this instance, storage could be a great option for you for a short period of time while you’re waiting to get your keys.
Don’t want to lose the purchase on your property
Similar to moving into a new build, sometimes when you’re part of a chain, the person buying your house will want to move in sooner than you’re ready to move out. If there’s an occasion where this is an absolute deal-breaker and you don’t want to lose the sale, putting your possessions into storage while you move somewhere else until your new home becomes available could be the least painful option.
Downsizing
If you’ve lived somewhere for a long time and you’re looking to downsize, it can be really hard choosing what to take with you. It really is surprising how much we collect over a lifetime.
For some people it’s easy to part with things, and they know what they want to keep with them. For others, this process is more emotional and much more of a challenge. In this instance, storage can be a way of gaining some distance from possessions, while knowing they’re safe. This will then allow you to sort through them at your leisure, and take what means the most to you on your new adventure without the pressure of getting sorted before the move making those choices so much harder.
Relocating abroad
Moving abroad is a big step to take in life. Some people are able to dive right in, sell up in the UK, buy their dream property and skip off into the sunset. For others that can be a step too far.
A popular way to get around this is by selling up in the UK and renting in their chosen country for a while, to see if they like the area and the lifestyle before committing to making a purchase. When you’re trying something out, you probably don’t want to be arranging expensive shipping of possessions unless you’re sure, so while you’re deciding you could make use of storage in the UK.
Related: How to have a stress-free moving day.
Our top tips for using storage when moving home
#1 Use the same company to transport items to your storage location, and then on to your new home
Using a reputable company for the entire process from start to finish is a great idea. If you use one to move your belongings into storage, and another to move them to your home if there are any breakages one can blame the other and you won’t be able to prove who’s responsible. By using one reputable company, not only will there be accountability, they’ll have insurance for any breakages – something you just don’t get with a man and a van.
#2 Pack wisely
If you’re doing your own packing, ensure that you’re using sturdy boxes and label them all clearly with their contents. You might think you’ll remember what’s what, but when they’ve been in storage for a little while, your future self will be thanking you for being clear.
#3 Keep the important stuff with you
When you’re packing, designate a box for important documents or things you don’t want to be without and then keep it with you. This could be things like birth certificates, passports, driving licenses, or special keepsakes you can’t be without.
Are you looking for a removals firm? We’re based in the South West of England, with our HQ in Blandford Forum, Dorset – but we cover the whole of the UK. Whether you’re looking for local storage solutions, or removals, get in touch.
