Discuss this service with your moving company in advance so that you can be sure that your goods are in safe hands. It may be that you need specific storage and access, and special arrangements might have to be made. Find out whether your moving company uses container storage, as you may not be able to get easy access to this type of storage and this could be a problem if you are storing your possessions for more than a few days.
If you are using a container and want to do as much of your own packing as possible, there are a few things that you should do as standard. Make sure that the heavier and bulkier items, such as furniture, are packed first, as this provides a good base for the rest of your goods. Provide protective covers where possible for soft furnishings, and you could always ask for a dust sheet to be used to cover the floor of the container to make sure that no residual dust or dirt is transferred to your belongings.
When you are moving home it will be your responsibility to make sure that your refrigerator and freezer are fully defrosted, clean and wiped dry. This will help to protect not only these appliances from damage but also any other items that are being stored with them. Your moving company may recommend that such appliances are stored with the doors slightly ajar to prevent mold developing.
It is recommended that garden equipment is cleaned and that there is no petrol in the mower before it is stored. Most moving companies will not allow flammable liquids in their storage facilities – for good reason – and keeping tools clean will help to ensure that they remain in good condition.
Make sure that all your boxes are filled to the top. If space is left, there is always the chance that the boxes could buckle if something is placed on top of them. Strong boxes are essential, no matter how long you will be using the storage services for. The boxes need to be strong enough to hold whatever you put in them and to withstand being moved a couple of times.
Your inventory is going to be the most essential part of your packing. You will, of course, be choosing a moving company with a good reputation; however, you will still need to make sure that everything reaches the other end. Keep this inventory with you and it will be far easier for you to make sure that everything has arrived and is in one piece when you unpack at your new home.
