storage – Page 2 – TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®

January 6, 2020January 27, 2020 Movers Who Blog Packing

Packing and storage tips to get your holidays packed away

In what seems like an instant, the holiday season has already passed us by, and now we dive head first into the winter months as we all wait for spring!

Although the holidays are over, there’s a good chance that your holiday decorations are still out – the longer you wait to put these away, the more of a hassle it’s going to be. It’s not enjoyable, but it’s something that needs to be done and with the appropriate planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be such a burden!

We know a thing or two about packing things up and putting them away, and thought we’d share some of our best post-holiday season cleaning tips to get your home back to normal.

Use sturdy boxes

All of the decorations and fun holiday items have to go into something, right? That’s where having good moving boxes will come in handy.

Getting some quality moving boxes – like the ones we offer to customers – will give you a safe and secure place to keep decorations and put them into a closest or storage. Be sure to label these boxes accurately so that next holiday season, you know where everything is.

Develop a plan

Taking down all of the clutter from the season isn’t something that can be done in 10 minutes, as nice as that would be. It will take some planning and some execution to make sure that everything is put away correctly, and this is where developing a good plan will be helpful.

Asses where all of your décor is placed, pick a starting point, and go room-by-room throughout the house while taking everything down. This will help you with organizing in your storage area so you can go room-by-room when decorating next year.

Pack with efficiency

This is arguably the most important part of the entire process. Holiday decorations and items are generally a little fragile, so using the proper care and attention to detail will go a long way with keep these items from getting broken.

Using professional packing supplies like packing paper, tissue paper, and bubble wrap – paired with good moving boxes – will keep everything safe. If you need to purchase any of these items, look no further – we offer a full-line of moving boxes and packing supplies for our customers!

Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box. Learn more about helpful packing tips, here.

Move the extra furniture back into storage

If you hosted a holiday gathering at your home, there’s a good chance you had to get out some extra furniture or chairs so that everybody had a place to sit. That’s all fun until it comes time to put them back away.

No matter what type of furniture you got out and where it’s going – don’t move more than you can handle. If you have too much or something too heavy to move, give us a call – our movers can come to your home and move whatever you need!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.

November 25, 2019December 16, 2019 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK storage and packing tips to get you ready for the holiday season

We’ve officially made it to the week of Thanksgiving, which means Christmas is just around the corner. With that, it also means we’re officially in the full swing of the holiday season!

While the holiday season consists of fun, family, and friends, it also means it’s time to get out decorations, bring out additional furniture for guests at your home, and rearrange said furniture and other large objects to accommodate your family parties. This is no small task, and the sooner you get on it and start pulling items out of storage, the more prepared you’ll be.

At TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we’ve seen just about everything involved with moving, packing, and storage – and we’ve put together some specialty tips and ideas to help you handle the holiday version of these. The most important thing is preparation, so follow along with these tips to make sure you’re ready to go and enjoy the festivities!

Have additional furniture ready

If you’re the one tasked with throwing some holiday parties, you know very well it can get crowded, which is why it’s important to have some alternative furniture options ready. Pull those extra chairs out from the basement, get that extra table from the garage, or get some bigger items out of storage if you have them.

Rearrange your home and furniture

Getting extra furniture and holiday decorations out can take up a good amount of space, and it’s important to utilize space correctly to make sure you have room for guests.

If you need assistance moving these items around your home, give us a call! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can send movers to your home to help with any in-home moving needs – letting you focus on getting ready while we take care of the hard work.

Get extra boxes ready

Storage space is at a premium during this time, and having some extra moving boxes laying around will come in handy. Whether it’s for decorations, silverware, ornaments, wrapping paper, or something else – these can be properly moved and stored away after the holidays with proper moving boxes.

Need something delivered? Call us!

Are you ordering a new appliance or piece of furniture for the holidays, but don’t know how you’ll get it home? We’ve got you covered! Our professional moving teams offer pickup and delivery services where we can pick up an item you ordered and deliver it directly to your home.

Packing it all back up

Effective packing after the holidays conclude will save you time and energy when the next holiday season rolls around. Organize your belongings in the proper boxes, label them, and put them away so you know where everything is next year. For some expert packing tips to get you started, click here!

April 15, 2019May 6, 2019 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Expert storage tips with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

Are you in between home moves, find yourself needing more space around the house, or currently downsizing? Storage might be something to consider!

Whatever the reason might be for needing a storage solution, there is much to consider when figuring out what kind of storage unit or facility fits you best. With so many options out there – and with select TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchises now offering storage to customers – we thought it would be a good idea to compile a list of storage tips and tricks so you know what to expect.

Follow along!

Storage Tips

Make sure you research the company offering storage

The last thing you want is to put the trust of your belongings in the hands of a shady company, or a company that won’t fully-protect your items. Read reviews from other customers to get a feel for the company, and be sure to get all of the details on how your items are protected at the company’s storage facility. Also, ensure your facility is equipped with surveillance cameras, lighting, and security fences.

Decide on the size of the storage unit you need

Get an idea of what you are going to be sending to storage before purchasing a unit. It’s always a good idea to go a little bit bigger than the amount of items you have so when you go to the storage unit, you are able to navigate around your belongings.

Determine the type of storage unit necessary

If you have items that might be affected by factors such as heat, cold, dust or moisture, you might need to find a storage unit that is climate-controlled.

Items like documents, clothing, electronics, and other accessories all fall under the category of belongings that need to be in a climate-controlled facility.

How much access do you need to your storage unit?

Some storage facilities are open 24-hours a day, but others are only open on a set schedule. Be sure to determine how much access you are going to need to the unit before making a purchase.

Effective packing will make finding what you need easier

Before your items make their way into a storage unit, it’s important to make sure they are properly and safely packed away. Use proper packing techniques and packing supplies to ensure no damages occur during the transportation of these items, and be sure to clearly label each box so you know what’s inside.

Secure insurance

You can never be too safe when it comes to your personal belongings. Find out if your storage company offers insurance for your unit and your belongings. If not, contact your renters or home owners’ insurance agent to figure out the best plan to keep your items protected.

What not to keep in a storage unit

While the tips above are important to keep in mind when deciding on a storage plan that best fits your needs, it’s also important to know what type of items shouldn’t be kept in storage.

Common items that cannot be kept in a unit include but are not limited to:

-Medical supplies

-Firearms and ammunition

-Unregistered vehicles

-Perishable food items

-Candles or soaps

-Combustible or flammable materials

-It’s best to contact the company you select for storage to find out if they have any additional or specific items that can’t be kept in their facilities to avoid any issues.

January 21, 2019February 11, 2019 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Hiring Professional Movers, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Packing, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Use these 4 holiday packing tips to ease your holiday fatigue

With the bustling holiday season now behind us, that means the fun decorations and lights must come down and get packed into storage for the next 11 months until it’s time to do it again!

Although it’s not always an enjoyable task (hence why we still see Christmas lights in February!) but with the proper planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be such a burden.

We’ve put together a few quick and helpful tips to make the holiday season clean up a breeze.

Have a plan

Taking down the holiday decorations and getting everything moved and packed can’t be finished in 20 minutes – it takes time and planning to get the job done right and to get those breakable items stored away safe and sound.

Examine your current situation, pick a place to start, and go room-by-room as you take everything down, carefully and efficiently wrapping and packing them away. This will also help when it comes to organizing your belongings in storage.

Boxes, boxes, boxes

There’s no such thing as “too many” boxes, especially around the holidays, and that’s why it’s important to have an abundance on-hand to ensure everything has a place to go.

Boxes will provide enough space to keep everything, and will also make moving items into a closet or storage that much easier and organized. Be sure to label each box so that when next year comes, you can find exactly what you’re looking for!

Put away that extra furniture

Chances are that at some point during the holiday season, you had to get out extra furniture to accommodate for guests during holiday parties and visits. Whether this furniture will be moved into another room, a closet, the garage, or storage – be sure to only move what you can handle.

If there is too much to move or something that is too heavy, give our movers a call – they’re happy to help you move items in your home!

Pack with a purpose

Even more so than normal, packing away holiday items requires extra care and attention to detail, as these are often specialty items that can be fragile or easily broken. Remember to use proper packing supplies like packing paper, tissue paper, and bubble wrap to protect those ornaments and decorations as they go back into boxes. It’s also a good idea to pack ornaments in our specialty dish pack box where there are sections that are perfect for wrapped ornaments.

Always keep in mind, the heavier the items, the smaller the box. Be For additional packing tips from our moving professionals, click here.

April 23, 2018May 7, 2018 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Organizing, Packing, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

Five things you should never keep in your storage unit

This is a guest blog post from Price Self Storage.

Whether you’re relocating, downsizing, or just need a place to hold onto a few of your things, a personal storage unit often serves as the best option. Public storage units offer people a safe place to store most of their belongings. In fact, everything from old clothes and furniture to large cars and boats can be stored at an appropriate storage facility. Still, sometimes you may find yourself in a position where you shouldn’t store some of your things inside your personal storage unit.

One of the best parts about investing in a personal storage unit remains the level of versatility and flexibility they provide. Whenever you find yourself in need of a little extra space around the house or a place to keep some seasonal decorations, you can always rely on your personal storage unit. While this level of flexibility is often one of the key draws of renting a personal storage unit, there are a few things you should always avoid storing inside of them.

#1: Combustible or flammable materials

On the list of items to never store inside of your public storage unit, combustible and flammable materials should be at the top. These items are considered to be “inherently dangerous”, and are usually prohibited from most storage facilities. These items are cause for concern when it comes to public storage facilities because of the dangers that it presents to the entire facility, not just your own personal unit.

#2: Unregistered vehicles

Believe it or not, vehicle storage remains one of the most common reasons that people seek a public storage facility in the first place. When it comes to the specifics of storing a vehicle, these regulations can vary by state. One thing you’ll definitely want to take note of is whether or not stored vehicles in your state require their registration to be up-to-date. When an unregistered vehicle is kept in public storage facility, some states will classify this as an abandoned vehicle.

#3: Scented candles and soaps

Something a lot of people don’t consider when storing certain items is the way they smell. Scented items such as candles and soaps may seem harmless, but they actually pose a threat to your personal storage unit and the entire storage facility.

Items with a strong scent can be stored, but often also attract vermin such as rats and mice. Aside from scented candles and soaps, anything with a strong scent, like makeup, perfume, lotion, etc., should also be stored with caution. If you really must store a scented item inside of your personal storage unit, take the extra time to wrap it up and place it inside an airtight container in order to decrease the odds of attracting vermin.

#4: Medical supplies

Doomsday preppers may think to cram as many medical supplies as they can into their apocalypse cache. While seemingly innocuous in nature, you should always proceed with caution when looking to store medical supplies and equipment. Many of these items contain radioactive material that cannot be legally stored within a self-storage facility.

#5: Firearms and ammunition

When it comes to finding a place to store your firearms and ammunition, there isn’t a one-size fits all approach. Many self-storage facilities prohibit the storage of firearms and beyond that, some states prohibit such behavior all together. In regards to storing ammunition, however, it’s an entirely different story.

Ammunition cannot be stored in a storage unit, regardless of whether or not it is stored with or without firearms. Ammunition, much like other combustibles such as fireworks and gasoline, are considered to be inherently dangerous and cannot be stored within a storage facility. When storing ammunition in your home, be sure to do so in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets. Additionally, ensure your ammunition is kept in a cool, dry place as extreme heat and can cause a serious issue for stored ammunition.

Addressing concerns over what to store

When moving items into your storage unit, some things may immediately raise red flags with concerns while others might not. The best thing to do if you have concerns about the items you’re planning on moving in is to check with the staff at your storage facility and see what is allowed.

About the Author

Price Self Storage provides reliable self-storage to residents throughout California. With over a dozen different storage facilities across the state, they are one of the most trusted and affordable self-storage facilities around.

Patrons of Price Self Storage rest assured knowing that they’ll always be able to find a storage unit that fits their specific needs. Featuring storage units ranging in sizes from as small as 4 x 5 to as large as 20 x 30, there’s always a storage unit for you whether you’re storing a few old things or your boat or RV.

December 18, 2017August 13, 2018 Movers Who Blog DIY Projects, Downsizing, Hiring Professional Movers, Holiday Fun, Home Sweet Home, Moving, Preparing to Move, Tips and Tricks, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Uncategorized

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® moving and storage solutions to prepare for the holiday season!

December is in full swing, the snow is falling (for some of us), and the holiday cheer is abundant which can only mean one thing – Christmas is near!

If you haven’t already, it’s time to get a jump on your Christmas preparation! Get those decorations out of storage, get your furniture ready and arranged for your holiday parties, and make sure you are ready to spread that Christmas spirit. While TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is known for our outstanding local moving services, we also specialize in home moving, and can help assist you with anything you may need as you prepare for Christmas.

Having your home looking festive and ready for the holidays is a must, and there’s a lot more into decorating than you might think. From getting the lights and trees out of the attic to making sure you have your furniture in the right place – and enough furniture for everyone – there’s a lot of moving involved, and it’s important to maximize the space in your home.

What better way to prepare for all of this than with a special, Christmas-themed TWO MEN AND A TRUCK song on how to prepare for holiday moving?

We’ve also put together an expert list of moving tips for you to follow to make sure everything is on track and ready to go. If you need help with your home moving during the holiday, be sure to reach out to your local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise and see how they can help move you forward this Christmas!

Rearranging your furniture

This comes as no surprise, but your Christmas tree and other holiday decorations can take up additional space you don’t normally have to account for during the rest of the year, which can lead to your furniture needing to be shuffled around to make room.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s professionally trained moving teams can come to your house and help get that large couch or table in exactly the right spot so you’re able to properly accommodate your guests.

Have extra furniture available!

Christmas parties can include a lot of extended family and extra guests, and making sure everyone has a place to sit is important. If you have extra furniture in an attic, storage facility, or out in the garage, our movers would be more than willingly to help bring it inside and place it accordingly.

Make sure to have extra boxes

Storage is at a premium during the holidays, and you want to make sure you have enough boxes to safely put everything away. It’s better to have the boxes and not need them then to need them and not have them, so make sure you’re prepared to put away all of your lights, ornaments, and other Christmas decorations.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers a wide variety of moving and specialty boxes, and we can deliver these right to your home at your convenience!

Gift delivery

Did you make a special gift purchase for someone this year such as a large piece of furniture, appliance, or other heavy object that you aren’t sure how you’ll transport? You’ve come to the right place!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK now offers a pickup and delivery service to handle this very problem. We can pick up the large object you’ve bought, deliver it right to your home (or wherever needed), and help bring it inside and set it up.

This eliminates the hassle – and potential danger – of trying to do it yourself, allowing you to shift your focus elsewhere!

April 4, 2016March 31, 2016 Movers Who Blog Downsizing, Moving

The ultimate beginner’s guide to self-storage

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK storage

Finding and using self-storage can be a daunting task, and if you’re looking for storage you probably already have your hands full. Maybe you’re undergoing a life change such as a move or military relocation, or maybe you simply are trying to restore order to a home that’s overgrown with clutter. Whatever your reason for self-storage, here’s the lowdown on the self-storage basics.

Why use self-storage?

One of the most common uses for self-storage is for home use. When a homeowner or renter realizes they have accumulated more than they can comfortably keep in their home, they may turn to self-storage to help manage the chaos. Some people seasonally rotate their items between their home and storage unit, including summer and winter wardrobes, swimming pool supplies or holiday decorations.

You may also consider self-storage if:

You need to store personal or business documents in a safe place
You’re a service member or college student with frequent moves
You’re a car collector or boat owner

How do I choose a storage unit?

When selecting a storage unit, while location matters, it isn’t the only critical factor. Also ask yourself which amenities you may need. For example, if you have any items that are sensitive to heat, cold, dust, or moisture, you may want to ensure the storage unit is climate controlled. Items that need climate control may include:

Documents
Fur coats
Electronics
Computer equipment
Vehicles

Additionally, think about when you are hoping to access your belongings. Some storage units have fixed hours, while others have 24-hour access. If safety is a concern, ensure the facilities have surveillance cameras, ample lighting, security fences, or management that lives on-site.

What size storage unit do I need?

For determining your storage unit size, make a list ahead of time of the items you would like to store. Units can range in size from 5’ x 5’, which is like a standard closet, to 10’ x 30’, which can contain the contents of a 3- to 4-bedroom house. In-between, there are sizes comparable to standard and large walk-in closets, as well as those that can hold the contents of multiple rooms or a small home. When choosing a size, be sure to go for something a little bigger than the items you actually have so that you are able to walk around freely as needed. Also leave some room between the walls and stored items for better ventilation.

Do I need self-storage insurance?

Generally, self-storage units do not automatically provide self-storage insurance. We highly recommended you research insurance options before storing your items. Even if a self-storage company is highly secure, floods, fires and other natural disasters could still happen. Your first stop should be your homeowner/renter’s insurance policy, as you may already have coverage. If not, you may be able to purchase add-on coverage at a better price than if you were to purchase directly from a self-storage company.

The next step if you are unable to secure insurance through your current provider is to see what kind of insurance the self-storage facility can provide. If you have items of high value, either monetary or sentimental, it may be worth the investment to pay more to insure these items. When insuring your items in storage, be sure to always include a detailed and current list of the stored items and their values.

Self-storage packing tips

If you decide to pack and move items on your own, organization and forethought are key. Try sticking to boxes that are the same size for easy stacking and avoid plastic bags, where contamination can breed. Be sure to fill out the boxes completely to avoid caving, but not so full that your boxes are overflowing. If you have oddly-shaped items, fill in the empty spaces with newspaper or packing material. Be sure not to pack your boxes so heavy that you are unable to lift them, and be sure to choose the right type of container material. For example, you may consider more heavy duty boxes for your books.

Here are some additional packing tips to get you started:

Stack books rather than standing them on-end to protect the spines.
Plates, on the other hand, should be stacked on-end and wrapped individually.
Use bubble wrap for framed art and criss-cross masking tape for mirrors and other glass.
Don’t forget to label your items and mark boxes as fragile as needed. You may consider drilling down your contents even more with a brief list of what’s in the box.
Clean, polish, wipe and treat items before their relocation to preserve and keep germs away. Cover furniture with tarp or sheets.
Take apart bed frames and other furniture for easy transport and storage. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® recommends taping all the pieces to the main base during the packing process to avoid misplacing them.

Self -storage alternative

Sometimes moving your home requires additional space and added flexibility. An alternative option to storage is seeking out availability from a moving company such as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. They provide secure onsite storage facilities whether you have just a few boxes or countless crates and furniture. This option is a perfect fit during home renovations, downsizing or during transitional living between homes.

Moving your items to self-storage

When it comes to loading the moving van, place heavy boxes at the bottom and fragile items on top, with rarely used items toward the front of the van. This way, during the unloading process, the least-used items will be pushed behind more frequently used items. Keep highly valuable items out of plain view to deter theft, and place fragile items on top of heavier, less fragile boxes.

Depending on your schedule and budget, you may decide it’s worth the investment to hire professional movers to pack and move your belongings. If this is the case, be sure to thoroughly research the moving company before entrusting them with your items. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® frequently moves items in and out of storage and arrive with fully trained, uniformed movers to ensure the process is completed with care and efficiency. If you move frequently, you may even be interested in mobile storage, where movers come to your home and pack and store your items in a cube that travels with you.

And that’s it – you are now ready to take charge of your self-storage future! Whether your life is in transition or you just need some of your space back, self-storage units help make daily living a whole lot easier.

Content developed in association with The Parham Group and Noah’s Ark Self Storage.

December 27, 2012December 27, 2012 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Creative Tips for Storing Holiday Decorations

Written by Nick Howison and Brad Hillard

The holidays are in full swing, but they end as quickly as they come. The bittersweet combination of decorating, time with in-laws and shopping is an emotional roller coaster; especially when the season comes to a halt. If it seems like a good idea to simply throw all of your holiday decorations in a box in the attic, this post is for you. The results of a hasty holiday tear-down can be disastrous and make decorating for the next year even more complicated. Take the edge off by using the following tips to efficiently pack and store your holiday decorations:

Rally the Troops: In my house, everyone is determined to “deck the halls”, but when it comes to taking it down, nobody wants to help. Every year I earn their help by taking them out to a dinner and a movie-of-choice after the decorations are down.
Label your Boxes: Writing “fragile ornaments” and “singing-Santa clause” on their respective boxes helps organize the entire decorating process from start to finish. It’s helpful when assigning tasks to family members. It allows me to ask, “Can you bring down the hand-carved reindeer set from the attic? It’s in box labeled ‘Xmas Living Room’.”
Choose Wisely: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has a variety of boxes tailored to your packing needs. Some unique ones include a dish pack box with an insert for your Christmas tree ornaments. These boxes are big and hold a variety of items so you can use them year-round. Click here to see a few options available to you.
Recycle: Did your gift come with bubble wrap or protective foam? Reuse these perfectly good packing materials in the place of the old, mostly-popped, bubble wrap in your decoration boxes.
Christmas Creativity: Pack smaller ornaments and decorations into an empty egg carton (leftover from the plethora of consumed eggnog). This provides a protective shell for the ornaments and the cartons can be stacked inside a larger box.
Light bulb!: Wrap your lights around pieces of cardboard. This is a great way to keep the lights from tangling which in turn protects them from annual damage. Once they are wrapped, place the cardboard pieces in a labeled box for next year.

No matter which method you choose to pack up your holiday decorations, the blog team at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® strives to move you forward no matter the task and we are always available to help with any packing challenge. Share your holiday packing tips with us in the comments!

We hope you enjoy the time spent with your families and wish you a happy holiday season!

July 13, 2012July 13, 2012 Movers Who Blog Uncategorized

Storage Tips 101: Choosing a Storage Facility and Safeguarding Your Valuables

Written by Lisa Kirchhoff

For many, a household move often means placing some items in storage. Whether it’s long-term or short-term, nearby or far away, there are some tips to keep in mind if storing items is in your future:

Choosing a storage facility

Choosing a facility should be based on how long you anticipate your items will remain there, as well as the season and climate.

For longer-term storage of more than three months, or if you must store items over the course of changing seasons, a climate-controlled storage facility is best. Although they do cost more than non-climate-controlled centers, your valuables will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which is ideal for everything from large appliances to small keepsakes.

For short-term storage up to three months, a non-climate-controlled unit will suffice, but be sure to take extra precautions to prevent mold and mildew from forming. If your short-term storage takes place during the winter in a northern climate, do not store computer monitors or televisions, as extremely cold temperatures can cause screens to freeze and break.

Check into insurance

As with any valuables, insurance is important with stored items. Even if the facility you choose appears to have a great security system against theft, don’t forget the possibilities of fire, flood, explosion, storms and natural disasters.

Check with the storage facility manager about their insurance coverage. Few facilities provide full insurance coverage for stored items. Some may provide basic insurance, but it will more than likely not be sufficient to cover replacement costs.

It’s also a good idea to check your homeowners or renters policy you have with your own insurance company. It may provide full coverage for your items even when they are stored away from your residence.

You may want to consider purchasing extra insurance coverage if:

Items will be stored long-term in a non-climate controlled unit

The storage unit is in a flood plain

You intend to store extremely valuable items

Watch for our next installment on using a storage facility: Storage Tips 102: packing, preparing and unloading.

Lisa is a guest writer for Movers who Blog and has 19 moves under her belt. She works for US Cargo Control where she blogs about moving supplies.