Category Archives: moving day tips

Fall is the Best Time to Move Your House or Apartment

Fall is the Best Time to Move Your House or Apartment

Fall is the best time to move!

There sure has been a lot of activity here at The Storage Inn in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, New Jersey this past month – lots of folks renting storage space and moving items into our self-storage units. In speaking with our customers, I found out that many of them were in the process of moving from one home to another. This made me wonder why Fall seems to be such a popular time to move, so I did some investigating, and here is what I found.

According to experts in the moving and storage industry, Fall just might be the best time of year to move (should you decide to hire movers) – here are 4 reasons why!

Family sitting in back of van holding keys, smiling, portrait

Great Weather

Fall is arguably the nicest time of year to move. Think about it, who wants to move in 90 degree summer heat, or in winter’s toe numbing cold?  Fall offers a comfortable temperature range which at worst could mean a sweatshirt or jacket, and if you’re lucky, you may even be able to wear shorts and a t-shirt!

Save Some Money

Industry insiders commonly refer to the period from May to August as “moving season”. Moving companies typically charge their highest prices during this time of year, but by waiting until the fall to move, you can get lower rates, along with avoiding the heat of summer. Many self-storage facilities also offer incentives in the fall to folks looking for self storage space. Here at The Storage Inn in South Jersey, we offer things like $1 storage unit rentals for the first month, and free moving boxes, tape, and bubble wrap to help make your move easier.

Insider tip For the cheapest rate, move on a Tuesday or Wednesday in the middle of October or November. Avoid the beginning and end of the month (when leases tend to start/end), and on weekends (when most people schedule their moves)

Good Experienced Moving Helpers

Because “moving season” has ended, many companies will lay off their temporary help. This is good news for you, as they will retain their core crew. This means that you now have the most seasoned and experienced home movers handling your precious cargo.


Insider Tips:
Hot chocolate + travel cups = happy movers. After being blown away by your kindness, they may be compelled to give your furniture extra TLC.
Wet leaves = potential safety hazard. Keep a broom and rake on-hand, and continue clearing the path for movers.
Dress in layers! With the season being temperamental, you’ll want to stay comfortable.

fall-kids

Meet the Neighbors

Fall is a great time to meet the people in your new community. School is opening for the kids, and Halloween and other Fall events can get you acquainted with the new neighbors. Most towns and schools hold a number of community events in the fall that you might want to attend.

And ! If you’re moving around the Egg Harbor Township or Ocean City, NJ area definitely stop by your local storage facility, The Storage Inn. We know the area like the back of our hands, and we’re always happy to help you in any way that we can. Happy moving!

Moving Season is Here!

March has arrived here at The Storage Inn self storage in Egg Harbor Township New Jersey, and we are beginning to see the yearly influx of storage renters who are in the process of moving from one home to another. 

Moving isn’t always the most fun, but there are things we can do to help minimize stress and make the move go smoothly.

Here are a few Storage Inn tips for Moving Day!

 

Make a list – Check it twice

Write it down! All of it. Create a simple record keeping system. Make a list of numbers with a space to write the contents. Place a number on EVERY box you pack and on your list, write the contents of the box under that number.This will make it much easier to find your items when you need them.

Pre-Pack

Anything you can pack ahead will save you time on moving day. Pre-pack everything that you won’t need in the days leading up to the move. If it’s summer, pack your winter clothes. Pack all your extra belongings such as decorative items and knick-knacks. Box up extra toiletries as well as kitchen utensils, pots and pans, etc. Use only the bare essentials for the last few days.­

Stock up on packing supplies

You’re going to need storage boxes. Probably more moving boxes than you think. Buying enough boxes ahead of time will make your life so much easier! Have about 10 boxes set aside to use on moving day for last minute items like bedding, clothes, and cleaning supplies. Use strong plastic packing tape to close up the boxes securely.  3M Shipping Tape or Uline Carton Sealing Tape are good brands. Use unprinted packing paper (newspaper can stain your items), or bubble wrap to wrap and cushion household goods, especially delicate items.

The Storage Inn carries a full line of packing supplies, including boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and more.

Pack Smart

Put all the things you’ll need first once you pull up to your new home in a clear plastic bin. Make sure this bin is placed at the back of your moving truck or car and easy to find right away. Includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc.

A clear container allows you to see inside. Keep similar things together when you’re packing boxes. Bookends belong with books, light bulbs with lamps, and extension cords with appliances. You don’t want to be running all over the new house when unpacking to find different parts of the same sets.

Attach small, loose parts to the item they belong to with tape or in small envelopes — picture hooks with pictures, shelf brackets with a bookcase, a special wrench, and bolts with the wall unit.

Tape larger corresponding items (such as power cords) to the underside or back of the item. It is also helpful to have an “odds and ends” box with cables, cords, parts, pieces, brackets, or nails that are removed from any items of furniture. Mark this box to make it easy to find on moving day.

Moving Tricks

  • Wrap your delicate items (dishes, glasses, lamps, etc.) in clothing or towels to save on bubble wrap. For extra padding, pack your glasses and stemware in clean socks.
  • Clean your old home ahead of time (the inside of kitchen cupboards, the oven, windows, etc.), and if possible, vacuum each room as movers empty it. You’ll thank yourself later.
  • Fill luggage and duffle bags with clothing, sheets, towels, and paper goods to save on boxes.
  • Safeguard highly-valued items. Check your homeowner’s insurance to see how you are covered during the move, and if you need additional insurance from the mover. Also, find out what paperwork you might need to file a claim in case of loss.
  • Keep important papers with you such as birth certificates, school records, current bills, phone lists, closing papers, realtor info, maps, and more. Don’t leave these with the mover. Keep them with you!
  • Pack an overnight bag with the essentials, especially if you’re driving a far distance to your new home.

 Self-Storage Saves the Day!

Often when moving homes, the timing is a little off. Maybe your lease is up in your old apartment and your new home isn’t ready to move into yet.Or maybe you’re still selling your old home and you need to clear out the rooms for realtor showings. A self-storage unit is an easy, secure, and inexpensive option for storing your belongings. The Storage Inn offers 45 different storage unit sizes located in a clean, secure family-owned facility. We even have a resident security manager! It’s a great option for keeping your stuff safe and organized. 

When moving, we often find things we never use that take up space, but we just can’t let them go. Storage units help us hold on to these dear possessions. You can rent spaces as small as closets at your local storage facility. The Storage Inn also offers a free moving truck rental for local moves as well as vehicle storage for your bigger toys.

The Storage Inn is committed to making your moving day as easy as possible. Call or stop in for great prices on storage space, packing supplies, and truck and van rentals. Happy Moving!!!

Self Storage Unit Discounts for College Students!!

Most students welcome the end of the school year, but for college students here in South Jersey, the summer can create a different kind of stress. Leases are ending, roommates are graduating and moving away, and students are finding themselves in flux, trying to secure housing for the next semester while still enjoying a break from their studies. One way to ease the stress and make the transition smoother is by visiting The Storage Inn in Egg Harbor Township and renting a self-storage unit. The Storage Inn is offering all college students and their families discounted rates, as well as a free moving truck to help secure their items until the Fall semester!



Here are a few ways that extra storage space can help our college students get through the summer vacation with peace of mind that their items will be safe and sound until the Fall.

Where’s my old room?

Many students return home for the summer, only to find that their parents converted their old bedrooms into a home office, sewing room, or man cave. If you’re a college student planning to spend the summer at home, it could be difficult to fit your belongings beside your mom’s sewing machine, or your family’s movie collection! A better strategy is to put your stuff into self-storage and enjoy your summer with less baggage.

Road Trip!

Some students may keep their apartment or room rental lease intact through the summer, and sublet to another party until the Fall. Even if you get someone to lease your space while you’re out of town, you’ll still want to store your valuables somewhere safe and sound, not to mention that your sub-letter will need space for their own belongings. A self storage rental unit is a safe, secure, and convenient way to store your stuff while you are traveling or working a summer job back home..

Student Sizing

Most college students don’t have a ton of furniture or belongings—or, for that matter, a ton of money—so they don’t need and can’t afford a huge storage unit. Luckily, The Storage Inn Self Storage offers units in 45 different sizes, including many that are no bigger than a single dorm room. Your belongings will feel right at home while you travel, work, or visit friends.

The Storage Inn is proud to offer the college students of South Jersey an affordable way to keep everything safe and secure until the school bells start ringing in September – Let’s not rush things though – Happy Summer Break!

Storage Units - What size do I need?

Storage Units – What size do I need?

Self-Storage – Getting the right size for you!

So, your backyard shed is full, the attic is packed, and you can barely walk through the garage, let alone park a car in it – It’s time to rent some self storage space ! “The local storage facility down the road looks nice, but what size do I need?” you ask yourself. Luckily I can help. My name is Jerry, and I’m a manager at The Storage Inn Self Storage in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Here are some tips to help you get the right size storage space.

Organize and Inventory

Don’t worry about storage unit sizes until you’re sure of what items you’re actually going to need to store. Take an inventory of everything that will be going into the storage unit, including the dimensions of any larger items to be stored.  Measure the height, width, and depth as you may need to turn some items on end. Also note the number of boxes and totes that you need to store, including their dimensions. Using similar size boxes and totes will make this task much easier. Now that you have a pretty good idea of what you will actually be storing, it’s time to head on down to your local self storage facility, talk to the experts, and get the perfect storage space to suit your needs!

The Perfect Size Storage Unit

Okay, time to choose the right storage unit size for all your stuff. There are approximately six standard storage unit sizes in the storage industry. These are sizes that will be found it almost any self-storage facility. Here is a description of those basic sizes.

 

size-guide


At the Storage Inn of Egg Harbor Township New Jersey  we offer over 45 different storage unit sizes, most of which have extra high ceilings, giving our customers 20% more storage space than the industry standard. These sizes include unique configurations such as long narrow spaces making them perfect for storing items like ladders or surfboards;  and we also have smaller spaces with high ceilings great for items like couches and mattresses since they can be turned on end to maximize the cubic footage of the unit. We even have outdoor spaces for boat storage, car storage and RV storage! And if you’re looking for climate controlled units, yep, we have those too. 

Let us Help

Although this may be a daunting task for you, the professionals at your local storage facility deal with these moving and packing issues on a daily basis. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about storing your belongings and we’ll certainly assist you in finding the right sized storage space.

And keep in mind that here at The Storage Inn moving and packing supply store, we sell everything for your storage needs including cardboard moving boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and mattress covers. And if you have a lot to move check out our affordable truck rental offer to help make your move a breeze! 

Make the Most of your Moving Truck Rental

Happy It's Moving Day

Happy It’s Moving Day

Make the Most of your Moving Truck Rental

So it’s moving day, and you have your moving truck, and your stuff, so you’re ready to go – right? Wrong! You have no idea how to efficiently pack a moving truck!  You need a plan!  Here are some Storage Inn packing tips to help make your moving day easier. And don’t forget The Storage Inn offers free moving truck rentals or free moving van rentals for new storage unit tenants.

Be prepared – In order to do a safe and efficient job of packing your moving truck, you’ll need the items below. Most of these are available at your local truck rental store, or local self storage facility, like The Storage Inn!

Hand truck and dolly These are a must for moving heavier items around the inside of the moving truck as well as loading and unloading.

Furniture pads, bungee cords, packing tape, and stretch wrap Use the furniture pads and stretch wrap to protect your items. The bungee cords and packing tape can be used to secure your items, and to keep them from shifting, as well as for keeping doors and drawers closed.

Boxes – Your local self storage facility should have a variety of moving boxes available, including some made specifically for packing fragile items like dishes and glasses. Most also have wardrobe boxes available, to help make moving the contents of closets much easier.

Remember to…

Keep items In the cab, that you might need before you unpack the back of the moving truck, Such as a small tool kit, overnight items, or extremely fragile items.

Disassemble furnitureRemove legs from chairs and tables where possible, and drawers from dressers and cabinets, until placed in the moving truck or moving van, to make moving and packing easier.

Visualize If possible, place as many of your furniture items as you can on the ground outside of the moving truck before loading. This will help you to visualize how the items might best fit into the truck.

storage inn moving truck rental packing diagram

The Storage Inn moving truck rental diagram for packing a moving truck

Load it up

Heaviest items firstBe sure to load heavy items such as appliances, file cabinets and boxes of books toward the front of the trailer, nearest the cab. Distribute the weight as evenly as possible.  this will help to give you the safest conditions for driving your rental truck. Keep in mind that you are also packing floor-to-ceiling. Place your heavier items on the bottom, while saving lighter items for the top.

Protect your stuffBe aware of how your items are packed, and how they might react to a rough ride.  Use furniture pads and stretch wrap to protect your items, as well as bungee cords, and/or packing tape, to secure everything for the ride.

Box it up Boxes pack best with other boxes, so save space if possible, to stack all of your extra boxes. You want to clearly label your boxes, and pack the heavier ones at the bottom, and lighter ones toward the top.

Save the soft stuff from the furnitureWhen packing, keep your pillows, couch cushions, blankets, etc., set aside. As you finish loading each quarter of the truck, stop and look at your packing job so far.  Imagine your items as your truck is being driven along over a bumpy road. Does it look like any of the items might bounce around? If so, use your pillows, blankets, and cushions to fill in the dead spots between items. Your goal should be to arrange your items so that they are as close to one solid piece as possible. Think of your items as pieces to a jigsaw puzzle – solve the puzzle, and enjoy the ride!

 

Self-Storage for Military Personnel

Self Storage for Military Personnel

Moving and Storage Tips for Military Families

Moving and Storage Tips for Military Families

Military Families on the Move

Moving is part of everyday life for military personnel. Soldiers and their families may be asked to relocate every 2 to 4 years. These moves often take place with short notice, requiring quick planning.

Military personnel who are about to deploy have a lot of choices to make regarding what items to take with them, and what to place in a storage unit. A self storage unit can be a great option, not only for furniture, electronics, and appliances, but also storing a vehicle such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats. Your local self storage facility will likely offer military discounts for storage units as well as packing supplies, and possibly even the free use of a moving truck or moving van like we offer at The Storage Inn of Egg Harbor Township and The Storage Inn II of Ocean City. Most military bases have self storage facilities located near to them that offer secure gated storage – some even have resident security managers and climate controlled storage units. Many storage facilities also offer your choice of affordable indoor or outdoor space for vehicle storage.

Surface Deployment and Distribution Command are part of relocation departments designed to help military families with their moves. These departments also offer moving check lists like the one below.

Moving Tips for Military Families

Military families are experts movers! Here are some tips for moving with the military that should help make the moving process as smooth as possible!

Have a playbook with the moving orders, important dates and other documentation. Create a detailed list of everything that is to be moved.

Begin decluttering as soon as possible. Sort through items and designate them as sell, donate, and store – having less items to pack and move helps reduce stress on moving day

Have family and friends help with cleaning the old home when it is empty. It is also recommended to pre-clean the bathroom and kitchen in your new home.

Pack a “Go” bag for the first day at your new home with items such as sheets, towels, shower curtains and soap. Military families may not be able to control what goes where on their moving trucks, making it difficult to find items like laundry soap, brooms, mops, and household cleaners until the truck is completely unpacked. Quick and efficient planning is the key, but then, being quick and efficient is probably second nature to most military family members.

20 Moving Day Hacks

 

Moving day box representing movers and packaging for a move from one home to another

Moving Day Hacks

Moving day is right around the corner and you’ve made preparations accordingly. Now that it’s getting closer and closer to moving day, keep some of these moving day hacks in mind to make the process smoother.

  1. Wrap a couple layers of moving wrap tightly around your utensil organizer with the utensils still inside. This works for make-up and accessory organizers as well!
  2. Pack spices inside a crock pot to keep them all together.
  3. Take clothes straight from your closet into a wardrobe box. Leave the hanger on!
  4. Put cotton balls in your make-up compacts to prevent them from breaking during the move.
  5. Use moving wrap to cover shampoo bottles to prevent spillage.
  6. Use boxes with handles for easy lifting.
  7. Use sandwich bags for small items such as earrings or screws.
  8. Cell kits and cushion foam will keep your dishware safe during the move.
  9. Hire movers for extra help, especially if there is heavy furniture to be moved.
  10. Try the Purge While Packing system. Keep a donation box nearby to throw in anything you no longer want.
  11. Make up for some of those moving expenses and have a yard sale before moving day.  This will get rid of the stuff you aren’t planning on bringing to your new place.
  12. For seasonal items, use space bags to create more room.
  13. Use a bar of soap to fill in nail holes.
  14. Bubble wrap should be used for all fragile items such as antiques and pottery.
  15. Make your last grocery trip two weeks before your move.
  16. Start defrosting your refrigerator two weeks before your move.Source – www.MovingInsider.com