Has anyone put their stuff in storage before moving? (Raleigh: insurance, gated)

[blaaze8102]

I am waiting to close on my home in Mass and am in the process of exploring storage options for my house full of furniture and stuff. I plan on storing everything for the short term before moving everything down to the Raleigh area over mid to late summer. I'd like to hear from anyone who has used storage in the past. I have leather furniture, TV's and other electronics that I would like to store, but am concerned about humidity inside these "garage-like" storage units. I don't want my belongings to get ruined while inside over the warmer months coming. I haven't had much success finding larger-sized climate controlled / dehumdified units locally here. I can purchase those humidity bags that you hang and also Damp-Rid containers, but not sure if these will work well at all.

Anyone have any experiences / suggestions with storage? Thanks much!!

[lamishra]

MOst storage units these days have air conditioned options that usually cost a little bit more. We found on storage that that was completely inddor storage rooms and the whole building was air conditioned.

Our stuff was fine in storage for 5 months. We put TV's and stuf flike that well wrapped and in sealed boxes. Cover your furniture with blankets or moving cloths and wrap them tightly with packing wrap. They should be OK.

[groove1]

We are in the same boat. I used Public Storage non-climate controlled. They have $1 pays first month and then a one time $22 admin fee. A 5x15 in a very secure place is $93 including $8 insurance insurance. The fees are also prorated, so if you pay the storage rent in the first and then get everything out on the 2nd you will get most of your money back. Prices vary according to location, even ones that are within a mile or so of each other, so check your options.

[findinghope]

we stored our leather and other furniture for 2 years (up north) in a "climate controled" unit. everything was perfectly fine.
we have now stored the same stuff down here in a climate controled unit. hopefully everthing will be fine.

[blaaze8102]

Originally Posted by groove1

We are in the same boat. I used Public Storage non-climate controlled. They have $1 pays first month and then a one time $22 admin fee. A 5x15 in a very secure place is $93 including $8 insurance insurance. The fees are also prorated, so if you pay the storage rent in the first and then get everything out on the 2nd you will get most of your money back. Prices vary according to location, even ones that are within a mile or so of each other, so check your options.

Yes...this is the same set up that I am exploring right now. The first month is a $1.00 with a $15.00 admin fee for the 1st month. Either that or pay 1st month and get 2nd and 3rd free, but you have to rent for 3 months. Might not need the unit that long.

[blaaze8102]

Originally Posted by findinghope

we stored our leather and other furniture for 2 years (up north) in a "climate controled" unit. everything was perfectly fine.
we have now stored the same stuff down here in a climate controled unit. hopefully everthing will be fine.

Thanks for the info findinghope! Which storage place did you use? Do you remember how much you paid per month roughly if you don't mind me asking? I am having trouble finding units with A/C. I've found heated but not cooled. There are smaller units that are dehumidifed, but I need something like a 10 x 30 unit which I am being told will store around 6 - 8 rooms of furniture, etc..

If there are cooled units I can't find them...not yet anyway. I am assuming that they are much higher priced than your standard "metal box" unit.

[blaaze8102]

Originally Posted by lamishra

MOst storage units these days have air conditioned options that usually cost a little bit more. We found on storage that that was completely inddor storage rooms and the whole building was air conditioned.

Our stuff was fine in storage for 5 months. We put TV's and stuf flike that well wrapped and in sealed boxes. Cover your furniture with blankets or moving cloths and wrap them tightly with packing wrap. They should be OK.

Thanks lamishra! This is a major concern for me. I visited storage places today and the guy told me I should be ok if I cover the leather furniture with a sheet or blanket. I don't think that will do anything against humidity building up inside the unit (which is mostly corrugated steel). Sheets will keep dust off but that's about it I think. Glad to hear you found a cooled unit.....I'm still looking. Not sure on the $$$ though. Can't afford to pay too much over a regular unit.

[clockwork]

When my family moved from New York to Florida, my mom put a lot of stuff (clothing, paintings, electronics, books, furniture, etc) in storage for a year. When it was delivered, everything was perfectly fine. The moving company we used handled the storage, and I am pretty sure it was climate controlled. We just Big John's moving (i'm not sure if it's a national firm).

[findinghope]

i think back in nj we paid $135 per month for a 10x10., at public storage and it was climate controlled--which to me means cool in the summer warm in winter. they also do pest control each month. everything was packed tight and high--and we never took anything in or out. here we are paying $125? i think we got a disc. for paying 6 months in advance (10% i think). this one my husband took care of and so i dont remember the name of it-and i havent seen it.

[lauren4521]

Originally Posted by blaaze8102

Anyone have any experiences / suggestions with storage? Thanks much!!

I can't speak to the climate controlled issue as we stored our entire home for over 6 months but it was over the fall/winter.

I just posted on how we did it using PODS, which might be something to consider so YOU don't have to move your belongings in/out of storage so many times.

Anyhow, here's my post in case you want to read about how PODS worked for us. And BTW it was MUCH cheaper than having movers move us..MUCH.

POD thread
Lauren