Whether you’re between houses (buying or selling your property), renovating, going overseas for an extended period, or have simply want more room, there are times in your life when you may need to “outsource” your stuff. For some it’s simple a matter of abundance. If your shelves runneth over and you’ve filled up the garage AND the spare room – and you’re out of storage solutions – it may be time to turn to the professionals.
In the professional storage world you have two choices: general storage or self/mini storage.
General storage
In the general storage system, your goods are stored in a warehouse, generally on pallets and wrapped in cardboard for security. While this can be an economical option, it’s not an ideal storage solution. Loss and/or damage is not uncommon and accessing your stored items can be difficult.
Self/mini storage
Self-storage facilities are widely available in Brisbane and surrounds, offering greater security and convenience for users than the general system. Generally, they offer a lockable unit (to which only you have the key) within a secured area that you’re able to access almost anytime.
There are two types of self-storage companies – those with on-site managers and those that use booking agents.
Storage facilities with on-site managers offer a greater level of service and security than those using only a fence and/or security company to guard the premises. The main things to keep in mind when selecting a self-storage facility are:
- find a facility close to your address
- make sure it has on-site managers
- check that it offers a range of sized units to suit your needs
How much storage space do you need?
To estimate the amount of space you’ll need for your goods, check out the Self Storage Association of Australasia’s storage estimator. Simply fill in the number of articles you want to store and the calculator does the rest!
The unit size you’ll need is dependent not only on the amount of “stuff” you have but the time period you wish to store it. The bigger the unit, the greater the cost. If you’re storing short term (less than three months), you should use a bigger unit, so that you can access items easily. But if you’re storing long-term (more than three months), it’s cheaper to pack everything into a smaller unit.
Some storage facilities will help you to pack and unpack your unit for a limited number of times – for free – over the hire period. Check with your facility’s management.
Hints for safe storage
- To maximise use of the unit space (and keep hire costs down), you will need to pack some items on top of others. Using old blankets, sheets or soft furnishings (e.g. curtains) as cushioning will help protect the goods.
- Pack your goods with care. Use naphthalene, mothballs or similar products with items made of fabric. Remove batteries from electronic devices. Wrapping silver items in non-acidic tissue paper or plastic bags can help reduce tarnishing. Wiping chrome or cast iron with machine oil helps prevent rust.
- White goods such as fridges and freezers should be clean and dry before storing. Keep the door slightly ajar throughout the storage period to encourage air flow.
- Gas bottles and fuel-powered equipment (such as lawn mowers) should be emptied before storing.
- Humidity tends to be high year-round in Brisbane, so using plastic on items such as mattresses is likely to encourage mould. Protect your goods with “breathable” covers like old sheets and blankets instead.
- Store framed pictures, glass and mirrors on their edge (not flat) with cardboard underneath.
- Cover everything with sheets to keep the dust off.
The final solution
Before you put all your worldly goods into storage, take a really hard look at what you’re keeping. Chances are, some of it is not worth holding on to. Reduce your load – and keep your costs down – by clearing out the clutter first.
Have a garage sale and turn your clutter into currency. Or give unwanted items to your favourite charity.
If an item is past its use-by date, retire it. As a rule of thumb: if you haven’t used it/needed it/worn it in a year, chances are it’s time to let go of it!
Specialty storage
While Brisbane’s hot and humid summers make for an enviable outdoor lifestyle, they’re not so kind to heat-sensitive items. A $100-plus bottle of wine that turns, over the course of a hot summer, into something resembling vinegar is a costly (not to mention disappointing) incident in any wine collector’s life. The solution: wine cellaring. Installing a climate-controlled cellar in your own home is a luxury most people cannot afford. Storing your wine offsite in a dedicated facility such as Cellarit is the next best option.
Climate-controlled storage facilities offer a stable environment not only for wines, but also for other heat-sensitive items such as fine art, antiques and computers. Some facilities often include security in the form of 24-hour video surveillance and guard patrol.
See our directory for a list of climate-controlled storage facilities in Brisbane.
