You may never have thought about it before but using self storage when completing DIY or building and construction projects at home can be a real asset. Initially it may sound like more to organise and think about, however it often makes DIY jobs quicker and safer, it may even be less expensive overall.
How easy is it to paint an empty room? Now imagine painting the same room but with books, furniture, electronics, and general ‘stuff’ dotted around. Storing your items before starting any DIY work, means it is less likely they will incur any damage, it will also keep them dust free.
Storing furniture also means that you will have more space to work in and this is likely to make the job take less time overall. If you are using contractors to undertake any of the work for you, they are also likely to take less time, and therefore, charge less money, if they are working in a clutter free environment and not trying to work around your belongings and furniture. You can also use your storage space to store materials and new furniture or appliances until you are ready for them.
The areas of your home which are not part of the current project can also remain free of additional clutter and other displaced items like furniture which will also make for a less stressful experience.
Another advantage of using self-storage in this way is that it offers complete flexibility in terms of timescales and space, so there are no issues if the work takes more or less time than you expected or if you require more or less space throughout the project.
Once your project is finished, having your items in self-storage enables you to sort through your belongings, only moving back those things which you need, giving you the time and space to get rid of items which you no longer require.
Other things to consider when using self-storage for DIY…
- Do take time and care when packing up your belongings, especially items like soft furnishings and clothes, to make sure they stay safe from damage whilst in storage and you can find items easily if you need them.
- Invest in high quality packing materials like sturdy boxes or plastic crates to make the most efficient use of storage space.
- Consider which type of storage is most appropriate for your needs - using internal, climate controlled storage may be a good idea, especially in the winter time or if you are storing electrical items of other things which may be affected by environmental moisture. See our online guide for more information.
- Create an inventory of everything which you are storing for insurance purposes. This is helpful in terms of making sure you are insuring your stored items at the appropriate level (you should always insure for the full replacement cost of your stored items), as well as reminding you what is stored away and where to find it.
For more information on storage types, a guide to storage space or to find a suitable storage site near you, click the links above to access the resources section of our website.