Browse Forums Move Management 1 Jun 08, 2013 9:52 pm Hi All, As the title suggests, I'm after some guidance on how much self storage I need. I know people say to pack the storage tight, but I'm unsure of what this means for furniture. We've brought some of our things to our temporary accommodation, and we've sold some things, so the stuff we need to store is: Beds - 2 queen size, one with ensemble base,one with frame. Fridge Upright freezer Couches - We have a 4 seater (comes apart to effectively a 2-seater and two 1-seaters), a 3-seater, and two 2-seaters. Book cases - "4x4" and "4x2" (Ikea) Boxes - about 40-50 tea chest moving boxes. The thing I'm most nervous about is the couches, they are Natuzzi so I'm nervous about simply standing them up (as I assume we will for the beds). I'm not sure if the best approach is to simply get over myself and put the couches on top of each other, or whether we should be more protective. I'd be grateful for advice. And finally - what happens if I don't "order" enough self-storage, are the places pretty reasonable at just adding on pro-rata, or how does it work? Cheers, Dim Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 2Jun 08, 2013 10:20 pm Basically the self storage places come with a range of sizes of storage spaces. If you can't fit it in the initial one you either go up to the next size space or rent another space. Normally the bigger the space the cheaper per m3 it costs so its better to fit everything in one space than rent two. If you have got room in the temporary accomodation thats going to be cheapest. I reckon self storage rates per m2 of space is similar to renting an apartment. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 3Jun 08, 2013 10:55 pm We got a 3x3meter shed and put in: queen frame/mattress, single frame/mattress, four bedside drawers, large 3seater couch, large dining table with two benches, mini fridge, big fridge, dryer, two large book cases, a weight bench & weights, a toybox, and almost all of the clothes, shoes, linen, toys, DVDs, books, and general junk for two adults and an 8yr old - and still had plenty of room for more. Put the heavy stuff on the bottom and stack everything as high as you can get. - MrsT Brought first house in 2008. Renovated...a LOT. Built in 2013. Our thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67954 Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 4Jun 10, 2013 11:31 pm Hi, I thought I'd do a rough estimate at how much you need. Couches 3 x 2 seater 3 x (1.7 x 1.1) = 5.6 2 x 1 seater 2x (1 x 1.1) = 2.2 3 seater 2 x 1.1 = 2.2 Fridge / freezer 2 x (0.5 x 0.7) = 0.7 Beds (stood on end) Ensemble inc mattress 1.5 x 0.6 = 0.9 Mattress only 1.5 x 0.3 = 0.45 Frame, does it disassemble? hard to estimate Sub total = 12m2 Book case 1.5 x 0.4 (1.5 high) = 0.6 Book case 0.7 x 0.4 (1.5 high) = 0.3 Tea chests 45 x (0.41 x 0.41 x 0.57) = 3.8m2 if stacked 2 high Total = 16m2 So based on almost no stacking you'd need 16m2 but things rarely will fit together nicely so you'd probably need to add about 20% that will come to about 20m2 or a 4x5 shed. I would avoid tipping the couches on end or stacking them, especially if they are nice, I don't have any specific examples but I've heard its not good for them. Also make sure you drape them. However I think you could do some other stacking. If the boxes are sturdy enough you could either stack them 3 layers high which would take them to about 1.5m high or leave them at 1 or 2 layers high and put the couches on top. Maybe go one layer of boxes and put the 2 seaters and 1 seaters on top which will use about 8m2. That leaves the 3 seater, fridge / freezer, beds and book cases that takes about 5.2m2. So total is 13m2 with should roughly fit a 3 x 5. Prices vary on a range of factors but the main one is distance from the city so if you don't need regular access and will be storing for a while it could be worth looking in the outer suburbs. As bashworth said, it will be cheaper to get one large unit rather than 2 smaller ones. In terms of booking the wrong one I wouldn't worry too much. When you get there as long as they have availability the facility will be more than happy to up sell you a large shed - in fact it's pretty much standard practice. Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 5Jun 11, 2013 1:06 am Make sure your stuff wont get moved and that no one else will be sharing your space! I had a horrible time with storage and so much of my furniture got damaged It was moved at least twice from one storage room to another and someone elses stuff was shoved in next to mine!! Not impressed!! I accidentally went home with someone elses box of family photos...was a return journey I hadn't planned on... Ask lots of questions and take photos once you have finished loading everything in. Make a list of every single item and label all your boxes. Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 6Jun 11, 2013 4:17 pm xxkatxx Make sure your stuff wont get moved and that no one else will be sharing your space! I had a horrible time with storage and so much of my furniture got damaged It was moved at least twice from one storage room to another and someone elses stuff was shoved in next to mine!! Not impressed!! I accidentally went home with someone elses box of family photos...was a return journey I hadn't planned on... Ask lots of questions and take photos once you have finished loading everything in. Make a list of every single item and label all your boxes. Wow thats dodge! At my place you get given a key to the facility (same one everyone gets) but need to provide your own locks for the shed you hire, so no one can get in unless you give them your key... - MrsT Brought first house in 2008. Renovated...a LOT. Built in 2013. Our thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67954 Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 7Jun 11, 2013 7:33 pm Where are you? If in Perth I can recommend a good option. We hired a 20' Container and got it all in there. We are storing the container at my work place. Container hire is $3.30 per day - it would cost another $3.30 per day to store it at the Container peoples site. Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 8Jun 12, 2013 9:45 pm Thanks all, really helpful answers. Re stacking couches, I'm still unsure. I bought two of them from ebay, and the guy I bought them from (have asked just now) had them in storage stacked on top of each other (ie top one upside down). They seem to have pulled up from that ok, but its a lot of money. I like the idea of putting them on top of boxes. Re location, we're in Melbourne (Yarraville). I'm thinking we'll go out to Sunbury - certainly worth driving a bit further (price is half in Sunbury what it is in Caroline Springs). Cheers, Dim Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 9Jun 13, 2013 11:44 am Hi Dim, I work for Kennards Self Storage and would advise you to store in a unit 12.6m2 (3/4 garage) or 16.8m2 (full garage) to accommodate the items you mentioned. For delicate items, we recommend you cover them with a blanket or plastic and if it's stored correctly, you will have no problems. You can upsize or downsize at anytime. We have a number of facilities close to you and you would not be sharing the unit with anyone, it's yours alone. You provide a padlock and keep the keys. We provide you with a PIN code so you can access your unit at anytime 24/7. Kennards facilities are fully secured for your peace of mind and have CCTV surveillance, alarms and it's all computer monitored. Please also note that Kennards will refund any unused rent on a pro-rata basis, so you are never locked in to a contract. If you would lilke further information please visit http://www.kss.com.au to get prices, recommended removalists, discount truck hire, etc or feel free to call in to any of our centres at your convenience to have a look for yourself. We are open 7 days a week. Hope this information is helpful. Kind Regards, Customer Care Centre Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 10Jul 18, 2014 1:33 pm It is best for you to visit the self-storage centre that you have in mind and see in person the different sizes that they have for their storage units. From there, you will actually be able to gauge which one will best suit your needs. Since you already have rough estimations of your furniture dimensions, and then try to figure out at home first how you are going to stack them up or dismantle them and stack all the pieces together. When you arrive at the centre, you will be able to visualize whether or not those piles are going to fit well. Re: How much self-storage space do I need? 11Nov 21, 2014 12:21 pm Hi Dim, Shipping containers are definitely an option to consider for storage - especially if you are in the process of moving. Self pack companies deliver a container to your home for you to pack and then pick it up and relocate it to wherever you want - your new home or a storage facility (before or after the move). It's a big bonus to not be double handling your furniture - once it's in the container it stays there until you're ready for it to be delivered to you again. Instead of re-hiring you own moving truck when you want your stored items back again, all you have to do is contact the self pack company and they deliver your container to you. Easy! Cheers, Clive Budget Self Pack Containers - Dedicated Self Pack Removalist across Australia Website: http://www.budgetselfpackcontainers.com.au Call Us: 1300 659 221 Hi guys, I want to do some floor levelling before laying the planks and am considering doing it with self-levelling or yellow tongue PB board. I am wondering which one… 0 6532 You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 9959 Cupcake.girl This really depends on your local council. Each one has different definitions and ways to calculate contributions. This is called a contribution… 1 3580 |