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Storage Centres:

STORAGE ADVISOR

WE'RE HERE TO HELP


• What can I store in my storage room ?
• How much does it cost to store my things with you ?
• Are there any hidden extras, or is everything included ?
• How often do I pay you ?
• Do you offer any discounts, or special offers ?
• How often can I access my goods. Do you charge for access ?
• Do I need to have insurance ?
• How do I pay for my storage ?
• Why do I need my own padlock ?
• Where can I get packing materials ?
• What is the smallest sized room you have available ?
• Are your Storage Rooms heated ?
• How high are the Storage Rooms ?
• Am I best to book a room ?
• Can I move in today ?
• What if I find I need more space (or less) ?
• How secure is the Storage Centre ?
• How much notice do I need to give to take my goods out ?
• What is the minimum time I can store with you ?
• Once I’ve taken a room, how long can I rent it for ?
• Do I have to sign a lease ?
• How can I get my goods to the Storage Centre ?
• Do you do removals or van hire ?
• Do you have trolleys available ?
• Can I get large items to my Storage Room ?
• What do I do if I have a problem in the Centre ?

What can I store in my storage room ?
You can store furniture, home contents, business stock, archive records, collectables… the list is virtually endless. The only things you won’t be permitted to store are:
•Hazardous materials – e.g. explosives, flammables
•Illegal goods – e.g. firearms, etc.
•animals / plants / foodstuffs (unless unopened jars or tins)

How much does it cost to store my things with you ?
The cost of a Storage Room depends on the size that you will need. With over 25 sizes from small lockers to large mini-warehouses, you will always be able to rent the right size room for your need. Use our estimator to work out the room size you’ll need, or ask a member of staff for help. We’ll then provide you a quote for that room size, but we’re confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the low cost. We don not charge VAT on storage rooms.

Are there any hidden extras, or is everything included ?
The price you are quoted is the price you will pay for the Room Rental. It includes all costs such as rates, service charges, maintenance, utility bills. We do not charge VAT on the room rental. You will need to have insurance in place for your goods in the Storage Room (we can quote a rental price inclusive of insurance), and you will need a padlock for your room. Padlocks are on sale at the Big Box Shop.

How often do I pay you ?
At the start of the Storage Room rental we will charge you for the first 4-week period, and then will charge you every 4-weeks from then, payable in advance. We only require 7 days notice of your vacation of the room, and will refund to you any unused rental at the end of the term

Do you offer any discounts, or special offers ?
We have some very simple discounts on offer for pre-payment of longer term storage room rentals:
5% off for pre-payment of 24 weeks’ rental
10% off for pre-payment of 48 weeks’ rental
And unlike many other companies we do not charge VAT on Storage Room rental

How often can I access my goods. Do you charge for access ?
You can access your goods as often as you like during our long opening hours, 7 days a week, completely free of charge. Add, take away or just sort your goods at a time to suit you.

Do I need to have insurance ?
All goods put in to your Storage Room must have adequate insurance cover at all times. You can arrange your own cover, or we can provide very competitive insurance cover tailor-made for Self Storage. A member of staff will be happy to explain the level of cover and the low cost. Insurance is very simply arranged when you begin rental of your Storage Room. We recommend that you insure your goods to the same value as would be quoted on your household insurance policy, or within your commercial contents policy.

How do I pay for my storage ?
We can accept payment by Debit Card, Credit Card, cheque or Standing Order. Most customers opt to set up an automated payment method to avoid missing rental payments.

Why do I need my own padlock ?
Padlocks on storage rooms are the first level of security for your goods. By purchasing a brand new padlock (a full range is available at the Big Box Shop) you can be sure that no-one else has a key to the room, and the room is kept locked at all times

Where can I get packing materials ?
We have a wide range of boxes and packing materials available at the Big Box Shop. Various sizes of boxes, including hanging wardrobe cartons, bubble-wrap, packing paper, tape, plastic furniture covers. For more details view our range ….

What is the smallest sized room you have available ?
We start from metre-cubed lockers (3ft x 3ft x 3ft). Ideal for students’ summer storage or for storing about 10-12 boxes. Our smallest Storage Rooms start from 10 sq ft, and are a very low cost storage option.

Are your Storage Rooms heated ?
We do not heat our Storage Rooms, in order to avoid variations in temperature within the building, which can cause condensation. Instead our modern buildings are well insulated, and provide excellent ambient temperatures fluctuate little throughout the year.

How high are the Storage Rooms ?
The height of Storage Rooms vary from Centre to centre, but are typically between 7’6” (2.3m) and 9’ (2.75m) high. They are sufficiently high to store nearly all household and normal commercial items.

Am I best to book a room ?
By booking a room we guarantee availability of the room size on the day you need it. However, if you need it today, you can start today – we will have something available for you.

Can I move in today ?
You can move in immediately. We will need to complete our simple rental agreement, and take payment of the rental deposit (4-weeks rent), plus the first 4-weeks rental, and you can begin putting your goods in to the room straight away. We do require two forms of ID at the start of the rental (one photo, one proof of address).

What if I find I need more space (or less)?
At any time you can transfer to another room (subject to availability), or of course you can simply rent an additional room for as much or as little time as you wish

How secure is the Storage Centre ?
Security is provided at several levels. Firstly each storage room is individually padlocked, with you being the only key-holder to your room. CCTV is located inside and outside the building, monitoring all entrances and exits. The Centre is dual alarmed – for intruders and fire detection. Finally, during opening times we have management permanently on site, monitoring all movements within the centre, with all visitors logged in and out of the building.

How much notice do I need to give to take my goods out ?
You can remove your goods at any time. We require 7 days’ notice of your intention to leave – in writing, by post, fax or e-mail. When you vacate your room we will calculate the amount of deposit and unused rental that is to be returned to you.

What is the minimum time I can store with you ?
From just one day, although the minimum rental charge will be for 7 days.

Once I’ve taken a room, how long can I rent it for ?
You can rent the room for a day, a week, a month, a year or as long as you like. You pay every 28 days, and when you vacate any unused rental will be returned to you.

Do I have to sign a lease ?
You sign a very simple one-page agreement for a room rental on a rolling 4-weekly rental, but with only 7 days notice needed to terminate the agreement. Our staff will talk you through the agreement, and its terms.

How can I get my goods to the Storage Centre ?
You can bring your items in by your own car or van – we have plenty of parking space, or the Centre staff will be happy to recommend van hire or removal companies, based on their own experiences of who’s good and well priced. Alternatively, for small numbers of boxes taxi firms may help.

Do you do removals or van hire ?
One of the key benefits of Self Storage is that you are not stuck with who you use for carrying out the transport in to or out of storage. We see many removers coming in to the Centres, and staff will always recommend companies that they will know will provide the very best service. We have links with van hire companies to provide inexpensive van hire to our customers. Please ask staff for details.

Do you have trolleys available ?
Trolleys are freely available at all our Centres for customers’ use. Your goods can be wheeled from your car or van straight inside your storage room.

Can I get large items to my Storage Room ?
At Big Box Storage Centres the aisles are wide, with easy access for large items, which can be easily moved around on our trolleys.

What do I do if I have a problem in the Centre ?
A trained member of staff is always available during the Centre opening hours, and will be happy to help in any way they can.


Storage and Packing Tips

Make a list of what you want to store, then either use our estimator, or talk one of our trained staff through the list. We will provide you with a quote for the best sized room based on that list, and help you work out the amount of packing materials you may need. Label all boxes clearly to help when sorting or retrieving goods, and during unpacking.

Calculate the value of insurance cover you will need – It is helpful to consider the value of cover provided by your household or commercial contents policy. Cover can be easily arranged when you start the rental agreement. Place all large and heavy items at the base of the room, using lighter items to go on top. It is often helpful to place beds and even sofas on end (as long as they are wrapped for protection) Cover all furniture with dust sheets and furniture covers for the soft furnishings – wrap table and chair legs to avoid scratching.

Put heavy items –like books – in smaller boxes to make them easier to lift. Use strong cardboard boxes for china and breakables, having protected them with bubble-wrap and packing paper. Make sure fridges and freezers are fully defrosted and washing machines are drained to prevent water damage.

Garden furniture should be cleaned to prevent mildew in the room, and lawnmowers and other equipment must be drained of petrol. Purchase a padlock for your Storage Room – they are available for purchase at the Big Box Shop. If you need multi-person access, we recommend you use a combination padlock.


SIZE ESTIMATOR
QUICK GUIDE
Home contents

Up to 20 medium boxes or surfboard / skis: 10 sq ft room
20 - 25 boxes, or surfboard / skis / bike: 16 sq ft room
30 - 35 boxes, plus a few items of furniture: 25 – 35sq ft room
1 bedroom flat: 40 – 65 sq ft room
2 bedroom house / flat: 65 – 100 sq ft room
3 bedroom house: 100 – 150 sq ft room
4 bedroom house: 150 – 200 sq ft room

‘Transit van’: 30 – 40 sq ft room
‘luton van’: 60 – 80 sq ft room
7 ½ tonne van: 100 – 150 sq ft room
20-foot container: 125 - 150 sq ft room
40-foot container: 250 – 300 sq ft room

Business Use

Samples (reps, etc): 25 – 35 sq ft room
Stock rooms: 100 – 150 sq ft room
Stock room with working space: 200 – 300 sq ft room

Archive Storage

18 archive boxes: locker
60 archive boxes: 25 sq ft room
125 archive boxes: 50 sq ft room
250 archive boxes: 100 sq ft room
375 archive boxes: 150 sq ft room
500 archive boxes: 200 sq ft room
750 archive boxes: 300 sq ft room

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