Needing to travel abroad can be very harrowing in some cases. Finding a safe and secure spot to store your valuables while you are away for a prolonged period of time may prove challenging.
One easy and convenient solution to your problem involves the use of a self-storage facility. A self-storage facility is a state-of-the-art facility that will protect your assets while you are away on business.
Here, we will break down all of the reasons why a self-storage unit can come in handy when travelling for work.
Reasons to Use a Self-Storage Unit While Travelling Abroad for Work
You will ensure that your belongings are safe when they are stored in a self-storage unit while you are travelling on business. Self-storage units are clean and secure, and some are also climate-controlled if you need to house sensitive items for an extended period of time.
Hiring a good storage facility will ensure that all of your assets remain in pristine condition when you return to pick them up.
And you won’t have to worry about your belongings being stolen, as most storage facilities are tightly monitored with 24/7 video surveillance and the latest security safeguards.
You don’t have to worry about any deadlines either. Imagine a scenario where you need to stay abroad for an extra six months due to a recent business acquisition, merger or lucrative business venture.
Simply ask your storage provider to extend your rental period for an additional six months or even longer if needed. You can even obtain insurance coverage for any of your items if you wish. Simply add contents insurance as part of your rental package before you leave for your trip.
How to Choose a Suitable Self-Storage Unit for Your Requirements
You first need to determine why you need the storage space in order to choose the ideal size. You may only require a small unit if you plan to leave just a few items in storage before leaving on an extended trip.
You can save space by stacking items on top of one another. Just remember to place the heavier items on the bottom, with lighter items on top to avoid crushing them. You should also work on decluttering your space before you start looking for a self-storage unit.
Sort through your belongings and remove items you no longer need or use. Obsolete items can be recycled, sold or donated to a local charity. Then group the items you do need in an organized way, with similar things stored together in boxes and labelled.
You should also keep a master list so that you can find certain items when you need them. Once you are fully aware of what needs to be stored you will have an easier time finding the right size storage unit.
In some cases, you may need to access your storage space every now and then. For such scenarios, you will need sufficient space to move around the unit without feeling cramped or suffocated.
The last thing you want is to have to spend hours moving items around in order to access something that you need to use immediately.
You can make things easier on yourself by placing your most important items in the front of the unit and by measuring each item before placing it in storage.
The location also matters. If you have no intention of using any of your stored items until your return then the location may not be as important. However, if you do plan on returning to the unit every few weeks, you may want to find a location that is not too far from your destination.
Types of Storage Units for Different Necessities
You need to determine if you need a short-term or a long-term storage unit. If you need to use your unit for only a few days then a short-term unit will suffice. However, if you plan on storing your items for weeks or months then you need a long-term solution.
If you are not sure of how much time you will need then you should avoid services that tie you into a contract for a set period of time.
Climate-controlled units can help keep valuables in pristine condition. Temperature shifts can drastically affect the state of certain objects, so housing your delicate items in a climate-controlled unit will protect them from harm.
For instance, moisture may be caused by excess humidity, and marked temperature fluctuations may cause items to contract or expand.
Humidity can also cause metals to rust and wood to rot. Fabric and other items may become affected by mould, and books, art, tools, appliances and electronics can also be damaged by humidity and mildew.
Mobile/portable storage may also be something that you may want to look into. Portable units can be delivered to a site of your choosing, including your home. You can save time and money by not having to drive to a storage facility in order to drop off your items.
You can also opt for a special storage unit for your most precious items. For example, if you have very valuable antiques and fine art that are very delicate then they will need to be stored in a top-of-the-line storage facility.
A climate-controlled unit will prevent your valuables from being damaged or warped by mildew, moisture and mould. You can enjoy additional protection by being provided with a unique access code that only you know.
As a result, no one will be able to enter the unit without the authorized clearance. Individual alarms can also be installed and activated for your unit so that anyone that tries to break in will be sent running for the hills.
Safety First
Reduce the costs associated with having to ship items between countries by renting a self-storage unit. Some items may not even make it past the border due to safety concerns.
Self-storage provides peace of mind, knowing that your assets will be secure regardless of where you are in the world.
