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Moving home? Save money and reduce stress!

moving homeMoving home can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling things you ever do. But with all the logistics, professionals involved, and transfer of high finances it can also be the most stressful. Some say it is the most stressful action you will ever take. So let’s put a cap on that! We have put together essential tips to make that move just a little bit easier.

 

An appropriate conveyancing lawyer

 

 

  • The legal complexities involved when moving home can be an absolute nightmare. Add to that your most precious financial asset (your home) and the value of your family’s future and it is clear you do not want to be doing this alone whatever cost it will be saving you. Ensure you have obtained a reputable conveyancing lawyer. You can find an appropriate lawyer at the Solicitors Regulation authority or the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

 

Budget for the whole process

 

  • Moving house can be an expensive time and you do not want to be faced with any shock fees half way through the process. It is therefore a good idea to calculate expected expenses at the outset so you can budget properly. Sit down with your Conveyancing lawyer and go through those expected out-goings. Create an on-going excel sheet that highlights monies that are spent and when fees need to be paid.

 

Self –storage services to help moving

 

  • One of the most common stresses of moving home is when you are caught in a property chain. Moving into your new home maybe delayed even though you have sold your own home. In these kinds of circumstances you may need to consider storage facilities. Self-storage services allow you to place your valuables at a reduced cost.

 

Don’t pack last minute

 

  • Allow yourself time to pack your belongings when it is time to go – don’t make it a last minute project. You will just want to take the possessions you value and need, so use this time to have a purge on what you have. Try to categorise as you store in boxes (for instance kitchen utensils together; lounge ornaments together; bathroom towels together) and label the boxes – it will make unpacking a great deal simpler.

 

Expect the worst

 

  • There are likely to be many people involved in your move and they will all have their own unique goals so don’t expect things to happen as smoothly. Tell yourself from the start there are likely to be delays, disappointments and time changes. This way you will be emotionally ready to deal patiently if things go wrong.

 

Do you know where you’re going to?

 

  • Moving home can be a long-winded affair. Use that time to get to know your new neighbourhood. The moving day will be very exciting but it will also be quite a transition if you haven’t already put out some feelers. Find out where the closest shops are, where the nearest pub is (spend some nights there!) and let people know you will soon be moving to the area.

 

The Most important box

 

  • On the day you move you and your family are going to need to survive when all your possessions are still in boxes. So the most important box you pack is going to be the last one you put in the removals van (so it is easiest to get to). This should contain necessary items that will get you and your family through the day unscathed, such as toiletries, phone chargers, bottles of water, snacks and provisions for hot drinks. It is important to have easy access to the supplies that will keep you well-fed and hydrated on this busy day, and that you have everything readily available so you can fall straight into bed at the end of it.

 

 

Need A Space is a self-storage facility based in Canterbury which offers secure storage for people moving home. You can use our Space estimator so you can get a clear idea as to how much space you will need. Let’s start as we mean to go on by saving money! We can help with transport by providing free van hire and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. CCTV and high security infra-red beams makes sure that your valuables are absolutely safe.  To learn more click here

 

 

Kent welcomes the summer!

kentHere at Need A Space self-storage we love Kent and we think our customers should be aware of all the great things going on in the summer. Luckily when we are not working we can enjoy the delights and thrills of some major towns down here in the south east of England.

All tourist attractions, Herne bay, Faversham Whitstable and Canterbury all offer that historical dynamic which allows visitors and holiday makers to get lost in the cobble stones and culture of olde-worlde Britain and enjoy all the modern trappings of good food, live music, and a delightful welcome. We like to get on top of what’s going on in and around us so they can enjoy the towns as much as we do when they are here visiting our self-storage units!

Canterbury

And of course, Canterbury needs no introduction. Thanks to the magnificent Cathedral, stunning university, Tudor houses and shopping areas, visitors to the city can find themselves walking in a medieval world at the same time as being able to access all their needs and trendy cultural stuff super-easy. As may be expected Canterbury comes to life in the summer and there is a lot going on – so let’s have a look!

Following closely on the heels of Glastonbury (and wasn’t that a success!), Canterbury Cathedral is hosting its own extraordinary musical event. Themed as a “Summer Party Night” on the 5th July, lucky participants can enjoy the wonders of the historical backdrop while listening to high-profile local band “Soul and partaking in a whole lot of fine food and drink to brighten the evening.

More sporty than musically minded? No worries. Kent cricket gets into its own at the beginning of July as they take on Warwickshire in the Specsavers cup at the spitfire ground, St. Lawrence.

Learn more: https://www.canterbury.co.uk/events

Whitstable

There are tons of fun things to do in neighbouring Whitstable. Apart from it being such a famous scenic seaside town in its own right, if you have sea legs, then don’t miss out on a trip on the Greta Barge. Originally built in the late 19th century, stepping on this old working ship will transport you back over 100 years!

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/whatsonwhitstable/

Faversham

Faversham offers just about everything a family could wish for – from arts and music and exhibitions to markets, fairs and fetes to walks, rides and tours. With great places to partake of local fayre, you can enjoy the nautical festival on 06th and 7th July or the Faversham beer festival on the 26th to the 28th July.

Learn more: https://www.faversham.org/event-category/festivals

Herne bay

Herne bay has a selection of music, craft markets, pier events and theatre events to choose from. On 5th July you can get to see local band Hullabaloo in the theatre in the Park; then there’s the Herne Bay bandstand gift and craft market on 6th July; and why not sit back and enjoy the smooth music of the fabulous lounge Swingers in the evening of the 6th – on the pier!

Learn more: http://baypromoteam.co.uk/herne-bay-events/

This is only a taster but remember if you live outside of the area and you have units with Need A Space self-storage, don’t think of your visit as tedious work. Why not make a day of it and enjoy a real day out in Kent!

 

 

How self-storage can boost your business

self-storageAt Need A Space we provide self-storage both for domestic users and businesses. And its business we want t concentrate on here. We know from the feedback of our customers that offering our self-storage service has a knock-on effect in organizational processes. It’s not just about finding that extra bit of space at competitive rates – this is about streamlining internal systems in order to save money, time and create exciting new opportunities.

How does this happen?

 

An invisible evil

 

For many businesses, space can be an invisible evil that insidiously drains time and money. If not properly attended to, a misuse of space can waste physical assets and processes. For instance, a room that is full of archived material could be used as an extra meeting room or an extension which streamlines in-house systems.  When a room is left idle because systems are not picking up on how that room is being used, it is money flying out of the window.

 

London based

 

Here in Kent we can offer London firms an extra facility. Self-storage in our capital city is going to be expensive. Based in Canterbury, but also close enough to London, we can offer organisations a big reduction in cost when storing business valuables and commodities and easy access.

 

Seasonal issues

 

Companies which have a seasonal element to their work often store commodities, tools and paraphernalia at their own depots or offices. This can often create a great strain on useable assets. Space used to store could perhaps be used in a better way for current processes and seasonal activities. A self-storage facility enables management to re-direct some of those overflow materials to a place where they can be held and accessed easily when the time is right.

 

Sales

 

Everyday salespeople often have to transport a great deal of presentation materials when they are on the road. There will often be a need to chop and change what they are transporting in relation to the pitch they are making. They may also be visiting different catchment areas. Self-storage allows equipment to be kept in different catchment areas and offer easy access to specific materials at the beginning of the day.

 

Internet companies

 

E commerce is so big now, and as small businesses thrive and become bigger businesses there is clearly a need for storage for stock outside of everyday processes. Need A Space offers great storage facilities to help you keep control of that overflow stock.

 

Looking for storage space in Faversham Canterbury or Herne Bay? To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and the London area click here

 

 

 

 

 

How students can streamline transient lifestyles and save money

studentSchooldays are not always the best days of your life. It can be a bit like marmite – some of us will look back contentedly chuckling over gentle memories of a world long gone. For others, school years are a time of trauma and any memories are best forgotten. A lot of this may be down to the fact that we have no choice as to whether we go to school or not.  On the other hand, our colleges and universities are full of young people who had a choice and decided to continue with their education -they have control over their futures, and this can be an exciting time. Student life tends to be a be a time when we first taste real freedom, enjoy make decisions for ourselves and enjoy a more bohemian and more casual lifestyle.

However, this is a time when so many skills have to be learnt. The student needs to learn very quickly how to live on a budget, how to deal with the ups and downs of living away from home, deciding when to work and when to play, making new friends and looking after a new home – whatever that property may be.

With all of that, the life of a student can be quite transient. Do you go home at the holidays (of which there will be many in a traditional term year) – or do you stay near campus? One of the factors which may determine whether you travel or not is the fact that you now have valuable and utility possessions at either end of your journey. The idea of leaving your valuables and useful possessions behind you may prevent you making that trip. But there is another option which may just make things a great deal easier for you.

Self-storage in Kent to the rescue

Self-storage is one of those services which has risen up over the last 10 years and makes the problem of keeping your valuables safe while travelling from place to place an absolute doddle.

Need A Space is a self-storage facility based in Canterbury which offers storage for students. Now you can leave your valuables in a secure place at highly competitive prices while you are away from college and visiting the family or tripping the high seas. CCTV and high security infra-red beams makes sure that your valuables are absolutely safe.

We can help with transport by providing free van hire and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. We can provide packaging tools and to help cut costs further, groups of students can easily store their valuables in one place together.

To learn more and discuss with our support team, contact Need A Space on 01227 751673. We look forward to hearing from you!

Save money by making the most from self-storage

Self-storage really can offer great ways to store your domestic valuables and business assets at ridiculously low prices. And it is all so easy. Just find a storage provider near you, rent out a unit, fill it up and relax. That’s it. The self-storage company will keep it safe and accessible for when you need to get to your stuff again.

Ok that’s easy, but there are ways to make the storage process even more streamlined and in the long run – save even more money. Take a look at our clever ideas for making more room in your unit, store your valuables safely and make the best of what is open to you:

  1. First of all, a cardboard box may seem boring, but they are not all the same. The cheaper cardboard boxes, or the ones you are likely to get free from supermarkets tend to be very weak. They will crush easily and so will not protect your valuables well -especially if they are going to be stacked. Invest in double strength cardboard boxes. They are more resilient and longer lasting too. Think about the size of the box. You may be able to get more in a big box but heavy boxes are difficult to carry and move around. Smaller boxes are easier to transport and easier to stack.

 

  1. You may be storing temporarily or for long-term. Either way it is likely you may need access to some of your storage sometime. So organise your storage. Try to keep to certain categories in each box and label what each box contains. Divide up your unit space so that certain categories can be found easily. Leave an aisle between your valuables so everything is accessible and keep a map of where categories can be found.

 

  1. Us the storage space you already have. If you have luggage, or dressers and wardrobes with drawers, use this space to store your smaller valuables.

 

  1. Nowadays most furniture can be disassembled to a degree. This can really offer a great deal more space in your unit. But be careful. When they were originally assembled you had a manual. Now you have to rely on common sense. Keeping a disassembly cheat sheet is essential. Don’t forget to keep screws bolts and nuts somewhere safe.

 

  1. Blankets, sheets and cloths can take up a lot of space. Vacuum bags keep your belongings neat and tidy and also very flat – therefore creating much more room. Your valuables are also now protected from dust and damp.

 

Whatever the reason you need that little bit of extra space – self -storage can provide the answer and at a price you can afford. It is flexible to allow access at any time and offers the kind of security that gives you peace of mind. To learn more about Need A Space based in Faversham in Kent click here

 

Top 10 tips for packing a removals van

removals vanThe more you repeat an activity, the easier it becomes and the more skilled you are at doing it. Unfortunately, (or perhaps we should say fortunately due to all the stress involved) moving home is one of those things you do not do on a regular basis. The majority of people will not have to go through it more than 2 or 3 times in their lives. So, at a time when you need to cut costs, look after your most valuable possessions and take your life up by the roots, here is a little guidance to make sure you stay on track.

When looking at the physical side of moving we tend to concentrate on the movement of valuables from the old house to the van and the movement from the van to the new house. Why should you worry too much about the van when professionals are involved? Funnily enough, we do still worry when our precious possessions are in the hands of someone else. The fact is you can cut the cost of moving by using your own van. Here at Need A Space, we offer the use of a free van when you use our storage facilities for a period of two months.

So, if you are going to do the moving yourself or want to make sure Mr Shifter is doing his job right or if you are moving valuables for storage often, here are a few tips to get you on your way:

  1. Loading onto the van, arranging where the items will go and taking the items off the other end can be physically exhausting. Especially when you are dealing with heavy stuff. Make sure you understand how to lift safely and will not overstretch yourself. It is a good idea to have a friend or colleague who can spread the load.

 

It is also likely to be time-consuming, so get a good idea how long it is going to take to load, unload and store, so you can pace yourself and keep the cost of the van hire as low as possible.

 

  1. To maximize space, fill the front of the van first and work back.

 

  1. Keep white goods such as fridges, dishwashers and ovens etc upright (make sure the fridge was de-frosted at least two days before). Spread the weight of the heavier items throughout the van.

 

  1. To use ceiling space, you are going to need to stack items. Always place the heaviest items on the bottom. Make sure each item is secure with a straps, tapes or cords.

 

  1. Use soft items such as cushions, duvets, etc. to protect more vulnerable items such as mirrors.

 

  1. Turn furniture with drawers towards the wall of the van. This way drawers will not open and put the chest of drawers at risk of becoming unstable. However, it is also useful to tape drawers shut for extra safety.

 

  1. Utilise the bigger furniture to transport the little stuff. For instance, the drawers under your bed can be used to great effect.

 

  1. Label all boxes and stack them so the heaviest boxes are at the bottom. Ensure all boxes are wedged or strapped in tightly.

 

  1. Pack the kettle and cups last (or other items you will need first on arrival) so they are easy to get to.
  2. Don’t take any risks with a large vehicle you do not feel safe in driving. Make sure you have an appropriate licence and it is highly recommended you take the van out first to get used to the overall feel of the drive before you start packing.

 

To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and the London area click here

 

 

 

 

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