Moving house is a process that can be marked by a certain amount of stress, anxiety and unpredictability. And it will certainly be a lot of work. It’s a significant life change that involves personal, logistical and bureaucratic challenges, which can lead to unforeseen events and complications throughout the process.
As moving day approaches, you will surely have an extensive list of tasks that need to be completed, especially the mission of organizing and packing all your belongings. And, most likely, the need will arise to store some of your items temporarily. But where? In reality, there are simple, practical and affordable options to turn to. When it comes to moving house, self-storage solutions can help you, allowing for a more organized move and with the guarantee that your belongings are safe and valued.
Moving house: advantages of self storage
First of all, what is self-storage? Self-storage units, such as those run by Perfect Space, offer different types of storage space for rent, tailored to the needs of each individual or family.
This is a concept that guarantees complete security and protection of goods, as well as, in most cases, easy access 24 hours a day and great flexibility and autonomy in the management of storage space. In the case of Perfect Space, you also benefit from personalized service to support you in any circumstance that may arise.
It is important to note that in order to use these storage spaces, you will need to sign a contract. This is a duly regulated activity and subject to operating rules, which immediately gives the user more confidence, provided they choose a credible and well-established operator in the market.
At Perfect Space you will have a great deal of flexibility in terms of the contract, as you will be able to sign the agreement for a minimum period of one month, which is automatically renewable, or initially set a longer duration if this is more convenient.
Last but not least, there are self-storage units that provide their customers with multi-risk insurance to ensure that their stored goods are fully protected. At Perfect Space, all customers benefit from multi-risk insurance for a maximum of 5,000 euros. If the value of the stored goods exceeds the amount covered by the insurance, the customer must take out a specific policy on their own.
Why should you consider self-storage?
Opting for a self-storage concept can make your moving process easier. So here are four smart reasons why you should use self-storage when you’re moving house:
Reason 1: Organize the change process
Do you already have the keys to your new home in your hand? Then it’s only natural that you want to move in as quickly as possible. But remember that haste is the enemy of perfection and that unpacking everything calmly and with time has its advantages.
It’s advisable to start the move well in advance. Don’t leave everything to the last minute. Start packing a few weeks in advance and don’t forget to write on the boxes what the contents are, which will make it much easier when you have to do the reverse process, and also if they are fragile or heavy items, something that will help when it comes to the actual transportation.
It’s quite likely that, when you’re preparing to move, you’ll be surprised by how much stuff you have. You’ll need some time to sort out what you want to keep. So, by opting for a self-storage unit, you’ll have time to properly clean your new home and organize the décor of each room, keeping your items safe for as long as necessary.
Reason 2: Renovations in the new house
Moving house often means having to carry out some work on the new home before actually moving in, as you want to feel comfortable and satisfied in the new space.
So if you’re still renovating your kitchen, living room, bathroom or bedrooms, the last thing you want is for your furniture to be full of dust or paint drips. This is where Perfect Space’s storage units come in, allowing you to store all your items while you’re renovating.
After all, it’s much simpler and quicker to carry out the work on your home without having to constantly move and protect all your furniture and other objects. Even if you’re already living in your new home, take only the essentials with you and store the rest in self-storage units until the work is finished.
Reason 3: Moving for professional reasons
Sometimes it‘s work-related reasons that lead to the need to move house. Whether you’re moving to another city or even another country, it’s normal to want some time to explore the area, to decide exactly where you want to live and to find your dream home.
In these situations, self-storage units may be an option to consider. When you are finally settled in your new city or country, you can then retrieve your precious possessions, for example by hiring a removal company to bring all your furniture, appliances and decorations to you.
Perfect Space has a network of trusted partners to facilitate the transportation of your items, helping you through the moving process without any hassle or discomfort.
Reason 4: Plan B to avoid unexpected problems
Moving house is often not a simple or quick process. Setbacks can happen at any time. That’s why it can be a good idea to be prepared for such situations on the day of your move, and it’s important to have a Plan B in place.
Imagine an unforeseen event that temporarily prevents you from moving all your belongings to your new home. Where will you leave your furniture and household items? In the car, in a friend’s garage or at your parents’ house? It’s to avoid these unpleasant situations that you should consider self-storage solutions.
Placing your items in a secure storage unit will certainly reduce your stress and give you peace of mind, as you’ll know that your things are protected and well organized.
How to choose a self-storage unit when moving house?
Considering that there are different types of use and specific characteristics for each client, storage spaces vary significantly in size. So that you can rent the ideal space to meet your needs, keep the following aspects in mind:
- Make a list of all the items you want to put in the collection;
- Measure the height and weight of larger items;
- Consider opting for a storage space that is slightly larger than you think you need;
- Ensure that the warehouse has good accessibility, both external and internal, as well as permanent security through human and/or technological means.
- Choose a strategic location that allows you to facilitate transportation and also reduce transportation costs.
- Choose a reliable self-storage operator who is well-established on the market and will give you all the support you need. Ease of contact is key.
What items can be placed in a self-storage unit?
- Gardening tools;
- Sofas, chairs, tables and desks;
- Refrigerators, washing machines and/or dishwashers;
- Bed frames, mattresses and chests of drawers;
- Decorative pieces;
- Children’s toys, books or magazines.
- Among many other things…
Conversely, there are certain items that should not be placed in self-storage units, such as perishable food or dangerous and flammable materials. Always remember to check the list of items that can and can’t be stored in the storage space you choose, speaking directly to the operator.
Details to bear in mind when moving house
In addition to temporarily storing your belongings in storage spaces, there are other very important things you shouldn’t forget when you’re in the process of moving house. Take note!
- Change the tax address on all your documents, such as the Citizen’s Card (which automatically includes the Driver’s License), as well as all official entities, namely:
- Tax and Customs Authority;
- Social Security;
- Banks and other financial entities;
- Insurance companies;
- Health Center.
- Apply for exemption from Municipal Property Tax (IMI) if the house is intended for permanent residence and is eligible for it;
- Register the change of address on the Documento Único Automóvel (DUA);
- Cancel or request a change of address on your water, electricity, gas and telecommunications contracts, and start contracting for these services for the new property;
- Ask CTT to forward your mail;
- If you are teleworking or in a hybrid scheme, it is important that you inform your company of the change of address, as it will have to update the employment insurance in correspondence;
- If you have a resident’s permit to park your car, take the opportunity to notify the competent authority of the change, but only after you have changed the address on your Citizen’s Card, as the information must match.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, moving house is a process that can generate stress and anxiety. Do you want everything to go as smoothly as possible on moving day? Then remember that storing your belongings in self-storage units is a good idea, allowing you to focus on other crucial aspects of the move and feel excited about it!
Perfect Space offers storage spaces for rent in Lisbon and Porto with flexible conditions tailored to your needs. Do you have any questions you’d like answered or would you like to visit us? Get in touch!