Helpful Tips and Frequenty Asked Questions

Moving & Storage Tips | Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Tips

Place mattresses in plastic covers to protect them from dust and moisture.
Treat leather items (couches, clothes, etc.) with a leather conditioner prior to storing them. Keep furniture items off the floor by placing them on pallets.
Store mirrors and pictures inside similarly sized knocked down boxes. This affords them protection from scratches and dust.
Place blankets over furniture for protection from scratches and dust. Keep furniture items off the floor by placing them on pallets.
Clean and dry all appliances prior to storage. Do not leave anything inside of appliances to be stored. Store all appliances upright with doors ajar to allow ventilation.
Use a high quality disc (round) padlock to secure your storage unit. This type of lock is difficult to cut or break and offers maximum protection for very little money.
Store couches on end and stack chairs seat to seat. Use the inside of appliances and drawers to store smaller items. When stacking furniture use paper pads in between the items to avoid scratching.
Disassemble items such as tables, bed frames, etc. This will save space. Wrap and label all pieces for an easier time when you have to reassemble them. Put all hardware in bags and mark the bags accordingly.
When you disassemble electronics, such as computers, stereos, things that have numerous cords, place small colored stickers on the cord and the same color sticker where the cord goes. This will save you the hassle of trying to figure out what goes where when it comes time to reassemble your electronics. If possible, use the original boxes to store your electronics and other items.
Sealable plastic containers are great to store your items. They have tight fitting lids and stack easily. Wrap breakable items inside bubble wrap and store with linens. Store dishes and glassware in specially made boxes called dishpacks. Store smaller items in large plastic garbage bags.
Utilize all the space in your unit. Make a plan as to how you are going to arrange your items. A good plan will save you the time of having to rearrange your unit. Leave an aisle in the center of your unit so that you have a walk way to the back of the unit.
Use freestanding shelves to help organize your unit.
Store items that will not be needed or are valuable to the rear of the storage unit and items you will need access to toward the front of the unit.
Store heavy items on the bottom and lightweight items on top.
Store smaller, more valuable items to the rear of the storage unit and large items toward the front of the unit.
Label the boxes on all six sides and keep a list for easy reference. This will save you time if you have to look for something in particular.
When packing boxes fill them without making them too heavy to lift.
Always put the heavier boxes on the bottom and the lighter ones on top of the heavier ones. This will prevent boxes from being crushed. And keep boxes off of the floor.
Store mirrors and paintings on end, not flat. Pack books flat to protect their spines.
Clothing and draperies should be stored in wardrobe boxes, on hangers, to retain their original shapes.
Be sure to check your unit once a month.
Leave a small airspace between your stored items and the wall of the storage unit for ventilation.
Rub a small amount of machine oil on metal tools, bicycles, and equipment to prevent rusting. Drain and clean all debris from all equipment before you store them.
Drain gasoline and oil from all small engines. This precaution will protect both your stored property and the property of others from the dangers of fire and explosion.

Do not store these items:

Do not store expensive or irreplaceable items
Do not store firearms or explosives
Do not store any living thing
Do not store drugs or drug paraphernalia
Do not use sealed plastic bags to cover or wrap your belongings. It retains moisture. Using plastic sheeting to drap your items is typically ok and may help to prevent dust & dirt.
Do not store any food items. This will prevent bugs and rodents.
Do not pack your boxes so that they are too heavy to carry them. Especially when you are packing books.
Do not assume that your homeowners or renters insurance will cover your belongings while in storage. We offer insurance plans.
Do not give out your password, gate code or any information to any one that is not listed as having access.
Do not use printed newspaper for wrapping. The ink may smudge and get on your items.
Do not forget to clean appliances before you store them.
Do not store any toxins or flammables such as paint, oil, or gasoline.

Moving Tips

Cancel all utilities at old home
Make arrangements to ensure all utilities will be on when you arrive at your destination (water, wastewater, cable, electric, Internet, etc.)
Inform proper authorities of change of address e.g. Postal Service, Bank, Credit Card companies.
Fill out an IRS change of address form
Have school and medical records transferred if required
Prepare all major appliances for move i.e. clean, defrost etc.
Place baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb all moisture
Ensure all valuables are covered by insurance
Have all important documents easily available, school records, insurance etc.
Find out about auto licensing at your new destination
Remember what ever is loaded first onto a movers truck will be last off, so plan accordingly
Keep in touch with your destination to ensure you become aware of any problems that will affect your move
Ensure you have adequate storage for any items you may wish to store

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer services for both the household and commercial customer?
Do you offer moving truck rentals?
Do you sell boxes and other packaging supplies?
What is an on-site manager?
Do you have video cameras?
Do you need a PIN number to drive onto the property?
What is climate control?
What is a roll-up door?
Does a lock come with the unit?
Do you offer RV/boat/car/motorcycle parking?
What is a drive-up unit?
What is the difference between office hours and gate hours?
Can I book a reservation in advance?
What's the difference between and indoor and outdoor unit?
What type of security do you have?
What are the terms of payment?
Do you accept credit cards
What unit sizes are available and how do I choose the right one?

Do you offer services for both the household and commercial customer?

Storage Master has unit sizes, plans, and services to assist the household as well as the commercial customer.

Do you offer moving truck rentals?

All of our facilities offer rental trucks and some even offer a free truck for use during move-in. Once you have identified a specific facility, we recommend contacting the facility directly to see if any of these services are available. Contact information is available online once you select a facility.

Do you sell boxes and other packaging supplies?

Yes. All of our storage facilities offer a wide variety of boxes and packing supplies.

What is an on-site manager?

"On-site" manager is an employee, usually the Store Manager, who has an apartment on-site as part of the facility.

Do you have video cameras?

Most Storage Master facilities use video cameras as a security measure. Cameras are generally located at the point of entry and exit and other areas around the facility. The number of cameras and the type of system installed at each facility will vary based on the design of the facility.

Do you need a PIN number to drive onto the property?

Most of our facilities have an electronic gate system which can only be opened by a security code that is assigned to each individual tenant. The code allows us to monitor who is entering and exiting the facility.

What is climate control?

Our climate controlled units maintain a temperature of 55 to 85 degrees. This feature helps protect your stored belongings from the extreme temperatures.

What is a roll-up door?

Roll-up doors are the most common door in self-storage. They are accessed by sliding a latch and lifting the door upward, similar to the motion of a garage door. Roll-up doors allow you to maximize the usage of your space.

Does a lock come with the unit?

You can purchase a new lock at your local Storage Master facility. We offer a variety of sizes and types of locks and recommend purchasing a disc lock to ensure the highest level of security.

Do you offer RV/boat/car/motorcycle parking?

Storage Master offers parking for RVs, boats, cars and motorcycles, but this is not a standard offering at all locations. Find the closest location to see if the service is available.

What is a drive-up unit?

A drive-up unit is an outside unit, located on the first floor of a facility, that gives you the ability to load your belongings directly from a vehicle or truck.

What is the difference between office hours and gate hours?

The office hours are the hours of operation for the property. During these hours the Store Manager will be available to assist you with your storage needs or moving and packing supplies. The gate hours are the hours of the property, and when your unit can be accessed.

Can I book a reservation in advance?

We give you the flexibility to book a reservation up to 30 days in advance to help you plan ahead.

What's the difference between and indoor and outdoor unit?

An outdoor unit has access from the outside. An indoor unit is within the property and will require you to go inside to access your unit.

What type of security do you have?

Storage Master takes great pride in protecting your belongings and strives to provide state-of-the-art security. We feature electronic gate with coded access, monitored video surveillance, fenced and well-lit facilities, laserbeam perimeter security system, and personal locks available for purchase. These features vary by location so contact the Store Manager for details about a specific location.

What are the terms of payment?

Storage Master strives to make your storage experience as hassle free as possible, including paying your bill. Typically, our leases are month-to-month but we also offer the flexibility of long-term leases. We can automatically charge your credit card each month.

Do you accept credit cards

We accept several major credit cards, inluding Mastercard®, Visa®, Discover®, or American Express®

What unit sizes are available and how do I choose the right one?