The use of portable storage units has exploded in popularity in recent years. Whether you are just looking for an easy way to get your belongings from one home to the next without driving a rental truck or if you need your belongings tucked away safe somewhere until you are ready for them, these storage units are a practical solution. However, before you load it yourself or call upon friends to help, you should know that there are some benefits to hiring professional movers to load the unit for you.
Benefits
- Avoid Injury – Lifting heavy objects will take a toll on your body, especially your back. You may think you are saving yourself a little money by doing all the heavy lifting, but at what expense? This could amount to time off work and medical bills if you get hurt. Not to mention, you have to factor in the replacement cost of any items damaged in the process.
- Optimize Space – You may assume you need multiple portable storage units, but maybe you simply need to make better use of the space. Professional movers do this every day. They look at furniture and boxes and see a jigsaw puzzle that needs solving. They know how to arrange everything in a way that makes the most use of every bit of space inside.
- Save Time – It could take you the better part of a day to load everything in your storage unit. Movers are used to working at an efficient pace to get to their next job on time. Why waste your precious time when professionals can have it done in a fraction of the time?
- Handle with Care – Bribing your friends with pizza and beer may seem like a good idea, but they are not experts. If something is damaged or destroyed, their reputation is not on the line. Plus, if one of your friends gets hurt or breaks something it could tarnish your friendship.
Determine Your Needs
Portable storage units are available through a few different companies and come in a variety of sizes. Creating an inventory sheet of your belongings that will be contained inside should help you decide what size you need. If you have someone from a moving company come in to give you an estimate, he may be able to give you a good idea of what size you will need.
Speaking of movers, you will handle the hiring process the same way you would if you needed them to handle a full-service move with their own truck. Keep in mind that a quote and an estimate are two different things. Simply hiring a mover that charges by the hour could land you with hidden fees and slow workers trying to milk the clock.
You want to use a moving company with a trusted reputation. Even if you are only moving to a small studio apartment, there are likely electronics and other items that would cost you a lot to replace. Make sure you use a company with a solid reputation and good rating with the Better Business Bureau.