Offering a secure place to keep belongings and furniture, long term storage in Oxford is a convenient solution for those moving home, downsizing, or decluttering a house. Hiring a storage unit is a great alternative to storing things in a garage or spare room and will ensure that items remain clean, dry, and undamaged until you need them.
What Is Considered Long Term Storage?
Long term storage typically covers a period of three months or more. Storing items for less than three months is considered short term storage. The cost of storage would still be the same cost per container / per week whether its for 1 month or 10 months.
When is Long Term Storage Useful?
If you need extra space to store furniture or other items for more than three months, long term storage is a good option. This might be during a house move, whether downsizing to a smaller property or moving into rented accommodation while looking for the perfect home. Or it might be while your home is being renovated and you need somewhere to store the contents of the rooms.
Long term storage is also useful for those taking a gap year or sabbatical to travel, as it provides a safe place to keep the things that won’t fit in a backpack or suitcase. It is also popular with students moving home for the summer months who have to vacate their accommodation before the holidays.
Often, long term storage is simply a way to gain more storage space when you run out of room at home – for example, if you don’t have a garage to store seasonal garden equipment, or you need a place to keep your winter wardrobe. With house prices higher than ever, and many people unable to move to a larger home, long term storage solutions offer an alternative way to access more space for the things you own.
What Should You Not Put In Long Term Storage?
A storage unit can be used to store a wide variety of items, from furniture and appliances to clothes and ornaments, but there are a few things you shouldn’t put in long term storage. Each storage company will have its own list of prohibited items, however this is likely to include;
- Food and perishable goods
- Combustible or flammable materials
- Hazardous or toxic materials
- Live plants
- Firearms and ammunition
- Tyres
What Packing Materials Do I Need for Long Term Storage?
When storing items for more than three months, some packing materials aren’t suitable. This includes plastic bags, which trap moisture and encourage the growth of mould, and recycled boxes which can degrade over time. Instead, use cardboard packing boxes which are in new or good condition, or plastic storage crates which won’t break down.
Choosing boxes of a uniform size will make them easier to stack within a storage container and help you utilise the full space. Use bubble wrap or newspaper to protect fragile items and place clothes or fabrics in vacuum-sealed bags.
Is Long Term Storage Secure?
Long term storage is more secure than storing items in a shed or garage, as most storage facilities are protected by round-the-clock security systems, including CCTV. Storage units also offer a clean and dry environment for storing items, so you won’t have to worry about wear and tear or damage. Our self storage is secured with a padlock. Our containers are secured with clips & stored away in our secure warehouse stacking system.
For added peace of mind, most long term storage will be covered by insurance, giving your belongings extra protection while they are stored away.
Which Storage Size Do I Need?
Storage containers are available in a range of sizes depending on how much you have to store. A common container size is 8ft x 7ft x 5ft, which offers 250 cubic feet of storage – roughly equivalent to up to 60 standard boxes. In addition, many storage companies offer storage rooms of varying sizes, which are suitable for storing smaller items, and some provide dedicated archive storage complete with racking for document boxes.
Speak to your storage provider for advice on which size container or room is the best match for your requirements.
Who Does Long Term Storage in Oxfordshire?
Located on the Horspath Trading Estate in Oxford, the Charles Wood and Sons storage facility is conveniently situated just two minutes from the Eastern Bypass road, making our long term storage easily accessible from surrounding areas. We also offer a collection and delivery service to make it even simpler to put your items into storage. To find out more or enquire about hiring one of our storage containers or rooms for three months or more, call 01865 747555 or complete our contact form to get in touch.