Things to Look For When Choosing a Storage Facility

October 7, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Finding a place to store your precious belongings is tough when there are plenty of choices. But it’s crucial to choose your storage unit from a trusted facility that will make sure your items are safe, accessible, and suitable for your needs. Here are a few things to look for when making that decision.

A storage unit is more than just your temporary space; it’s a symbol of trust between you and that facility.

Compare Your Options

Not all storage facilities are created equal. Make sure that you really assess the offerings of each available facility and their storage units. Features like 24-hour access, security, location, and more should all factor into your decision.

Secure Your Items

Of course, security should be one of the top concerns for your belongings. Whether they are sentimental or have monetary value, you should have peace of mind. Consider a facility that is more than just storage unit with a padlock. Apache Moving & Storage offers a facility that is monitored by on-site personnel during the day and 24-hour security cameras.

Consider The Move

The process of moving your items should also be considered. If the storage facility is too far, that may not be ideal for you. Trucks and supplies can be a hurdle to obtain, which will complicate your plan to store items. With Apache Moving & Storage, we provide moving services as well, so you have one easy company for all your needs.

Find the Best Offer

Using a facility with low pricing is great, but now when it comes at the cost of your items being in danger. Make sure that your unit is bug-free, climate controlled, secure, and easy to access. We here at Apache are able to offer competitive rates along with all those features and more.

If you’re interested in using our storage units, we have many options. Find more info on our Austin storage services page or contact us at 512-452-4799 today.

Filed Under: Blog, Storage

Hassle Free Summer Storage for College Students

June 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Summer Storage Options for College StudentsIf you’re a college sophomore or older, you’re probably familiar with the hassles of storing your stuff over the summer. If you live in a dorm, you have no choice but to completely vacate your room. If you live in an apartment, perhaps you are leaving town for several months to travel abroad, or for a summer job or internship. Below are the pro’s and con’s of several options:

Dorm Storage

Pro: Some college dorms may offer free storage options, even conveniently located near the dorm you’re moving out from or the one you’re moving to in the fall.
Con: Space is first-come, first-serve, and it may not be properly secured from theft, critters, or the climate. You have to figure out how how to move and properly package everything yourself so it doesn’t get mixed up with other students’ stuff.

Friend’s Garage

Pro: Most likely absolutely free! You may even get your friends to help you move your belongings in.
Con: If your friend has housemates you don’t know or trust, or your friend ends up traveling for the summer, this may not be your most reliable or accessible option.

Mini Storage

Pro: There are many affordable mini storage facilities around town, you get a unit all to yourself, and you have the convenience of accessing it whenever you want.
Con: Because people are coming and going, and there is not always someone on site to monitor the units, this leads to a high incidence of theft, illegal activities, and units being used for something other than what they were intended for.

Vaulted Storage

Pro: 24/7 security, convenient payment model, and a climate control feature. Vaulted storage has become an innovative and appealing storage unit system, with professional movers who can help you pack and store your items — including furniture.
Con: Although it may be a bit more expensive than “free or cheap,” knowing your belongings are safe and sound is absolutely worth it. By using some of the less expensive options, you may wind up paying more if your stuff is stolen or damaged. So this option really is a win-win all around!

Learn more about Apache Moving & Storage’s 12,000 square foot warehouse vaulted storage or call (512) 452-4799.

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Filed Under: Storage

Dangers of Self Storage Facilities

May 8, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Self Storage FacilitiesInvesting in self storage facilities may seem cheap and convenient, but the risks they pose far outweigh what you think you’re saving in money. In the end, they could end up costing you a lot more. Self or mini storage units can have a number of dangers as well as health concerns.

Because people are coming and going, and there is not always someone on site to monitor the units, this leads to a high incidence of theft, illegal activities, and units being used for something other than what they were intended for. Some of these dangers include:

  • Thieves: Simply put, thieves lurk where there are valuable items and an absence of people. Most people are either going to visit their storage units during the day, which puts their belongings in peril of getting stolen at night.
  • Live-in Tenants and Pets: Some people, due to unforeseen circumstances, have started to live in their storage units. Although this is a sad situation, this could lead to unsanitary environments. In addition, there have been cases of pets being stored in storage units, which can not only be unsanitary but also dangerous.
  • Illegal Activities: Periodically, there may be people who store and sell drugs out of storage units, which ultimately attracts other criminal activity.
  • Exposure to the Elements: If the storage unit is not climate controlled, this puts your belongings at risk to the cold or hot weather, in addition to humidity, rodents, and insects.

Vaulted Storage is the Safest Option

The advantages of storing your belongings in Apache Moving & Storage’s 12,000 square foot warehouse are 24/7 security, our payment model, and a climate control feature. Austin storage units have evolved to a more innovative and appealing storage unit system: the vaulted storage method.

The warehouse is monitored by on-site personnel during the day, as well as 24-hour security cameras. In order to protect your belongings from bugs and rodents, the building is exterminated quarterly. Your secure storage unit is competitively priced with custom options such as climate control.

For more information call (512) 452-4799.

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Filed Under: Storage

Preparing Belongings for Your Storage Space

April 1, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Image of Bubble Wrap for storage space

You’ve found Storage Space – What Next?

After securing a storage facility, it’s time to pack. You didn’t realize how many belongings you had until you had to pack them! This may be true for everyone, but you don’t have to worry about how you’ll prepare. Here’s how to pack and prepare your belongings for a storage unit.

Take Inventory of the Items That Will Be in the Storage Space

It’s better to be on the safe side and make a list of your belongings. Use it to note the value of each item for any insurance claims or accidental damage which occurs in the storage unit.

Packing the Right Way in Your Storage Space

Clothes

Clothes aren’t as simple as folding and placing in a box. The first step is making sure that you are packing clean, dry clothes. The importance lies in protecting your clothes from mold, mildew, bugs, and rodents. While you want your storage space to be pest-free, you want to minimize the possibility of them appearing. Clothes should have no traces of dirt, grime, or residue in order to remain in good condition while in storage. Ustorage.com suggests: “You can also purchase chemical desiccants to place in your moving boxes that absorb moisture and prevent the growth of mold.”

You may want to purchase wardrobe boxes for your clothing, which come with rods and hangers. The ideal thing about them is that these boxes were designed for clothing and won’t sink down or be crushed when other boxes are placed on top.

Furniture

Packing your furniture is more involved, but it makes all the difference against moisture, dust, and scratches. Cotton drop clothes or canvas tarps will protect furniture from dust, but make sure the covers aren’t touching the floor. Large, bulky items such as sofas and mattresses should be stood on end in order to get the most space out of your storage facility. If possible, disassemble tables and beds. Use moving blankets or bubble wrap to protect table legs and headboards. If unable to disassemble, place the table upside down on top of a moving blanket or soft surface. Place the chairs upside down on top of the upturned table.

Other Tips

  • If you’ve recently used a cleaning product on your furniture, make sure it’s completely dry before storing in order to prevent mildew.
  • Bubble wrap and cardboard will go a long way in protecting your furniture’s corners.

Contact us if you have any packing questions and want to secure a storage space! Call us at 512-452-4799 or email us via our online form.

Sources: ustorage.com, self-storage-facilities.com, extraspace.com

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Filed Under: Blog, Storage

Austin Moving and Storage Services: Experience Counts – Watch Our Video!

January 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Experience Counts in Austin Moving and Storage

Since 1996, Apache Austin Moving and Storage has been a leader among Austin moving companies. Not only does our vast experience count, we are trained specialists who are committed to your move — no matter the time of night or day. We've moved everything you can imagine! And every member of the Apache Moving & Storage staff is full time and accountable only to us. We come to your home with a keen understanding of your expectations and needs.

Stress Free

We know that moving can be stressful and our objective is to make it as worry free as possible. From beginning to end, we strive to make each move a pleasantly uneventful experience. Our goal is your 100% satisfaction. We are full service movers who do as much — or as little — as your individual job requires.

Call us at (512) 452-4799 or contact us online for a free moving quote.

Filed Under: Moving, Storage

Storing Summer Clothes

December 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

storing summer clothesIn other parts of the country, it’s been winter for a while, but in Texas, winter has finally set in during the last couple of weeks, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon. Even though we’ll get the occasional sunny 70-degree weather day, chances are, you’re really not going to be wearing your sundresses and shorts until that perfect week of weather during SXSW in March. Whether you’re getting a head start on packing for your big move in a few months, or you just want to store your summer clothes, here are a few useful tips on doing it the right way:

“Whether you’re ready for it or not, the weather is getting colder, and with the changing seasons comes a new wardrobe. It’s time to make room for sweaters, coats and other cold-weather gear in your closet. Store your swimsuits and sandals properly now and they’ll be ready to wear next summer.”

  1. Prepare your storage spot before you put in your summer clothes.
  2. Wash your storage containers.
  3. If you use plastic containers to store your clothes, line the container with a cotton sheet.
  4. Sort your clothes before you store them.
  5. Make sure all of your clothes are clean before you store them.
  6. To keep moths away and your clothes smelling fresh, add a small breathable bag of dried lavender.
  7. Store your clothing in a cool, well-ventilated area.

Read the full article on BrightNest.

Still looking for the right movers to get you into your new home? Contact us for a free quote.

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Filed Under: Storage

What is the Difference Between Short Term and Long Term Storage?

October 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

short and long term storage

Long and Short-Term Storage: What is the Difference?

Movable pods (long-term): This type of storage offers the convenience of storing items at your own pace. They also will pick up the pod (storage container) and store it at their storage facility. You can then ask to transfer it to your new home or location.

Storage facilities (long-term): This is the most common and easy to find. These companies offer a variety of sizes to store your items in. They have everything from a closet space size to a warehouse.

Moving companies (short-term): Some moving companies will offer temporary storage – such as vaulted storage – after they have picked up your personal items. Typically this type of storage is temporary due to limited storage availability, but it’s a very safe way to store your items for a short amount of time.

The main difference between Austin short and long term storage is the length of time you choose to store your items. Some storage companies will offer a discount for long-term storage.

Find out more about Apache’s storage services.

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Filed Under: Blog, Storage