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Moving Across the Country: The Benefits of Backloading


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Moving Across the Country: The Benefits of Backloading

When I was offered a new job in Perth, I had to relocate my life from Brisbane. I had no idea how I was going to ship all my things across Australia. I considered hiring a van and doing it myself, but driving thousands of miles and then starting work when I arrived just didn't appeal to me. I looked into using a moving company, but I was put off a little by the cost. It was then my friend mentioned backloading. Backloading allowed me to haul my things across the country on trucks which were returning from another job. This drastically reduced the cost. I am now settled in Perth, but I wanted to start this blog to help others who need to store or move the things they own.

Choosing the best storage unit for you

Whether you're moving away for a while or simply don't have enough space at your home for all of your furniture and possessions, a personal storage unit can be a big help. When choosing a storage room, there are a number of things that need to be considered. This is because storage units, just like houses or any other place you may keep valuables, come in many different styles and sizes. To select one that's adequate for you, you need to identify your needs, see what type of storage units meet those needs, and then to try balance it all out so as to keep it all within a budget you're happy with. If, for example, you're only looking to store a couple of bikes, you're not going to need a huge space with complicated climate control features and CCTV security. Planning ahead can save you the headache of unnecessary expenses in the long term. 

Shape and size: 

The size of the storage unit you choose to go with should be based on the types of furniture or other possessions you intend to keep in there. This applies not only to items you want to store now, but also to items you may decide you want to store there in the future. If you're planning to eventually move or replace your couch, for example, you might want to factor that into your decision. That said, size isn't everything. If you choose a storage unit that's very long but only two metres across, you might not fit the couch in at all. If you're smart, however, you may find a design that's smaller, cheaper, but that can also fit everything you need if you're careful about positioning. 

Security:

Obviously, if you're storing possessions of particularly high financial or sentimental value, you'll want to inquire about the different security options that are available. This may include CCTV or security-guard surveillance of your unit or of the larger storage site, advanced and reinforced lock systems, alarms and more. The more high-tech you go, the higher the cost will be. That said, when it comes to storage units, security is about more than just the immediate protection of your stored valuables. If your unit is broken into, having an adequate insurance scheme in place means you'll be compensated for any losses. Consulting with a variety of sources will give you a good idea of the insurance policies on offer for different storage units.

Climate control:

Finally, some storage units offer ways of dictating and controlling the unit's internal climate. Being able to set a temperature that's unaffected by the day-to-day weather is particularly important if you're storing furniture or possessions that can break or wear down in certain conditions. While this costs more, it may be cheaper than having to replace anything you can't use anymore because of heat or other damage. 

In any case, before making a final decision, it's important that you compare and contrast a variety of storage units on offer and inspect them in person if possible. This prevents any unforeseen issues from springing up on moving day.