London, National and International Removals and Storage
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The end of the school year is coming, and college and university students are once again faced with the tough choice of what to do with their belongings. Dormitories need to be vacated during the summer break, and suddenly thousands of students have to move their belongings. Hiring a removal company can be pricey, especially, if you live at the other end of the country. Here is where renting a self-storage comes in handy.
Over the past few years, student storage has significantly grown in popularity in the UK. It is a convenient way to reduce your expenses and have enough free space. The benefits of using it are significant.
As we discuss in our extensive storage guide, unit prices depend on many factors – from geographical location to size and inside conditions like temperature and humidity levels.
According to the 2022 industry report of the Self-Storage Association (SSA), the current average price for a self-storage in the UK is £26.13 per square foot, 9% higher than last year.
Source: SSA (Self-Storage Association)
Without a doubt, the London area is the priciest place in the UK since the average disposable income is also the highest in the country. But that also affects the moving costs, so if we compare renting a self-storage to a house removal service, the former will be a lot more budget-friendly for a low-income student.
Self-storages come in a lot of different sizes, and you need to think long and hard about how much space you actually need. Depending on what you want to store, you can choose from a couple of options. The popular storage-unit sizes in the UK are fourteen, and you can see them here. However, the average student doesn’t need a 500 sq. ft unit, so we will look only at the smallest three possibilities.
If you live in a university dorm and don’t have a lot of furniture, but instead need a place o store your books and one or two boxes of winter clothes – this is the right choice for you. This size, known as a locker, is the most preferred type of storage by university students.
The smallest size self-storage available can fit a suitcase, a couple of plastic crates, boxes and a flat TV. If you are an international student, this is the safest place to keep your belongings until the next school year starts. Not to mention the cost is significantly lower than what you would have to pay if you chose to bring everything with you.
It is the ideal size for a student that has more than a few boxes. This storage unit can comfortably fit a mattress, a wardrobe or an armchair, a tea table and a couple of plastic crates. Or, if you have sports equipment, you can place your treadmill, bike and lifting gear.
Bonus tip: If you are not staying in a student dormitory and are instead renting a flat with a mate, opt for the next size –35 sq ft (3.30 m2). It can fit a queen-size bed mattress and has plenty of spare space. It is significantly cheaper than the 50 sq. ft. that most companies push for.
If you are unsure what unit you need, contact a reputable storage provider and ask for a consult. Don’t settle down with your first offer and call at least two or three places before you choose.
Calculate your expenses carefully and keep in mind that sometimes it will be more budget-friendly to book a dormitory move with a storage option than to transport everything by yourself with a rented van.
In addition, here are some expert tips on how to save money when renting a self-storage:
Don’t just throw your staff at random in the boxes. Carefully consider which items you actually want and which you can part with. The fewer boxes you have to transport, the better, so spend some time carefully organising everything.
Why lose money when you can make some? Consider selling the items you don’t need and make some extra bucks. The things that are broken and unusable you can throw away. And if you have old blankets or clothes that you don’t wear but can’t sell, you can always donate to your local shelters.
Your free space is limited, so you need to pack smart, not fast. Different packing technics can be used depending on what you want to store in your unit. Look here for some professional advice.
You don’t need a temperature-controlled unit if you are going to store 4 boxes of books and a suitcase of clothes. Your bike doesn’t require a specific humidity level. Unless you have money to spare, stick to regular storage units and avoid the fancy ones.
Most storage companies offer two types of contracts – short and long-term ones. The former is suitable if you need a place to put your staff for a week or two. But if you need a unit for more than a month, consider renting long-term, as it is cheaper.
This one is a must if you want to store valuable items like fitness and sports gear, or pricy electronics. Everything happens, and you need to be certain that your belongings are safe in case of a flood or fire.
We wish all of our current and future student clients a successful end of the school year. Hopefully, our team was able to help you decide whether or not you need to rent a self-storage. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below.
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