Flexible Units for Homes and Businesses

1. 1
   A 100 sq ft unit used well holds more than a 150 sq ft unit packed badly.

   These are practical steps drawn from experience with thousands of storage customers across Essex and Hertfordshire.

2. 2
   Label every box on the side that faces outward, not the top.

   When boxes are stacked five high, you cannot see the lid. Use a permanent marker in large print and note both the room of origin and the main contents. A label reading "Kitchen, CM17 move, plates and mugs" is infinitely more useful than "Box 14."

3. 3
   Disassemble furniture where possible.

   Bed frames, wardrobes, and flat-pack shelving take up a fraction of the floor space once broken down. Keep all screws and bolts in a zip-lock bag taped to the main frame. Do not leave this to memory.

4. 4
   Place the items you are least likely to need at the back of the unit and against the walls.

   Items you may access regularly, such as seasonal sports equipment, tax records from the previous year, or catering supplies, should sit within two metres of the door.

5. 5
   Do not store the following in your Harlow unit: food, perishables, liquids that can freeze and expand, gas cylinders, paint, or any item prohibited under UK health and safety regulations.

   Our staff check units periodically as part of security rounds.

6. 6
   Use pallets or wooden boards to lift items off the concrete floor.

   Even a well-sealed facility can experience minor condensation in winter. Lifting boxes by a few centimetres eliminates the risk of damp damage to cardboard at ground level.

Booking Storage Step by Step

1. 1
   Two main types of storage exist for Harlow residents: self-storage facilities where you retain direct access to your unit, and container storage operated by removals companies where your items are packed into a sealed container and held off-site.
2. 2
   Self-storage, which is what Giant Van provides, gives you full access to your belongings at any time during our opening hours.

   You can add items, remove items, or swap things around without involving any staff. There is no long-term commitment packing requirement, and you do not need to book an appointment to access your goods.

3. 3
   Container storage operated by some Harlow-area removals firms requires you to book a retrieval appointment, often 48 hours in advance.

   Your items are loaded into a sealed container by the removals team, which means you cannot access individual boxes without a full retrieval.

4. 4
   This model suits people who want their furniture held untouched for a defined period, such as six months between property transactions.

   It is not suited to frequent access.

5. 5
   On price, self-storage at Giant Van is typically 15 to 30 percent cheaper per week than container storage for equivalent volume, because you supply your own labour for loading and unloading.

   Container storage includes a handling service, which is reflected in the cost.

6. 6
   For most Harlow customers, self-storage is the better option unless you need a fully managed removal and storage service without any personal involvement in the loading process.

   If you are unsure which suits your situation, message us in the live chat and our team will give you an honest recommendation.