For only $1.00, they purchased this cute little jar that goes in their bathroom drawer.   It’s out of sight, easy, and cheap.  Maybe the bathroom isn’t the best place for you.  We found the computer room was the best place for us.  But let’s be real, I would have paid much more than $1.00 to not have to hear my husband ever yell again, “Honey, where are my keys!”

Younghouselove.com also has some other helpful organization tips that can help your life feel less cluttered.  Check them out in this post http://bit.ly/wFSs7w.

Mobile Attic portable storage unit at a recent construction site in Charleston, SC

Mobile Attic portable storage containers are great for residential moving. But business and commercial customers also love our portable storage units! Any commercial, real estate, or construction job sites can benefit from on-site storage. In Charleston, we have been privileged to provide storage for Papa Murphy’s Pizza in West Ashley, HCR Manor Care in West Ashley, Kiawah Development Partners on Kiawah Island, and many other home remodelers and construction companies throughout Charleston, Mt Pleasant, Georgetown, and beyond. These storage units are used to store business inventory, drywall, tools, paint, and all associated supplies. Whether you need to store it, or move it, Charleston’s Mobile Attic has a solution!

We visited with the great folks at the Carolina One office in Mt Pleasant – Highway 17 North. We had a great meal (prepared by Tyler Mae’s). The office staff was busy preparing for their Halloween Kid’s Party. Carolina One Real Estate is the premier Agency in the Lowcountry, serving Goose Creek, Isle of Palms, John’s Island, James Island, Folly Beach, North Charleston, West Ashley, Sullivan’s Island, Daniel Island, Seabrook Island, and Kiawah Island. Check out their website at http://www.carolinaonerealestate.com!

• How do I ensure the safety of my belongings from point A to B?
• Is the way I pack a portable storage unit different than how I would pack a moving truck or rental truck?
• As I consider the process a portable storage unit goes through to get from one location in Columbia to another, are there factors I need to be privy to that would affect the method  I use to pack?

Watch this video for some packing tips:

Have no fear.  With only 3 items, you can confidently make your portable storage experience a success.

Click here to see all of our Movers-Supply-Columbia.

Item #1: A Disc Pad Lock

This might seem like a no-brainer.  However, in my years of working in the portable storage industry, I have been completely amazed at how many times I have picked up a portable storage unit where the customer failed to place a lock on the door.  Equally surprising and more common is the customer that chooses to save a few bucks and use their puny combination lock from high school to secure all their worldly possessions from potential threats.  At Mobile Attic, we recommend a disc pad lock for your portable storage unit.  The bolt of the lock curls up behind the latch on the portable storage unit door.  This makes it very difficult to get bolt cutters on the lock and thus detours tampering.  It’s a clever design.  We had a customer lose the keys to their lock.  They called us hoping we could help get the lock removed.  We have heavy duty bolt cutters and were unable to penetrate the lock.  It took 3 hours of determination, kicking, screaming, and prying before we were able to free the lock from the latch.  I share this to say that the lock you use makes a difference, so pick a good one. You can pick up a disc pad lock at any do-it-yourself-depot (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes) or hardware store.  We sell them at a reduced price as an added benefit for our customers.  You are talking about a $12.00-$15.00 investment that is the first line of defense against anyone tampering with your precious belongings.

Item #2: Straps

You heard me correct.  Straps.  Not bungees.  Straps.  Think of straps as an insurance policy…they will ensure your belongings stay exactly where you place them in your portable storage unit (a little punny).  REMEMBER: We are going to load your portable storage unit on to a truck.  That truck is then going to drive in traffic.  The delivery truck will use it’s brakes.  It will accelerate.  It will take turns.  It will go up and down hills.  And, because we are a large truck, it will stop for and dodge small vehicles that pull out in front of us simply because they can.  Then our truck will unload it at your new destination.  The only thing that ensures your belongings make it to it’s destination safely is how you packed it and if you secured the load with straps.  How many straps get used will be contingent on how tight you are able to pack up the portable storage unit.  However, not using straps is asking for failure before you ever get moved.

The type of straps you use is also important.  Bungees flex and can easily break under duress.  The best strapping option are pull tight straps.  Our Mobile Attic portable storage containers have a unique strapping system that enables our customers to place a strap anywhere needed.  Our straps our specially designed to clip into the walls which ensures that they won’t come loose when your portable unit is in transit.  At Mobile Attic, we rent straps out at an inexpensive rate because we feel no move should take place with out them.  If you choose not to use our straps in your portable storage unit, no harm done. If you choose to not use straps at all, consider yourself warned.

Item #3: Furniture Pads / Furniture Blankets

Blankets are important if you have any wood furniture or electronics that you don’t want to get scratched or damaged. When your portable storage unit is driving down the road, the vibrations from the road are enough to cause items to rub against each other.  This quickly leaves unsightly marks and scratches on valuable furniture.  Old blankets, sheets, and even some clothing items can work as a substitute.  Whatever you use, it’s best for it to have some padding to it.  The furniture pads we rent are full size 4′x5′ quilted pads.  These offer a softness and cushion that helps make sure your belongings look the same coming out of the portable storage unit as when the went in.  As with our other products mentioned, we rent our blankets at a very inexpensive rate because we think they are crucial to a successful move.

Click here to see all of our Movers-Supply-Columbia.  At your request we can include any of these items in your portable storage unit.

With these 3 simple items, I am confident you will make your portable storage experience a success in Columbia, SC.  Are there other items you’ve found to be helpful when packing?  Share them with us in the comments section.

Here’s a quick run down of the video:

You may find yourself in a position where you need to find a home away from home for your belongings.  In Columbia you have a couple of choices.

Option 1: Rent a Self Storage Unit

The first choice is the traditional route.  Rent a self storage unit (otherwise known as mini storage units).  This requires you to load the belongings you need to store into a vehicle of sorts.  Often times this necessitates renting or borrowing a large moving truck.  Once you have loaded up the moving truck with your belongings, you then have to drive it to the storage facility.  Upon arrival, you now have the lovely task of unloading the moving truck and re-packing your belongings into the storage unit.

The thought of this is already tiring and you’re only half way there.  Whenever you are ready to return your belongings to their rightful home, you now have to again unload them out of storage and repack them into a moving truck.  Once home, you again unpack the moving truck and load the items into their place of residence.

You load and unload 4 times in the process of renting a storage unit.  You and I have both been there, done that, and been exhausted by it.

Option 2: Rent a Mobile Attic Portable Storage Unit

Rent a portable storage unit.  We bring the storage unit to your house.  No need to rent a truck.  You walk right our of your door into our storage unit.  The unit sits ground level so you don’t even half to worry about walking up a ramp.  Take your time loading the portable storage unit.  You rent by the month, not by the day so there’s no need to be rushed.   Whenever you’re ready, give us a call and we will pick up the portable storage unit and bring back to our secure facility.  At our facility, you have access to your storage space just like you would at a self storage company.  We have a computerized gate that allows you access with a personalized gate code whenever you find the need.  We also have security cameras that monitor your belongings 24/7 so you can be sure they will stay safe.

Whenever you are ready to get your belongings back, you simply pick up a phone and call us.  We will deliver your portable storage unit to any place you choose.  Our local delivery rates for our portable storage units apply to Columbia, SC and surrounding areas, however, we will travel beyond Columbia at a simple per mile rate.

When you receive the portable storage unit, you have the freedom to unload at your leisure.  Whenever the portable storage unit is empty, give us a call and we’ll pick it up.

You only load once and unload once with Mobile Attic’s Columbia portable storage option.  Often times, when you factor in the price of renting a truck with taxes, insurance, mileage charges, and fuel, using a Mobile Attic portable storage container is less expensive and more convenient.

Then there was a problem, a slow and subtle problem.  Luther and the family started using the garage for storage.  It occurred gradually.  It started with the garden tools.  You know, the lawn mower, weed eater, etc… Then there are the kids’ bikes.  Don’t forget about the 4 boxes of Christmas decorations with the imitation Christmas tree that needed a home for 10 ½ months out of the year.  At some point they bought some new furniture.  The old furniture was still in good usable condition.  The idea was that they would try to find a home for it rather than throwing it on the curb.  In the process they thought, “We’ll just put it in the garage for a little while…we have some space in there”.  The slow accumulation of “stuff” with the existing workshop tools, cabinets, and work benches already in place meant that Luther lost his place of retreat.

Maybe you can relate to Luther’s experience.  I wish you could have heard him on the phone when I talked to him.  He was thrilled that there was a portable storage solution in Columbia.  “You mean you will drop of a Portable Storage unit to my house in Columbia?”

I said, “Well, yes!  Not only will we drop off a portable storage unit, but it can stay there at your location as long as you need it for.  You pay month to month and we have a special discount for our customers that rent long term.”

He was appreciative and genuinely excited.  Now hear me out.  No one gets excited over a portable storage unit.  It’s a big boring box that often represents work.  The unit doesn’t load itself.  The arrival of the portable storage unit meant that Luther had some work to do this week.  However, that portable storage unit represented the return of his place of solace and this was something to be excited about.

Here in Columbia I have been consistently amazed at how many different reasons there are to rent a portable storage unit.  Maybe you’re like Luther and have found the “stuff” of life has started to crowd out the “living” of it.  If so, we at Mobile Attic would love to be a solution.

We had a great visit with the folks at the Carolina One Real Estate office on Orleans Rd West of the Ashley this past Wednesday. The lunch was catered by Tyler Mae’s of Charleston. We had Grilled Chicken with Jezebel Glaze, Squash Casserole (made with fresh-picked squash from Boone Hall Farms in Mt Pleasant), and Turkey/Pasta salad. The food was universally praised!

We talked about portable storage containers and how they make life easier for BUYERS AND SELLERS!

Carolina One is the Lowcountry’s premier agency, with agents buying and selling properties from Seabrook Island to the Isle of Palms and beyond. You can find them at www.carolinaonerealestate.com!