You will
probably need a moving service to transport your items into
the warehouse. The most sensible option is to hire a moving
and storage company. They will perform both services. The
movers will transport your items to their storage facility
where your items will be stored for as long as you wish.
Contact a moving and storage
company and request a free estimate. An estimator will be
sent to your home to determine the size and cost of your
storage need.
Before your items are
transported to the warehouse, a crew will arrive at your
home to wrap and prepare all items that will be placed into
storage.
You also have the option of
delivering your items to the warehouse yourself and arrange
for space and an inventory list to be prepared for your
arrival.
Inspecting the
facilities
You should visit the
warehouse for inspection purposes. It is important that you
are comfortable with the place where your items will be
stored. The warehouse should be clean. Check the security
features.
The warehouse operators will
be completely responsible for your items in storage. See how
the items such as furniture are stored. Are they placed in
secure wooden containers, known as vaults or pallets? Are
they neatly stacked on shelves? These are good indicators of
how well your items will be handled.
You should check the
facility's history of service and performance by contacting
the Department of Consumer Affairs, which issues their
operating licenses, and with the Better Business Bureau for
any prior complaints.
Paperwork
All paperwork is completed
and signed at your home, unless you deliver your items by
yourself. Otherwise, you never have to pay a visit to the
warehouse, other than for purposes of inspection.
At the time of pickup, the
crew foreman will create a detailed inventory of your items
and their condition at origin. The warehouse operators
accept the responsibility of your items under a contract. In
addition to the inventory sheet, you are given a written
contract that states where your items will be stored, the
monthly rate for the space that your items will occupy, and
the schedule and charges for retrieval. You are also
provided, free of charge, with a minimum coverage. The
amount depends on each individual company. Ask about
replacement coverage for your items.
Retrieval
You will have the option of
visiting the facilities or having your items delivered to
you.
n
either case you will have to work within the warehouse
operators' schedules. They control the access to your items.
You may be charged the appropriate handling and retrieval
fees. It is best if you contact the warehouse operators a
few hours in advance to access to your items.
Storage Fees
Your use of storage space is
billed on a monthly basis. There may be a minimum charge of
one full month for the first month. If you choose to remove
your items any time after the first month, your charges for
the space will be pro-rated.
If you do not pay the
warehouse storage bill, the operator is allowed by law to
place a lien on your items and auction them to cover the
charges. The operator must notify you in writing in advance,
as well as provide you with the opportunity to dispute it.
