Whether you are looking to move out or reclaim some space at home, it can be very stressful. It is important to be as prepared as you can to minimise the problems that you might encounter.

To help make the process easier, ensure that you are prepared with the proper materials. Here are the top five must-have packing supplies that you will need.

Moving Boxes

When it comes to packing supplies, the most important one of them all is… the box. Boxes are vital for decluttering regardless of the size of your belongings. As such, obtaining moving boxes should be your priority.

One crucial detail that you should remember when purchasing the moving boxes is to ensure that it is sturdy enough to carry all your belongings.

You will likely require boxes in an assortment of sizes. It is also wise to get more boxes than you think you will need to prevent that extra trip down to the DIY shop to get more.

While packing your belongings, keep items that are similar in the same box. Categorising will allow you to be more organised in the future when you decide to unpack.

At Extra Space Asia, we provide a selection of boxes for your needs. Check out our Box Shop to find out more.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap

The next important packing material that you need is Bubble Wrap. While sturdy moving boxes protect your fragile belongings, it is not enough to prevent breakages during loading and unloading.

This is where bubble wrap comes into play. The most common mistake that you can make is thinking that bubble wrap is for professional use only. Bubble wrap should be used by everyone who wants to safeguard their prized belongings.

Protect any fragile belongings such as glasses, vases, and oversized picture frames by wrapping them up in layers of bubble wrap. It can even serve as dividers inside moving boxes, serving as an extra layer of padding.

Most DIY shops sell bubble wrap. However, if you really can’t find any, try our Box Shop for an affordable option.

Marker Pens

While not typically known as a packing material. You must have at least one marker pen when you are packing.

The purpose of the pen is to label all the boxes and list the items in each of them.

While almost everyone will have one at home, it is never too late to double-check before starting your packing journey.

Heavy-duty Clear Packing Tapes

Heavy-duty Clear Packing Tapes

Once you have packed all of your belongings into the boxes, you will need to secure them with heavy-duty clear packing tape.

Tapes are essential for packing as it keeps your boxes secured and reinforced. On top of this, you may also need to use some tape to secure the bubble wrap in places around fragile items to ensure that they do not fall out during the move.

Ensure that you have purchased the heavy-duty clear packing tape as they are specifically designed for packing. For these, we recommend you do not skimp on the cost as the cheapest packing tape is not going to last.

When sealing boxes, ensure that you tape the middle where the flaps meet and along the sides for extra support. If the boxes are heavy, consider crisscrossing the tapes on the box.

Tape Gun

If you are looking to save time and effort while sealing your boxes using heavy-duty clear packing tape, you might want to consider purchasing a tape gun.

You might think that the amount of time saved by purchasing a tape gun might not be much. However, owners of tape guns will tell you otherwise.

And the One to Avoid

Avoid packing peanuts. While it seems helpful in protecting your belongings, they are messy and take up tons of space. Instead, your bubble wrap is enough to protect your belongings.

If you require additional protection, try using Air-Paq, an inflatable airbag created just for this purpose.

And the One to Avoid

Before you purchase any packing materials, we recommend that you search for them at home. Chances are, you already have almost everything at home.

However, if you need any essential packing supplies, why not drop us a call to get some from our Box Shop?

 

 

 

A home office is an office space at home to run official business functions. Start-ups and entrepreneurs commonly use home offices as their very first office to lower the cost of operation. However, as a business owner, there will be times when you feel ready to move out of your home office to an actual office space.

Here are five good indicators to start packing and move to an office space.

Your business is growing quickly

Take a look around your home space. If you feel like your home space is turning into an office space with business inventory occupying more than 50% of your home space or space to work, it’s time to set up an office elsewhere. You can always start by renting a small office space of a good size to fit your business items and office equipment so that the cost of renting an office space is minimal and upsize accordingly.

You are hiring more employees

As your business grows, you will need more manpower to help you in the daily operation of your business, as it will be hard to do everything on your own. When that time comes, you will need to hire more employees, and it might be hard to fit everyone comfortably in your home. This will be the right time for you to look for a new space that is big enough to fit your team and workflow.

The lack of space to store business inventory

Planning to bulk up on inventory for the upcoming festive sales? If this is causing you a temporary space problem, you can always rent a self-storage unit at a storage provider such as Extra Space Asia Self Storage, where you will enjoy unlimited space to store all of your business inventory. Renting a storage unit is like an extension of your office space where you can access your goods and inventory 24/7, any time, any day. You can also be assured that your items are in good hands with the 24/7 CCTV monitoring in the storage facility area. With a wide storage size available at the storage facility, you will also be able to affordably find a storage space to store all of your items. If you need storage assistance, you can always contact 6771 3100, and Extra Space Asia Self Storage will assist you accordingly.

If this space-related problem is a long-term issue, you can always find an office space near a storage facility. This way, you will be able to enjoy ample space for your goods and also a comfortable room to operate your business.

The lack of space to hold client meetings

When you just started your business, most of your client meetings might be at home or a local coffee shop. However, as your business grows, it might look unprofessional to hold all the physical meetings in your home. Firstly, there might be limited space to move around. Secondly, it might be hard to speak about confidential matters with all the employees in the same room. As such, it’s good to consider renting an office space with some rooms so that each function can have room to operate clearly.

Too many distractions at home

We can all agree that working at home is comfortable and ideal for most as everything is within reach. However, it’s not always the best place to work as distractions are too many at home for us to work in peace. Especially if you have kids or rowdy pets at home, distractions make it challenging for us to engage in deep work and stay focused during a meeting.

 

 

Loading bays are a highly convenient amenity for self-storage facilities. They enable you to load and unload your belongings while staying sheltered from the sun and weather. For this reason, most self-storage facilities should have at least one loading bay.

 

Read on to find out how a loading bay can benefit you when storing at a self-storage facility.

 

Efficiency

With a loading bay, you will be able to park your vehicle as near as possible to your storage area, allowing you to load and unload your belongings with minimum fuss. Furthermore, a loading bay is often beside the cargo lift and trolley bay, granting you easy access to your storage units.

 

Safety

Having a loading bay also reduces the risk of injury as the trolley bay and lifts are close to you. This benefit also means you will be able to immediately unload your belongings onto a trolley, thus minimising the risk of back injuries.

 

Protection from the elements

Singapore has fairly consistent weather whereby it is most of the time — it is hot and humid. However, we are also affected by the two monsoon seasons (Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon) that can result in a heavy thunderstorm.

 

During these periods, a sheltered loading bay protects you from getting wet and reduces the risk of water damaging your belongings. On hot days, the sheltered loading bay also doubles as a shade while you unload your belongings.

 

If your belongings are temperature sensitive, it is advisable to select a self-storage facility with a sheltered loading bay.

Let’s face it, if you’re thinking about renting a self-storage space, it can be difficult to decide what type of storage unit best suits your needs. After all, there’s a wide range of storage size available; from as small as 10 square feet to as large as over 200 square feet.

Furthermore, as our needs change over time, new storage types often emerge; wine storage for wine lovers, executive storage for startups, locker storage for personal use, etc.

Here are 4 common self-storage spaces that you might need in the near future.

Locker Storage

One of the most common storage space is the locker storage. If you’re looking for a small affordable storage space to store your personal belongings, this is it!

A locker storage unit is roughly half the size of a small closet, allowing you to store small household items, books and collectables.

Many people also rent a locker storage unit as their second wardrobe or for seasonal decorations that they can switch from time to time.

Storage Tip: To maximise the space in a locker unit, try stacking your boxes.

Air-Conditioned Storage Space

Another common type is storage spaces with air-conditioning. For air-conditioned storage, people usually store belongings that have to be kept at a constant cool temperature.

The most important benefit offered by air-conditioned storage is the ability to safeguard your belongings from damages caused by sub-optimal temperatures. For example, if you store your leather bags in a non-air-conditioned storage, the heat in Singapore might damage the leather over time.

As such, if you’re looking to store belongings which are more prone to damages by heat (such as leather products, paintings, etc.), opting to store at an air conditioned storage in Singapore will be a much better option.

Premium Storage Space

A less common type of storage unit is known as the premium storage. Premium storage units typically offer not only air-conditioned storage but also a climate-controlled environment.

Climate-controlled storage units allow the facility to control the humidity within the storage area. By keeping the air dry, it’ll minimise the damages to your belongings against moisture-related damages.

These specialised storage spaces are best suited to store any prized collections, artworks, electronic, photographs and antiques.

Storage Tip: As premium storage usually costs slightly more than an air-conditioned storage space, determine if you really need the climate-controlled feature. If not, an air-conditioned storage space will do just fine.

Extra Space Ang Mo Executive Storage

Executive Storage

Newly-launched back in 2017, the Executive storage was created to provide a flexible and cost-effective solution for businesses.

Not only does the Executive storage provide you with a wide range of storage sizes, but a shared 24/7 workspace was also implemented to allow users to work near their storage space in a conducive work environment.

With high-speed wi-fi and printers to print your documents, the Executive Storage is fast-becoming the favourite among small business owners looking to work near their storage space at an affordable rate.

If you’re unsure what type of storage units that you require, feel free to drop us a call at 6771 3100 and we’ll advise you accordingly!

You’ve signed up for a storage space and are waiting eagerly to move in your clutter. But on your first day at your storage unit, you realised a big problem – your storage unit is too small. This is just one of many mistakes that new storage owners make when they sign up.

Finding out that you require a place to declutter is important, but so is avoiding these newbie mistakes so that you maximise every dollar that you spend.

Choosing the wrong storage size

One of the biggest mistake people make is selecting a storage unit that is just too small for all their belongings.

While it’s understandable that you want to save money by selecting a smaller unit, it’s not advisable to cram all your belongings into a smaller storage unit as you’ll risk damaging them.

Instead, you can share with the storage facility managers on the dimension or photos of your belongings, and let them advise you on the storage size required accordingly!

Refusing storage insurance

Insurance exists for a reason, and that is to protect your belongings in the event of a fire, as well as theft by forcible entry and other extraneous perils. While the chances of these happening are low, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

At Extra Space Asia, storage insurances are mandatory. At only $3.21 per month, it’s affordable and provides you with a minimum coverage of at least $1,000. Higher coverages are also doable and affordable as it is always advisable to get an insurance coverage that is comparable to the value of your storage items.

If you are unsure of how much coverage you should be getting, simply check with our facility managers on the available coverage and the respective monthly rates of the different insurance policies.

Failing to check storage security features

Singapore is ranked no.1 in order and security, according to the World Justice Project. As such, many people often overlook this important aspect when selecting their storage space.

It’s easy to think that no one will steal your belongings in Singapore, as long as they are locked within the compound of the storage facility. However, never take security for granted as being low crime doesn’t mean no crime.

Always check that the storage facility has critical security elements such as 24/7 CCTV, controlled access gate, trained security guards and individual storage unit alarms. To find out how safe Extra Space Asia is, click here!

Storing prohibited items

While renting a storage space helps with decluttering your home, there are some things that you just can’t store in a self-storage unit! Here’re some of the items that you should never store in a self-storage units:

  • Food – Never store food in your storage unit as they will bring pests into the facility. The last thing you want to find is a cockroach in your storage unit, right?
  • Plants – Plants can’t survive in the dark without sunlight and water. Dying plants can rot and damage other belongings in your storage unit as well as invite pests.
  • Pets – Locking your pets up in a storage unit with lack of access to food and water is a criminal offence. Your pets deserve your love and attention and should spend their time with you at home.
  • Flammable Goods – Never leave hazardous material in your storage unit. Flammable goods such as propane or gasoline do not belong in a self-storage facility and should be stored somewhere that is specialised for them.

If you’ve any questions on what you can or can’t store in your storage space, reach out to our facility manager for their clarification!

Using newspaper to wrap your belongings

Try to avoid using newspaper to wrap your belongings when possible. The inks on the newspaper might smudge onto the wrapped belongings, causing stains and even damage. If possible, purchase proper storage packing materials such as stretch films or bubble wraps from our Box Shop.

Forgetting to label your boxes

Labelling your boxes might seem like an easy task, but it’s one task that many fail to do. Just remember that it’s really frustrating to spend hours and hours looking for something. By labelling your boxes, you’re saving yourself from this frustration.

Self-storage has been around in Asia for almost 20 years, and yet, there are still many misconceptions about it. One of the few myths is that people only rent self-storage space to store their business inventories. But this is not the case as you will read below. Here are some common myths about renting a self-storage space and the truth behind them.

Storage rental is only for business owners

One recurring myth about self-storage is that it is used for business only. But in reality, more people use self-storage to store personal belongings as compared to businesses! From storing seasonal holiday decorations or unused household items to vintage toy and personal wine collection, ‘non-business’ storage owners use self-storage space for a myriad of personal reasons.

Only large storage spaces are available for rental

So untrue! At Extra Space Asia, customers can select from a wide range of storage sizes, from as small as 10 square feet to as large as over 400 square feet. Furthermore, there are a variety of storage types to fit just about your every need.

Spaces are only available for long-term storage rental

Not everyone will require long-term storage, especially if you are storing your personal belongings. Self-storage companies usually offer flexible storage rental period, from as short as 14 days to as long as you require.

Self-storage facilities are dirty

Another perception most people have about self-storage is that its facet is similar to an industrial warehouse. While ‘dirty’ self-storage facilities are rare in Singapore due to the strict rules and regulations, a professional self-storage company should come equipped with modern features and presentable storage units.

The key thing to remember is to visit the storage facility first before you make your choice. If you are unsure what to look out for, check out these 4 Useful Tips When Choosing Your Self-Storage Provider in Singapore.

Renting a storage space is expensive

One of the most popular myth is that it is cost-intensive to rent a self-storage space. But did you know? Most self-storage space rentals are affordable, with the cost starting from as low as $50 per month.

However, the storage rates differ due to storage size, duration, location and ongoing promotions. To find out about what contributes to a storage space rental rate, find out more about the Cost of Renting a Self-Storage Space in Singapore.

Did we miss out on any other common self-storage myths? Let us know!

If you are still unsure or have more questions about self-storage, feel free to contact us today.

 

The terms self-storage is starting to become common for most living in Singapore. Self-storage primarily provides extra storage space for families and businesses to store their personal, family and even business items. With this extra space, they can now enjoy more room in their home and office space. That is why not only families and businesses can benefit from using self-storage. If you own a business, here are three benefits to look forward to when you rent a self-storage unit with Extra Space Asia.

  1. Fuss-free move in process

Similar to setting up a business and company easily by using ACRA, business owners can expect an effortless move-in procedure when you rent a self-storage unit at self-storage providers like Extra Space Asia. All you have to do for a start is to visit a preferred storage facility during operating hours for a tour. During the facility tour, you will be able to figure out the right unit for your storage needs. You can also choose to either store in an air-conditioned storage unit if the items you are storing are temperature sensitive. Once you are happy with the storage size, simply let us know how long you would like to rent, sign up and start moving in!

If you choose to store your business inventory, business document and personal items with Extra Space Asia, you can be assured that your items are good hands as we have on-ground security and 24-hour CCTV monitoring for extra protection. Our team is also available for any quick assistance during office hours. Just pop by any time from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday to purchase any box shop items or sign-up for a storage unit – no prior appointments required. This will also be more convenient as you can choose to visit our storage facility at your preferred timing effortlessly without the hassle of scheduling your visits in advance.

  1. Flexible storage terms

Unlike big warehouse storage and office leases where you are locked in for a specific rental duration of one year or more, the rental duration of a storage unit is more flexible. For self-storage companies like Extra Space Asia, customers can choose to store from as short as 14 days to as long as needed. In this case, businesses do not have to worry about long-term operation costs or the need to break the fixed rental contract just to downsize the business.

Besides the flexible storage duration, customers are also able to downsize or upsize their storage unit anytime. If your business needs more inventory to keep up with the growing demand, you can just let our Customer Service Executives know, and we will find you the next suitable storage unit to fit all your extra inventory. If your business is moving slower than usual and you need more cash flow, you can also downsize your storage unit and pay for only the storage space you require. These flexible storage terms will be beneficial to SMEs and e-commerce businesses.

  1. 24-hour access to your storage unit

By storing at self-storage companies like Extra Space Asia, you will have the freedom of round-the-clock access to your storage unit. All you have to do is to key in your unique PIN code, and you will be able to access the storage unit. This is important for businesses as it enables owners and operators to boost efficiency without being affected by the operating hours of a storage facility.

Some storage units at Extra Space Asia are air-conditioned. This means inventory management tasks such as packing or stock checks will definitely be more comfortable. If you need some working space to work while packing your business inventory for your customers, you can do so at our Extra Space Ang Mo Kio facility’s Executive Storage where you can store, work and collaborate, all in one space. Simply speak to our friendly Customer Service Executives to find out more today.

At Extra Space Asia, we would like to extend a helping hand to entrepreneurs and businesses who need an immediate storage space to store their business inventory and document. To learn more, call our hotline 6771 3100 or visit us from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

Ah, the self-storage facility. You drive by this place almost on a daily basis, thinking about how organised your home can be if you store some of your items there. But, have you ever wondered how secure the self-storage facility is? Here are some of the security features to look out for to ensure that your belongings are safe and secure in the storage facility. 24-7 recorded CCTV security system

24/7 recorded CCTV security system

Starting off with the most basic, a 24/7 recorded CCTV security system is a must-have. This system records all activities in the storage facilities 24/7. Be sure to check with the storage facility staff on the coverage of the CCTV to ensure that you are fully covered!

PIN code access system

Some storage facilities offer card access, while others offer PIN code access. In our opinion, a PIN Code access system has a greater advantage simply because you do not need to carry around an additional card in your wallet! The PIN code access system also ensures that all visitors and staff are required to key in a unique PIN code for verification purposes before they are allowed to access the storage. Furthermore, all entries will be recorded so that we can review them if necessary.

Proper employee protocol

To ensure that your belongings are guarded with TLC (tender loving care), check with the storage facility staff on their daily routine to reduce theft or fire. Ensure that they have a daily routine to inspect the facility for any damages, unlocked storage units or even cleanliness! Furthermore, you can check with them on what they will do if they found out your unit is unlocked. Proper employee protocol

Well-maintained storage facility

A well-maintained storage facility may be the last thing that you will think of when it comes to security. However, it is the most important factor. Having a well-maintained storage facility ensures that all fences, lighting, security system, storage panels or any other security features are always in tip-top shape. Storage facilities that do not repair any damages to their security features will make it more susceptible to theft or fire.

Insurance for your storage

Lastly, always ensure that your storage comes with insurance protection. The insurance purchased safeguards your belongings in your storage space in the event of fire or theft. You might think that nothing will happen to you. But you will never know. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
You may know the importance of security in a self-storage facility as well as what to look out for when selecting a storage space. However, do you know what storage security features do Extra Space offer you when you sign up with them? Read on to find out more.

You’re on camera all the time

Did you know that every Extra Space Asia’s facility is equipped with 24/7 recorded CCTV security systems? The CCTV allows us to record all movements within our storage facilities all-day, all-year.

Unique and personalised PIN code

At Extra Space Asia, all our visitors are required to enter a unique PIN code for verification purposes before they are allowed access to the storage space. For added security, all entries will be recorded so that we will be able to review it, if necessary. If you have shared your PIN code with your friend, do remember to change your PIN code once you have decided to restrict their access.

Individual storage unit alarm system

All of our storage units are equipped with state of the art security alarms. To deactivate your storage unit alarm, simply key in your PIN code at the entrance before you head to your storage unit. Once you are done storing/retrieving your belongings, simply key in your PIN code again at the exit to arm your storage security alarm. Well Maintained Storage Facility

Well-maintained storage facility

We pride ourselves as one of the best maintained storage facility in the industry. You may not think that this is important, but having a well-maintained storage facility ensures that all security systems are working properly. Our facility managers routinely patrol the storage facility to ensure that everything is in order.

Trained security guards

On top of routine inspections, Extra Space Asia also has 24/7 security guard protection. Our friendly guards will not only patrol the storage facility, but they will also ensure that there are no suspicious activities within the premises.

Insurance for your storage

Lastly, Extra Space Asia requires all customers to purchase storage insurance before storing with us. This insurance will be factored in your storage quote, safeguarding your belongings with an additional layer of security in the event of theft of fire. Insurance For Storage Check out all the above security features yourself! Drop us a call at +65 6771 3100 to arrange a tour around our facilities today.

Calling all business owners! Did you know that based on the Inland Revenue Revenue Authority of Singapore guidelines, businesses have to keep their record documents for a period of not less than 5 years. This includes accounting records and supporting documents relating to Year of Assessment (YA) 2008 and subsequent YAs. Failure to comply may lead to penalties or/and also expenses claim being disallowed, so be sure to note the following documents:

  • Forms IR8A, payslips, CPF statements
  • Proper records and accounts of business transactions
  • Proper records of financial transactions and retain the source documents, accounting cords and schedules, bank statements
  • Any other records of transaction connected with your business

But storing all these documents in your office for at least 5 years will definitely require a lot of storage space. Why not explore the option of storing all your documents and business inventory in a self-storage where costs would be more affordable in the long run?

Here are 3 reasons why businesses should store their documents in a self-storage facility like Extra Space Asia Self-Storage.

  1. Secure Storage Units

Usually in small offices, documents and files are stored near work spaces. This arrangement not only take up a lot of space, but it can also be hard to notice and control who is storing or retrieving the documents. In a storage facility, only authorised personnel can access the company documents. And with storage facilities like Extra Space Asia, customers will also be issued a unique PIN code to access the storage area any time, and only they will have access to their storage units that is locked with their personal lock. With 24/7 CCTV monitoring and facility staff present during operational hours, these will all help ensure that all business documents and files are safe in good hands. By storing in an FSD approved self-storage like Extra Space Asia, businesses no longer have to worry about the need to move due to facility closures too.

  1. Flexible Storage Periods

Unlike offices rentals where businesses have to sign for a contract of at least 2 years, storage facilities like Extra Space Asia allow businesses to choose a rental period from as short as 14 days to as long as they need. For businesses who choose to store with Extra Space Asia for more than 1 year, they will also enjoy perks and better discount rates. More flexibility, more business savings!

  1. Wide Range of Storage Sizes Available

Unsure of how much storage space you would need to store all your business documents? Don’t worry! At Extra Space Asia Self Storage, we offer a wide range of storage sizes ranging from 7sqft to a spacious 207sqft. If your business only requires a small volume of documents to store, you can start by storing in a small or medium storage unit, and upsize as time goes by. This way, you will only be paying for the storage space you really need. Ready to upsize? All you have to do is let our friendly Facility Managers know, and they will find you the next perfect storage space.

If you are new to the idea of self-storage, simply give us a call at 6771 3100, and we will be happy to assist you through this storage process. Feel free to visit any of our ten storage facility from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 1 pm Saturday to have a personalised tour around our facility too! Let Extra Space Asia Self-Storage assist you with your document storage and business inventory storage today so that you can enjoy more space in your office.