Solving the Storage Space Dilemma for the Contractor

Storage for Local Contractors - Total Storage Self-Storage - Small Business Storage Winnipeg, Headingley, Manitoba With spring here and summer just around the corner, contractors are preparing for their busy season. Most contractors do not have a “brick and mortar” warehouse to store their equipment and often rely on their homes or work vehicles, and, for many contractors, finding space to store equipment or supplies during a job can be a difficult task.

For any type of contractor, whether you are a plumber, electrician, painter, home renovation company or a general contractor, a self-storage unit can be the perfect, cost effective solution to your equipment and supply storage needs.

A self-storage unit can give the extra space needed to store your equipment. Total Storage Self-Storage offers units for any equipment that needs to be kept in a climate controlled environment and with 24/7 secure entry, you need not worry about accessing your tools and equipment.

Whether you need a short-term solution or a longer one, Total Storage Self-Storage offers several various sized units to meet your needs and installing shelving is an easy option in our units allowing you to organize your space exactly how you want.

Total Storage Self-Storage also offers units for those contractors needing easy drive up access for larger equipment and supplies. Equipment that would have to be stored outside otherwise can now be protected from inclement weather. All units are in a gated compound with full state of the art security ensuring your supplies are safe. During business hours, we are happy to accept deliveries on your behalf enabling you to keep working without having to make arrangements for someone to wait around for a tool or supply delivery.

Our self-storage facility is conveniently located just a stones throw away from the Winnipeg perimeter, allowing you and your staff to access materials and supplies easily and quickly before hitting the job site.

If you are a contractor in the Winnipeg area and need more space for your supplies and equipment, contact us today. We would love to help you with your contractor storage needs.

Storage for New Home Buyers

Planning on buying a new home this Spring? We Have Some Great Tips for You!

Having been in the storage unit business for several years, we have great knowledge of our seasonal clientele. We see most of our clients who are moving to new homes in June and July. Whether they are needing a storage unit temporarily while moving, waiting for a new development to be finished or are downsizing entirely and need a permanent solution, a self service storage unit has been an integral part of their move.

This means that for most of our clients, the shopping for their new home started in early spring, and, with that in mind, we would like to share some tips before you start your exciting home search.

First Time Home Buyers – Plan Your Budget

If this is your first time shopping for your new home, Congrats! This is the most exciting time for you. It can also be the most overwhelming. The most important thing you can do before shopping for your new home is to plan your budget. Start with a mortgage calculator and decide on what you can afford. It is good to contact a mortgage broker also. A mortgage broker can find you the best rates from several institutions and these rates can often be better than what your own bank will offer. Also, make yourself aware of the financial incentives offered for first time home buyers both in the province and federally. The two most important ones are:

First-Time Home Buyers’ (FTHB) Tax Credit

Introduced by the Government of Canada to assist first-time home buyers with the costs associated with the purchase of a home, a $5,000 non-refundable income tax credit amount on a qualifying home acquired after January 27, 2009. For an eligible individual, the credit will provide up to $750 in federal tax relief.

Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP)

Allows first time home buyers to borrow up to $25,000 from your RRSP for a down payment. It is tax-free and if you are buying with another individual who is also a first time home buyer you can both access from your RRSP for a total of $50,000.

Identify your Needs and Your Wants

Make a list of the amenities that are a priority for you. How many bedrooms do you need? How many bathrooms? Is parking a necessity? Consider the amenities that are extremely important to you. The “must-haves”, in your home. Now list the amenities that would be nice to have in your home. You may love the idea of indoor heated parking or granite countertops in your kitchen.

Identify the Size of Home You Need

This is probably the trickiest one. For the most part, we all want space. Unfortunately, with the cost of housing in Winnipeg rising with no end in sight, and condos getting smaller, and maintenance on larger homes getting costlier, we can not always afford that “bigger” space. Think about your ideal size of home and what you can afford per square foot before setting out. A self-storage unit can actually be an incredibly economical way to have a smaller home without sacrificing your need storage space. See our blog, How Downsizing Your Home and Upsizing Your Storage Unit Can Save You Money, where we crunch the numbers for you.

Use a Real Estate Agent You Like and Trust

Finding a good realtor is so important. Your realtor should always have your wants and needs at the top of their list. Contact friends who have had good experiences in your area and use their referrals. If for any reason you do not feel comfortable with your agent, choose another one. This is your investment and your money.

Investigate Neighbourhoods

Knowing what neighbourhoods you are interested in before looking will take much of the stress out of home shopping. If you are relocating to a new town and are not familiar with the area, spend time online searching out the best areas that both suit your budget and your needs.

Prepare your RV for Summer

Travel Trailer Camping Prep - Total Storage Ltd. - Business Storage Spring is just around the corner, and soon another Winnipeg winter will be behind us. You are probably longing for your first long weekend trip in your RV or maybe even sooner. Just as you prepared your RV for winter, you too should prepare your RV for the season ahead.

Here are 12 tips for preparing your RV for summer

Open all doors and windows and vents of your RV to air it out.
Open the awning and check for mold. Rinse it down and air it out, and check that it opens freely and all springs are working.
Remove any covers you have put over vents and openings.
Carefully check the entire RV for any critters or signs of critters that may have bypassed your winterizing efforts.
Check your mattresses for mold or mildew and place dryer sheets under the mattresses to prevent mice. They don’t like the smell.
Check all the batteries well. Reinstall batteries that you removed from your RV and if you didn’t remove them, they must be checked thoroughly. Have a professional do load tests and if any batteries need to be replaced in a battery bank, make certain that they are all new. Do not replace a new battery with older ones.
Place new batteries in your smoke detectors and check that your fire extinguishers are full.
Check for any leaks that may have occurred during the winter. Be vigilant and check everywhere.
Check all caulking both inside and out and replace anywhere that looks the least bit compromised. Even the smallest crack can cause major leaks later on.
Check all hoses and valves. This includes your waste tank hoses, dump valves, and all gas valves.
Have your engine checked; make sure that all fluids are topped up.
Check your tires! Don’t just add air. Do a thorough inspection for any wear and tear.

Preparing your RV properly for each season will keep you safe and give your vehicle a much longer life.

Happy camping this summer!

10 Simple Storage Hacks for the Tiny Home

Tiny Houses - Total Storage Self-Storage - Storage Winnipeg Condominium and apartment units are being built smaller and smaller. Just ten years ago the average two-bedroom condo in the city was about 900 sq. feet. Now, they average about 700 SQ. feet. Micro-condos and tiny homes are getting more and more popular and can be as small as 300 SQ feet.

So how do you find space for your things? The kitchen can be especially challenging. All those gadgets that you really love to use need a home in your tiny space.

Here are ten hacks that are simple and we think, are pretty genius.

Install a pegboard on the wall and hang your pots and pans from hooks. You can paint it to match your décor. This frees up space in your cupboards
Store dry goods in Mason Jars. They take up less space in your cupboard than large plastic containers, and you can even attach the lids under the shelves and unscrew the jar when needed.
Install a magnetic knife strip on your backsplash for your knives and eliminate a knife block on your counter.
If you have a hood vent, you can purchase glass containers with magnetic lids. Your spices can be stored on your hood vent.
Use an over-the-sink cutting board to give you more workspace when needed.
Attach hooks to your cupboard door under the sink. You can hang your dish towels and cloths and rubber gloves on the hooks. This frees up space under you sink.
Use an old Kleenex box for your plastic bags. The box will sit nicely in your drawer or cupboard, and the bags are easily accessible.
Magazine files work great for storing your plastic wrap and foil wrap. You can buy them in cardboard, plastic, and metal. Attach one to the inside door of a cupboard.
Put dish racks inside your cupboards to organize your plates. There are several different styles available at any kitchen or department store and will allow you to store more dishes on one shelf.
Put hooks under the shelves in your cupboard to hang any cups including coffee, tea and measuring cups.

If you find yourself needing more space, consider renting a storage unit. If you are in the Winnipeg area, contact us at Total Storage. We have climate controlled storage units in every size to meet every need.

Blog

Planning on buying a new home this Spring? We Have Some Great Tips for You!