20ft Container on Mrs G's Drive

If you are planning home improvements, take a look at my blog post from last August to find out how Mrs G kept everything to hand but safe and secure whilst she had new flooring fitted throughout the ground floor of her house. Container Team delivered a smart, green 20ft container which she kept on the drive of her house. It gave her the storage capacity of a single garage and meant she could pack everything up at her leisure and keep it to hand should she discover she needed it. She was delighted with the service she received and all for a fraction of the price of warehouse storage.

Tim inside a 6ft

Our containers start at 6’ x 6’ if you haven’t got much space or much stuff to store. If you haven’t got space for a container at your place, we’ll look after your stuff at our place. We have a self store facility in Weston-super-Mare providing low cost storage with easy access. No messing about with trolleys and lifts, just back your van right up to the door of your unit and unload. We even have labour and forklifts available to help with heavy or awkward loads and you won’t get the same amount of storage at our prices anywhere else in town.

We pride ourselves on our friendly customer service so just give Phil or Simon a ring on 01934 781028 to find out more about using containers during home improvements.

Ten years ago Tim and I opened up a container storage depot in Weston-super-Mare. It didn’t take us long to realise that, with lots of empty containers in our yard, we could open up a self storage park and we have been providing cost effective, secure self storage to local businesses and residents in and near Weston ever since.

The business has grown and grown over the last 10 years and we now offer a number of different services. Container hire is at the core of our business and we have a fleet of storage containers on hire to customers throughout the country. People have rented containers for all sorts of surprising things from Santa’s Grotto to a shelter for leopard in a safari park. We’ve kept the beer cool at country shows and kept the play equipment safe for thousands of school children.  Of course they also have the much mundane uses such as on-site storage and portable site accommodation for builders.

We have also sold thousands of containers during the last ten years – in fact we have sold over £2.5million worth to happy customers throughout the UK. Container sales is at the heart of our business and we are proud of our track record of customer service and customer loyalty. Our long standing customers who have made videos for us on our You Tube Channel talk about how they wouldn’t use anyone else for their storage requirements having been delighted with the service and quality of container we provide. We always have a large stock of containers for sale so we have been able to provide a quick response when one was needed.

We also provide refrigerated containers for hire and sale and have a fleet of refrigerated trailers. Again they have been used for many purposes from extra cold storage at weddings, parties and functions to helping to keep the crowds fed at Glastonbury. We also formed Team Refrigeration in 2006 for this side of the business so check out the website for more information fridge trailers.

It’s been a great ten years and times are certainly a lot tougher that they were when we started out. We’ve learnt a lot though and Tim and I are determined to work hard to make 2012 our best year ever!

Hazel

I thought I’d put together a list of things to think about when packing things away for self storage. Even if you think things are only going to be stored short term, it’s worth storing things properly because we have all experienced how elastic timescales can sometimes be. This isn’t an exhaustive list and we have years of experience when it comes to packing self storage containers, so if you have any questions please just give us a call for some friendly advice.

1. Firstly get together some good sturdy boxes and packing materials. You can use bubble wrap, but you can keep costs down by using old newspaper for example. Remember using same sizes boxes will making packing them into the container more efficient and will make it easier to move them around if you need to later.
2. Get hold of some wardrobe boxes if you are going to store clothing.
3. Wrap all your fragile or breakable items in bubble wrap or newspaper and don’t forget to write FRAGILE on the boxes you put them in.
4. It’s also a good idea to wrap mirrors and pictures to protect the glass and frames.
5. Electrical items such as TVs and stereos need be safely stored away in sturdy boxes with plenty of packaging too.
6. As you pack items into boxes, label each box and make a list of its contents so that you will know where to find things if you discover you need them later. This list will also serve as a manifest for insurance purposes. Don’t forget that, at Container Team insurance is included in the price if you supply us with a manifest of your items.
7. When packing things in boxes, put the heavier items on the bottom and the lighter things on top.
8. Look after your books by storing them on their sides, not their spines.
9. Don’t make boxes too heavy but be sure to fill a box to the top with packaging materials if necessary to prevent half full boxes collapsing when stacked.
10. Don’t put anything wet into your container as this could cause problems with damp and mildew later. This means that you should make sure you defrost your fridges and freezers before packing them away otherwise you may face huge problems with mould or water damage.
11. Washing machines and condensing tumble driers will also need to be emptied of any water as well as all hoses.
12. All large soft furnishings such as sofa and mattresses should be wrapped in protective plastic covers.
13. To save space sofas, but not sofa beds, can be stored on their ends. Look after your mattresses by storing them on their long ends.
14. Again save space by dismantling any larger pieces of furniture that you can, beds, wardrobes etc. If you’ve kept your Ikea instructions, just use them in reverse! Be sure to keep all the fixings in labelled plastic tubs.
15. When packing things into your container, try to keep the things you thing you may need nearer the front and leave aisles so that stacks of boxes are accessible.
16. Don’t forget that you can also pack things away into the drawers in your furniture.
17. To avoid nasty niffs, prop your fridge and freezer doors open.
18. Don’t forget that you can’t store TOXIC or FLAMMABLE materials. This includes obvious things such as petrol and paint but don’t forget to empty the fuel tanks of things like mowers and strimmers too.

We’re always on hand for advice packing storage containers correctly, so if there is anything else you are unsure of, please just pick up the phone and give one of the team a call.

Kit and Equipment Securely Stored Away

Buying or hiring our secure, weatherproof containers has provided these 5 schools with just the flexibility they need to answer their storage problems. Have a look at how using containers for extra storage has provided a cost effective way to make a real difference in these schools. If you would like some help or advice please call us on our dedicated schools line: 01934 781018. 

1. St Francis Xavier College frees up space for 3D arts display

London’s St Francis Xavier College has just taken delivery of their fourth storage container for hire. The Estates Department uses its latest container to store exam tables and chairs freeing up precious space which is now being used to display large 3D art installations created by the students.

What could you do with more space? Get more information or a quick quote for Container Hire here 

2.       QEH Bristol keeps the mud on the sports ground

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a school in Bristol, purchased a customised container to accommodate their mower. Sited on the playing field it provides convenient, secure storage for the mower and other grounds equipment. A second container is used to store their rugby post protectors and tackle bags to save ferrying them to and from pitches and avoid bringing wet, muddy kit back inside the school.

Could your storage be more convenient? Get more information or a quick  quote for buying a container here 

Play Equipment Safely out of the Way

3. Little Digmoor Primary improves outdoor play to boost Ofsted rating

This Lancashire school bought their storage container by securing a grant to house new play equipment, making the most of outside play opportunities in a bid to secure a better Ofsted rating. By purchasing  a container, they can be confident their investment is secure and they don’t have to struggle lugging equipment back to the main building every day.

Could better storage improve your Ofsted rating? Get a quick storage container quote here

4.       Uphill School removes refurbishment issue

Hiring a container meant this Weston-Super Mare school could safely store furniture and gym equipment during their refurbishment work, whilst keeping it accessible. Located conveniently close to the school, the caretaker uses is it on a daily basis. The only trouble is: the caretaker loves it so much, he doesn’t want to let it go!

Do you need temporary storage during a school refurbishment?  For more information or a quick quote for container hire click here.

5.       Littlehampton Academy keeps chemicals under lock and key

With the science facility undergoing a facelift, this West Sussex school needed an alternative store for hazardous materials – the challenge was to find somewhere 100% secure but 100% accessible. The specialist container located just outside the lab gave them just what they needed on a short term basis.

Do you need to keep things secure from curious pupils? Get a chemical storage container quote here

What could you do with more space?

- A break-out space?

- An extra quiet room?

- Arts display area?

We’d love to hear your stories – what problems you face, how you’ve dealt with your storage issues and any innovative solutions you’ve come up with.

And we’d love to help you too. Please call us on our schools line 01934 781018 for honest advice and guidance to see whether a hiring or purchasing a container would suit you.

Hazel

Convenient storage required during house renovation

Mrs G was planning a major refurbishment of her house including a new kitchen and new flooring throughout the ground floor. This would mean that she would need all her furniture out of the way for at least a couple of months yet she wanted to be sure her things were safe and accessible. She hit upon the notion of containerised storage.

20ft Container on Mrs G's Drive

Mrs G felt that her furniture and belongings would be safer locked away securely in a storage container on her drive than in a storage facility. Additionally things could be wrapped and packed into the container at her leisure and she wouldn’t have to hire a van to transport them anywhere. Once inside the container she could put things where she wanted them so that the things she was likely to need were close to hand and, of course, when she subsequently realised she needed something, she only had to step outside her front door to get it.

Container Team provide a rapid service and secure solution

Once Mrs G knew what she wanted, she realised she wanted it in a hurry so she got on the phone and rang around some container companies. In her own words “Container Team beat the other container companies hands down on pricing” and “Phil was absolutely brilliant!” She came in to see us and a site survey was undertaken that day. When the unit was delivered  “the driver was a dream”. By her own admission it was a bit of a tricky space, but he placed the container exactly where she wanted it and “could not have been more helpful”.

Her project is nearing its end now and the container will be coming back into our depot next week. We all know that there is an awful lot of stress involved in house renovation so we are pleased that we have been able to ease that burden somewhat for one of our customers and, of course, we’d be delighted to do it for anyone else too.

Again, in Mrs G’s own words, Container Team provided a “..cheap, safe and convenient way of storing furniture during a major house renovation”

What more can I say??!!

Planning a renovation project and want the same peace of mind and convenience as Mrs G? Give us a call us on 01934 781028 for help and advice on hiring a storage container.

The leisure industry is undoubtedly a great place to be. Especially when the sun shines and we can all enjoy the British outdoors!

But large grounds means lots of maintenance

It can come with its headaches though – large grounds means lots of maintenance. Lots of maintenance means lots of expensive grounds equipment, which needs to be highly accessible for regular usage but also securely stored when not in use. Ideally protected from the elements too.

Kit glorious kit…to lug around

The same applies to sports. Multiple sports mean boat loads of kit – even the tamest sport usually needs some kind of gear. In business, the trick is making that kit investment last as long as it can to keep costs down and keep paying customers happy.

For staff though keeping the equipment safe and well looked after is a job in itself! It can be really hard work lugging it around to secure storage. And the further you have to travel, the more raps and knocks the precious equipment gets.

So why not save your business time and money and let your staff concentrate on what they do best by providing outdoor, secure storage right where they need it when they need it.

Our onsite storage containers can be purchased or hired for short or long term and can be used as:

•  Outdoor sheds for grounds equipment (that arrive ready for action!)
•  An extra store room for sports equipment
•  A seasonal store to protect items such as outdoor furniture from the winter weather

 Call us for advice or a quote for secure container storage on our Leisure hotline 01934 781 013 or click here for a quick online quote.

Go on… what could you store?

Buying or hiring our secure, weatherproof containers has provided these 5 schools with just the flexibility they need to answer their storage problems. 

1.       St Francis Xavier College frees up space for 3D arts display

London’s St Francis Xavier College has just taken delivery of their fourth storage container for hire. The Estates Department uses its latest container to store exam tables and chairs freeing up precious space which is now being used to display large 3D art installations created by the students.

What could you do with more space? Get a quick quote for container hire here

2.       QEH Bristol keeps the mud on the playing field

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a school in Bristol, purchased a customised container to accommodate their mower. Sited on the playing field it provides convenient, secure storage for the mower and other grounds equipment. A second container is used to store their rugby post protectors and tackle bags to save ferrying them to and from pitches and avoid bringing wet, muddy kit back inside the school.

Could your storage be more convenient? Get a quick quote for buying a container here

3.       Little Digmoor Primary improves outdoor play to boost Ofsted rating

This Lancashire school bought their storage container by securing a grant to house new play equipment, making the most of outside play opportunities in a bid to secure a better Ofsted rating. By purchasing  a container, they can be confident their investment is secure and they don’t have to struggle lugging equipment back to the main building every day.

Could better storage improve your Ofsted rating? Get a quick storage container quote here

4.       Uphill School removes refurbishment issue

Hiring a container meant this Weston-Super Mare school could safely store furniture and gym equipment during their refurbishment work, without it being completely inaccessible. Located conveniently close to the school, the caretaker can access it on a daily basis. The only trouble is: the caretaker loves it so much, he doesn’t want to let it go!

Do you need temporary storage during a school refurbishment? Get a quick container hire quote here

5.       Littlehampton Academy keeps chemicals under lock and key

With the science facility undergoing a facelift, this West Sussex school needed an alternative store for hazardous materials – the challenge was to find somewhere 100% secure but 100% accessible. The specialist container located just outside the lab gave them just what they needed on a short term basis.

Do you need to keep things secure from curious pupils? Get a chemical storage container quote here

What could you do with more space?

- A break-out space?

- An extra quiet room?

- Arts display area?

We’d love to hear your stories – what problems you face, how you’ve dealt with your storage issues and any innovative solutions you’ve come up with.

And we’d love to help you too. Please call us on 01934 781028 for honest advice and guidance to see whether a hiring or purchasing a container would suit you.

Hazel

Summer times

The summer season is upon us once again and our busy fleet of containers can be found in lots of unusual places being used for lots of unusual things.
At The Royal Bath and West Show, this refrigerated container brought refreshing delight to the thirsty visitors to the Butcombe Brewery beer tent. Here’s the container nestled behind it – the door is only open so you can peep inside.

Chilling out

Tim and I felt we really ought to pop along and sample a glass or two – just to check it was at the correct temperature, of course. The proof was in the drinking and we are very happy to confirm that it was deliciously cool.

Here’s an inside shot of enough barrels to keep the visitors chilled.

Need help keeping cool this summer?

Our sister company Team Refrigeration can help you with anything from small, towable refrigerated trailers to 20′ and 40′ refrigerated containers.

If you need extra cold storage space this summer, we’d love to hear from you on 01934 613500 or visit the Team Refrigeration website for a free download of our emergency refrigeration breakdown guide. If you ask nicely we could even send you some free stickers to put on your refrigeration equipment with an action plan in case of breakdown. Click here to give us your details and we’ll get some sent out to you.

The principle is simple – you use self store units as mini remote depots. You hire a containerised self store unit in a fully serviced depot and get all your materials delivered directly to the depot, where they are stored away safely so that they are ready and waiting for when you want them.

Simply order what you need from your suppliers in advance by phone or online and get them delivered straight to your own self storage unit whilst you continue to earn money.  You also have the peace of mind that with 24 hour security and insurance provided (with a few restrictions as ever!)everything is secure and the flexible opening hours and easy access right to your unit means you can collect the materials you need at a time that suits you.

Similarly self storage units can also be a cost effective solution if you employ maintenance or service engineers that work away from your main base.  Consider how much time and money is wasted by them not having the parts they need close to hand or having to return to your main base to collect them.

Simply hire a secure unit at a self storage depot and arrange for all of the parts they need to be delivered directly to the unit.  They can then collect everything they need at a time that fits in with their work schedule.

As self storage units come in a range of sizes and there is flexibility to change the size of the unit you rent as you need to, you will have no problem finding the right solution for your business both now and in the future.

Like the idea? Give us a call on 01934 424624 to find out how our self storage solutions could work for you.