Where to store our stuff whilst converting garage?

[MyFirstName]

We are about to embark on a garage conversion - double garage which half will remain garage, the other turned into a study. The current roof is coming off (half leaking felt and half asbestos) so we need to empty both of all our crap.

I am hoping oodles will disappear down to the dump/recycled etc - but we wil lstill have camping stuff, bikes, lawn-tractor, a fridge freezer and humungour filing cabinet to deal with.

Any suggestions. Our shed is stuffed with other stuff shit - and even if we emptied some of it it would not take all the big stuff.

Help please- have you done this - what did you do?

We were going to use Big Yellow Storage when we had our extension done, but in end we just about managed to keep everything in the house.

shop around for storage quotes. If you are in the SE it may be worth moving it somewhere cheaper.

remember you need to insure the stuff as well.

Can we get storage on site though - stuff like the filing cabinet, fridge freezer and the lawn-tractor we would never in a million year be able to get to an off-site location in the car - can you get storage units/containers delivered to your front garden - has anyone done this?

Temporary second hand shed on eBay?

You might consider a garden gazebo with sidewalls for lawnmowers and stuff that you can put in those big plastic storage crates with tight fitting lids. You need to believe that no-one is likely to steal it. It needs to be pegged down to the ground so it doesn't blow away.

You could rent a van to take it all to a storage unit - it could be the best way to do it anyway, especially if there aren't any storage places nearby & you'd have to make multiple car trips.

Near us a former farm has filled its yard & barns with containers & charges much more reasonable prices than the big commercial companies (although when we got quotes from Safestore we found different locations had different prices so it's worth shopping around)

We're having our roof reslated & the attic gutted & replastered etc - we had about 15 years worth of random family Stuff in there. Some of it has been dumped/charity shopped but the rest has gone to the lock-up with the intention of permanent sorting out, bit by bit, on the way back in. (But we'll probably keep it on afterwards anyway as overflow storage, as we don't have a garage & only a small yard with a small shed, & we're losing some of the eaves storage we used to have)

Buy another shed - strong, cheap, waterproof and lockable - and install in garden. Store stuff until garage finished. Move stuff out back into finished garage, sell second shed.

Don't be tempted to keep second shed forever! It'll only fill up with crap.

containers may be ok for the kind of 'outside' stuff you have. They are NOT ok for anything that normally lives indoors.

OK, have checked out the container business - wow - one £15 per week yaddeyaadeyadde. sounds great on the websites and then you call...oh and did we mention the £150/£200 delivery charge? Oh and the same again for taking it away. So then you are looking at £500 ish.

So that is a no-no.

Have a few queries out for self-storage - there is actually one close enough that we could ride the lawnmower there (not sure about the road-traffic act etc but hey) - so awaiting ideas of prices back on that.

In the meantime I just have bought a new shed Cheapish one - big enough for some of the stuff and certainly the lawnmower. We have a really long garden (about 350ft) and already down the bottom corner is a concrete base big enough. And it is where my veggie patch it - so have been aware I need some storage down there for a bit. It will mean a 300 foor trek with everything - but that will hopefully focus the mind on what we actually want to keep!!

Medium term plan was always to get rid of the current (knackered) shed so having got shed space sorted (and where we need it more) this works out the best for short and longer term.

May still need a bit of self-storage - but am actually hoping that the shed option will makes us really rationalise the crap we have.

Am burying my head in the sand about the fridge-freezer and filing cabinet. Am going to have a chat with the builder and see if they could work around them within the remit of the build. If not...we will just have to suck it up. Tbh the Filing cabinet really does need a good sorting through - so maybe an ideal opportunity. Fridge Freezer currently empty. If needs be we can tarp that on a pallet in the garden.

Thank you for all your help.

Are you having the Asbestos removed by professionals?

Yes. All built into the quote. I have the most scaredy cat, risk adverse DH, two children, a dog and a liking of my and their lungs working for quite a few more years.

Just an idea but worked for us. Our builder offered to store our mower tractor on his premises for the duration of our conversion; we haven't taken out insurance but have extreme trust in him (and we know where he lives).

If the fridge freezer is empty and clean, can't you move it into the house? The builders will definitely dent it.

I think you can actually drive a lawn tractor on the road to 'get between fields' but do check.

BTW you do know what they cost to replace? Insure it!

You just need a man in uniform to walk in front of you waving a flag

Can I get an 8yo DC to do it instead?

Have had an inspiration! I am going to get the lawnmower serviced whilst the garage is not secure. Should only be a week - 10 days max (if that) that the garage is not suitable for over-night lawn mower housing. So will book it in for service (it is due) and then be a pain to pin down to re-delivery home until garage is secure again.

Everything else...may have to be ruthless chucking stuff (which is a good thing) and if needs be pile stuff up in the house/take it to our caravan storage place and chuck it in the caravan and last effort get some self storage.

Thank you for your help.