Knowledge hub
Getting ready for a storage unit delivery is usually simpler than people expect. Because Door To Store units are delivered in panels and built by hand on your property, there is no crane or heavy machinery involved, so most driveways, gardens and yards are suitable with a little preparation beforehand.
A bit of planning on your side, clearing the area, checking access and knowing what to expect on the day, helps the installation go smoothly and means your unit is ready to use as soon as the team leaves.
Before confirming an installation, Door To Store checks the access to your property. This includes gate widths, pathways and any overhead obstructions such as low branches or wires, since the team needs enough room to bring the panels through and assemble the unit in place. As a general guide, a minimum clearance of around 2150mm is needed for access, though every site is different and access cannot be confirmed as suitable until it has actually been checked. It is worth mentioning any narrow gates, steps or tight corners when you book, so the team can plan accordingly. Door To Store asks for 7 days’ notice to arrange an installation, and can sometimes manage it sooner, so it is worth getting in touch as early as you can once you know a date works for you.
If your unit is going onto a driveway, patio or other hard standing, the main job is making sure the space is clear. Move any cars, bins, bikes or garden furniture out of the footprint before the team arrives, and leave a little extra room around the edges so they have space to work. The surface does not need to be perfectly level. Concrete, tarmac and gravel are all fine, and the team places wooden blocks under each corner of the unit to level it and allow air to circulate underneath, which also helps keep the inside dry.
Grass and other soft ground are also suitable for a storage unit, with the same wooden blocks used to level and support it. Before delivery day, it helps to mow the area, remove any garden furniture, planters or children’s play equipment, and flag anything underground you know about, such as shallow drains, pipes or sprinkler systems, so the team can avoid them. If access to the garden is through a side gate or narrow passage, check it against the clearance guidance above so there are no surprises when the van arrives.
It is also worth choosing the final spot carefully before delivery day. Once a unit is installed and loaded, it cannot be moved without first being emptied and dismantled, so picking a position that will still suit you for the length of the hire saves any hassle later on.
Because units are delivered flat packed and assembled on-site, Door To Store does not need a crane or HIAB to get a unit into place, which is what makes driveways, gardens and other awkward spots possible in the first place, as explained in our guide to door-to-door storage. Installation times vary with the size of unit, from around 30 to 45 minutes for the smallest unit up to 150 to 180 minutes for the largest. Once built, each unit comes with two built-in deadlocks, and Door To Store supplies the keys, so there is no separate padlock to buy or lose. The unit stays on your property for the length of the hire, giving you access whenever you need it.
Q: Does my driveway or garden need to be completely flat?
A: No. Grass, gravel and concrete are all suitable, and the team levels the unit with wooden blocks on the day.
Q: What if my access is narrow or has a tight gate?
A: Let Door To Store know when you book. Access is checked in advance, and as a general guide a minimum clearance of around 2150mm is needed, though every site is assessed individually.
Q: How much notice do I need to give?
A: Door To Store asks for 7 days’ notice to arrange an installation, and can sometimes fit deliveries in sooner.
Q: Do I need to clear the area myself?
A: Yes. Moving vehicles, bins, furniture or anything else out of the footprint, and leaving a little working space around it, helps the installation go quickly on the day.
Call 0800 043 9302 or visit doortostore.co.uk for a free quote.
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