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.

 

 
By: Michelle Lee

An ExtraSpaceCares initiative

Based on WWF – living planet report 2020, the population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have seen an alarming average drop of 68% since 1970. The report also reminded us that as humanity’s footprint expands into the once-wild areas, unfortunately, we humans are also to be blamed for the impact on the wildlife populations. Therefore, it is time to restore our broken relationship with nature to benefit species and people alike. At Extra Space Asia, we believe that beyond caring for our society, it is also important to care and learn more about our environment, conservation and living in harmony with the nature around us. In October 2021, we partnered with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) and spent some meaningful time working together at the ACRES facility. During our time at the ACRES facility, we had the privilege of seeing the safe sanctuary for the various rescued reptiles, birds and amphibians. It was an eye-opening experience as we were able to  catch a glimpse of ACRES rescue animals, such as the Indian Star Tortoise. Through the house tour and interaction with the ACRES team, we learned more about their various community involvement in tackling animal welfare issues and partnerships with related bodies to improve animal welfare. The volunteers at Extra Space Asia were involved in various activities such as cleaning and painting the Animal Quarantine Sheds and also setting up a new enclosure for the birds and squirrels. This includes setting up the necessary items inside the enclosure, as well as helping to level the ground. ACRES started with a mission to help animals, both individuals and on a broader scale. As a team, they have a common goal of making the world a better place for non-human animals by raising awareness on important animal protection issues, speaking up for animals and giving them a voice. The ACRES Wildlife Rescue Centre (AWRC) is also Singapore’s first facility dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and injured native wild animals. The AWRC plays a vital role in ending the illegal wildlife trade in Singapore and the region both through its rescue efforts and serving as a centre for education on this important issue. Through this CSR initiative, we hope to give back to our environment and do our small part to support the conservation of the wildlife in Singapore. Learn more about ACRES here.

Passion Project: Mr Kenneth unveiling the logo of this CSR initiative.

Image: House tour around the ACRES facility where finally we got a chance to see the rescued Indian Star Tortoises and other animals.

Image: Mr Kenneth, CEO of Extra Space Asia, with Diggle The Rooster at ACRES

Image: Team Extra Space Asia painting the animal quarantine sheds

Image: The team assisting in setting up the new wildlife enclosure

 

The entire moving process can take a toll on everyone, even the best planners. However, to make life a tad bit easier, there are some smart moving tips that you can find online to guide you through the moving process so that you do not miss out on any crucial steps. To help you further, we have narrowed it down to these five smart tips, which you can try for a faster and less stressful move.

Create a schedule or calendar for easy planning

Moving is a stressful process. To avoid any last-minute panic attacks, it is always good to indicate your plan on a schedule or calendar so that you will know how much time you need and how much time you have. List down all the important dates like your packing timeframes, calling a mover, contacting a self-storage service if you are in between homes during your moving dates.

Planning should start at least a month before your moving day. If you need help creating a schedule, you can always go online and google for a simple moving day template and revise accordingly.

Evaluate all items and decide how long you need for packing

Take a look at your home, closet and furniture. If you have many items at home, it is time to go through your things and decide whether to donate, throw or keep. If you find it hard to let go, consider finding a friend or family member to help you with this packing process.

Donate items that are in good condition. Get rid of things you have not used in years or are in bad conditions to donate or sell. Purging can be hard, but it will definitely lighten your load and save you time in the unpacking process at a later stage. Need more packing tips? Click here!

Keep important things and documents with you

You should have one box to keep all of your essential things and document during your packing process. This box should include important personal documents, your new home keys and documentation, medications, prescriptions, necessities such as toiletries, toothbrushes etc. If you have kids, you should also pack some of their food and toys in the box.

The box should include things you cannot do without daily so that you don’t have to go through the multiple boxes to find them. In this case, even if you are too tired to unpack at your new home, you will still be able to survive the first night in your new home.

Set your budget and find your mover fast

Once you have indicated how much time you need to pack all your items, you should call some movers to get a few quotes. Moving can be expensive if you have many things to move. Therefore, it would be good to make some cost comparison and find out the average moving cost before deciding one. If you need some tips on how to choose a moving company you can trust, click here.

If you are looking for a mover and a self-storage to temporarily store your items while in-between homes, you should search for logistic providers who can provide both moving and self-storage services. This would also be easier to coordinate, and it will also save you time finding two different service providers.

Did you know that at Extra Space Asia, we offer both storage services and moving services too? With our newly launched e-Move service, we are now able to assist you through your moving process. WhatsApp 83 452 452 today to receive a quick mover’s quote or to find out more.

Unpack food and kids’ stuff first

Even when you have finally moved everything to your new home, there are still more to be done. Once you have cleaned up the common areas and give your home a good vacuum and mop, it’s time to unpack. Don’t stress yourself out trying to unpack every single box right away. Instead, you can unload all of the necessary items, food items and maybe all of your kid’s stuff first so that they will feel at home and play while you handle the other matters. The best way to unpack is to figure out where everything should go before going full-on unpacking.

Even if you are too tired to do anything, remember that you still have that one box that contains all of your essential items to survive the first night in your new home.

Finally, regardless of the outcomes and inevitable hiccups that may occur, remember to enjoy the process of setting into your new home!
By: Michelle Lee

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.

An ExtraSpaceCares initiative

Extra Space Asia Self-Storage has always been a strong believer of giving back to the society and supporting the various community activities in where we operate in. Extra Space Asia Self Storage is delighted to be able to work alongside South East CDC for the fourth year running, where we lend our support by sponsoring the use of our storage units to store its items in preparation for its annual 3M Moves event. Since 2013, 3M Moves @ South East, previously known as 3M Step-Up Challenge at South East, has helped over 25,700 beneficiaries with over $1.3 Million worth of 3M products. Conceptualised by South East CDC, the 3M Moves campaign is currently running for the ninth year in 2021. Extra Space Asia Self-Storage is glad to partner South East CDC in its logistics planning and storage needs once again this year. The main objective of the 3M Moves campaign is to promote Active Citizenry and Nurture Volunteerism. This year, 3M Moves will convert the community’s participation into stationery items to aid underprivileged students in their shift from home-based to blended learning. The 3M Moves campaign is running from now till 11^th October 2021. You can play an active part for this meaningful campaign by simply taking a photo or video of yourself exercising and uploading on your social media platform. Don’t forget to tag @southeastcdc, @3msingapore and #3MMoves on your social media.  

Image: Extra Space Asia staff and South East CDC representative giving thumbs up after storing all the 3M items in the storage unit. 

Image: Mr Mohd Fahmi Aliman, Mayor of South East District, Grassroots Adviser to Marine Parade GRC GROs, giving a speech at the Launch Event. 

Image: 3M Moves campaign is running from now till 11^th October 2021.

 

Miss having a casual chit chat with your coworkers in the office? We totally get that feeling! However, with the ongoing COVID situation, working from home will definitely remain the default option for most organisations to keep everyone safe. In this case, why not find ways to make your work-from-home (WFH) more joyful during this pandemic?

Here are 3 tips for you!

1. Give yourself a break

Unlike working in the office when lunchtime is determined by when your colleagues eat, there is no fixed timing (read: milestones of the day) when you are working from home. Time can become unclear, and you might even miss those meal breaks altogether. As such, remember to give yourself a break of at least an hour to eat your meals peacefully away from your workstation. You can order food in advance and eat it when they are hot. Intentional breaks will make your day better, and you can avoid suffering burnout too, which is quite common when people start working from home. Remember to also not overwork as we know it is hard to know when the workday ends. Give yourself a break when you need it cause only you know your body best!

2.Upgrade your home office setup

In the initial stages of working from home, some of us might think that this is a short-term plan. However, as time passes, WFH has become a common default arrangement. When we’re in the office, we probably have an ergonomic chair and a proper workstation. But at home, most of us would just settle for a kitchen table and basic chair or even stool. Why not give yourself some upgrades to improve your work efficiency but also bring overall benefits to your health? These upgrades can include an ergonomic office chair and laptop stands, tech upgrades like a wireless mouse and a good desktop monitor. Another benefit of WFH is the flexibility of choosing where to work in your home, so try testing different spots in your home to find the best place to work. Your body will definitely thank you over time.

3. Create a comfortable home space

When you WFH, it can become common to spend a good 24 hours at home. As such, consider creating a comfortable home space where you can work and rest. Start by decluttering your home and throw or donate items that you no longer require. If you have bulky items or even seasonal items that take up a lot of space at home, you can also try storing them in storage facilities like Extra Space Asia Self Storage and enjoy more space at home.

By storing your items in a self-storage unit, you will still be able to enjoy 24 hours access to your items any time and any day. You can also use the storage unit for your family, personal and even business storage purpose. Click here to find out more about Extra Space Asia Self-Storage.

After you are done with decluttering, you can also try spicing up your home with a new wallpaper or buying some green plants to add some new colours to your home space. Hopefully, with these new additions, it will be more joyful for you to work at home.

 
By: Michelle Lee

Packing and protecting your furniture is definitely a step not to be missed. Before the move, it is important to ensure that everything is packed well. This crucial step will help ensure that all your belongings and furniture are in good condition during the transportation process and when they arrive at your new location. Here are some moving tips on how to pack and protect your furniture for moving.

Measure your furniture

Once you have made a list of what items you would need to move, you should measure your furniture items, especially big furniture like the dining table. This measurement stage ensures that your furniture and belongings can pass through the doors, corners, lift safely without hitting and damaging the items. If you plan to store your items in a self-storage unit during this moving or transition period, the dimensions will also come in handy to determine the storage size you need.

Inspect and clean your furniture

Before the big move, it is important to inspect your furniture to check if they are all in good condition. Note the furniture or personal belongings that have any signs of damage. During this inspecting period, it will also help you decide if the furniture is worth the effort and money to move to the new location. Once you have inspected them, remember to clean them up before packing them. It is good to ensure that all of your furniture pieces are free from dust, dirt and coarse particles that may damage the delicate surface of some sensitive furniture materials.

Disassemble your furniture when needed

If the furniture can be disassembled easily, you should disassemble them to make it easier for the movers during transportation. If you are storing your furniture in a self-storage unit, disassembling big items such as bed frames, sofa sets, dining tables etc, will help optimise the storage unit space more efficiently too. That is because you are paying the storage unit based on the amount of space/area you have rented, so it will be more space-consuming if you store the items in their original state. Remember to also safekeep all the small elements like bolts, nuts, screws in a fastening bag so that you do not misplace them during the move.

Secure your furniture 

For furniture items such as cupboards, drawers or any items that may open during the move, you should use stretch film and tapes to ensure that they remain safely closed throughout the move. In cases whereby your furniture sets include a fragile element such as glass table tops, shelves etc, you should pack and protect them with either bubble wraps or a thick blanket so that they will remain in good condition during the move. If you need any packing materials such as bubble wraps, stretch film and packing boxes, you can always purchase them at Extra Space Asia Self-Storage’s Box Shop.

Cover your furniture

Covering your furniture’s exposed surfaces help to keep your items dust-free and protected at all times. You can also tape some protective covers on your furniture and personal belongings to keep them from unwrapping during the moving process. If you plan to store your furniture in a self-storage unit, the protective cover can also help keep them dust-free during the storage duration.

Extra Space Asia Self-Storage

Looking for a secure self storage facility in Singapore to store your furniture items? You can choose to store them with Extra Space Asia Self- Storage. We offer both short and long term storage to cater to all your storage needs. Contact us today at 6771 3100, and our friendly Customer Service Executives will be glad to assist you.

If you are looking for a moving company in Singapore to help you through your moving process, you can also engage our newly launched e-Move service. WhatsApp 83 452 452 today to receive a quick mover’s quote.

 
By: Michelle Lee