The contents of garages across the country are worth a huge amount of money with people storing a huge range of items, keeping them safe and providing storage outside of the home. Whether you are storing your car, bicycles or any other items that need to be stored securely, you may be thinking about how you can make sure that they are protected.

While our lock up garages can be a safe and secure place to keep your belongings, we can’t accept any responsibility for what you store. This is why we recommend that you take out insurance if you want to keep your items protected.

Will Home Insurance Cover Your Lock Up Garage?

When it comes to home insurance, your garage is usually only protected if it is within the boundaries of your property. This means that if you are storing your belongings in a lock up garage, they are probably not going to be covered by your home insurance.

This means that you will need to contact your insurance provider to discuss how you can keep your belongings safe by finding the right insurance for them.

Insuring Individual Items

You may find that it is best to insure the individual items in your garage if you are storing high-cost items. Of course, you will likely have insurance on your car anyway, and you may actually benefit from storing it in a garage.

However, there are other items that you may be storing in your garage that will need to be insured, such as your bicycle, workout equipment or musical instruments. This will give you peace of mind and ensure that should anything happen such as flooding or theft, you will be covered.

Keeping Your Lock Up Garage Safe

There are plenty of things you can do to make sure that your lock up garage is safe and secure, something that could help you in the long run with any insurance claim you may need to make.

At Lock Up Garages, we provide door locks which should be used. It’s important that you make sure to use these padlocks rather than replacing them with your own as these are an insurance requirement. If you want to use additional padlocks, you can apply for permission in writing.

It’s also important that you keep an eye out for any potential damage and report it as things that are left can become more serious issues. For example, a small leak in the roof can turn into serious structural damage which could one day lead to your belongings being damaged if a heavy rain falls.

It’s also worth thinking about whether you are effectively advertising the contents of your garages. If you have a motorbike in your garage and regularly bring it outside to work on it, those around you now know that a motorbike is stored inside, putting a temptation in the way of would-be thieves. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when you are at your lock up garage, and to not show off your contents to those walking past.

If you are thinking about keeping your belongings in a garage to keep them safe or to make more room in your home, get in touch with a member of our team who will be able to tell you more about our lock up garages.

Up and down the country, hundreds of thousands of us are living in fear of our dirty little secret that seems to grow, bigger and more intimidating by the day.

The cause of many a family argument, what can we be talking about? A messy garage of course! Your garage can be a fabulous extension of the home or extra space that you can rent from someone else, however so many of us fail to make the most of this wonderful space. Unorganised mess can make the garage seem out-of-bounds, and a trip inside needs preparation, care and can give any explorer sweaty palms at the sheer thought.

In this article, we’ll show you how to banish those fears, helping you to transform your garage from unloved hole to a tidy, well-organised and useful space.

Create Incentive

People are most likely to respect a place, if they enjoy spending time there. If your garage is dark and damp, then you’re far more likely to treat it as a dumping ground on your hurried visits to and from. Turn it into a light, inviting space however, and you’ll have an incentive to keep the space much more loved. Think about all the various different uses for your garage, and how you could use this space to potentially create another room to the house. Maybe you’re pining for a home gym. Maybe having a playroom would help transform your family home. If you don’t need your garage for storage, or it would be more useful used for something else, change things up! A fresh lick if paint, some nice lighting and more homely flooring will make all the difference. By creating a space to be proud of you’ll subconsciously become far more respectful.

Organisers

If keeping your garage as exactly that, is key, then make sure you come up with a way to store your belongings. Rid the old, overflowing cardboard boxes and replace with storage units. Use old furniture to make useful cabinets for hardware, car equipment, cleaning items extra. Cube units are easily affordable from a variety of homeware stores and can be used to create bright and breezy storage solutions. Old work/school lockers can be purchased from a variety of places, and these make a fabulous way of keeping tools safe and out of harms way. For all the odds and sods that find their way to the garage, make labelled buckets available; dog toys, balls, and so on.

Vertical Storage

In order to maximise your available space, consider vertical hanging solutions for things like bikes and play equipment. Special poles exist that can be used to stack bikes, and you can even drill holes to the ceiling from which to hang items. Fishing rods and sporting equipment can be hung along the ceiling. Fabric shoe hangers can be re-purposed to hold tools, paint cans and even wellies.

Waste Centres

In the run up to bin day, garages can take a little bit of a hit, as they become a dumping ground for excess waste. To overcome this, make a “recycling and waste station.” Get separate bins or barrels and label each according to waste type – plastic, cardboard, glass etc. By creating a neat and tidy rubbish collection point, not only will you make putting the bins out a much easier task, you’ll also be saving space within the garage and your home.

Parking Places

If you have a young family, create space for toys, while giving responsibility and fun to youngsters by using brightly coloured tape to mark out their own “parking spaces” on the garage floor. This will keep toys to within a specific area, and make assigning job roles and responsibilities to your children easier.

Magnetic Strips

Use screws to fasten magnetic strips down at least one side of the garage. You’ll be able to then create a hanging space for garden and household tools, off the ground, but in an easy to see way.

With our 6 tips you’ll be able to help inject some love back into your garage, By making a clean tidy and pleasant space you’ll get more use out of it.

At Lockup Garages, we know that there is a range of benefits of our garages. This is particularly true when it comes to the storage of your car. You may be thinking about investing in a lockup garage so you can keep your car inside. There are plenty of reasons why this is a great idea, from security to maintenance, so how can you benefit from keeping your car in a garage?

Increased Security

Many people don’t have a driveway or a garage attached to their home, so they are left contending with on-street parking. This can be a little worrying, particularly if you live in an area that is busy, either with pedestrians or other road users. When you’re leaving the house for work in the morning, the last thing you want to see is a knocked off wing mirror, a cracked windscreen or a scratch in the paintwork, but this can be a real worry with on-street parking.

Keeping your car in a garage means that you don’t have to worry about these things, and you can be confident that when you leave your car, it is left safe and sound.

Insurance Benefits

As your car is less likely to be damaged or stolen when you leave your car in a locked garage, there are a number of insurance providers who will offer you reduced premiums. Keeping your car in a secure location means you are less likely to need to make a claim due to damage or theft, so your insurance provider will be happy to hear it!

The reduced insurance costs can mean that renting a garage space practically pays for itself, making the decision a wise investment.

Keep Your Car in Good Condition

Not only can you keep your car safe from damage when you store it in a garage, you can also ensure that it is kept in good condition. Safe from the elements, your car is less likely to take on damage from bad weather such as hailstorms and strong winds.

It is also protected from extreme temperatures such as ice which can make it difficult to even get into your car on a wintery morning. This helps to keep your car in good condition and makes things a little easier for you.

There are plenty of reasons why renting a garage can be hugely beneficial for you, particularly if you intend to store your car in it. Whether you’re hoping to keep your car safe, or simply want to ensure that it is kept in the best condition, a lockup garage could be the perfect choice for you.

We have a number of garages up and down the country, so you can find a location that is ideal for you. Find out more about our vacancies or get in touch with a member of our team if you would like to know more about our garages.

A garage can provide a whole host of uses, giving the owner extra space for everything from a secure parking spot, to extra storage or even a home gym. With each different use, you are likely to see a different design to make the garage space the perfect place for its function. A garage may not be the first place you think of having a great design, but some garages are put together perfectly for their function, offering the ideal size, components and features.

Garage Size

Garages come in a whole range of sizes, making different garages perfect for different uses. The standard garage is large enough for one car with a little space either side. However, other garages provide extra space, with a double garage being big enough to house two cars comfortably side by side.

If a garage is being used for a function other than providing a secure parking spot, the size can make a big difference to the possibilities inside. For example, if you wanted to use your garage as a home gym, just for one person to use, the space of a single garage is probably going to do the job. However, if you wanted to create a space where more than one person can work out at the same time, a double garage is going to be the preferable option.

Garage Doors

The garage door is a surprisingly important feature of the garage as it provides the security for your garage and everything that you’re storing inside. Most garage doors are made from steel or aluminium as these are strong and sturdy, providing a good level of protection. While steel can rust in some cases, steel garage doors sometimes feature a fibreglass overlay to prevent this from happening. Other garage doors can feature materials such as wood or GRP.

As well as door materials, there are plenty of types of doors available. This includes motorised doors which can be controlled with a remote control and traditional garage doors which flip up using a weight or spring system to pull them up.

Garage Structure

Garages can be constructed from a whole range of different materials, making them useful for different purposes. Many garages are simple structures constructed from bricks, featuring some level of insulation. Historically, parking garages were often made with asbestos roofing as it was a cheap and durable material. These days, however, builders no longer use asbestos, so new garage roofs are more likely to be made from other materials such as GRP or bitumen.

There are plenty of different features and components of a garage design, each playing a part to ensure that it can fulfil its function.

At Lockup Garages, we know how important it is that you can trust the integrity of your garage, whether you’re using it to park your car or for general storage. This is why all of our garages are safe and secure, so you can feel confident when you lock it up at night. Take a look at our available properties and make sure to get in touch with a member of our team if you have any questions.  

So you own a garage, but no car. Having a garage is one of the commonly owned, but frequently under-used assets. Used more often or not than a dumping ground for odds and ends, a garage is potentially a hugely untapped resource. We’re going to give you the low-down on how to turn that dingy store room, into a fabulous extension of your home, or potentially a lucrative, money-making venture:

1. Rent it as a parking spot.

If you live in a popular commuter destination, or better still, close to a major airport or train station, there might well be a pretty penny to be made. If you rent, as opposed to own your house, this might not be possible, as it could be classed as subletting. If in doubt, check with your landlord. The other consideration is insurance. Make sure this doesn’t void your own home insurance, and you may need to look at getting insurances to cover the letting side. We’ve found this great article that gives you some more details.

2. Rent as a pop-up space.

Pop-up event spaces are a fabulous way for small businesses to trade, from pop-up cafes to pop-up boutique clothing shops. If your house is in a desirable location, there’s a great chance that people will be queuing up to make use of your space for their event.

3. Garage sale.

A garage sale kills two birds with one stone. Not only will it help you on your quest to de-clutter, but will also helping you bring in the pounds. Maybe even go one step further and hold art exhibitions or craft sales. If you really have a lot of space to make use of, you’ll be able to sell bits of space to local artists.

4. Tutorial Space.

Maybe you can create killer looks with make up, maybe your the king of crochet. Start running classes or tutorials from your garage space, creating a new extension point to your house, but again helping you to make a pretty penny in the process

5. Conversion.

Using your garage as an extension point to your house is a fantastic way to maximise your space. Perhaps your in desperate need of a place to work out, or maybe you need an office space. Done well, this can also add value to your house value. One of our favourite uses for this space is to convert your garage into a home theatre, perfect for recreating movie-night but without the ticket prices.

6. Rent as a storage space.

Handily titled, ‘Airbnb for Boxes’ the chance to leave some belongings at another person’s garage is very useful, especially in crowded cities. You can easily setup to be a ‘space lender’ to donate some of your garage to those that need the extra room. With lots of security around the arrangements, you can be sure that this is a safe way of using your garage.

Whatever way you like the sound of, we’d recommend you check how any of these uses fit in with your home insurance, and up it if necessary. You might also want to review your security. With a higher footfall of people passing by your home, ensure that you have taken the necessary precautions.

When Christmas is over and it’s time to take down the decorations, it can be tempting to just chuck the lot into bin bags and throw them into your loft. Although this technique is quick and easy, it invariably leads to disappointment and frustration next year, when you rummage out last year’s decorations only to find them broken, tangled, or covered in dust.

You can get ahead of the post-Christmas storage debacle by planning ahead this year and making suitable storage arrangements now.

Rent a Garage

Unless you have a particularly large loft space with easy access, it’s not the ideal environment for storage. Delicate items can easily be broken and the space will often suffer from excessive heat during the summer and also from damp, conditions that can be damaging for your decorations.

If you rent a garage, you can use it for storing your items that would otherwise end up crammed into your loft. The extra space allows you to organise your possessions much more effectively so that things won’t be lost or damaged and you can find what you want much more easily.

Most people find that they have to move things around in order to accommodate their Christmas tree, lights etc. A lockup garage is the perfect secure place in which to put your displaced items of furniture until the festive season is over.

Where Possible, Use the Original Packaging

Fragile glass baubles and other tree ornaments often come in sturdy cardboard boxes with lids. Keep this original packaging and use it to store breakable decorations. Use a sturdy plastic box in which to stack the individual boxes of ornaments to protect them from being crushed and to preserve their original packaging.

Use Cardboard Egg Boxes to Store Loose Baubles

If you don’t have the original packaging for your tree ornaments, cardboard egg boxes make a perfect alternative. Stuff tissue paper into each compartment and sit a bauble or ornament in each one.

Use Belts for Artificial Christmas Trees

Artificial Christmas trees can look just as good as the real thing if you store them properly, so that they don’t get crushed or damaged.

One problem with artificial trees is that the branches tend to spring out, making them awkward to store. Take a trip to your local charity shop and invest in a few belts. Tie the belts around the tree at intervals to ‘cinch’ in the branches. Wrap the tree in bubble wrap secured with parcel tape to keep it clean whilst in storage.

You can keep your Christmas decorations safe and clean by following the ideas outlined above. A lock-up garage unit can also make an excellent safe place to keep other seasonal items, such as sledges or skis that would otherwise clutter up your home garage or loft.

For more information on hiring a lockup garage, contact our helpful team today.

It’s only normal that you’ll accumulate a number of possessions during your life. This can be anything from expensive valuables like furniture and instruments to more sentimental items like clothes and photographs. In addition, it’s normal that you’ll want to keep hold of these things, even if that means spending a bit of money to do so.

With that said, you shouldn’t have to pay too high a price for owning too many things – especially when you can rent a garage at an affordable price to store some of your belongings. Meanwhile, there are several less cost-efficient options that too many people end up forking out for. Here are three such options and the reasons why they don’t pay off.

A New House

One of the most extreme measures you can take to keep hold of your possessions is buying a newer, bigger house. But this isn’t just costly – it’s also a huge gamble! Not only will you be forced to fork out for stamp duty, solicitor’s fees and interest rates, you’ll also be risking jumping on the property ladder at a time when experts are warning that the housing bubble could soon burst. You’ll find it’s a lot cheaper and safer to hire a garage instead.

An Extension

An extension is just one step below buying a new house. Yes, it’s safer and it will allow you to keep your most prized possessions nearby. However, the cost of extending your home can slowly escalate from the original estimates. Before you know it, you’re paying an arm and a leg for extra materials and additional manpower. Alternatively, you’ll find yourself agreeing to a fixed rent when you turn to garage rental. This ultimately means that you won’t be hit with an unexpected bill out of nowhere just because you wanted to keep hold of your things.

Self-Storage Units

The average self-storage unit comes rammed with features that most people just don’t need. This can be anything from 24-hour security patrols to electronic sign-ins. Yes, this stuff is somewhat handy – but is it really worth paying for? After all, you should find that your belongings are safe and sound in a rented garage not too far from your home.

The Answer is Right In Front of You

If you want to keep your possessions safe without breaking the bank, then the best option is surely to rent a garage from Lock Up Garages.

For more information on the options available to you, please do not hesitate to contact us today and we will be happy to help.

Research into crime rates in the UK has uncovered that Valentine’s Day may be good for your love life, but not for your beloved vehicle.

Apparently, savvy-criminals know that 14th February is a popular date for couples to take a taxi or walk to a romantic dinner, leaving their vehicles at home. This makes this period one of rich pickings for both organised and opportunist car thieves.

Be Cautious in Winter

The winter months in general provide a fruitful time for anyone who makes a career out of selling other people’s cars without their permission, especially when vehicles are not protected by Lock Up Garages.

Sadly, there are still car owners who leave their vehicles unlocked – with the engine running – while they de-ice their windows. This of course is an open invitation to unscrupulous thieves.

However, even if you keep your car safely locked near your property, the cover of darkness in winter provides today’s tech-savvy car thieves with plenty of opportunity.

Sophisticated Methods

Car crime rates have fallen dramatically in the UK. In fact, according to the AA the reduction is five-fold since the 1990s.

However, there are still around one million vehicles stolen or damaged each year. And much of car theft is at the hands of “professionals” who steal to order.

This also means that investing in the latest high-tech security systems for your car may not provide the level of protection you imagine. Organised criminal rings – who often ship cars abroad – also have access to the latest technology and invest in ways to override many modern security systems.

Keyless vehicles are particularly vulnerable to cyber-tech car crimes.

For example, professional thieves lie in wait near keyless vehicles on their “shopping list”. When the owner goes to lock their car remotely, the thieves use a jamming device to block the signal. Then when the coast is clear, they can drive away the unlocked car.

Keeping Your Vehicle Safe in Winter

Undoubtedly one of the biggest deterrents for even the most organised and determined thief is if you look for lockable garages to hire in your area.

Not only does a garage provide a high level of security for your vehicle, it also means it won’t suffer from iced up windows. So when winter comes, you can unlock your vehicle and garage and drive away with peace of mind.

Incidentally, winter is also a period when more cars are damaged in collisions, even when they are stationary. You may carefully park on the kerb near your house but if someone else driving by hits ice, it could be you counting the cost.

To find a lockable garage near you, ready for winter (and Valentine’s Day), contact us today and we can help.

If you’re looking to make more unusual investments, are an avid fan of hobbies, or someone with garage space to spare, tucking away collectables when you hire a garage could net you a small fortune in the future. Here are the most valuable assets to stock up on.

Memorabilia

Fan culture is on the rise and there are loads of new releases that could make you some cash. The Superhero films are always popular, with branded model figures, comic books and games loved by fans worldwide – just look at the increasing popularity of comicons! Star Wars is an obvious classic, but even really popular kids films (think Disney or Pixar, for example) make things that buyers are going to love not just now but in years to come. A key tip for collecting memorabilia is to look for limited editions and limited production runs – they’ll be more exclusive.

Comic Books and Video Games

Comic books have had a cult following since they were first printed, and with more superhero films being made this is bound to continue. Older video games and consoles are harder to come by and so will hold their value for longer – stash yours away and look forward to reaping the rewards later (and not just in the fun you’ll have playing!). If you decide to rent a garage for a general clear out, then perhaps you’ll have some space to spare.

Vinyl Records

Whether yours or your parent’s, if you’ve got a stash of vinyl records hanging around, hold onto them. Collectors love to discover old artists and songs, the more obscure the better. Keeping collectables in good condition is always key, but this is particularly true for records, so hang onto artwork and protective sleeves, and remember records are always better when you can play them!

McDonald’s Toys

Believe it or not, those cute little toys you loved in your happy meal are making a comeback, plus with McDonald’s teaming up with brands to release limited edition character toys, you’ve got the perfect excuse to indulge. That’s not just a frivolous burger – you’re investing!

Top Tips for Storage

Protect your items and their packaging – try and keep them dust free and in their original packaging if you can. If you can resist the temptation to open the packaging, even better. Keeping your collectables out of the way so you can forget about them while they creep up in value is the best way to keep them in tip-top condition.

Contact us to rent a garage space and you could be making a small fortune in no time!

If you have a garage, the likelihood is that you are using it as a dumping ground, rather than an extra room in your home. Within a flash, your spacious garage can end up cluttered with junk and therefore can’t be used to its potential. If you’re looking to convert your garage into an extra room in your home, here are a few quirky ideas you may never have thought of:

1. A ‘Man Cave’

Now all the rage, men in the house can have their very own space to play video games and watch their favourite sports. The great aspect of a ‘man room’ is that flamboyant decor isn’t needed – just a few comfortable armchairs, a TV, fridge and a games console.

2. A Home Cinema

A little more challenging to create, but extremely worth the work, why not convert your garage into a home cinema? You may decide to give your garage the classic look by choosing red armchairs and carpet and then add a large flat-screen TV onto the wall or white pull-down screen to project onto. Ensure you purchase a good sound system and a refrigerator to store away essential snacks and goodies.

3. A Casino Bar

You will be the talk of your friends by turning your garage into a lounge bar and casino. By choosing to use the space in this way, it will become a great place to entertain guests and make a real statement to your home. Add a couple of roulette wheels and build a traditional bar with stools to give the room a glamorous and authentic feel.

4. Music Studio

If you have a teenager that is set on having a music career, why not turn the dull space into a professional music studio? Here they may decide to rehearse and record music. It would be best to install soundproofing to allow them to make as much noise as they wish…and avoid keeping the neighbours awake!

5. Toy Room

If you have young children, there is nothing worse than hundreds of toys dotted around your main living space. To be free of clutter, a family/toy room will keep the rest of your home looking elegant and tidy at all times.

If you don’t have a garage with your home, or if your garage is already full and you’d like to store those items elsewhere so you can make use of extra room, why not rent a garage? At Lock Up Garages, we have garages across the UK. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information, or why not check out our other blog posts too.