Tips & News

Tips & News

Stay updated and inspired with our latest tips and news.

Your source for valuable self-storage insights and updates.

WHY CHOOSE US?

Why Choose Downtown U-Lok?

At Downtown U-Lok Vancouver self storage, we do more than give you a guarantee. You have our personal promise to be attentive and accountable to you and your self storage needs. We believe that building a strong working relationship with each customer is the key to delivering outstanding service that makes us stand apart from our competition.

About Downtown U-Lok

Locally owned and operated, Downtown U-Lok has earned trust and respect in the industry, serving clients for 40 years. When choosing self storage, we know that some of your key considerations are:

Location:
  • Convenient, central distribution location, close to the heart of Downtown Vancouver
  • Easy to access from all major routes to neighboring areas

Lockers:
  • All ground floor access units (no moving ladders or rolling platforms required)
  • All steel construction units with extra wide roll up doors
  • Dedicated parking, loading ramp and bays, handicap accessible

Building:
  • Heated modern, concrete and steel construction
  • Meets seismic building code requirements
  • Individual sprinkler in each unit, monitored UCL Fire Safety Management

Security System:
  • Every storage unit is individually alarmed
  • 10 ft. and 11 ft. high ceilings, with metals walls to the ceiling
  • Personal access code operates the elevators, disarms your unit alarm and turns the entire floor lights on
  • Staff on site seven days a week see our hours
  • State of the art Access and Security Control with Digital CCTV real time 24 hr. monitoring and logging

Price:
  • One month minimum, no long term commitments
  • Competitive rates, we constantly monitor our market and we know our rates are great
  • Rate freeze for a minimum of one year from move-in
  • Prepayment discounts, Referral rewards
  • Price Promise – If you find a lower price quote for the same size locker from a self storage competitor within a 5km radius, and you prefer to move in with us, bring us their printed quote and we’ll match their price.

Service:
  • Wide aisles, commercial elevators, complimentary moving carts and pallet jack
  • Experienced and friendly staff to help you determine how much space you need so you only pay for what you need
  • Happy to help staff who understand the many different ways in which self storage can be the ‘peace of mind’ solution to your needs.

HOW TO PACK & STORE YOUR BOXES

Packing

  • Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books (pack flat) and dishes; the large boxes for light items such as blankets, bedding and linens. Put heavier items lying on the bottom and lighter items on top. Do not overload for stacking ease.
  • Hang up your good clothes in wardrobe boxes. A little TLC and room to breathe will keep them fresh.
  • Try to keep your boxes in basic uniform sizes, 2 cube, 4 cube and 6 cube boxes. Easier for stacking.
  • Label boxes on all four sides for easy identification, number them and seal with packing tape. Mark which side is UP ↑ for delicate items
  • Always use good quality packaging tape to ensure your box bottoms will not come apart.
  • Protect paintings, mirrors, pictures, and screens by placing them on edge, not flat, and packing individually with strong cardboard.
  • Protect mattress, sofas and chair with covers specially designed for them.
  • Always use plenty of dish wrap paper to individually protect dishes, glasses and delicate items. Avoid using newspaper as they may leave stain marks.
  • Wrap larger items with shrink wrap or moving blankets if they are susceptible to scratching.

Storing

  • Plan your storage space!
  • Mark the items that you need to access most often and ask the movers to place them towards the front of your locker space. Also, let them know if you want to leave room for a walkway to access the back.
  • Save storage space by removing legs from tables, dismantling bed frames and wrapping them together with screws in plastic bags using packaging tape. Stand large items up on end.
  • All appliances must be clean and dry before storing. Wedge it slightly ajar for circulation.
  • Store all your garden supplies, rakes, shovels hoses etc. in your trash barrel.
  • Drain all gas and oil from engines in lawnmowers, pressure washers etc.
  • Maximize use of our 10 ft. high ceilings by stacking boxes with heavier boxes on the bottom.
  • Handy tools to keep in your locker: step ladder, flashlight for hard to see items in the back.
  • Use free standing metal shelving to help organize your storage unit and take advantage of the vertical space.
  • A great way to remember what you stored is to make a simple location map of your important boxes and contents that you might have to access often and taping it to your locker wall.