Renting a Storage Unit? Avoid These Mistakes

Have you found that your home or office is becoming cluttered? Is this affecting your plans to move, renovate or even redecorate? Renting a storage unit is standard when it comes to moving, renovating or simply saving space. Storage units are secure, protected and safe places to store your belongings offsite.

Generally, you can be pretty confident that all of your possessions will be safe in a storage unit. There are, however, a few mistakes that can catch you out ­– no matter how prepared you are. Fortunately, avoiding these mistakes is quite simple. With a little bit of planning and some helpful advice, you can enjoy the advantages of a storage unit with full confidence.

Overlooking your long term needs

Perhaps the most common mistake made by storage unit users is failing to consider the long term. When you store your belongings in a storage unit, you are paying for space so it is important not to waste it. Items that you have not used in years might be better off at lifeline or given away to someone who has a use for them. Doing this can effectively rid your home of clutter and save you space, both at home and in your storage unit.

Another common mistake is packing your storage unit. When packing, it is important to think about what you will need in the near future and where you put it. If you pack for the future, it will be considerably easier to retrieve your belongings when you need them. This is where it is a good idea to label all boxes and pack more frequently used items towards the front. That way, you can easily collect them if necessary.

Protecting your belongings: what can go wrong?

Storage units are the safest means of offsite storage. However as with all storage solutions, things can go wrong. Taking some time to ensure that your belongings are protected from damage in the unlikely event of an accident can pay off greatly.

Forgetting to insure your possessions

Often, storage providers will disclaim liability for damage that occurs to your belongings while they are in storage. Essentially, this means that if your possessions are somehow damaged while in your storage unit, you will be left with the cost of repair or replacement. Fortunately, there are many insurance policies that cover stored goods. Taking out insurance on your stored items will protect you financially and give you peace of mind while your goods are stored.

Packing items incorrectly

Packing can be a challenge sometimes and many people make the mistake of packing certain items the wrong way. Certain materials and items require a targeted approach to packing, as they are susceptible to damage. Things like leather furniture, clothing and paintings can all sustain damage if stored incorrectly. To avoid this, do some research on how to pack your items prior to storage. This will aid in preserving your possessions for long periods of time, while in storage.

Failing to consider pests

Despite their great convenience and security, storage units are still susceptible to pests. Insects, roaches and even the occasional rodent can find their way into the most secure storage units. This is not usually a problem, however, there are certain items that can attract pests into your storage unit.

A common mistake is to store non-perishable food items. These items might not go off, but they do still attract pests and can cause all sorts of trouble for you. For food items it is always best to find an alternative storage solution, as pests are unhygienic and can damage your belongings.

For more advice and tips around self storage, contact the experts at More Space today!