Long-term storage should be simple. You pick out a self-storage unit, pack up your stuff, and put it in the unit. When you’re ready, you take it out; the overall process is as simple as pie.
Unfortunately, people make all sorts of fascinating blunders. Let’s look at the most common long-term storage mistakes to avoid.
Ensure you have the right size
Getting the wrong sized unit is an incredibly common error, and it can be costly, too. Few things are more deflating than hauling your items down to a self-storage unit and realizing that you’ve picked something too small.
The sizing issue can come into play on the larger side, too. Some people get a severe attack of overcautiousness, and when that happens, they often pay for a larger unit than they need.
It’s nearly as deflating to stare at the empty space costing you money, especially when you could have avoided this scenario with some advanced planning.
Planning matters
There are many elements that come into play with long-term storage, and they’re not just about size. One is the use of space, especially if you’ll be in and out of the self-storage unit regularly.
If you’re storing boxes of things you need and you put them up against a back wall, blocking them in with larger items, how do you plan to get at them?
Bad planning is one of the most common long-term storage mistakes to avoid. Luckily, you can avoid this kind of scenario by making a simple diagram you can access when you’re storing your items, and this will save you all sorts of headaches when you go in and out.
Look into extra protection
When storing your items, you may need to invest in a few more precautions to ensure your possessions survive their storage. Shrink wrap often serves as an added shield to protect your stuff, making sure they stand a better chance at long-term durability.
But then it begs the question: What type of shrink wrap should you invest in? Know the different kinds of shrink wrap, from blue to clear, to determine the best material for your storage.
Insurance is assurance
Finally, there’s the insurance conundrum. This one tends to play out in a familiar way—you’ve budgeted and paid for your unit, only to realize that you haven’t accounted for the cost of insurance in your budget.
The temptation is to turn down the insurance; don’t do it. Many people tend to undervalue what they’re storing, which can be disastrous if something happens. If you don’t have insurance, the folks at the storage facility can claim they’re not responsible for any kind of damage, and you’ll be out of luck.
