There are many reasons to use self-storage. Whether you’re moving house, moving to university, moving your business, or even moving to a different country altogether, there are numerous scenarios that call for a self-storage provider.
While your provider will make it as easy as possible for you to store your items, our combined decades of experience in the industry have taught us that there are right and wrong ways to approach self-storage.
This blog will explore some of the most common mistakes people make when using self-storage and how to avoid them for the best possible experience.
1. Failing to properly plan for storage
One of the simplest mistakes to make when using self-storage is neglecting to pack and transfer your items correctly. Ideally, packing should be a process that maximises efficiency whenever possible, and there are several ways to achieve this.
First, using high-quality, storage-friendly boxes will save you a lot of time, while also keeping your items safe.
Although cardboard boxes may be inexpensive, they are prone to degradation over time.
By choosing clear plastic boxes, your items will be easy to see at a glance and safer to stack both during initial storage and subsequent removal.
Plastic boxes are sturdy and suitable most of the time; although, they can quickly become very heavy.
If you plan to store heavier items such as crockery for your home or business, it may be more appropriate to use a cardboard box tightly packed with bubble wrap to ensure your items remain manageable for safe and secure transportation.
Following this, another critical step is ensuring that your storage items are correctly labelled —particularly in the case of documents.
While some less conspicuous items, such as desk chairs or a wardrobe, may not need labelling, labelling is highly recommended for documents, books, records, and other smaller items.
This will help guarantee that your items are visible at a glance during the moving process, as well as during storage and when you eventually retrieve them.
2. Using bad transportation methods
It’s crucial to ensure you have transport that can efficiently move your items to your selected storage space.
While a couple of car trips may be reasonable, you might find it more beneficial to use a removal service if you have more to move.
Utilising a removal service is especially handy when you have much to manage, such as when you are using self-storage to move to a different country or city.
If you decide to move with your car or someone else’s, always prioritise safety.
Pack efficiently, but do not obstruct visibility.
3. Using inefficient storage techniques
Whether you’re planning a personal move or a business relocation, you may find yourself storing items that might not hold any personal significance for you.
Although this may not seem problematic initially, it could mean that if you don’t store your items properly, you could easily lose track of what you’ve stored.
When you first enter the storage space, consider its size and shape in relation to the items that you have. If you have many items, particularly documents and other items that aren’t immediately identifiable due to being boxed up, reference the labels we recommended earlier.
Stack in alphabetic order, no higher than eye level, to make spacious ‘corridors’ of items.
This will guarantee ease of access with proper safety and visibility.
For maximum efficiency, you may wish to create a blueprint of the storage space and its items.
This ensures that if a business partner or family member isn’t familiar with your chosen layout, they’ll still be able to access the necessary items with relative ease.
For bulkier items, use vertical space wherever possible to maximise floor space efficiency. Additionally, you may wish to keep these items nearer the walls and corners of your space to decrease the risk of them falling over.
This will not only ensure that other items remain safe and secure, but it’ll also reduce the likelihood of any unfortunate personal accidents!
4. Storing the wrong kinds of items
Next, avoiding the storage of inappropriate items plays a key role in the integrity of any storage space, and the vast majority will have stringent rules about what can and can’t be stored for good reason.
While many of these items will go without saying, self-storage is not a suitable place for:
Food items
What may start out as a harmless loaf of bread or cut of meat can quickly become a hazard.
From pungent smells to inevitable mould, perishable foods should be kept off the menu at self-storage to prevent the spread of vermin, flies and other pests.
Flammable, toxic or radioactive items
While this may sound ridiculous, you’d be surprised.
On the less absurd end of the spectrum, fuel tanks for garden equipment must be emptied thoroughly to prevent any potential risk.
If you’re looking for a new home for your uranium or toxic gases, we recommend contacting the appropriate authorities and keeping them well away from your local self-storage.
Livestock & other animals
Animals are not allowed in self-storage for the sake of their well-being, and the well-being of our staff.
Unfortunately, self-storage isn’t a place for cows, sheep, geese, dogs, hamsters, or alpacas. Or any other beastie you care to name.
Illegal or dangerous items
It might seem obvious, but self-storage is not an appropriate place for firearms, explosives, drugs or stolen goods.
If you’d like an explanation on this matter, we’d recommend contacting a responsible adult – or the police!
Anything else?
Outside of these absolute no’s, there are items that, while theoretically are safe to store, must be stored correctly.
Items such as leather and wood furniture can both be affected by subtle shifts in temperature, so ensuring that your storage facility has the ability to store these items safely is key.
Elsewhere, kitchen appliances such as fridges and freezers should be defrosted and cleaned thoroughly to prevent bacteria from thriving.
Finally, it’s worth pointing out that although self-storage spaces can be used for business storage, they cannot be used for daily business practice.
5. Not choosing the right unit for your needs
Our final item on this list is finding the best self-storage provider for your needs.
Location is essential for a positive storage experience, as it minimises transport costs and ensures easy access for return visits.
Selecting a unit near your current or future home, university, or business can help you save significantly on transport and removal expenses.
Furthermore, a provider that offers robust security, flexible accessibility, and a high degree of customer satisfaction should also be considered in your decision-making process.
Reflect on the following questions:
- What kind of security measures do they have in place?
- How long can I store my items for?
- What are their opening hours?
- Are they well-reviewed by customers?
6. Choosing the wrong size of storage
Once you’ve selected a provider or narrowed it down to a couple of options, the next step is to identify the appropriate storage solution for your needs within its premises.
Naturally, not all users will require the same size. You might only need a locker’s worth of space, or you might need significant square footage.
Regardless, ensuring you have the right size and that you’re not paying for more than you need is an important conversation to have with your provider.
While each provider has its pros and cons, the best one will not only possess the correct facilities but also be thoroughly attuned to the most important factor – your needs.
Get in touch to learn more
To learn how GTW can support you in your next storage venture, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.