Storage units are designed to help you manage your belongings effectively. You can turn your home into a relaxed living environment by storing valuable items offsite to create more space or they can make moving day a lot easier. While effective, there are a few common mistakes that can be made that makes it challenging to move or keep your things in a storage facility.
Not Making a Plan
A plan will help make moving a smoother process. Packing and then placing your belongings arbitrarily in the storage unit isn’t useful when it comes to organizing your unit effectively. Develop a strategy and include provisions about:
- The size of the unit
- What you will store
- Packing materials
- Transportation
Make a trip back to the storage unit before getting started. Having the square-footage isn’t always enough. Seeing the space will help you map out your efforts effectively by addressing how much it will hold and what needs to go where inside the storage unit which leads us to our next point.
Failing to Map Out the Storage Unit
Let’s dig a little deeper into the discussion about organizing your storage unit. What goes where will save you a lot of time in the future. Something you want to consider as you start to pack. Ideally, you’ll put things that you don’t need instant access to in the back. The same goes for larger items like furniture. Your future self will also thank you for creating walking space. Sure, get the most out of the unit by adding as much as you can, however, if you can’t access what’s essential how helpful has it been? Create walkways to get back to your stored items. It will relieve you of ever having to unpack and repack the unit to gain access or accidentally damaging valuables.
Not Considering Packing Material
Transportation is not the only thing you need to consider regarding protection. Stacking your belongings is the most effective way to get the most out of your rented space. Doing so will inevitably put stress and strain on your boxes. Pack your things appropriately, and you can ensure they will remain safe. Many household packing materials will act as a protective barrier. Socks can replace packing peanuts and won’t scratch or damage any glass. Hampers, trash bins, and plastic containers are sturdy and won’t collapse as quickly under weight. We recommend using them when you need to layer heavier items on top of each other. Old towels and bed linens can drape over mirrors or furniture to maintain integrity.
Improperly Labelling Your Boxes
If we’re talking efficiency here, we’re doing a disservice by not mentioning the labeling of your containers. Jotting down the contents on the outside of any container what’s inside will make it easier to locate what you need. It can also help you organize your unit. Belongings associated to the same room in the house or like items with like items will help you know months later where to find what you need.
Trying to Store Food
You’ll be hard pressed to find a storage facility that doesn’t offer some form of protection against rodents and pests. Which is great because it means you can rest assured that your belongings are safe from the damage they can cause. Although this shouldn’t be a concern, storing food in your unit isn’t a wise move. Over time food will decay. Decayed food can cause rot or mold to form. Food at this stage of decline will begin to smell. If sitting for months, the odor can begin to permeate your other belongings making them smell. Such odor is somewhat tricky to remove, and we advise against it. Mold is also destructive. It can cause furniture to rot and damage other important items you’ve taken care to store.
Not Asking About the Movers Equipment
Hiring a professional moving company will make it easier to transition your items to your storage unit. This is especially true for larger, bulkier things like furniture or televisions. Movers are experts and can assist you with packing your belongings properly. What might dent the armor is not getting accurate information about the moving truck and the equipment. If you require dollies, let them know ahead of time. This is standard moving equipment, and they should have them readily available. You can also ask them to bring protective blankets and the like if you know mirrors and larger pieces of glass need to be moved.
Not Being Aware if the Truck Will Fit
If you’re working with a mover, you might want to confirm the size of their truck. Depending on what you order you might get a standard moving truck, or you could end up with an 18-wheeler. The question is, can either of those work with the storage unit you’ve rented? Confirm the width and the height of the truck you’re expecting and call your Middle Tennessee storage unit. Both companies are experts in helping people move. They will have plenty of information about clearance height and max load amounts. If you’ve managed to rope in a friend or are hiring a trailer make sure it fits too.
Trying to Cut Corners on Cost
There are a couple of ways cutting corners could cause you some issues. The main problem is renting a smaller space because it’s more affordable. Often, families or individuals fail to take stock of how much they want to store and how big of a unit they need. You then hire a mover and get your belongings there to find out they don’t fit. Get the right amount of space. It will ensure you can store everything you need offsite and give you space to navigate when you need to access them at a later date. Another issue could be failing to rent a climate controlled storage unit. Depending on what you are storing the high heats and low temperature could cause some damage to valuables. Consider whether or not the items you are putting in the facility will survive Tennessee weather.
Middle Tennessee Storage Units
At Stuff It Inn Storage, we are experts in helping you find the right solution. Our team uses the most up-to-date knowledge to get help our customers find and utilize their units. Learn more about our convenient locations and climate controlled units.