Renting a self-storage unit is an efficient solution if you need more room when moving, decluttering, or storing a few seasonal items. But many people make mistakes that result in wasted spaces, unnecessary charges, or damages to belongings. If you are seeking for self-storage in San Antonio, it is important for you to understand these usual mistakes so that you don’t make them. 

1. Choosing the Wrong Size Unit

One of the biggest mistakes is renting the wrong size unit. An undersized unit could quickly turn chaotic, making it hard for you to get to your stuff or worse, lead to the items getting damaged due to improper stacking. In reverse, if you lease units larger than you actually would need, you’ll find yourself paying for space you will not use.

To prevent this, make a list of all of the items you want to store. Several storage companies have guides to sizes or personnel who will work with you on deciding which option is best. If you still aren’t sure, a visit to the facility center to see the units available will help provide you a better idea of what is actually needed. 

2. Not Using Proper Packing Materials

Utilizing poor boxes, worn-out packaging materials, or neglecting safe wrapping can contribute to the gradual damage of items. Ineffective packing permits items to carelessly shake or bump into one another; hence prone to dust, rodents, and moisture.

To this end, you’d want to buy some good, hard cardboard boxes, or plastic bins, bubble wrap, packing tape or whatever you have, to keep items safe. Each fragile item should be allocated individual wrapping; furniture is to be covered with blankets or sheets of plastic for scratch resistance and dust blocking. It’s also important to label everything, as labeling boxes will allow you to find what you need with ease. 

3. Forgetting to Make an Inventory

If you do not have an inventory of all your stored items, you will easily forget everything you have kept, especially if you have held onto those items for a long time. When you need to retrieve something in a hurry, having to dig through piles of boxes can be quite frustrating.

That is why making a list of all that you have in storage is essential. You can have it handwritten, put it in a spreadsheet, or even photograph the items to keep a visual record before putting them in storage. If you have multiple boxes, numbering them and creating a record of what is in each would save you much time in the future. 

4. Ignoring Climate-Controlled Storage

San Antonio’s extreme heat and humidity can wreak havoc on stored items. Electronics, wooden furniture, works of art, and important documents can all warp, crack, or develop mold when placed, for long periods, at the mercy of extreme temperatures and hydraulic forces from humidity.

Considering costly things such as delicate and valuable items, a climate control storage unit would be a very credible investment. They have mechanisms that control humidity and temperature to ensure the good condition of the owner’s possessions. Consider what type of items you will put in the unit and whether or not they will be affected by temperature changes before making a choice. 

5. Not Stacking Items Properly

Poor stacking can lead to damage or make it impossible to retrieve items without moving everything around. Many people pack their storage units in a hurry, placing heavy items on top of lighter ones or piling things up without thinking about access.

To avoid this mistake, always place heavier and sturdier items on the bottom and lighter or fragile ones on top. If you will access your storage unit frequently, create a layout allowing you to reach everything without ever recompacting it. Leaving a small aisle in the middle will make a large difference in retrieving something you need later. 

6. Skipping Insurance

Quite a few people have the impression that the belongings that they keep inside a storage unit are automatically insured by the storage facility itself, but this is not really the case. Or, if an accident, theft, or natural disaster occurred, people could really be losing valuable things with no sort of financial protection

These and many more questions should be answered by the facility before renting a unit, ones related to their insurance policies and if there is other coverage that needs to be purchased. Some homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies might cover stored items; however, one still ought to confirm it. If it is needed, storage insurance will have to be taken to safeguard your valuables. 

7. Not Locking the Unit Securely

While people go for basic locks to lock their units, these can be easily cut off or tampered with, which makes them at risk of being stolen. 

A high-quality, tamper-proof lock will protect your belongings. A disc lock or cylinder lock is often recommended as they are more secure in the event of a break in. Many storage facilities also offer security features such as surveillance cameras, gated entry and onsite employees, so selecting one with solid security can help mitigate risks further.

8. Storing Restricted or Perishable Items

People sometimes store items that the storage facility forbids or that could cause problems down the line. Food storage, even packed in sealed containers, is a common problem as it may attract pests and create odor. Storage of flammable materials and hazardous materials, such as gasoline and paint, is absolutely dangerous and, therefore, prohibited by many storage facilities.

Before putting something in storage, double-check with the facility to ensure it is not listed among prohibited items. If you must store something that may attract insects or other pests, look instead to an alternate means of storage. Storing the wrong things in storage can result in fines, damaging risks to oneself or others, or possible eviction from the facility altogether. 

9. Failing to Plan for Accessibility

People will shove a bunch of boxes and furniture into a storage unit without taking into consideration how in the world they will access their items later. Piling crates and furniture into place without thinking ahead makes it difficult to find or get anything out when needed.

To avoid this problem, make sure to sketch out the layout of the storage unit before putting anything inside. Place commonly used items near the front and seasonal or rarely used items at the back. Consider using shelving units to optimize the available vertical space, and make sure to leave a walkway down the center for easy access to everything. 

10. Not Researching the Facility

Choosing a storage facility simply based on price might be detrimental to your peace of mind concerning the facility’s trustworthiness, customer service, and general maintenance. A cheap unit in a neglected facility may end up costing you more as you find out later. Before renting out a unit, it is essential to do your foundation research on the facility. Online reviews should be checked, make a visit in person, and don’t be afraid to ask good questions about security features, climate control, and customer support. A well-maintained facility with security and good management will offer you some peace of mind about keeping your belongings secure. 

Final Thoughts

This guide on common self-storage mistakes will ensure you save money, protect your valuables, and achieve stress-free storage. When searching for self-storage in San Antonio, it is essential that you find an eminent self-storage unit like Sarv & Boat Storage ; planning proper packing materials; organizing your storage No matter how you do it, you will save enough on each storage unit to keep your valuables safe.