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Don't make these 5 storage mistakes!

Author: Amitava Sarkar
by Amitava Sarkar
Posted: Jul 23, 2015

There's a reason nobody likes to move. It's because moving is a major pain! Of course, the more stuff you have, the bigger that pain gets - exponentially. When you're in the midst of being seriously overwhelmed by a tsunami-sized to-do list, it's easy to give into the temptation to cut a few corners here and there. However, doing so pretty much always results in more headaches down the line so you might as well do things right the first time. Ask anyone and you're sure to get an earful of horror stories from people who slacked off in a moment of weakness. For instance, did you hear about the military family who didn't wash their breakfast dishes? When the movers came, those dirty dishes got packed up. A few weeks later when they unpacked, they had a nasty surprise waiting. While it sounds improbable that someone would forget to wash up after breakfast, anyone who's moved can tell you it's easy to get sidetracked and for something basic to get neglected in the resulting chaos. The good news is, you can avoid unwanted surprises and the following storage mistakes by applying common sense and a little bit of elbow grease.

  • Choosing a unit that's too small. There's nothing like arriving at your storage unit with a packed-to-the-rafters moving truck only to realize your stuff is never going to fit. Trying to save money by renting the smallest space possible almost always backfires. It's better to have more space than you need (which almost never actually happens) than to have to rent an additional space.

  • Foregoing insurance. Storage companies such as
StorCal offer tenant insurance. If your homeowner's or renter's insurance doesn't cover storage, take out a policy with your storage company. Otherwise, the storage company is not responsible for any damage to or loss of your property.

  • Choosing a company with little or no security. Even if your belongings are insured, it's a lot less trouble to keep things safe in the first place than to have to file a claim after a loss. Make sure to choose a storage company that has 24-hour video surveillance, electronic key code access, motion detectors, individual door alarms and excellent lighting. And of course, make sure you keep a lock on your individual unit.
  • Not packing properly. You can't throw your stuff haphazardly into a box and expect it to survive storage. Using proper padding and wrapping as well as the right type and size of box or container is extremely important when it comes to protecting your belongings. When wrapping up breakables, resist the temptation to use newspaper. The ink from the printing will rub off and can potentially stain. Spend a little bit more on bubble wrap or on newspaper that has not been printed on and you'll be much happier with the results.
  • Not leaving enough time or getting enough help. When moving, don't forget to build in more time than you think you will need. Packing and moving always takes longer than you think it will, and that's assuming no problems or hiccups pop up along the way. You don't want to find yourself pulling a marathon packing session only to arrive at your storage unit in the dead of night, exhausted and nowhere near finished. Another great way to avoid putting yourself in a bind is to get as much help as possible. Host a moving party, offering your friends and family free pizza and drinks to help you move. The whole process will be faster, easier and possibly even fun.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is a moving and self-storage expert, and contributing writer who enjoys helping people take the pain out of moving.

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Author: Amitava Sarkar

Amitava Sarkar

Member since: Nov 27, 2014
Published articles: 349

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