We see the same handful of self storage mistakes happen over and over in Clarkston. People book a unit without thinking it through, pack things wrong, or simply don't plan ahead. The result? Wasted money, damaged belongings, and a lot of frustration when it's too late to fix things.
If you're thinking about renting a self storage unit locally, these are the pitfalls worth dodging.
Most people pick a smaller unit than they should, then realise halfway through packing that nothing fits the way they planned. You end up either squeezing things in and risking damage, or making an expensive upgrade.
The honest reason this happens? It's hard to picture cubic metres in your head. A 5×5 unit sounds reasonable until you're standing in your spare room at home trying to fit a sofa, boxes, and a desk into that footprint. Then it clicks—you need bigger.
Before you book, be specific about what you're storing. Write a list. Measure your furniture. Add 20% extra for the fact that you won't pack it like Tetris. If you're storing stuff during a house move, find out more about how much space people actually use. It's worth taking five minutes to get this right—the cost difference between sizes is usually smaller than the cost of upgrading mid-storage.
Clarkston's climate means damp can creep in faster than you'd think. People store things in cardboard boxes without wrapping anything, leave wood furniture uncovered, or don't ventilate their unit properly. Then six months later they open the door to mouldy cushions or rust-spotted tools.
The fix is straightforward: wrap furniture and electronics in plastic sheeting or furniture covers, use moisture absorbers inside your unit, and avoid stacking boxes directly on the floor if you can. Shelving helps. Pallets under boxes help more. And don't just assume your unit is sealed tight—check it yourself first.
Photographs of your items before they go in are also worth doing. If something does get damaged, you'll have proof of what it looked like when you stored it. Read more here about preparing items for storage properly.
You arrive with a van full of boxes and furniture, and just start shoving everything in. Sounds quick, but it's usually a false economy. You end up with a tetris puzzle at the back of your unit where nothing is accessible, or you can't find anything when you need it later.
Spend ten minutes at the start thinking about what you'll need to access first, what can stay buried, and what goes where. Store heavier items low and lighter things on top. Leave a pathway down the middle if it's a bigger unit. Keep a quick inventory on your phone—just a list of which boxes went where. It sounds fussy, but it saves hours of frustration when you're digging around for one thing and have to move everything else.
If you're storing for more than a couple of months, taking a photo of each shelf or section also helps. You'd be surprised how quickly you forget where you put the seasonal decorations or your old kitchen stuff.
Some people book a basic, uninsulated unit for a three-month house renovation, then find out their electronics and furniture have suffered from temperature swings. Others pay premium rates for climate control when they're just storing cardboard boxes for a fortnight.
Think about what you're storing and how long. Electronics, artwork, wooden furniture, and anything with a motor or battery needs climate control. Cardboard, plastic storage, tools, and most textiles are fine in a standard unit. Seasonal items that sit for months? Standard is usually okay. A move that's happening in the next week? Short-term, standard unit—no need to pay extra.
Ask us when you call or visit. There's no point paying for features you don't need, and equally, there's no point storing something you care about in conditions that'll damage it. This article explains more about matching your unit type to your needs.
You rent a unit, move your stuff in, and then don't visit for six months. In that time, moisture builds up, something starts leaking, or you just lose track of what's in there. People are often surprised when they finally open the door.
A quick visit every couple of months takes an hour and catches problems early. Check the door seals, make sure there's no damp smell, look for any leaks from the roof or walls. If something's wrong, we can help fix it. If you spot damage early, it's fixable. If you wait till the end of your storage period, the damage is done.
Self Storage Clarkston is here to help you get storage right. Before you book, think honestly about your space needs, protect your items properly, and plan how you'll pack. If you're unsure about anything—whether you need climate control, how big your unit should be, or how to prepare things for storage—just ask. That's what we're here for. Get in touch, and we'll make sure you avoid these mistakes from the start.
We have secure, flexible units available in the area. Get in touch with Self Storage Clarkston today.
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