The same storage mistakes keep cropping up around Shiremoor. Someone rings us up six weeks into their rental and realises they've booked the wrong unit size. Another person discovers their belongings aren't insured. A third has packed their storage box so densely they can't get anything out without unpacking the lot. These aren't small oversights—they cost time, money, and frustration. Here's what we see going wrong, and how to sidestep it.
This is the biggest one. People hire a small unit thinking they'll squeeze everything in, then realise halfway through moving that they've nowhere near enough room. The problem is we're terrible at visualising empty space. A 50 square foot unit sounds reasonable until you're standing there with three sofa cushions and a dozen cardboard boxes.
The fix: before you book, list everything you need to store. Not roughly—actually list it. Furniture, boxes, sports equipment, the lot. Then measure the unit in person or ask us to send photos. Better to pay a bit more for breathing room than ring up two weeks later asking if we have anything bigger. And if you're storing seasonal items or keeping things short-term while you move house, say so—we can help you right-size it.
This one's almost worse because it makes you regret your own storage unit every time you visit. You pack methodically, stacking boxes to the ceiling, then remember you need to grab something from the middle in week three. Now you're moving boxes around like a three-dimensional puzzle.
Pack smart: put things you'll need regularly at the front. If you're storing seasonal decorations or winter clothes, those can go deep. Use clear boxes or label everything—marker pen and a label maker cost nothing, but searching through unmarked boxes costs hours. Leave an aisle down the middle if your unit's large enough. It sounds obvious when you hear it, but most people don't do it.
We've written more on efficient packing strategies here if you want specifics.
Here's a hard truth: your home insurance won't cover items in a storage facility. And a lot of people assume self storage comes with automatic cover—it doesn't. If your belongings get damaged by flood, theft, or anything else, you need proper insurance in place beforehand.
Check what our facility covers as standard, then decide if you need additional insurance for high-value items. Jewellery, electronics, antiques, and sentimental things matter enough to insure properly. It's a small cost compared to replacing them. Don't skip this step just because everything feels fine on the day you move your stuff in. We can point you toward options, but this is your responsibility to sort before day one.
Shiremoor's a connected place—you've got the metro nearby, and most things are within reach. But if your self storage unit is in an inconvenient spot, you'll genuinely use it less. Someone living near Station Road might not want to trek to the opposite end of town every time they need something. You'll tell yourself you'll pop in regularly, then six months pass and you haven't been once.
Think about where you actually are most of the time—work, home, where the kids' activities are. Pick something central to your regular routes if you can. If you're moving house and just need temporary space, think about what's practical during those weeks of disruption. Location matters more than people admit, and Shiremoor's small enough that this should be fixable.
We've covered location choice in more detail in this guide.
Payment terms, access hours, notice periods for cancellation, and what happens if you miss a payment—these aren't thrilling reading, but they matter. Some people book, then find out later that access stops at 6pm on weekdays, or that they need to give a month's notice if they want to leave early. Others get hit with a charge they didn't expect because they missed a detail in the booking.
Spend five minutes understanding what you're signing up for. Ask questions if anything's unclear. Most storage facilities, including us, are straightforward about terms—there's no hidden trap. But vagueness on your part leads to surprise later. Better to ask upfront than discover something awkward two months in.
For more on what to check before booking, read our booking guide here.
Storage done well shouldn't be stressful. These mistakes are all avoidable if you take a bit of time before you commit. Get the unit size right, pack thoughtfully, sort insurance out, and read the terms. If you're ready to book with us at Self Storage Shiremoor, give us a call or visit us. We'll help you avoid these pitfalls.
We have secure, flexible units available in the area. Get in touch with Self Storage Shiremoor today.
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