Moving is complicated enough, but what happens when you have more stuff than you do room in your new home? What about if there’s a gap between your move-out date and your new lease? If you need to declutter your house before you sell it, where do those additional belongings go?
Temporary storage units are an excellent tool that can simplify your move. But before you rent one, you should have a clear idea of how much space you need. You also want to know what kind of storage makes sense, whether that’s drive-up or interior climate-controlled.
Let’s explore the ins and outs of using temporary storage units during your move.
Key Takeaways
- Temporary self-storage is helpful if you need to store items during home staging or long-distance moves.
- The pros of self-storage units include extra space available in different sizes and prices.
- Self-storage drawbacks include limited access to belongings and additional headaches when transporting items to and from the unit.
- Alternatives to traditional self-storage include storage containers delivered to the home and moving company-provided storage.
- Research to ensure you choose the right-sized storage unit at the right price.
Deciding if You Need a Temporary Storage Unit for a Move
The biggest decision isn’t what kind of storage unit you need to rent. It’s if you need one in the first place. Create an inventory of what you currently have. Focus on bulky items like furniture or seasonal items.
If you’re staging your home for sale, you might need to remove items from your home. In this situation, renting storage space might make decluttering or downsizing easier.
Another thing to consider for your move is the potential for unexpected delays or space constraints in your new home. Are you moving into a house or living in a small apartment? Renting a storage unit without needing one could lead to wasted money. However, underestimating your needs might lead to last-minute decisions on moving day about what to leave behind.
What You Need to Know About Renting a Storage Unit
If you decide renting a storage unit makes sense for your move, there’s good news. Renting one is relatively easy. Most storage facilities offer short-term leases that won’t tie you down for a specific period.
Not all storage facilities are equal. Some storage facilities offer different amenities, like car storage or drive-up access. Some even allow you to store boats or RVs on-site. Security features at the facility can differ, too. Some locations offer on-site management. Others use 24-hour video surveillance and gate codes to keep unwanted visitors out. No matter the facility, you’ll likely need to provide a valid ID when renting a unit.
The most important amenity at many facilities is climate control.
One expert from Safe Ship Moving says, “If you require temporary storage, it’s important to specify if your items need to be in a climate-controlled environment. Many warehouses aren’t climate-controlled environments.”
Climate-controlled units protect their contents from damage caused by excessively hot or cold temperatures. That’s critical for items like electronics, antiques, and certain furniture.
Pros of a Self-Storage Unit
Renting a storage unit as part of your long-distance move offers several benefits. Consider the following perks that come with renting storage when you move.
An Easy Way to Declutter Your Home
As mentioned above, self-storage units are a fantastic way to declutter your home. You can use them to temporarily store belongings you don’t want visible during home staging. You can then decide what to do: donate, sell, or dispose of items.
Time to Finish Renovations
If you’re renovating your new home, the last thing you want is a bunch of boxes in the way. A storage unit lets you keep these items out of the way (and undamaged) during renovations.
A Bridge Between Leases or Closing Dates
One major perk of renting a self-storage unit is the flexibility you have. Most facilities offer short-term leases that don’t require annual contracts. You can rent the unit for as long as you need it. In addition, facilities usually have several storage unit sizes to choose from. Storage units typically range from closet-sized 5’x5’ units that accommodate a room’s worth of belongings to a full-size 10’x30’ unit that fits everything in a four-bedroom house.
Flexible Storage Options
One major perk of renting a self-storage unit is the flexibility you have. Most facilities offer short-term leases that don’t require annual contracts. You can rent the unit for as long as you need it. In addition, facilities usually have several storage unit sizes to choose from. Storage units typically range from closet-sized 5’x5’ units that accommodate a room’s worth of belongings to a full-size 10’x30’ unit that fits everything in a four-bedroom house.
Cons of Temporary Self-Storage Units
While renting temporary home storage units offers plenty of benefits while moving, there are a few downsides. Be aware of the following potential drawbacks as you consider what to do.
Quickly Escalating Costs
Even though there aren’t usually long-term leases, the self-storage costs can quickly increase over time. Hidden charges like insurance or late payment fees can add up, making it less budget-friendly than expected.
Limited Access to Belongings
Many storage facilities have set access hours. This can be inconvenient if you need to retrieve your belongings on short notice. Depending on the facility’s location, you may have trouble accessing your unit on weekends, holidays, or after hours.
Potential for Damage or Theft
Even with insurance, storage units aren’t immune from risks. Without climate control or interior access, your belongings might be at the mercy of pests or extreme temperatures. Some facilities may have issues with security, and theft — while rare — can occur.
Extra Transportation Hassles
Moving items in and out of storage adds extra logistics layers. Getting your belongings to the unit and retrieving them after can be time-consuming. Be aware of that hassle when renting a storage unit.
Insufficient Space
Picking the wrong size storage unit can be a problem, too. Renting something too small might mean you don’t have enough room for your stuff. A unit that’s too large will result in wasted space (and money). Carefully plan before you sign your lease.
Other Considerations for Storing Your Belongings
As you look at renting temporary storage units, think beyond the basics. Start with your budget: How much can you afford to pay, and for how long? What will you store? Delicate or valuable items might require additional protection in a climate-controlled storage unit. Lawnmowers or other power tools might be fine in outdoor or drive-up units with easy access.
Location matters, too. A storage unit near your new home can save you time and transportation costs, even if the monthly rent is slightly higher. Your moving timeline is another factor. Does sending some items ahead of time make sense, or will you need to access them throughout your move?
Alternatives to Temporary Storage for Moving
If using temporary storage for moving doesn’t suit your needs, other options exist. Portable storage containers offer flexibility and allow you to pack and store items at your own pace. The downside is that they take up space in your driveway. You can also downsize by selling or donating unused items.
Another strategy to reduce the need for storage is carefully timing your move to align with your home sale. Working closely with relators and other moving service providers can help align key dates and avoid gaps that might require storage. This can also save you money and time during your move.
Storage with Movers vs. Self-Storage for Moving
Another option that doesn’t involve renting third-party self-storage for your move is to ask the company providing your residential moving services about temporary storage. Some moving companies offer this service at an additional cost.
Learn More About Renting a Storage Space
As with many aspects of your move, there’s much to consider: budget, timelines, space needs, etc. There’s also no shortage of options out there for temporary storage. If you’re considering renting a storage space as part of your move, carefully plan and research available options.
If you have questions about whether storage is necessary for your move, consider asking your moving broker for advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a storage unit for a month?
Most storage facilities offer month-to-month rentals, which makes them perfect for short-term storage during a move.
What size storage units are best?
The size of the storage unit you need depends on the items you need to store. Many facilities offer units in several sizes, from small 5’x5’ ones to 10’x30’ units that can hold the contents of an entire house.
Can you rent a storage unit for a week?
In most cases, storage facilities require you to rent a storage unit for no less than one month. That said, some moving companies might offer short-term storage for a week as part of your move.
Most storage facilities offer month-to-month rentals, which makes them perfect for short-term storage during a move.
The size of the storage unit you need depends on the items you need to store. Many facilities offer units in several sizes, from small 5’x5’ ones to 10’x30’ units that can hold the contents of an entire house.
In most cases, storage facilities require you to rent a storage unit for no less than one month. That said, some moving companies might offer short-term storage for a week as part of your move.
