Temporary storage options for moving

Relocating to another home or office can be a very complex endeavor, especially if you are moving across state lines. Even if you select one of the best interstate movers to help you relocate, delays can always happen. Your home might not be ready to receive your belongings, or you might want to renovate a bit before you move all the stuff in. If this happens, your items need a place to stay in the interim. And that means that you are going to require a temporary storage solution. When it comes to temporary storage options for moving, you basically have three choices. You can choose to store your items in a traditional storage unit, utilize a moving container, or rent a portable storage solution. But which one is the best for you? In this article, we offer the answer.

The best temporary storage options for moving

If you are looking to store your items temporarily, your best bet is to choose from one of the following options:

• Traditional storage units
• Moving containers
• Portable storage

Alternatively, if you know that you will need to store your items for the short term, you might want to rent a moving truck. The truck itself can serve as a quasi-storage unit, as you don’t need to unload it as soon as it arrives at your new home or office. You will have to deal with the risks of moving by yourself, though, so make sure that you fully understand what you’re getting yourself into before you choose this option. If you have never driven a moving truck before, or are not used to driving across long distances, choosing one of the above options is usually a much better idea. Each storage option comes with advantages and disadvantages and the best option for you will depend on your unique circumstances. Let’s take a look at these options in a bit more detail.

Traditional storage units

Even though you might require a storage unit for a day or two, traditional storage units are still a great option. Depending on your moving company, you might even be able to get storage space for free! Some storage companies may also offer excellent deals for short-term storage, going as low as $1 for the first month! You just want to be very careful when choosing your storage provider, lest you run into one of the common moving scams. It is usually best to ask your moving company if they have a storage solution for you, before trying to find other storage providers. Most of the time, your movers will be the ones that can provide you with the best deal.

While renting a traditional storage unit might be inexpensive, there are a few things that you might want to know about. First, even though the initial rent may be rather low, there are still associated taxes and fees that you will need to pay. Do note that if you are moving for a job, you may be able to deduct some transportation and storage costs. Most of the time, you will not be able to actually rent a storage unit for $1 a month due to these additional expenses. Second, there will be additional moving charges for placing your items inside a storage unit and then relocating them to your new home or office at a later date. You can avoid these charges by having your movers relocate the item to the storage unit only, while you take care of the rest.

Moving containers

Moving containers are one of the best temporary storage options for moving if your new home or office has the space to accommodate them. They come in a variety of sizes and it is even possible to rent a moving container for storage purposes alone. This is due to the fact that you can have a moving container delivered to the location of your choosing. You will then have several days to load the container before the company ships it to its next destination. But that is only if you plan to utilize the moving container when you are planning your long distance moving process. If you only require it to store some of your items for the short term, the company can just come and pick it up once you no longer need the storage space.

One drawback of moving containers is that they usually do not come with climate control. And if they do, you can expect to pay a higher price for them than simply renting a traditional storage unit. Furthermore, most moving containers are quite massive and require quite a bit of space in your backyard. They are ideal for storing your belongings for a few days or even a few weeks but for anything more than that, you’re usually better off exploring other options.

Portable storage

The last option you have is portable storage. This option is very similar to moving containers, as you can have a storage solution delivered to your doorstep. However, whereas moving containers are primarily used to relocate items from one place to another, portable storage units are specifically designed for storing purposes. This means that it is much easier to organize a portable storage unit for quick and easy access. The downside is that portable storage units are usually a bit more expensive than moving containers. Ideally, you will want to search for a portable storage company near your location, as that will minimize transportation costs. Furthermore, you can use portable storage when packing your home for relocation to easily organize your belongings. Do note, however, that portable storage is best utilized in short term and may incur higher costs than regular storage units when it comes to long-term storage.

How to decide which option is best for you?

Planning for your storage needs is an essential part of the relocation process. If you happen to have limited space to organize your belongings, opting for a temporary storage solution can provide you with great convenience. To make the most out of your storage unit, however, you will need to do the following:

• Identify the items you need to store
• Understand your specific storage needs
• Find a storage solution close to your location

As mentioned previously, the best place to get a storage solution is usually your moving company. That is why you may want to be hiring moving companies based on reviews of their storage units as well as their moving services. Alternatively, you can use a moving container or a portable storage solution. It all depends on your specific needs.

Identifying the items you need to store

The very first thing you will want to do is figure out which items you want to store. This can take quite a bit of your time so it is best if you start thinking about it as soon as possible. Go through each of the items that you are thinking about storing and ask yourself whether the items can fit inside your new home, whether can you easily replace them, do they have sentimental value, or do you need them in the immediate future. Once you have the list of items that you want to store sorted, it is time to figure out the best storage option.

Understanding your specific storage needs

With the storage inventory list in hand, choosing among the best temporary storage options for moving becomes a lot easier. What you need to do is determine the size of the storage unit that you require and any additional features such as climate control and security. You may also want to consider whether you will have the time to move all the items to and from the storage unit or if will you leave that to the professionals.

Finding a storage solution close to your location

To minimize your relocation costs, you will always want to rent a storage solution that is as close to your new location as possible. If you have ample space in your backyard, a portable storage unit or a moving container is ideal. But if you don’t want to have a large heap of metal in your backyard for an extended period of time, you may want to consider one of the traditional storage options near you. No matter your choice among the temporary storage options for moving, the closer the storage unit is to your location, the greater the convenience. Even if you do end up hiring someone to transport your belongings to and from the storage unit, the close proximity will allow you to minimize the costs.

If you are looking to hire the best mover for your relocation, learn more about the moving process, or find all of the options at your disposal, all you need to do is browse and explore the Consumer Opinion Guide. Our moving knowledge database is there to provide you with all the information you need to create a smooth and enjoyable moving experience!