Making a moving decision? Wondering whether to book with a moving company that offers storage or to rent storage separately? Read this guide to know everything.
Key Takeaways:
- Booking storage with movers saves time but may cost more
- Renting storage on your own is cheaper but less convenient
- Short-term storage works well with movers; long-term storage can be cheaper solo
- Factor in move logistics, location, dates, and budget to decide what works best
When planning a move, storage is often part of the equation. You must determine if you should book storage through a moving company with storage near me or rent it separately.
What is a moving company with storage?
Some moving companies offer storage facilities alongside their moving services. This means that they:
- Transport your belongings to one of their storage warehouses
- Provide both short-term and long-term storage options
- Deliver items from storage when needed
Booking through these companies brings simplicity but may cost more. Renting storage independently is cheaper but requires more effort.
So when should you choose each option while moving? Let’s compare key differences.
Key Differences Between Movers with Storage vs Self-Storage
| Storage from Moving Company | Renting Storage Yourself | |
| Convenience | Very convenient | Less convenient |
| Cost | Tends to be more expensive | Usually cheaper |
| Ideal Use Cases | Short-term storage | Long-term storage |
| Accessing Items | Need movers to retrieve items | Direct access anytime |
Storage with movers brings simplicity. Renting solo needs more effort but costs less. Shorter storage works with movers; longer periods tend to favor individual rental.
Below we’ll explore 5 key factors to help decide which option best suits your moving and storage needs.
1. How Long Will You Need Storage?
The first aspect to consider is the intended storage duration.
- Short-term storage – A few days to 4-6 weeks
- Long-term storage – 1 month to 1+ year
Booking storage through movers works well for stays of up to 2 months. The convenience makes a short period worthwhile, even at a premium price.
However, for long-term storage spanning months or years, self-arranging a storage unit is often much cheaper.
“We needed storage for over a year during overseas job placements. Renting our own unit saved nearly 40% over the moving company’s long-term fees.” – Amy and John T.
2. What Items Will You Store?
Determine what belongings you aim to store, along with their size and quantity. This influences cost and logistics.
As examples, self storage could work better if you only need room for:
- A few file boxes or items from one bedroom
- Large things like boats or RVs
Whereas mover storage tends to suit situations like:
- Furnishings for an entire home
- Many fragile items needing professional handling
Make sure to estimate storage space required. This helps match options to your needs.
3. How Accessible Must the Items Be?
Think about required access to stored goods.
With independent storage, you control entry to insert/remove items anytime. This allows grabbing something without notice.
In comparison, mover storage needs coordinating schedules for delivery or pickups. So self storage offers better instant access, while mover storage takes more planning.
If you’ll rarely access storage, mover options work fine. But frequent access favors a self unit.
4. What is Your Location Situation?
Look at location factors surrounding your move:
- Where you’re moving from
- Where you’re moving to
- Intended storage facility sites
Consider aspects like:
- Distance from current home to facility
- Distance from facility to new home
- Facility proximity to access stored items
Evaluate logistics to determine sensible locations. This may influence using movers with storage versus an independent company. Onsite mover storage simplifies locations. External storage needs coordinating pickup/transport.
5. What is Your Budget Situation?
Finally, examine your budget and costs. Storage with movers is typically more expensive than self-arranging units. But for some moves, the premium could provide worthwhile benefits.
| Storage from Mover | Self Storage | |
| National Average Cost | $250-$350 monthly | $90-$150 monthly |
When budgeting, factor overlapping costs too:
- Moving company fees
- Number/cost of pickups from storage
- Expected storage duration
- Charges for accessing items
Crunch numbers to see what fits best. The cheapest route isn’t always ideal if it causes major hassles.
“We opted to spend a little more with our moving company’s storage because they handled everything. For our stressful relocation, it was 100% worth it!” – Lucas and Kate P.
Key Takeaways
Deciding storage with movers vs self renting depends on your:
- Intended storage duration – Short-term favors movers; long-term favors self
- Access needs – Self storage enables instant access anytime
- Goods stored – Volume, size items needing transport
- Location logistics surrounding the move
- Overall budget – Self almost always cheaper but not always better
Evaluate these key factors above to choose what fits best for your upcoming move and storage requirements. Consider both cost and convenience when making the decision.
“Don’t just default to the cheapest storage option. Make sure it truly aligns with your needs first, to prevent hassles later.”
With an understanding of the core differences and decision criteria, you can determine if booking storage with movers or renting it solo makes the most sense for your situation.
