Top Tips for Moving and Storage 2021
Keeping your belongings safe is a priority for most, but doing so when moving house can often present a challenge. That is why we have put together this article, which covers all your moving and storage needs. These tips are all you need to ensure storing furniture between moves is as easy as a, b, c 😉.
Average Moving and Storage Costs
Unfortunately, asking what average moving and storage costs are is like asking how long is a piece of string? Your final calculation will depend largely on what type of storage unit you choose – more information on this below.
Tip! It is possible for your storage and moving costs to be incorporated into the price of your removals service. Just make sure you specify this to your mover when requesting free quotes.
We hate to beat around the bush. Therefore, even though providing exact figures is a challenge to say the least, this table indicates average storing and moving costs across the UK.
If you are not sure how much space you need, our furniture volume calculator is here to do the legwork for you. We’ve got your back!
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What Type of House Storage Should You Choose?
When it comes to putting furniture in storage, you are spoilt for choice! There are two big decisions to make; self-storage versus storage with moving companies, and inside versus outside storage. Both have their advantages and drawbacks, which we have done our best to summarise below.
Self-Storage
This is what it says on the tin! This option involves putting furniture into a storage in a company’s warehouse, which you can access within opening hours. Self-storage is usually relatively cheap, safe and convenient, although there is normally a minimum rental period of one month.
Not sure where to start with your moving and storage? If opting for self-storage, some of the following websites will be of use to you:
Storage with Moving Companies
It is also possible to store furniture when moving through your removal company. If you are yet to find your mover, then check out our comprehensive list of profiles. In this case, the moving company will store your furniture as part of your move and deliver them to your new home when it is ready. Sounds dreamy! But note, this option is nearly always more expensive.
Tip! Unfortunately, storage and moving costs isn’t the only thing to budget when moving house. To find out what else you need to consider, our removal costs page has all the answers.
Inside vs. Outside Storage
The other decision that has to be made when putting furniture into storage is whether to keep in inside or outside. Again, there is no right answer, but instead your choice will be dependent on your specific needs. The advantages and disadvantages of both are outlined below:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor storage |
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| Outdoor storage |
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If you choose to go for outdoor storage then please note – the following items are susceptible to damage:
- Wooden furniture
- Leather furniture
- Household appliances
- Special collections (e.g. wine, stamps, coins)
- Musical instruments
What Can You Store?
We bet you didn’t know how much there is to learn about storage and moving! Before you gather all your item and bung ‘em in, it is crucial you work out which items are prohibited.
Below is a list of obvious (and not so obvious) things that cannot be put in storage:
- Perishables
- Live animals
- Hazardous materials
- Unregistered vehicles.
Onto the better news, let’s discus what you can store:
- Registered vehicles
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Household appliances.
Top Tips for Storage When Moving
It would be wrong if we didn’t leave you with some final top tips when it comes to storage and moving. When storing items it is important to package them properly and take extra precaution, especially if you plan on keeping them in storage for an extended period of time. Before packaging, there are a number of other things to consider, which are outlined on our moving checklist page.
In the meantime, here are Sirelo’s top tips for moving your house into storage:
- Use the correct boxes. Use smaller boxes for heavy items such as books and dishes, and larger ones for things such as bed linen and blankets. If you need help sourcing moving boxes we have an entire page dedicated to the topic.
- Don’t overpack. Make sure your boxes don’t weigh more than you can comfortably life. They should remain square in shape and not bulge to ensure they remain stable when packing.
- Label everything. And we mean everything…there is nothing worse than having to turn your boxes inside out when looking for one item later down the line. We also recommend adding ‘this side up’ labels to prevent damage to precious possessions.
- Tape matters. Purchasing good quality tape is imperative to prevent items from becoming separated from the rest of the belongings.
- Hang it up! You wouldn’t keep you clothes in an aimless pile at home (or maybe you would) so why do so in storage? Use hanging wardrobe boxes which allow your clothes to breathe and prevent damp. It is also advised to use cedar chips to keep any pesty bugs and insects away.
What Next?
Congratulations – you are now an expert in storage and moving! However, moving house isn’t just about storage. That is why we recommend exploring some further articles to answer all your moving related queries:
- Packing to Move House: your expert guide!
- Utilities Moving House: get everything switched and organised.
In the meantime, sit back and relax – with a little help from Sirelo, putting furniture into storage doesn’t have to be stressful!
