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Affinity Moving · October 17, 2026
← All articlesFor storage during moving, your main options are a self-storage unit, a portable container, mover-held storage (storage-in-transit), and by-the-box services. For a short gap, storage-in-transit or a portable container usually fits best. For several months, a self-storage unit is the safer pick. Estimate how much space you need and for how long, then compare availability and get written estimates.
TL;DR:
- For regular access or stays lasting several months, rent a unit at a storage facility; mover storage limits access, while containers require parking space.
- Portable containers can add delivery and pickup charges, while movers may charge for redelivery; check minimum terms, prorating, and included storage days before booking.
- Use climate controlled space for electronics, artwork, photographs, leather, and wood; keep documents, jewelry, medications, chargers, and several days of clothing with you.
- Before paying, get written delivery terms, included storage days, and redelivery charges; avoid cash demands and blank forms, and verify movers through FMCSA.
Table of Contents
- How the four storage options compare during a move
- What temporary storage costs and how to budget for it
- How long you will need storage: timeline rules of thumb
- What to store and what to keep with you
- How to choose a storage option and spot red flags
- Packing and preparing items for short-term storage
- Storage-in-transit: what mover-provided storage is and what to get in writing
- What a mover wants you to know before storage day
- How we help with moves that need short-term storage
- FAQ
- Sources
How the four storage options compare during a move
Each option splits the work differently, so start with who packs, who hauls, and who holds the goods.
- Self-storage unit: You rent a unit at a facility, load it (or hire movers to), and visit when you need something. Self-storage units are the most popular short-term choice because they come in many sizes and may offer climate control.
- Portable container: A container is delivered to your home and you fill it at your own pace. The company can pick it up and store it for a fee, but you need space on your property to park it while you load and unload.
- Mover storage (storage-in-transit): Your mover loads the truck, holds your goods at its facility, and delivers when your new place is ready. You do less handling, but access is limited until delivery.
- By-the-box services: You pack boxes, the provider picks them up and stores them. This suits small loads, not full households.
Frequent access favors a self-storage unit. Heavy lifting you would rather skip favors mover storage. Security and climate control matter most for wood furniture, electronics, and artwork. Selfstorage list climate control and security features among the first things to check at any facility.
What temporary storage costs and how to budget for it
Price comes down to a handful of variables, and knowing them keeps you from paying for space you do not need.
- Unit size: Bigger units cost more every month, so measure before you book.
- Duration: Longer terms may lower the monthly rate, but minimum rental periods can lock you in.
- Climate control: Expect a premium over a standard unit.
- Location and access level: Facilities near dense neighborhoods and units with 24/7 access usually cost more.
- Insurance and admin fees: Ask what is bundled and what is billed separately.
Temporary storage between moves is a common fix for gaps between move-out and move-in dates, and current local rate ranges are worth checking on SpareFoot before you commit.
Watch for hidden charges: delivery and pickup fees for portable containers, redelivery fees when a mover brings goods out of storage, and minimum terms that bill a full month for a few days of use. To save money, ask about prorated weeks, ask whether your mover discounts storage when booked with the move, and compare two or three nearby facilities instead of taking the first quote.
How long you will need storage: timeline rules of thumb
Common gaps include lease overlaps that do not line up, closing delays, renovations before move-in, and a new job with a start date that shifts. Plan for the delay you hope not to have.
- Add a calendar buffer. Pad your expected storage time with a few extra days so a slipped closing does not trigger a rush fee.
- Match delivery windows. Coordinate the day your goods leave storage with your mover’s schedule and the facility’s office hours.
- Ask about minimum terms. Find out whether a short stay is billed by the week or by the month.
- Confirm redelivery scheduling. Learn how much notice your mover or container company needs to bring your goods to the new address.
- Pack in stages. Our room-by-room packing order keeps your home livable while you sort what goes into storage and what stays out.
What to store and what to keep with you
Furniture, sealed boxes of clothing, and non-perishable household items store well. Electronics, artwork, plants, perishable food, and delicate fabrics either stay with you or go only into climate-controlled space.
- Safe for storage: Sofas, beds, tables, sealed clothing boxes, kitchenware, and books.
- Climate-controlled only: Electronics, art, photographs, leather, and wood pieces that react to humidity.
- Keep with you: Documents, jewelry, medications, chargers, and a few days of clothes.
- Do not store: Plants, perishable food, and anything flammable.
As for chests of drawers, movers generally advise emptying them. It cuts the weight, protects the furniture during loading, and keeps contents from shifting in transit.
How to choose a storage option and spot red flags
Run each candidate through the same checklist before you pay anyone.
- Confirm unit sizes and availability for your dates.
- Check access hours, climate control, and security.
- Ask what insurance covers and what it does not.
- Learn the minimum rental term and redelivery options.
- Get a written estimate and compare it to the final bill.
Red flags include demands for cash or large deposits, refusal to do an on-site or virtual inspection, blank documents to sign, and untraceable payment requests. Verify any mover on the FMCSA site and get terms and timelines in writing. One consumer report on BBB Scam Tracker describes a mover that picked up goods, never delivered them, and pushed payment through Zelle or cash. If something goes wrong, report it to FMCSA, BBB, and your state consumer protection agency.
Pro Tip: Ask for the mover’s written estimate before you hand over any deposit, and keep copies of every document in your email.
Packing and preparing items for short-term storage
Good prep makes retrieval easy and cuts damage risk, even for a stay of a few weeks.
- Fragile items: Wrap each piece, fill gaps, and pad corners. Our guide to packing fragile items and jewelry covers the details.
- Heavy items: Put books in small boxes so they stay liftable. Another mover recommends keeping storage boxes under 15 kilograms, which is about 33 pounds.
- Furniture: Take apart what you can, pad legs and surfaces, and keep pieces off the floor on pallets or shelving.
- Labels and photos: Mark each box with its room and contents, then photograph the loaded unit.
- Inventory: A written list backed by photos helps with insurance claims and finding things fast. Our step-by-step storage packing guide shows how to arrange a unit so nothing gets crushed.
Storage-in-transit: what mover-provided storage is and what to get in writing
Storage-in-transit means your mover holds your goods at its facility between pickup and delivery. It works best when the gap is short and you want one company responsible from start to finish. A dedicated unit is the better call when you need regular access or the gap runs long.
Before you agree, get these terms on paper:
- The number of storage days included in the estimate
- A written delivery window, not a vague promise
- Itemized receipts for everything placed in storage
- Any additional charges for storage, redelivery, and handling
We explain the timing rules in more depth in our storage-in-transit guide. Reviews of movers on BBB show a pattern worth remembering: moving and storage companies sometimes hike prices, delay delivery, or withhold refunds, so clear written agreements protect you.
What a mover wants you to know before storage day
Most storage trouble starts with guesswork. Book early, and estimate your volume as accurately as you can so we can plan trucks, crews, and storage space around it. A rough guess leads to upcharges on move day, and nobody enjoys those.
Insist on a written estimate and a clear delivery timeline from whoever you hire. Vague promises are where surprise fees live. Our approach is one coordinated plan from quote to delivery, with the details settled well before the truck shows up, so storage never turns into a loose end.
— Derrick
How we help with moves that need short-term storage
When your move has a timing gap, we can handle the heavy part and coordinate the storage plan. We offer local moving, long-distance moving, packing, and specialty moving for delicate items. Ask for these in your written estimate:
- How many storage days are included
- Insurance for stored items
- The delivery timeline
- Redelivery terms
Ready to plan? Get your free estimate and we will lay out the move, the timing, and the terms in writing.
FAQ
Is it better to use boxes or totes when moving?
It depends on the load and the length of storage. Cardboard boxes are cheap and easy to label, while sturdy totes stack well and resist moisture. For storage, totes protect better; for a quick move, boxes work fine.
Do you empty the chest of drawers when moving?
Yes, in most cases. Movers generally advise emptying drawers to reduce weight and protect both the furniture and its contents. Light items like folded clothes sometimes stay if your mover agrees.
Is it cheaper to use pods or a moving company?
It varies with distance, timing, and how much labor you do yourself. Portable containers shift the loading work to you, while a moving company includes crews and trucks. Compare written estimates for both before deciding.
What are red flags with movers?
Watch for demands for cash or large deposits, refusal to inspect your belongings, and blank documents to sign. The FTC lists these warning signs and advises verifying movers on FMCSA.
Sources
- Avoid scams when you hire a moving company | Consumer Advice
- Temporary Storage in Between Moves Comprehensive Guide
- BBB Tip: Choose the best option for your move
- Selfstorage