What should I look for when hiring a moving and storage company?
When looking for the best moving and storage company, make sure you complete the following steps:
Verify their license and insurance: Professional moving and storage companies should have an active business and movies license and insurance (general liability, cargo and/or warehouse legal liability insurance). They might also need to have a warehouse license. Requirements depend on your local area so be sure to do your research.
Get several estimates: Compare rates and services from multiple moving and storage services. Make sure you compare the cost so you can secure the fairest price.
Read their reviews: Look for red flags, such as damaged items, lack of communication or inability to retrieve stored belongings.
Find out if they have guarantees: Moving and storage companies don’t typically provide warranties, but they might guarantee that they will deliver your belongings in the same condition they received them in. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions, and read the fine print.
Ask important questions: For example, find out if you can purchase additional insurance for your high-value items, if the storage facility is climate-controlled and secure and if there are days or times where you cannot get access to your storage unit.
For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.
What types of storage units do movers typically offer?
Depending on the company, movers may offer a variety of storage solutions. These may include:
Pod or container storage: Moving companies that specialize in pod moving (which is when the company delivers a container to you so that you can load your belongings into it) will often allow you to lease the pod for a specified length of time so you can use it as storage in your yard or driveway. Some pod-moving companies will also store fully loaded pods for you at their warehouse. Timeframes may vary from a week to a month or more.
Short-term warehouse storage: Some moving companies have their own storage warehouses to offer short-term storage for your items. The length of the storage term can vary from overnight to 30 days, at which point the moving company will typically deliver your items to the location you've specified.
Self-storage: Some movers will have partnerships with storage companies near you, which means you can contract with the mover for both moving services and temporary self-storage services. The movers will typically pick up your belongings and load them into the storage unit for you. If you need long-term storage, you can then work with the storage company to extend the lease on your unit.
How can I save money and find deals on storage units?
Here are a few ways you might be able to save money on storage companies:
Deal hunt: Some storage companies may offer a hefty discount on the first month, while others might price-match to remain competitive.
Downsize: Decluttering and downsizing may help you go from a larger, more expensive unit to a smaller, more affordable one.
Call in favors: Storing large items like couches or wardrobes at a friend's house may drastically cut costs on the storage size needed.
Skip the extras: Consider whether climate control, extra security and 24/7 access are absolutely necessary. Storage companies that offer these features usually have higher quotes.
Shop around: Storage companies have unique offerings and setups. Some charge based on the number of items you have, while others consider the unit size.
Don't overstay: The longer you need the unit, the more you'll pay. Set a timeline and make sure you've moved out by the deadline. Procrastinating can increase the fees.
Pick your location carefully: If you do not require frequent access, a more remote storage unit may offer a drastic price difference compared to a company in the city.
What are the benefits of hiring a moving company that offers storage units?
Some of the biggest benefits of hiring a moving company that offers storage units include the following:
Convenience: Movers that partner with local storage companies often offer a convenient, all-in-one service for packing, loading, storing and relocating your household goods during a move.
Security: Moving companies that offer storage units typically have high-security storage facilities designed to keep your items safe. However, make sure you know what their security entails before making a decision.
Options: Many moving companies that offer storage often have a variety of options available, from pod storage to self-service units or climate-controlled storage. However, this depends on the company so do your research.
Cost savings: Bundling moving and storage costs together through one provider may help you save money compared to purchasing moving and storage services from separate providers.
Time savings: Moving companies that offer storage will typically place your items in storage for you, then load them and deliver them to your new location when you're ready. This can save you the time of loading and unloading your belongings from a storage unit yourself.
Less stress: Moving is often hectic and stressful. Hiring a moving company that offers storage solutions can help reduce your stress by offering a streamlined solution that eliminates steps like loading and unloading a storage unit yourself.
