Storage services: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What storage services is

Storage services rent space in a unit or warehouse to keep furniture and belongings between homes, during renovations or while a home is being sold. You choose the unit size, the access and whether it is climate controlled, and some providers pick up items from the home and deliver them back.

Signs you need it

  • You are between homes and need a place to keep furniture for a few weeks or months
  • A renovation or a sale means the home must be cleared, and the belongings have nowhere else to go
  • You are downsizing and need to keep some items without selling them yet
  • Items such as wood furniture, art or instruments need climate control to avoid damage
  • You need access to some belongings from time to time and want them kept organized

What the pro does

  • Measure your belongings and decide the unit size you need, with some room to move items in and out
  • Choose the unit type, including indoor or outdoor, climate control and access hours
  • Schedule a pickup from the home if the provider offers it, and label each piece with its room
  • Wrap furniture and items in breathable covers and place them on pallets or shelves off the floor
  • Stack items so the most-used pieces are closest to the door, and keep a written inventory
  • Check the unit on a schedule and confirm the contents and lock are in place

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the unit and the length of the rental period
  • Whether the unit is climate controlled, indoor or outdoor
  • Access hours and how often you expect to enter the unit
  • Whether pickup from the home and delivery back are included
  • Whether packing, wrapping or inventory services are added
  • Insurance for the stored items, and whether it is included or bought separately

What a written quote should spell out

  • The unit size, the unit type and whether it is climate controlled
  • The access hours and the rules for entering the unit
  • Whether pickup and delivery are included, and the time window for each
  • The insurance coverage for stored items and the claim process
  • The notice period for ending the rental and the terms for late payment

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is the unit climate controlled, and what humidity and temperature range does it keep
  • What access hours do you offer, and can I get in on weekends
  • Do you have insurance for stored items, and what does it cover
  • Who can access the unit, and how is the lock and gate secured
  • What is the notice period for ending the rental
  • Do you pick up from the home and deliver the items back, and how is that scheduled

Red flags

  • A unit with no climate control offered for wood, art or instruments that need it
  • No written inventory or photos at drop-off
  • Access controls that are not explained, such as who holds the lock or the gate code
  • Pressure to buy storage insurance without a clear explanation of what it covers

What you can do yourself

You can pack your own items in breathable covers and label each box before storage, and keep a written list of everything you put in the unit. Call a professional for pickup, moving heavy furniture into the unit, and anything that needs a climate-controlled space for long periods.

Licenses and permits

Storage services are not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration that applies to a storage company, and check any local rules that apply to the use of the space.

Storage services questions

Can I store food in a storage unit?

No, not perishable food. Many providers prohibit it because of pests and odors, so check the rules before you put anything in the unit.

What should I do before I put furniture in storage?

Clean and dry the items, wrap them in breathable covers rather than plastic, and lift them off the floor on pallets. Keep a list of what goes in and where it sits.

Does my home insurance cover stored items?

Some policies cover items off-site and some do not. Check with your insurer and ask the storage company about its own coverage before you rely on either.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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