Storage When Moving House: Your Questions Answered

Moving day rarely lines up perfectly, and when your completion dates do not match, or you are downsizing or renovating, you need somewhere safe for your things in between. This page answers the practical questions about storage during a move in fast Q&A form. For the step-by-step walkthrough of how it actually works, read our full guide on using storage when moving house.

Why might I need storage when moving house?

Most people need storage when the dates do not line up. Your sale completes before your purchase, so your things need somewhere to go for a few days. Other common reasons: you are downsizing and the new place will not hold everything yet, you are renovating before you move in and want the rooms clear, or a delay further down the chain leaves you between homes. In each case the move still has to happen, and storage gives your belongings a safe place to wait. We cover this as part of our storage service.

What is the difference between self storage and removals storage?

The short version: with self storage you do the moving, with removals storage we do. Self storage means you rent a unit, hire or borrow a van, and carry everything in and out yourself, then back out again when you move on. Removals storage, sometimes called containerised storage, means our crew loads your belongings, transports them, and stores them in sealed containers. There is no separate van to book and no double handling. You load once and we take it from there. See our storage service for how it fits with your move.

How much does storage cost when moving house?

Cost depends mostly on how much you are storing and for how long. The volume of your belongings sets the number of containers needed, the length of time decides the rest, and whether you want us to handle collection and packing affects the total too. Because every move is different, we do not list a flat rate that would not fit your situation. Tell us what you are storing and roughly how long you need it, and we will give you a fixed quote within the hour. Get your quote here.

How long can I keep my things in storage?

As long as you need, whether that is a few days or several months. Short-term storage covers the gap when completion dates do not align, often just days while the chain catches up. Longer storage suits a renovation or a delayed onward purchase, where months make more sense. The right length depends on your situation, and your fixed quote sets out the terms clearly so there are no surprises. Tell us your dates and we will price it for you within the hour.

Are my belongings insured while in storage?

Your belongings are stored securely and handled with care by our own crew. We are fully insured for the work we do, with public liability cover up to £2.5m and goods in transit cover up to £50k per load. Cover specifically for goods while they sit in storage can work differently to cover for goods on the move, so we will confirm the exact storage cover for your job when we give you your quote. Ask us about it and we will set it out plainly. More on our approach is on the storage service page.

Can I access my belongings while they are in storage?

Access is arranged rather than walk-in. Containerised storage is not the same as a self-storage unit you can drop into whenever you like, because your things are sealed into containers and stored together. If you know you will need to reach certain items while they are with us, tell us at booking. We can pack those things so they are easy to get to and plan access around them. Our storage guide explains how this works in practice.

What should I do to prepare items for storage?

Two things make the biggest difference: label your boxes clearly and keep anything damp or perishable out. Write what is in each box on the side, not just the top, so contents are easy to identify later. Do not store food, plants, or anything still damp, as these cause problems over time in a closed space. Beyond that, sturdy boxes and a quick note of what matters most will help. Our full guide walks through preparing items in more detail.

Do you collect and store in one trip, or do I move things in myself?

We collect, transport, and store in a single managed job. You do not move anything into a unit yourself and you do not hire a van. Our crew arrives, loads your belongings, and takes them straight into secure containerised storage, and we can pack for you too if you would rather not box everything up. This is the load-once model, which avoids the van hire and double handling that come with sorting out self storage yourself. Add packing and the whole job is off your hands.

Do you offer storage if I'm moving long distance or out of the area?

Yes, storage works well alongside a long-distance move. You can store now and have your belongings delivered when your new place is ready, which is useful when a chain is still settling or your completion is in another part of the country. We are based at our Shaftesbury yard and cover Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire, and we travel UK-wide for longer moves. See how it fits with a long-distance move, then ask us for a fixed quote within the hour.