How Much Does It Cost to Store Furniture With a Moving Company?

Types of Storage Units

There are multiple types of storage units, and the storage unit that you choose will dictate how much you pay for your services. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common types of storage units.

Self-Storage

Self-storage options are what most people think of when they hear the word “storage unit.” These options can be excellent for everything from long-term furniture storage to short-term storage of standard household goods from your local movers if your move-in and move-out dates don’t line up. Self-storage units come in a range of sizes, and the size you choose should line up with the amount of things you need to store. 

This type of storage facility may be indoor or provide you with access to an outdoor unit. Most people believe that indoor storage units are more secure—but you’ll also need to access your things around the business hours of the company. Self-storage units may also provide you with an outdoor storage container, which you may be able to access with more flexible hours. However, you might also need to worry about theft. If you aren’t sure which type of storage unit is best for you, ask your long-distance moving company for a recommendation based on the total weight of your move and what you’re moving.

Mobile Storage

You can consider mobile storage units to be an alternative to hiring a professional moving company. When you move with a mobile storage unit, your local moving company will drop off a storage unit at your home. From here, you’ll be responsible for putting all of the items you’re moving into the storage container. You’ll need to provide all of your own packing materials, and the long-distance moving company providing the storage container will not offer loading services.

After you load up your storage container, your local or long-distance movers will arrive at your home and transport your container to your new home. From here, you’ll usually be provided with a month of free storage time. Some long-distance movers will offer you additional time in your storage unit for an add-on fee.

Mobile storage units are significantly more expensive than self-storage units because they include moving services. However, if you’re on the fence about hiring movers due to price, a mobile storage unit might be the right option for you. 

Storage Costs From Professional Movers

Below, you can view a table estimating the average cost of a standard indoor or outdoor storage unit per month. These prices are averaged from across the country and include basic storage protections for general household goods (not temperature-controlled units, which come at an additional cost).

Climate-controlled units will come at an additional price.

Calculating the cost of a portable storage container is a bit more complicated because these services include moving in the price that you pay per month. According to PODS, one of the top-rated portable moving containers in the country, the average cost for a local move costs around $349 to $549, while the cost of moving long-distance with PODS averages around $999 to $2,999. These prices include both transportation and 1 month of storage following the completion of your move to your new home. The best way to learn exactly what you’ll pay for your moving container is to contact the company directly and request an estimate. 

What Affects The Price of Storage Units?

The following factors play a major role when it comes to calculating the price of your storage unit.

• The type of storage you choose: When you schedule a portable moving container, you aren’t only receiving a place to store your things—your moving company will also handle pick up and drop off of your container at your new home in addition to offering you a free month of storage. Indoors and outdoor self-storage containers simply provide you with basic storage spaces—you’ll be responsible for transporting your things to and from the unit. Storage spaces with strict temperature and moisture controls also come with extra fees.
• The size of your unit: The size of your storage unit also plays a role in what you’ll pay. Larger units come with an increased cost, no matter the type of storage you choose.
• The length of time that you’ll be storing your things: Finally, you need to consider how long your things will be in storage. Self-storage units charge you monthly to reserve your space. If you need to store your things indefinitely or for more than 6 months, working with a moving company and scheduling your storage through your movers is usually the more affordable option.

How to Lower Storage Unit Costs

 If you’ve been researching full-service moves, you probably already know that moving costs can quickly begin to add up and take a toll on your budget. This can be especially true if you need to rent a storage unit, as these moving costs might last for months or even years depending on how long you need to utilize the space. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks that you can use to lower what you spend on your storage services.

• Only pack the necessities: Downsizing doesn’t only save you money when it comes to your moving truck storage space and the number of professional movers you’ll need on moving day—it can also help you save money on your storage unit because you can potentially invest in a smaller space. Consider having a garage sale or donating a few things before you head out to maximize your savings. You might even be able to claim a tax write-off depending on what you donate and where you donate it.
• Ask for a discount: There are thousands of moving companies and storage companies operating throughout the country. This is good news for you because it means that you get to pick which company you want to work with based on which cross-country storage service works the hardest to get your money.

Don’t be afraid to ask your storage company for a discount on your unit, especially if you’ll be storing your household goods long-term or if you need a larger unit. Many companies offering storage solutions offer discounts for students, older men and women, members of the armed forces, and movers who commit to a certain length of time in the unit. You might also want to get a free quote from other competing storage services in the area to negotiate a lower price for yourself.

• Shop around: Just like we recommend that you get more than 1 moving quote, we highly recommend that you shop around for storage services as well. You can’t possibly know that you’re getting the best price until you know what’s out there. 

If you’re working with a full-service moving company, you might be able to bundle a storage unit together with your move. Full-service movers often offer 1 month of free self-storage if you schedule your move date with them. Though DIY companies usually don’t offer this service, it never hurts to ask your movers if they can arrange it on your behalf.