The Ultimate Guide to Storage Solutions During a Move

“Actually this is just a place for my stuff, ya know? That’s all, a little place for my stuff. That’s all I want, that’s all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff, ya know? I can see it on your table, everybody’s got a little place for their stuff. This is my stuff, that’s your stuff, that’ll be his stuff over there. That’s all you need in life, a little place for your stuff.” –George Carlin

For better or for worse, we all have STUFF. And when we get to our destination - more often than not - we realize we don’t know exactly where all that STUFF should live. When you run out of space (or you just need more time to downsize and make room for everything), it’s time to book secure storage.

iMoving is the only platform that lets you shop around, compare prices, and book movers from the comfort of your web browser. And we don’t stop at movers, either.

You can use iMoving to find storage providers in just a few clicks. But before you get too excited, let’s take a look at what storage can do for you…

A storage unit will cost you anywhere from $50 to $300, depending on how long you need it and what size of unit you’ll require.

If you’re really trying to save every penny, it’s a good idea to downsize as much as possible before moving day. Try to sell off, hand down, or donate all of your unused or unwanted items. If you can fit everything into a smaller storage unit, it means a lot less money paid per month. 

On the other hand, if you need a climate-controlled unit, or some extra bells and whistles like 24/7 on-site security, your monthly rate will be a lot higher.

Think long and hard about what items will go into your storage unit, since that’ll determine the level of security and protection you’ll have to pay for.

There are a lot of different options for storage units. Let’s introduce you to some of the most common types you’ll encounter:

• Lockers: Storage lockers are pretty small, but they’re a great option if you’ve just got a few hard-to-place items. As the smallest option, lockers command the smallest price - but if you have more than a suitcase or two, you’ll need something bigger.

• Closets (5’ x 5’): The next step up from a locker, a closet-sized storage unit can be used to hold a few boxes and small pieces of furniture. Lots of people even use these for seasonal decor, which frees up closet space in the home for stuff you need more often.

• One-Car Garage (10’ x 15’): 10’ x 15’ storage units are some of the most popular. They’re a good mix of size and affordability, and since they can fit an entire car, they’re also great if you’ve got a set of wheels you just can’t part with.

• Two-Car Garage (20’ x 20’): Barring the odd EXTRA-LARGE units, these 20’ x 20’ units are the largest you’ll find. As the name implies, they’re the size of a two-car garage, which is a ton of square feet. The only downside? You’ll be paying a lot for the space.

Aside from the physical dimensions of your storage unit, you’ll also want to consider whether you’ll need a climate-controlled option. There’s more to storage than just a big door and a padlock. Some units are air-conditioned and temperature-regulated to keep all your stuff safe from the elements.

If you’ve got fragile artwork - heck, if you’ve got anything that can absorb moisture and rot - you’ll probably want to look into climate-controlled storage. Humidity and heat can wreak havoc on your fragile items.

Aside from the condition of your belongings, look at it from a loading and unloading standpoint: Would you rather pick up your boxes and furniture from a unit in the sweltering heat, or from a nice, air-conditioned hallway?

Air-conditioned storage usually comes at an extra price. If you’re unwilling to pay more, and you also don’t want to risk property damage, do yourself a favor and put those fragile belongings in your house as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for storage, be sure to check with your moving company. There’s a pretty high chance that they either A: offer storage themselves, or B: are partnered with a storage site near your point of origin or destination. Plus, many of these moving companies actually offer discounted rates and free months if you need a storage unit!

Aside from your moving company, you can typically find storage providers in the industrial-but-not-quite-seedy part of town. Look for where you can rent moving trucks, and chances are you’ll find a storage place nearby.

Obviously, you can also check Google and Yelp, but that won’t help you get a boots-on-the-ground look at your storage unit (or the surrounding area).

And of course, if you want to cut the guesswork out of the whole equation, you can just use iMoving. We’ve got over 1000 movers and storage providers in our marketplace, and they’ve all been carefully vetted for safety and security. The best part? You won’t have to deal with any house calls or phone calls. We let you book it all online.

A move is an exciting occasion. Not only are you getting a new home, you’re also getting a fresh start. But no matter how clean you want that slate, you’re always going to take a little something from your old life when you move - and that’s where storage comes in.

If you’re ready to hit the road, don’t forget to book storage for all the extra stuff. Use iMoving to shop around for the best storage options today!