Suppose you’re in the midst of a major move. Maybe you’re packing up a house you’ve lived in for decades, or maybe you need to transport literally all of your belongings across the country. Either way, you’ve probably figured out that simply leaving your household items boxed up around the house until moving day is not going to cut it.

Whether you simply prefer to live in a tidy space or you need your home to be free of clutter for staging purposes, storing your stuff makes perfect sense.

So What Are the Best Options for Storage While Moving?

The answer to this depends a lot on your budget, your approach to moving, and your moving timeline. Those who have been through the moving process multiple times know that anything that adds simplicity and convenience is well worth the expense. Still, you’ll need to think about how you’ll get your stuff from point A to point B, and how long you’ll want to store your items.

Leave your stuff with friends or family. Unloading at the house of family or friends will certainly save you some money. However, no matter how close you are to your relatives, there’s no way they can guarantee your items won’t be damaged, especially if they’re kept in areas of the house that could be prone to flooding or weather damage. Also, picking up your stuff could be a hassle, as you’ll have to coordinate with the homeowners on their schedule—not yours.

Opt for a self-storage facility. DIY movers love self-storage facilities. They’re easy to find throughout the country, and many provide everything you’ll need for moving day, including truck rentals, dollies for moving items, boxes, tape, etc. Some units are accessed from outside, allowing you to drive right up. Others are located in vast warehouses with floor after floor of units. These facilities are affordable options, but you’ll be required to do all the loading, driving, and unloading yourself.

Rent a moving container. If you’d like to have a place nearby to move your belongings once they’re packed, a moving container is a convenient option. Typically, these containers are dropped off right in front of your residence, where you have access to your belongings anytime. That means you can box up and move valuables into the unit at your own pace. When moving day comes, the container company will come pick it up and deliver it to your new residence. This option is probably more practical for homeowners than apartment dwellers who may not have a designated place for the container to occupy.

Go with a short- or long-term household storage. For ultimate flexibility and safekeeping, short- or long-term household storage is an excellent option. Typically, a reputable household storage company will come retrieve your packed-up items and take them to the company’s state-of-the-art facilities. You can feel secure knowing your belongings are kept in a warehouse with 24-hour surveillance systems, fire protection, and temperature control. Not sure how long you’ll need to store your items? That’s no problem—moving companies that provide household storage usually offer open-ended options so you can play it by ear.

Interested in finding out more about moving and storage options? Simonik Moving & Storage is a full-service moving company that can handle every aspect of your move, whether you need help with a local move or a long-distance move. Count on our professional team for full-service packing, crating, storage, unpacking, and debris removal. To learn more about the services we offer, call us now or fill out the online quote form.