Short term storage when moving house works best when you check five things before booking: the right unit size, access hours, security, insurance and the contract terms (notice period and fees). Also line up your removalist’s pickup and delivery dates with your storage dates so nothing sits in a truck or on a driveway.
Storage is usually a stop-gap: the gap between settlement dates, a renovation, a lease ending before the next one starts, or a downsize where the new place is smaller. It is easy to book in a hurry and regret it later. This guide covers what is worth checking with a storage facility, and how to plan the moving side so the whole process runs smoothly.
Key Takeaways
- Work out your dates first: move-out, move-in and how long the gap really is.
- Decide what goes in storage and what stays with you (documents, medication, daily essentials).
- Compare facilities on access, security, insurance and contract terms, not just the weekly price.
- Check whether your home and contents insurance covers goods in storage.
- Tell your removalist about the storage address when you ask for a quote so access and timing are planned.
Step 1: Get Your Dates and Contents Clear
Before you look at a single unit, write down when you must be out, when you can move in, and where you will stay in between. Storage that is booked for “about a month” often turns into six weeks, so allow a buffer.
Then decide what actually needs storing. Moving costs and storage fees both go up with volume, so a proper declutter before moving can mean a smaller unit and a shorter job on the day. Keep passports, important documents, medication, chargers and a few days of clothing with you rather than in a box you cannot reach.
Step 2: Choose the Right Unit Size
Ask the facility how they size their units and, if you can, look at one in person. As a rough guide, a few boxes and small items fit in a locker or small unit, while a full house of furniture needs a much larger space. Large items such as couches, wardrobes, a dining table and mattresses take up more room than most people expect.
Leave a walkway so you can reach items at the back, and plan to stack boxes upwards rather than spreading them out. Disassembled furniture is easier to fit, and our guide to packing furniture when moving covers how to wrap and protect it.
Step 3: Check Access, Location and Security
- Access hours: Are they 24/7 or limited office hours? Will the facility be open on the day your removalist arrives?
- Loading access: Can a truck get close to the unit? Look for ground-floor units, lifts, ramps and any steps or slopes on the way.
- Location: Closer to the city usually costs more. Pay for convenience only if you expect to visit often.
- Security: Ask about CCTV, gated or keyed entry, alarms and on-site staff. Use a sturdy padlock of your own.
Step 4: Sort Out Insurance
Storage operators often limit their liability for lost or damaged goods, so do not assume your belongings are covered. Ask the facility what cover they offer, and check with your home and contents insurer whether items in storage are included. Our moving insurance guide explains how cover works during a move, which helps you ask the right questions.
Step 5: Read the Contract Before You Sign
For short-term storage, the small print matters more than the headline price. Ask about:
- Minimum rental period and what happens if you leave early or stay longer
- Notice you must give before moving out
- Admin, deposit, insurance and lock fees on top of the weekly rate
- Items that are not allowed (such as food, plants, flammable liquids and similar goods)
- What happens if a payment is missed
Get the answers in writing, and inspect the unit before you sign. It should be clean, dry and free of any signs of pests.
Prepare Your Items for Storage
- Clean and dry everything first, especially appliances, which should be fully defrosted and aired.
- Use sturdy boxes, label them clearly, and keep heavy items at the bottom.
- Raise items off the floor on pallets or planks where you can.
- Cover furniture with breathable fabric rather than plastic, which can trap moisture. A mattress bag keeps a mattress clean while it waits.
- Leave out anything you will need before your next move-in date.
Plan the Moving Side Around Your Storage
Storage doubles the moving work: items go in, and later they come out again. Strong Arm Movers is a removalist rather than a storage provider, so we can help with the moving: loading at your home, and transporting to your storage facility or to your new address. When you ask for a quote, mention the storage address, the access conditions and your preferred dates so the job is planned properly. If you want help with the boxing, our packers and movers service is available, and the details of a standard house move are on our house removalists page.
To keep costs sensible, avoid moving the same items twice where possible, and read our tips on saving money when moving.
Conclusion
Short-term storage can take the pressure off a move, as long as you book it with open eyes. Confirm your dates, pick a unit that fits, check access and security, understand your insurance, and read the contract. Then let your removalist know the storage details early. A little planning now saves a lot of rushing when moving day arrives.