Removal Company Storage Services

Removal Company Storage Services

Do removal companies do storage too?

Yes, many removal companies also offer storage. If you don’t have access to your new home immediately it’s a great idea to use one company for removals and storage to keep all the planning and control with one company.

How does a removal company store my belongings?

Typically, removal companies use containerised storage.This is where your belongings are packed and loaded into wooden containers, usually around 250 cubic feet in size (roughly the size of a small garden shed).

Depending on the removal company, your items are either directly loaded into the container on their vehicle, or will be loaded loose onto a truck and then loaded into the container back at their warehouse. It’s worth asking which method is used by your mover, as direct loading can significantly reduce the risk of damage by minimising handling.

In the warehouse, the containers are removed from the vehicle by forklift and stored in a purpose-built warehouse, usually stacked in numbered aisles for quick and easy retrieval.

How long can I store my items with a removal company?

You can usually store your items for as long or as little as you want or need, with no pressure or commitment to the length of time.

Most removals companies charge for storage every week so the costs can be quite flexible.

If your removal and storage company has offered a cheap introductory offer for storage, check the terms and conditions for any commitment to the length of the contract.

Can I use storage for an International Move?

If you’re moving overseas, putting items into storage may be an essential part of your move.

Depending on where you’re going and the logistics of your move, it might be that your international removal company recommends a short period of storage for your belongings before they can ship your goods or before they deliver them to your new home, for example, if you are staying in a short term rental for a while when you arrive before you find your long term home or if you are travelling for a while before settling.

Alternatively, it might be that you’re moving overseas on an assignment for a specific period of time and need to store your household items while you’re gone so you have them ready to go into a new property as soon as you’re back.

When using storage as part of an international move, your goods will be sealed in a container at your home and a detailed inventory will be taken. The container will then be transported back to the removal company’s warehouse, where it will be stored securely until it’s ready to ship. Whatever your circumstance, storage is usually a pretty convenient option when you’re moving overseas.

Is it easier to have the removal company collect your goods rather than take them in yourself?

One of the big pros of using a removals company rather than a self-storage company (aside from the usual more competitive storage costs) is the add-on capability for them to help you move the items into the storage facility and back out again afterwards. The removals crew will be skilled in loading a container to maximise the use of the space at the same time as making sure everything is well secured and protected to reduce the risk of damage.Many removal companies like Bournes have specially designed vehicles with side loading doors which allow them to put an empty wooden container on the lorry, load your items directly into it and seal the doors at your home and then simply use a forklift to take the container off the lorry and into the warehouse. This means your items don’t need double handling,g which reduces the risk of any damage or loss.

Can removal companies store more than just furniture and household goods?

In some cases, there might be a more specific need for storage than just household items. For example, it might be that you simply want a safe place to store a car or motorbike while you’re out of the country. Or you might have particularly high value goods or antiques that need a secure place to stay while you move the rest of your house. It could even be that you just need seasonal storage if you don’t have loft space or anywhere outside for storage – Christmas decorations for the majority of the year or garden items over the winter, for example.