Removals and storage

When storage helps

• Your sale and purchase do not complete on the same day.
• You are renovating, downsizing or moving abroad.
• You are a student away for the summer.

Two main options

Self-storage

You rent a unit, move your things in and have access on set hours. It is usually cheaper, but you or your mover handle loading and unloading.

Removal company storage

The removal company collects your belongings, stores them in its warehouse and delivers them when you are ready. It costs more, but it takes the work out of the move.

Choosing a size

As a rough guide, a small unit suits a room's worth of boxes, a medium unit a one or two bedroom flat, and a large unit a family home. Ask the company for advice and be careful not to pay for more space than you need.

What to check before you sign

• Is your stuff insured, and who pays for it?
• What are the access hours, and is there a fee for visits?
• What is the minimum rental period, and how much notice do you need to leave?
• Is the unit dry, secure and clean?
• Are there price rises after the first few weeks?

Need both removals and storage? Mention it when you compare quotes.

Related guides

• Moving house after buyingWhat happens between offer and keys, and when to book your removal company.
• The full cost of moving house in the UKEvery cost to budget for, from legal fees to the first night's takeaway.
• First-time buyer moving guideEverything to plan for your first move, in the right order.
• Moving out when selling your homeDeclutter, stage and plan your move without losing your mind.
• All guides

How storage fits into a move

A removal with storage has three parts: collection, storage and delivery. The collection could be from your home to a store, the storage could be days, weeks or months, and the delivery could be to the new home or back to the old one. A single company can do all three, or you can use a removal company and a separate storage provider. Planning the combination well saves money, avoids double handling and lowers the chance of damage.

Options in more detail

• Removal company warehouse storage. The company stores your items in its own warehouse, often in sealed wooden or metal containers. It suits mid-term storage and a simple pick-up and delivery.
• Containerised storage. A container is delivered to your home, loaded, collected and stored. You can have it delivered to the new home when ready.
• Self-storage. You rent a unit and get access. You, or a removal crew, load it, and you can come and go. See self-storage size guide.
• Overnight or short-term holding. A removal company keeps your goods on the vehicle or in a depot for a night or two between completion dates.

Questions to ask when you compare

1. Is the price for the removal and the storage in one quote, and is each item itemised?
2. What is the minimum storage period, and the notice to end it?
3. How and when can I access my items, and is there a charge?
4. What insurance covers my goods in storage, and what is the limit?
5. How is the store secured, and is it climate-controlled?
6. Will my belongings be handled once or several times?
7. What happens to the price if I need to store longer?

Common storage situations

• Completion gap. Your sale and purchase dates do not match. See moving out when selling your home.
• Renovation. You need to empty the home. See moving out during renovation.
• Downsizing. You are moving to a smaller home. See downsizing.
• Going abroad or travelling. Belongings stay in the UK for a while.
• Students. Summer storage between terms. See the student moves guide.

For more detail, see our storage page, which includes the types of storage and how to prepare your belongings.

Common questions