Need Storage During Your Move? Here’s How It Works

Do people need storage in New York? Yes, they do. Especially when moving from an old home to a new one. For context, there are 8,732 businesses in the storage and warehouse leasing industry in New York. Clearly, there’s a need for storage solutions.

The reality is that moving to a new house isn’t a straightforward process. If you’re lucky, your entire schedule will line up. Everything will go according to plan. But what happens if your new place isn’t ready by moving day?

You can temporarily store your belongings in storage units.

However, the process can feel confusing. You don’t know how access works. You’re worried about security. And you have no idea what the moving experience will be like.

This post walks you through how moving storage works. You’ll learn when storage makes sense and what problems to expect. By the end, you’ll know what to plan for and how to avoid common mistakes.

Types of Moving Storage Options

You can secure a storage space by contacting moving companies. Get in touch with their customer service and have them walk you through the process. But before you do, you should think about the type of storage you’ll need.

You see, there are different types of storage to choose from.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Storage

Short-term storage works best when you need a brief pause during your move. You might use it when moving dates don’t line up. It also helps if you’re waiting on repairs or cleaning. This option usually lasts a few days to a few months. It keeps your items nearby and easy to retrieve.

Long-term storage fits situations with no clear end date. You may be relocating for work or traveling for an extended period. It’s also common when downsizing. Moving services often offer better monthly rates for longer stays.

According to a Neighbor article, only 12% of storage unit tenants store for less than 3 months. About 3% store for more than 10 years.

Climate-Controlled vs. Standard Storage

Standard storage costs less and works for durable items. Think metal furniture, tools, and plastic bins. It’s fine if items won’t be affected by heat or cold. Ask the movers what conditions the unit has beforehand so you’re not caught off guard.

Climate-controlled units protect items from temperature and humidity changes. This option is better suited for wood furniture, electronics, and artwork. New York weather can be harsh, so this matters more than you think. The downside is that these units cost more. However, they will reduce the chances of items getting damaged while in storage.

How Storage During a Move Typically Works

Professional movers follow different procedures when moving items to storage. However, they do share some similarities. Below is how moving storage typically works from start to finish.

1. Discuss Your Storage Needs: You start by explaining what you need to store and for how long. The moving and storage company will go over your requirements and present your options.
2. Schedule the Service: You confirm the move date and storage start date. This is also when you confirm if you’re availing of any packing services. Movers show up at the scheduled time to begin the job. Note that if you signed up for full-service moving, packing could be included in the service bundle.
3. Pack Items for Storage: If you selected full-service packing, the movers will begin the process. This includes wrapping furniture with moving blankets and adding padding to fragile items.
4. Create an Item Inventory: The movers will document the items they pack. This will help movers keep track of your belongings. They will also refer to this inventory when it’s time to deliver items to your new home.
5. Load Items onto the Truck: Movers load packed and inventoried items into the moving truck.
6. Transport Items to On-Site Storage: The truck delivers your belongings to one of their onsite storage facilities. Only trained staff will handle your belongings upon arrival.
7. Place Items into Storage Containers: Belongings are placed into containers. It’s worth noting that you’re only going to pay for the space you use. Containers are kept inside a monitored facility with controlled access. This reduces loss and damage risks.
8. Request Redelivery: You contact the moving company when you’re ready for delivery. Advance notice is usually required. Movers transport your stored items to the delivery location. You can check items against the inventory during unloading.

What Items Are Best Stored

Not everything needs to come with you right away during a move. Some items are better kept in storage until your space is ready. Below are a couple of examples of items that might be better kept in storage until you need them again.

• Furniture: Large furniture is one of the most common items placed in storage. Sofas, dining tables, bed frames, and dressers take up a lot of space. Commercial storage helps protect them while you figure out what to do with your old furniture.
• Seasonal Items: You probably don’t need immediate access to holiday decorations, winter clothing, and summer gear. Keep them in storage.
• Excess Household Goods: Any extra dishes, cookware, décor, and small appliances can go into storage as well. Storage prevents overcrowding in your new home. You can retrieve items later as needed.
• Appliances: Not the ones you use every day. But if you have spare washers, dryers, or refrigerators, keep them in storage until you figure out what to do with them. Especially when your new home comes fully furnished.
• Home Office Items: Desks, filing cabinets, and extra office equipment are good storage candidates. This helps if you’re changing work setups or creating a new office later.
• Children’s Items: Outgrown furniture, toys, and baby gear take up space quickly. Storage keeps these items safe while you decide whether to reuse or pass them along.
• Outdoor and Garage Items: Bikes, patio furniture, tools, and grills take up too much space.

Moving & Storage Solutions with Oz Moving

Oz Moving specializes in long- and short-distance moves. However, it also provides storage solutions. In short, we’re movers with storage solutions. You get both services in one package.

We will pack your items, load them in our trucks, and move them into one of our facilities. When you’re ready, we’ll drop off your belongings at your new home. Until then, your items stay with us. This setup reduces handling (fewer points of contact) and lowers the risk of damage.

We offer flexible timelines. That means working with you to create a schedule that works for both parties. We understand that moves don’t always go as planned and that delays happen. That’s why we provide flexible short- and long-term storage options, from overnight to days, months, or years.

These solutions work for both local and long-distance moves. Whether you need to store extra items as you move around New York City or you’re moving further away, you may need access to storage facilities.

Storage Cost Considerations

Storage costs can vary more than people expect. The total price depends on several factors.

• Volume of Items: The more you store, the more space you’ll need. Storage pricing is often based on the amount of space your belongings take up, not a flat rate.
• Length of Storage: How long your items stay in storage affects the total cost. Short-term storage may have minimum charges. Long-term storage is usually billed monthly.
• Access Frequency: Some storage options limit how often you can access your items. Frequent access can raise costs because it requires extra handling. If you won’t need regular access, choosing limited-access storage can help you manage your moving budget.

Final Thoughts

If your move feels messy or rushed, storage can take some pressure off. It gives you a place for your stuff while you figure things out. You don’t have to force everything into one day. For many moves, storage just makes the whole process feel more manageable.

If you’re looking for full-service movers with storage solutions, get a quote from Oz Moving.