The Best Options for Moving and Storage
Moving.
Just the word can bring up images of sleepless nights and strained back muscles trying to manhandle a fridge up a set of stairs.
All the pizza and beer in the world can’t make up for how annoying moving can be. Thankfully though, new ways to move and store your household goods have taken a lot of the trauma out of moving.
Follow along to learn about the moving and storage options available to you and figure out what works best for your situation.
Self Storage
Storage units come in a wide variety of sizes, storage options and prices. You can get units capable of storing everything from closets to whole houses.
The self storage industry is growing rapidly as Boomers look to downsize for retirement. There are self storage units available pretty much everywhere affordably. Some are designed so you can drive right up to the door and unload while others are multi-level climate controlled buildings.
Pros
Probably the biggest pro for self storage is the price. You can frequently find units for just $100 or so per month. This allows you to store things indefinitely for a reasonable cost.
They also allow you to access your good pretty much whenever you like. You can drive down to your storage unit to pull things out piece by piece as you need them.
They’re available pretty much anywhere so there’s a good chance you can find one near where you currently live or where you’re moving too. This makes them a good pods alternative for people who know exactly where they’re going.
Cons
There are definitely some downsides to self-storage. To start with the price you pay only covers the actual storage. You still have to get your household goods to the storage unit and fill it up.
You’ll either need to move them yourself in a rental truck or hire movers to do it for you. That drives the cost up and can lead to a major hassle. There’s also the fact that you’ll have to repeat this process when you want to transfer your stuff to your new home.
Moving Services and Storage
Many moving companies offer the option to store your goods after they pack them up. They’ll package and tag all your furniture and other possessions and place them in their own warehouse.
This can be a convenient option but is often quite costly.
Pros
The benefits of this really come down to convenience. All you have to do is pick up the phone and a team of professionals will come & pack up your house. They’ll handle all the packaging, moving, loading, and unloading of your goods.
When you’re ready for your furniture and things at your new home they’ll send them along with another crew to unpack them. This lets you quickly and easily move house without having to worry about the logistics of it.
Cons
Moving services by themselves can be pricey; when you add in the cost of storage they can quickly become far more expensive than you thought. There’s also the fact that your possessions are being stored in a general warehouse.
There’s a lot more potential for loss, damage, or theft than in a sealed storage unit or container.
Portable Storage
Portable storage was made famous by Pods but has long since moved past them. Pods alternatives offer better pricing and lots of options that the original just can’t match.
This is by far the most convenient and cost effective moving option.
Pros
Portable storage combines the benefits of self-storage with the convenience of a moving company. You simply request a storage unit and wait for it to be delivered to your home. You can do all the loading yourself or hire a crew to help.
This allows you to do the packing up but not worry about the transport.
Cons
Portable storage units are still more expensive than most self-storage. When you factor in the cost of transport and the time you spend loading and unloading at a storage unit though they get close to the break-even point.
Take the Stress Out of Moving
Moving is one of the most stressful times for a lot of people. By picking the right moving and storage company you can save yourself tons of annoyance and sore muscles.
