Door to Door Storage: Everything you Need to Know

Door to door storage can be tough.

Especially if you are doing it for the first time.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about it.

So, if you are interested in door to door storage and moving, you are in the right place.

Ready? Let’s dive right in!

Contents:

Chapter 1: What is Door to Door Storage?

Chapter 2: What to Pay Attention to When Storing?

Chapter 3: How to Choose the Best Moving Service

Chapter 4: Door to Door Storage Best Practices

Chapter 5: Last Thoughts

Chapter 1: What is Door to Door Storage?

Many people wonder:

What is door to door storage?

Nowadays, it’s easy to find an answer to your question online.

But, the problem with most online answers is that they are just trying to sell you:

• • Storage units

• • Door to door moving

• Storage solutions for your next move

Nothing wrong with that.

But, I know that finding a trustworthy door to door moving and storage company can be difficult.

This is why I’ll try to help you understand the process the best way possible.

To begin with, some of the main reasons why you need storage are:

• • You are leaving your room or apartment

• • You need to free some space in your room or flat

• • You are moving to another city or country (only) for a while

• • You are expecting a new family member and need more space

• You are expecting a roommate, and you want to avoid self-storage

Regardless if you are moving to a new home or you’ve just decided to leave your house temporarily, you need to do something with your stuff.

If you’ve stayed in several big cities such as London, you know what I am talking about.

There are two solutions here:

1. 1. Self storage

1. Door to door storage solution

So, what is door to door storage?

“Door to door storage refers to the process of picking up, moving, storing and securing personal materials for a certain period.”

What are the benefits of choosing such a solution?

• • You avoid the cost of hiring a van

• • You avoid the stress of driving that van through traffic

• • You avoid the heavy lifting at both ends

• You avoid the cost of packing boxes, bubble wrap, and sellotape

And, most importantly, you don’t have to deal with the following view when you’ve made it to the storage facility:

Looks familiar, right?

That doesn’t mean you should choose any door to door storage solution there is.

There are some things you definitely need to pay attention to.

Do you want to know what these things are?

Just keep reading!

Chapter 2: What to Pay Attention to When Storing?

If you live in a big city like London, you should know that storage rental is common.

Let’s assume that you are moving to a new place — a new home with your family.

And, that there are certain items that you don’t want to take with you.

Simply because your new flat doesn’t have enough space.

So, you start searching for a storage company in London:

1) The storage facility has to be as close to you as possible

This one is important.

Why?

Because you are going to pay your moving company based on the distance between your current location and the storage facility.

And, you want to avoid a long distance move.

In London, most companies charge £55 to £65 per hour for one man.

Which means that the longer the distance, the more expensive the move.

Thus, you want to check the distance between your location and the storage facility.

Bonus Tip: If your new location is closer to the storage facility, ask the moving company pick them up from there.

2) The storage facility has to be secure

This one is self-explanatory.

The storage facility you are going to use has to be secure.

Now, depending on your needs, you may be storing in:

• • Storage containers (or portable storage containers)

• • Storage units

• • Storage boxes

• • Portable storage units

• Storage pod

But, regardless if you’ve chosen a storage pod or a storage unit, you have to be sure that your items will be secure.

And, yes, a simple storage locker is not enough.

For example, at bySTORED, we offer 24/7 surveillance in our London warehouse.

This means that your items are safe.

So, make sure to check the company’s security policy, before deciding to store with them.

3) Check the charges (especially the hidden ones)

Keep in mind that some companies won’t charge you for returning the items back to you.

All in all, things you should pay attention to when it comes to door to door storage costs are:

• • How many of sq. ft does the price quote include

• • What is the price per crate or per box

• • What is the price of the van hire

• • How much does the insurance cost

• • What is the price of the padlock

• What is the cost of the fuel

For example, here are the differences between bySTORED and other well-known moving and storage solutions:

As you can see, you need to know everything about costs because there are companies that will charge you even for a padlock.

And, it is essential that the company is clear as to what their pricing policy is.

Because you don’t want to find yourself in a difficult situation like this:

Now that you know what to pay attention to when storing let me tell you how to choose the best moving service.

Chapter 3: How to Choose the Best Moving Service

There are many moving services out there.

Especially if you are looking for one in London.

And, yes, not all storage companies offer removal services.

In plain English:

Not all moving companies have storage facilities.

But, it would be nice to find one that does both.

This way, you’ll have to deal with only one vendor when it comes to storing your stuff.

A company that can both store and move your things.

Simply put, you need someone who:

• • Picks up

• • Stores

• Returns

Let me be clear about something:

There is no doubt that you can combine the two services.

But, after having helped thousands of people with their storage and moving needs, I am confident to say that it’s better to choose a company that offers both moving:

And, storing services:

In a previous chapter, we saw what you should pay attention to when it comes to door to door storage.

In this chapter, I am going to help you choose the best moving company.

How?

By giving you the things, you need to pay attention to when hiring one for your removal needs.

1) Get a Free Quote

First things first.

Most moving companies out there will offer you a “free quote.”

If someone tries to charge you for that, then something is not right.

In fact, offering a free quote is an industry standard.

So, the first thing you need to do, is limit your search to companies that offer a free quote.

2) Check Their Online Reviews

This one is easy.

You have to check what other people think about the company you consider hiring.

Why?

Because these are people, who have hired them in the past.

Thus, they know if they are for real.

Of course, you need to keep in mind that not all reviews are worth reading.

And, not all of them need your attention.

Some websites you can visit to find online reviews for a moving company are:

1. 1. TrustPilot

1. 1. Google Reviews

1. 1. Facebook Page

1. 1. Reviews.com

1. Yelp.com

3) The Cost of the Moving Service

If you are on a budget, the cost of the moving service will definitely affect your choice.

But, it shouldn’t be the first thing you should pay attention to.

Why?

Because low cost doesn’t always equal quality in provided services.

You want a removal service that is both affordable and trustworthy.

The moving cost (delivery fee) is affected by parameters such as:

• • The total weight of the items you need to move and store

• • The total distance from your house to the storage facility

• • The total number of items you want to move and store

• • Fuel cost (not all companies charge fuels)

• The insurance cost

All in all, you want clear pricing when it comes to choosing a moving company.

Of course, the overall door to door storage cost is affected by the storage prices as well.

But, you want to know the moving cost as well to make a well-informed decision. 

4) Moving Insurance

This is the last one.

And, even though it is essential, it is overlooked by most people.

Most moving services will give you a quote that doesn’t include standard liability insurance.

And, when you’ll ask for it, they’ll tell you that you have to pay for it.

First, you need to visit their website:

If you can’t find anything about their moving insurance policy, then you should ask.

If you can’t get a straight answer, you should consider picking another solution.

At the end of the day, what you need is a stress-free move and storage.

There are many moving services and storage solutions out there.

All you need to do is find the one that is best for you.

Think of it that way:

You don’t want to find a moving company just for this once.

Because you may decide (or have to) move again soon.

So, you need a partner you can trust and rely on.

A partner that is dedicated to providing an excellent service, every time.

Chapter 4: Door to Door Storage Best Practices

In this chapter, I am going to give you some guidelines when it comes to door to door storage.

Make sure to use them as a checklist before choosing a storage company.

Here they are:

1) Make a list of storage companies

This is the first step, where you have to create a new list of storage companies.

2) Choose the ones that offer moving services as well

Next, you have to shortlist the ones that offerList-of-Storage-Companies.png a moving service as well.

You can always choose a different company that will move your stuff and another one that will store them, but I highly recommend that you choose one that does both.

3) Check the cost of each company

In this step, you have to compare both the cost of moving and storage.

Make sure to include all costs, including the insurance, the cost of the padlock or any other cost.

4) Compare online reviews

Next, you have to compare their online reviews based on a trusted website like TrustPilot.

You can use various sources, but it’s better to use one source to choose the best solution for you.

5) Compare security statements & insurance policy

In this step, you have to include any information necessary about the insurance policy and the security statement of the companies you’ve shortlisted. 

6) Additional Comments

Last but not least, you can keep notes on things that are important to you.

Such things can be:

• • The distance between the storage facility and your house

• • The drop-off process that the company follows

• The time schedule of the storage facility

Everyone is looking for cheap storage and moving.

But, cheap is not always good.

You need an excellent service that can guarantee a safe move and storage for your stuff.

Regardless if you are looking for temporary storage or for something more permanent, you need to follow the guidelines I gave you throughout this article.

Chapter 5: Last Thoughts

I am sure that by now, you’ve realized two things:

1. 1. Self storage is not an easy process

1. Choosing a door to door storage and moving service is not easy either

But, if you pay attention to the things I’ve outlined throughout this article, you’ll be fine.

Now, I want to turn it over to you.

Have you ever chosen a door to door storage service?

Or, maybe you prefer self storage?

Either way, let me know by leaving a comment below!

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