When moving, it’s not always possible to load the truck, transport your belongings, and complete the move all on the same day. Storing your furniture and boxes is sometimes the only option. This is especially true if you’re moving internationally or into a smaller home. Several storage options are available to store your belongings for short- or long-term periods: self-storage, shared storage, furniture storage… What’s the difference between these various services? How do you choose the right solution for your needs?
Furniture storage solutions
Whether you need to store your furniture temporarily or long-term, there are various options available: shared storage, self-storage, and furniture storage facilities. These services do not all offer the same level of service and vary in security depending on the plan. It’s up to you to assess your needs to find the option that best suits your situation.
Furniture storage
Furniture storage facilities are specialized spaces provided by professional moving companies. The services offered at these facilities are generally high-end. They ensure the best storage conditions for your valuable furniture.
At Les Gentlemen, furniture is packed in closed, sealed, and ventilated wooden crates ranging from 8 to 12 cubic meters in size. Our climate-controlled facilities are particularly well-suited for storing valuable furniture and fragile items.
We can also offer you intermediate, more economical solutions, especially when the furniture storage period is very short.
Self-storage
Self-storage facilities, on the other hand, offer private storage units for rent. These units come in various sizes (ranging from 2 to 50square meters) and can be accessed freely and without restriction for the duration of your choice (whether short-term or long-term). You are solely responsible for storing and retrieving your belongings, and you are also responsible for packing them.
The storage units are self-service and can be accessed with a key or a personal access code. With the exception of hazardous, flammable, and toxic items, you can store all your personal belongings there. The cost varies depending on the location of the facility, the size of the unit, and the rental period.
Co-storage
This solution allows you to rent storage space from a private individual who makes part of their basement, garage, or attic available to you. This storage method, which stems from the sharing economy, is an affordable way to store your belongings at a lower cost. However, there is no guarantee that you will have the best conditions for storing your furniture and personal belongings. Access to your belongings may also be limited, as it depends on the occupants of the home being present.
How can you avoid having to pay to store your furniture?
If you're moving to a home that's smaller than what you had before, or if you're managing your move in several stages, you may need storage space to hold your furniture. When the situation is temporary, while you're waiting to move back into a larger living space, furniture storage is an interesting solution.
This may be the case if you're behind schedule with the construction of a new home, or if you're carrying out work on an older property. Renting an intermediate property at the end of a lease can also mean storing things until you move in for good.
If you don't know how long it's going to last, getting rid of certain personal effects before the move can be a much more economical solution than furniture storage. Over time, we often tend to keep personal belongings that turn out to be useless and take up space in our homes. Taking advantage of the move to sort through your belongings will save you a lot of handling and reduce moving costs.
To get rid of furniture that still has some value, think about donating or bartering, which can make many people happy. But it's important to plan ahead, and have enough time before the move.
How do you determine the size of your storage space?
As with renting a removal van, you need to estimate the space you'll need to store your furniture. If you hire a removal company, the professional will work with you to estimate the size of the storage unit you'll need.
But if you're storing your furniture in self-storage or with a private individual, you'll have to make the estimate yourself. Unlike moving trucks, whose size is expressed in volume (m3), storage units are rented according to their surface area (m2).
How much does furniture storage cost?
The prices charged for furniture storage depend on a number of criteria, including :
- the geographical location of the storage site ;
- surface area ;
- rental period ;
- the period during which the spaces are rented...
Prices vary greatly from one city to another, and even from one neighborhood to another within the same city. To get the best deal, don't hesitate to ask for quotes, indicating the length of time and period involved, the surface area required and any special requirements.
When comparing offers, you need to take into account all the criteria for assessing the level of security of the space: remote surveillance and guarding, burglar and fire alarm systems... If you need to store valuable furniture, don't neglect this aspect, at the risk of having to give up your personal belongings in the event of theft or fire.
Do you need furniture storage for your move? Don't hesitate to contact us for an estimate of the costs involved in moving and storing your belongings in furniture storage, whether on a one-off or long-term basis? Our advisors will work with you to estimate the space you'll need to change your life with peace of mind.