Storage for Moving: How to Move Your House into Storage
If you are moving and your new home is not ready to move into yet, you may want to move your household items into storage. Read on to discover what storage options are available to you, the average costs and how to move everything into storage.
What Type of Storage Should I Choose?
If you are wanting to store your furniture and other household items, you have two options available to you: self-storage moving containers or storage with moving companies.
Self-Storage
Self-storage usually refers to a storage facility when you can enter the warehouse with your moving container within access hours and pick up your stored items. Self-storage is often relatively cheap, safe and convenient, although there is normally a minimum rental period of one month. Examples of self-storage companies in South Africa include:
Tip! You can often choose between indoor and outdoor storage units. Outdoor storage is often cheaper and larger, but you need to beware of how weather conditions may affect your items.
Storage with Moving Companies
Often it is possible to use storage as an extra service offered by your moving company. The movers will store your furniture as part of the move, and as soon as you need your household items in your house, the removal company will deliver to them to your new home. Often this option is more expensive than self-storage, but it is undoubtedly more convenient and easier.
Average Storage Moving Costs
The storage costs will depend on the type of storage you choose. If you decide to use the storage services offered by your mover, you will need to verify with them how much they charge. You can read our dedicated home removal costs page for more information, or get direct moving quotes. If you decide to use self-storage, the price will vary depending on the size of the storage unit. Below we have outlined the average storage costs in the biggest cities in South Africa:
Storage Size (m3) | Cost per Month | |||
| Johannesburg | Cape Town | Durban | Port Elizabeth | |
| 5 | R500 | R700 | R550 | R600 |
| 10 | R750 | R1000 | R1000 | R900 |
| 15 | R1000 | R1500 | R1300 | R1100 |
| 20 | – | R1900 | R1500 | – |
Use our furniture volume calculator to figure out how much storage you need!
Tip! Don’t forget you may have to pay a deposit and buy your own padlock. You will also want to check if insurance is included in the price.
How Do I Move My House into Storage?
Moving your house into storage can seem like a mammoth task. If you choose to use the storage facilities of your moving company, then don’t worry – they will move your items for you. If you decide to use self-storage, use the following steps:
1. Check what you can and can’t store
Check with the storage unit if there are any banned items. Usually you cannot store perishables, live animals, hazardous materials or unregistered materials.
2. Decide what you want to store
Some things you will want with you now, others can wait. Make a list of what will go into storage and what needs to go with you now.
3. Check if the weather will affect your unit
You might also want to check if any of your items might need climate controlled storage. You may need to consider this for: wooden/leather furniture, household appliances, special collections and musical instruments.
4. Pack smart
Using the correct moving boxes, labelling everything… be smart about your packing! Read our article for tips on packing for moving house.
5. Transport your items
Whether you hire a moving van or a moving company or just use your own car, make sure you find a safe way of transporting your items.
What Next?
We hope you now have an overview of how to move your house into storage. Check out our other articles for more helpful advice for your move:
- Moving House Tips: Read our 16 best moving house tips, ranked by the experts
- Furniture Removal: Find out how to move your furniture with our guide!
