Moving House Storage: What to Do Between House Moves

Moving house storage keeps your belongings in a secure storage facility between moving out of your current home and into your next one. With managed removals storage, a removal company collects your furniture and boxes, records an inventory and arranges redelivery when your new property is ready.

This guide is for UK homeowners facing a gap between completion dates, temporary accommodation or renovation delays. It explains how to choose between managed storage and self storage, what affects the cost, and what to agree about access, insurance and delivery before you book.

Why Might You Need Storage Between House Moves?

You may know months ahead that you need temporary or longer-term storage, or need to arrange it quickly when moving dates change. Common reasons include:

Storage when moving house can give you time to decide what fits your next home. It can also clear rooms for photographs and viewings without giving away furniture you want to keep.

Abels Moving Services was established in 1958. Its storage services include support with packing, collection and redelivery between homes.

Choosing Storage When Moving House

The right storage solution depends on the amount you need to store, how often you need access and who will handle transport. Compare these three storage options before booking.

Managed Removals Storage

With managed storage, a professional removal company collects your furniture and boxes, stores them, then arranges redelivery. This suits full household moves and heavy items. You do not need to arrange van hire or make several trips to a self-storage facility.

Ask whether professional packing and an inventory are included in your quote. Managed storage keeps the collection, storage and return with one provider.

Some removal companies use containerised storage, with dedicated containers held in a warehouse. If the vehicle carries the container itself, it can be placed in the warehouse without unloading each item. Ask how your provider handles this and how individual items can be retrieved.

Self Storage

Self storage means renting a self storage unit and arranging transport to and from the facility yourself. Storage companies offer different unit sizes, from small lockers to rooms comparable to a garage. Compare the usable space and access arrangements, rather than relying on a bedroom-count estimate.

Some self-storage providers offer weekly or monthly rental periods. Check the minimum rental, notice period and opening hours before booking; flexible rental does not automatically mean unrestricted access. For a full household move, loading, transport and unloading can involve multiple journeys and considerable physical effort.

Portable Storage

Portable storage typically involves a container or storage unit being delivered to your property. You load your belongings into it, after which it may remain on site or be taken to a larger storage facility. 

Portable storage can suit gradual packing. Check delivery space, ground conditions, weather protection and any placement permissions. Confirm where the container will be kept and how you can reach it.

Storage Options At A Glance

Compare prices for the same work. Self storage rental may exclude packing and transport, while managed storage offers a combined service. Ask storage companies for itemised quotes before choosing.

Confirming Your Storage Needs

Plan ahead and ask for a storage quote even if your moving date is provisional. Discuss availability and date-change charges, then keep your Abels Relocation Consultant informed as the sale or purchase progresses.

Under Abels’ storage terms, clause 22(d), you must give at least ten working days’ written notice to end storage. Earlier release may be possible if your account is paid up to date. Storage charges remain payable until the notice takes effect. Agree the return date separately; the notice period is not a delivery guarantee.

How Does Managed Moving House Storage Work?

A home survey or video assessment helps establish the volume to store, packing needs and access at your house. Your consultant can then plan collection and discuss possible return dates.

A typical managed-storage process is:

Your Relocation Consultant is your contact if dates change or you need an item before the rest of your belongings return.

Temporary Storage Or Longer-Term Storage?

Choose the storage period around your plans, not a fixed definition of “short” or “long”. A two-week gap can grow if a purchase or renovation is delayed. Check extension terms before committing.

Short Term Storage

Short-term storage suits a brief gap in your move, such as:

See Abels’ short-term storage options for help with a temporary gap.

Long Term Storage 

Long term storage may be more appropriate when there is no immediate return date or when a longer transition is expected. 

This could include:

For longer periods, discuss protection for sensitive items and any retrieval needs. Abels’ long-term storage service can help when your return date is uncertain.

What Affects Moving House Storage Costs?

Storage between house moves does not have one standard UK price. The cost depends on the volume stored, duration, packing, collection, redelivery and any extension charges. A survey provides the most reliable estimate.

Ask for the storage charge, collection and redelivery costs to be shown separately, together with any packing or protection charges. Confirm whether VAT is included, whether a minimum storage period applies and how an extension is billed. If separate insurance is needed, obtain a quotation based on your belongings and the cover required rather than assuming a fixed monthly premium.

How Much Space Do You Need for Moving House Storage?

Start with an inventory and the dimensions of large items. A survey can estimate volume more reliably than bedroom count alone. For a self storage unit, check door size, usable height and room to retrieve boxes, not just floor area.

Make a list of:

Separate what will stay with you from the non-essential items going into storage. Avoid paying to store belongings you have already decided to sell or give away.

If you are moving into a smaller home, store larger pieces until you know what fits. Dismantling suitable furniture may save space; agree who will do this and keep fittings labelled with the item.

What Should You Put Into Storage?

Keep daily essentials with you and pack away what can wait until your new house is ready.

Good options for storage include:

Ask about specialist handling for valuable pieces. Abels’ art and antique storage team can advise on suitable protection.

What to Pack in Your Moving Essentials Box

Keep a moving essentials box or bag with you. It should include:

Keep anything you may need at short notice out of storage. 

Restricted Items

Storage providers may restrict certain items for safety, legal, or insurance reasons. These can include anything that is flammable, perishable goods, or hazardous objects. 

Get the provider’s prohibited-items list before packing. Drain fuel from garden tools where required and check the rules for batteries and chemicals. An item kept in a garden shed may not be accepted in storage.

Preparing Your Belongings For Storage 

Prepare items for the full time they may be stored, including possible delays.

Clean and dry appliances, garden furniture and other items before packing. Use sturdy boxes suited to the contents. Keep your essentials separate and seal the remaining packing boxes securely.

Do not overload cardboard boxes. Pack heavy items in smaller containers that can be handled safely, place heavier boxes at the bottom and keep fragile items above them. 

Use covers and packing materials suited to each surface. Bubble wrap can cushion fragile items, but artwork and delicate finishes may need specialist protection. Ask the packing team before placing plastic against a sensitive surface.

If you are arranging professional packing, ask what is included and whether particular items require specialist materials or handling.

Label Everything Clearly 

Label packing boxes with the room and contents so you can find things without opening every box. For example:

Number boxes and keep an inventory. In self storage, place rarely needed items at the back and leave a clear route to those you may need. For managed storage, flag retrieval needs to the crew and confirm any charges.

What To Ask About Access, Security, And Insurance

Keeping belongings safe depends on handling, protection and the storage facility itself. Ask these questions before booking moving house storage:

Ask about alarm monitoring, CCTV where fitted, staff-controlled access and the conditions in which belongings are kept. For art, antiques or other sensitive items, discuss temperature and humidity requirements before collection.

Abels’ storage service description sets out climate-controlled facilities and alarms with 24-hour monitoring. That monitoring is a security measure, not a promise of round-the-clock customer access. Confirm access and any specialist storage needs as part of your quotation.

Coordinating Collection, Storage, And Redelivery

Share provisional dates and explain any uncertainty. Before redelivery, check that the new home is ready, floors are finished and the removal vehicle can reach the property.

If only part of the house is ready, ask whether selected items can return first and what extra handling or delivery would cost.

A Moving And Storage Timeline

For help planning collection, storage and redelivery, contact Abels Moving Services to request a storage assessment.