A 101 primer: Self-Storage With Home Pick Up:

Self-Storage with Home Pick-Up : How It Works

You simply select a provider from our Storage With Home Pick Up area. If you'd like more detailed information about a particular company, just click on the "more info" button on your results table. But in a typical scenario, each company should:

• Tell you immediately if they service your area.
• Assist you in estimating how many containers you'll need (containers often vary in size between companies).
• Arrange for a time for the containers to be delivered.
• Discuss packing supplies (assuming that they deliver them) and any related fees for their purchase and delivery.

After you've covered the basics, it's time to get to work. You can either load your containers on your own or arrange for professional loaders (for an additional fee). If loading them on your own, take a glance at our quick tips on how to properly pack your belongings. If, upon inspecting your belongings, you suddenly realize that you've been a closet pack rat for the past several years, take a moment to consider the benefits of a garage sale before storing your stuff.

Once you're all packed, make sure to lock the containers with your own padlock (for extra security), call back your storage company and they will pick up the containers and take them away. When you want them back, simply call or email the company and arrange for the time and place. If you anticipate an ongoing - or even infrequent - need to access your belongings during the period when you'll be storing them, make sure to check in advance with the storage company. Access times vary from company to company and some facilities may charge for any related labor needed to retrieve your goods.

Choosing a Company that offers Self-Storage with Home Pick-Up

It's best to select a company that guarantees your satisfaction in writing. The storage company with home delivery & pick up is handling many of the logistics of your storage and/or moving process. You'll want to make sure they will stand behind their work. And ask for actual studies of customer feedback on their service. Don't settle for "our customers really like us." When considering schedules, ask for a guaranteed delivery time frame on your selected delivery date.

Delivery Areas

Usually, a fifty-mile radius in a city is a minimum. But if you're moving within a similar radius, make certain that you ask your storage company if they can redeliver to your new address. Since many storage users don't know their new address when placing items into storage, the broader the re-delivery area, the better. Also, check to see if they'll ship your goods - in your current containers - to another city or state.

Pricing Structures

Most storage companies offering Home Pick-Up charge two basic fees.

• Delivery and pick up of the containers.
• Daily or monthly storage of the containers.

Extras such as insurance, moving blankets, professional packing labor and packing supplies are an additional charge. Depending on where you live, the service may actually be less expensive than renting a truck and doing it all yourself!