Ever imagined moving without the moving part? Say you’re renovating and need to clear the living room, or maybe you’re traveling for a while. Instead of cramming stuff into boxes, how about this: A team sweeps in, packs and stores everything for you. And, when you’re ready, they bring it all back. It’s like magic, but real. And it’s called full service storage.
What Is Full Service Storage?
When you need to store your stuff, the thought of all that packing and heavy lifting associated with self-storage can sure make you sigh. Enter full service storage. It takes all the good stuff from self-storage, and makes it way easier. With self-storage, for instance, you do everything: packing, loading, driving, unloading. It’s a lot of work.
Full service storage or “on demand storage” is different. You just sit back, and a team of pros takes care of it all. They come to you, pack your things if you want, load them up and whisk them away to a safe place. When you need your stuff back, just a call or click, and it’s on its way home. You don’t have to lift a finger!
| Advantage | How Full Service Storage Works |
| No heavy lifting | Professionals handle all the carrying, so you won’t strain your back. |
| Time saver | You can free up your schedule, as there’s no need to spend hours on storage tasks. |
| Hassle-free packing | Expert packers will wrap and box your items securely. |
| Safe and secure | Your belongings are stored in secure, monitored facilities. |
| Easy access | You can retrieve your items with a simple request online or by phone. |
| Transportation handled | No need to worry about the transport of your items to and from the storage facility — it is fully managed. |
| Inventory tracking | You can keep tabs on your stored items with digital inventories. |
In a way, full service storage is a stress reliever. It’s perfect if you’re super busy, not a fan of heavy lifting or just prefer a smoother, more streamlined way of storing things. Now, what is the process of full service storage? Let’s take it one step at a time.
Stage 1: Packing
Packing in full service storage is typically handled entirely by the storage company. While this is extremely convenient and safe, it does come with a price. If you want to cut down on costs, you can ask for packing materials only instead of full packing services.
Now, here’s what you need to know about the packing stage:
- When you book the service, let the company know your specific packing needs. This is the right time to mention any fragile or oversized items you might have. Since furniture protection varies by company, it is also important to clarify this responsibility before the moving day arrives. Of course, having extra padding handy never hurts.
- Worried about pre-packing? There’s no need for you to box up anything — the team will handle it all. However, you can help by organizing or sorting items beforehand, like emptying dresser drawers and filing cabinets or removing wall-mounted items. Are you moving refrigerators or AC units? Note that they must be unplugged at least 24 hours before your packing appointment. This gives them enough time to drain.
- The experts bring all the necessary packing materials and carefully pack each item. They will also label boxes and make an inventory that you can later access online.
There you have it, now all your belongings are prepared for the next steps: pickup and transportation.
Stage 2: Pickup
In full service storage, the pickup process is all about making things easy for you.
First, you arrange a pickup time that suits your schedule. This can often be done online or over the phone. If you opted for packing services, the same team that packed your items will likely be in charge of picking stuff up. If not, a designated pickup crew will arrive at your address based on the scheduled time.
They will load your belongings onto the vehicle, ensuring everything is secured for transport. With everything safely on board, your belongings are now ready to be transported to the storage facility.
Stage 3: Transportation
Full service storage companies use their own vehicles to transport your belongings, which means you don’t need to rent a truck. Just keep in mind that some might charge extra for this service, especially if we’re talking about long distances.
Now, the whole transportation process is managed by trained professionals, who strategically plan the best routes to ensure a swift and secure trip to the storage facility. Throughout this process, you’re kept in the loop about where your stuff is, so that’s extra peace of mind. Plus, you know you have experienced folks behind the wheel.
Stage 4: Storage
Once your items reach the storage facility, they are carefully unloaded and stowed away securely. The environment is often climate-controlled, protecting your stuff from extreme temperatures and humidity. This is an added cost, but many items need it, so it is best that you check this detail with the storage company before starting the whole moving process. You don’t want any surprises on that front.
Next, you’ll most likely be given an online catalog of your belongings, which allows you to track your stored items. This inventory list is equally helpful for personal storage or business owners.
Now, there may also be a downside. While full service storage provides greater security, direct access to your items might be limited or require appointments. Want to visit your items while in storage? Check with the storage facility first. Each place has its own policy about when and how you can access your stuff.
Stage 5: Delivery
When you want your items back, you can simply contact the storage company, either through a phone call or an app, to request your items. The company arranges a delivery time that works for you and your belongings are transported back with the same care they were stored.
The staff can assist with unloading and placing your items as needed, and some companies also deal with partial deliveries based on what you select from your inventory list.
Tips for Choosing a Full Service Storage Provider
If you want a worry-free experience, choosing the right full service storage provider is definitely what you should focus most on. Sure, there are factors like security, costs and accessibility to consider before making an informed decision, that’s no secret. But that’s not all either.
Here’s the full list with a little extra to guide you through the selection process:
- Look up customer reviews and testimonials to gauge service quality. After all, good customer service is essential for a hassle-free experience.
- If possible, visit the storage facility or ask for virtual tours to assess the quality yourself.
- Make sure the facility offers robust security, like surveillance and controlled access.
- Check if they provide moving insurance or if you need to arrange your own. You sure don’t want any surprises.
- Go over their policy on accessing your stored items. What happens if you have any immediate needs? Well, that can be a challenge with full service storage companies since everything needs to be scheduled.
- Be clear about all costs, including any potential additional fees. The convenience that stems from extra services tends to have a separate price tag.
- Have a rough estimate of how much space and care your belongings need. You have to filter from the beginning only the companies that have the right size and type of unit for your needs.
- Consider the facility’s proximity to your home or business. A shorter distance could mean cheaper or even free transportation, as well as easier access to your belongings. Plus, there’s less stress on your items during transport.
- Look for facilities that offer digital inventory and online management tools. In this day and age, this should be non-negotiable.
Now You Know How to Use Full Service Storage
Now that we’ve gone over the process of using full service storage from start to finish, you can see what a difference it can make for those of us who’d rather skip the heavy lifting or having to deal with too much at once. You get a team who does all the tough stuff — packing, moving, storing and returning your items.
Sure, it might cost more than doing it yourself, as most specialized services do, but how about all the time and stress you’ll save? That’s priceless if you ask me. Just make sure you pick the right service for your needs and budget and you’re all set.
