The right storage plan balances volume, access and the length of your stay—not just a bedroom count.
Begin with what is actually going into storage
A three-bedroom home can contain very different amounts of furniture. Make a list of large items and count the cartons you expect. Include awkward pieces such as bicycles, patio furniture and dining tables. Note what can be safely dismantled or stacked, and what must remain upright.
Floor area is only part of the answer. A nominal 10-by-10-foot space has 100 square feet of floor area, but usable capacity depends on height, layout and the items themselves. Allow for access and avoid treating a size illustration as a guarantee that every inventory will fit.
Choose what you will need to reach
If you will be between homes for several weeks, separate work equipment, seasonal clothing and household essentials. Ask how access works: appointment requirements, opening hours, retrieval charges and whether the goods are stored in an individual unit or handled within a warehouse. These are different service models.
Place frequently needed items where they can be retrieved without unloading everything, if the storage arrangement allows it. Keep an inventory copy outside storage. A box number and short description are far more useful than remembering that something is in a blue bag.
Prepare for the storage period
Clean and fully dry items before packing. Follow appliance manufacturers’ preparation instructions, especially for draining and drying. Use appropriate protective covers and avoid trapping moisture around furniture. Do not pack perishable food. Obtain the facility’s prohibited-items list before loading; fuels, chemicals and other hazardous goods may be excluded.
Ask whether temperature or humidity is controlled and whether those conditions suit your possessions. The word secure does not answer a climate question. For delicate finishes, instruments or valuable collections, discuss specific requirements rather than assuming ordinary household storage is suitable.
Ask about the whole cost
Request a breakdown covering collection, handling, storage, access, redelivery and any minimum period. Ask how extra time is charged if your closing date changes. Confirm what protection is included, what optional coverage exists and whether you need to arrange anything separately.
Keep the release procedure clear. Who can authorize delivery, how much notice is needed and what happens if your new property is not ready? A written answer is useful when a purchase completion date shifts at short notice.
Plan the delivery before you need it
When your new home is confirmed, send the final address, access details and inventory changes to the team. Check that everything originally collected is accounted for at delivery. Arrange furniture placement before cartons fill the rooms.
Use the Kratos storage size guide as a starting point, then share your inventory for a practical discussion. The aim is enough suitable space and a workable collection-to-delivery plan, not choosing the largest unit by default.
BEFORE YOU GO
Your move, one check at a time.
- List furniture and cartons
- Separate items needed during storage
- Confirm access and environmental conditions
- Review all handling and delivery charges
- Agree the release and redelivery process