Storing your stuff used to be an ordeal: you had to lug everything to a self-storage facility in a desolate part of town. Now, there's another option: mobile storage.
The idea behind mobile storage is relatively simple. Using a trailer, the mobile storage facility brings a large container right outside your house. You (or professional packers) load items you wish to store into the container.
When you're done, the storage container is picked up and taken to the company's storage facility. You can access your belongings like you do at normal storage facilities. (Although you might need to give a bit more notice -- the containers are often stacked one on top of the other.)
When you want your stuff back, the company ships the container to your new digs. Then you unpack the container, and the company picks it up.
When looking at mobile storage, some things to consider:
- The storage container should be moved to a storage unit when it is loaded. It cannot remain at the home or office location forever. In fact, most storage companies insist the trailer be moved as soon as possible, after loading.
- If you live in a condo or apartment you may need permission from your homeowners association or landlord, respectively, to have a trailer parked outside for a period of time.
- If your office or home is on a steep hill you, there must be a flat, hard, surface where the unit can be loaded
- Rates for mobile storage, just like regular storage, will vary on location and time of year.
- You are in total control of how the goods are packed. You will know exactly where everything is when you wish to remove items from storage.
- Check with your insurance agent about coverage for your goods in storage.
