How to Transport Items to a Storage Facility in NYC
You love NYC for countless reasons but how do you deal with the traffic (loads of it), parking (little of it), and tight living spaces (insanely expensive)? Maybe space is getting so tight that you’re ready to do what Carrie Bradshaw did on Sex and the City and store your sweaters in the oven. Once you decide that the oven just won’t do, what’s the best way to get all that stuff to the storage unit? You might be able to get your out-of-season clothes transported via a few trips on the subway, but your sofa is another matter altogether.
If you or a friend have a car, you’re in luck. You can make a few trips back and forth and get your clothes and boxes tucked into a storage unit. But what if you want to store your extra dining chairs, a mattress set, or books and bookcases? You’ll likely need more than a car – but not to worry – you have a range of choices when it’s time to think of transporting your stuff into storage. Here are some of the popular transport methods:
- Order up a cargo taxi. The driver helps you load and does the transport for you. Just be aware that many driver services charge up to 25% more from 5 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, from the 28th to the 2nd of the month, and on weekends.
- Rent a van or truck and do the driving yourself.
- Find a self-storage unit that offers pick-up.
- Choose a storage service that drops off a truck that you load on your own and then their driver gets behind the wheel and drives your stuff to storage.
- Choose a full-service moving and storage company that will pick up, transport your stuff, and oh so much more. This is by far the best stress-saving choice!
If you have a crazy-busy lifestyle it can actually be more cost-effective – and definitely less stressful – to have a full-service moving and storage company manage your storage for you. They can provide so much more than just transporting your belongings. They offer the flexibility of allowing you to choose exactly which services you need. You can have the company bring all the packing materials, pack your stuff for you, get it to storage, and pack the storage unit. And you can choose whether you want them to store your things in a secure warehouse or in a self-storage unit – both of which are ultra-clean and secure. Three key advantages to using a full-service moving and storage company (like The Movers NYC) are:
- You’ll save valuable time. The more services you choose the more time you’ll save.
- You’ll save unnecessary stress. Continue with your routine and let the pros do the work.
- You can save money on monthly storage. You’ll likely be able to go with smaller storage space if experienced crews pack for you. It’s amazing how they can consolidate your belongings into fewer boxes and smaller storage space than you’d likely be able to do on your own.
At The Movers NYC, we have every storage solution you could dream of! We’re a fully licensed, bonded, and insured professional moving and storage company that serves both New York City and the Tri-State area. Traffic accidents, flooding, fire, theft – unfortunately, these things happen. By using The Movers NYC for your storage needs, you get protection for your belongings that you don’t get when you handle storage by yourself. Give us a call – we’re happy to answer all of your storage questions!
How Much is Storage Per Month in NYC?
Before you can decide if you’re going to try to manage storage completely on your own, or go the full-service route, you’ll want to know how much storage will cost per month in NYC. Obviously, the cost will depend on a number of factors like the size of the unit; the length of the rental contract; where the unit is located; if there’s drive-up access; how compactly you’ve packed your stuff; the additional storage services you choose like climate-control, additional security, packing, or added insurance; and the quality of the storage facility. Make sure that whatever type of storage you choose, the facility is clean, uses vermin and insect control, is waterproof, and above all – safe and secure.
Given all the variables, the following figures are ballpark numbers for the monthly cost of the three most common sized (width, length, height) storage units in New York City:
- A 5′ x 5′ x 8′ unit runs from about $85 to $125 monthly. This is a good option for out-of-season sports equipment, clothes, home accessories, and some boxes.
- A 5′ x 10′ x 8′ unit runs from about $125 to $185 monthly. This unit is a good option for furniture, a mattress set, a piano, and some boxes.
- A 10′ x 10′ x 8′ unit runs from about $200 to $300 monthly. This unit will accommodate two full bedrooms, a living room, appliances, boxes, and a compact vehicle.
Tips for Controlling Storage Costs
Storage costs can add up quickly. Save money by:
- Checking storage packing hacks online.
- Make sure you’re not paying for services you don’t need. Some facilities rent climate-controlled units only. Why pay for climate control if you’re just storing sports equipment and clothes?
- Carefully select the time of day and day of the month that you have your stuff transported – remember – nights, weekends, and the end/beginning of the month can cost more.
- Instead of paying for storage, consider selling or donating items you haven’t used during the past year.
- Check with your homeowners or renters insurance to see if your policy covers your items while they’re in storage.
- Clothes and textiles can get ruined when stored in plastic bags. Plastic holds moisture and encourages mold. Avoid using plastic and having to replace moldy stuff.
What Are the Typical Sizes of Storage Units Available in New York City?
From just needing to free up some kitchen cupboards or closet space to storing your entire apartment, NYC has a storage unit that will meet your needs.
- Tiny (2’ x 2’ and 2’ x 4’ units): You can rent a tiny little space that holds a few boxes; typically the smallest spaces are 2′ x 2′ units that hold 16 cubic feet or a 2′ x 4′ unit that holds 32 cubic feet.
- Small (5′ x 5′ x 8′; 5′ x 10′ x 8′; 5′ x 15′ x 8; 10′ x 10′ x 8′; and 10′ x 15′ x 8′): Need more storage space? Larger units range from 5′ x 5′ x 8′; 5′ x 10′ x 8′ (about the size of a small walk-in closet); 5′ x 15′ x 8; 10′ x 10′ x 8′; and 10′ x 15′ x 8′ (about the size of a small one-car garage). If you pack carefully, it’s pretty amazing what you can fit in a 10′ x 15′ x 8′ storage unit – you can store two full bedrooms, a kitchen, and living room of boxes and furniture, a couch, dining table, and large TV.
- Medium (10′ x 25′ x 8′): Looking for storage that will hold your entire apartment? Maybe you’ve decided to completely renovate your home or office and need to get everything out for six months. A larger storage unit, such as 10′ x 25′ x 8′ will hold the contents of a fully-furnished three-bedroom apartment or house, including dressers, a dining room set, kitchen, living room, mattress sets, a refrigerator, and washer/dryer.
- Large (10′ x 30′ x 8′): Generally, the largest unit available is 10′ x 30′ x 8′. This unit holds the contents of up to four or five bedrooms including living room and dining room furniture and accessories, your kitchen, home office, patio furniture, garden tools and equipment, and even a vehicle. Although the typical storage unit is 8′ tall, taller and shorter units are available at select facilities.
Whatever your storage needs, it’s worth taking a moment to ask for a free quote from The Movers NYC. We’re your New York City storage experts and are happy to answer all your storage questions!