The Moving Planner Blog

Storage companies will generally provide an estimate on request. Before accepting your goods for storage the storage company must provide you with a written estimate which is usually free of charge although in some states a maximum nominal fee can be applied. It is important to stress that the choice of company should not be based solely on price. Remember the cheapest estimate may have the worst service and the last thing you need is to take your important business documents, office furniture or home furnishings out of storage after a period of time and find they have been damaged due to poor service. The estimate a warehouse will give you differs from an estimate a mover can give you in the sense that no extra charges can be applied without being agreed to by the customer.

The storage facilities reputation must always be considered. Ask family and friends and business colleagues for referrals and check with the better business bureau on any complaints they have on file on a particular warehouse you may be looking in to and how these were resolved. It is highly recommended that you obtain at least three estimates before making a final decision. All estimates must be based on the warehouse operator physically inspecting the items to be stored in person and you should always receive a written copy of the estimate. If you are offered an estimate over the phone do not accept this and think twice about using this company.

Here is a guide on what to expect in an estimate.

• Name, address and telephone number of company
• Address of actual storage location (this may be different from the office location, especially in larger companies)
• Warehouse storage rate per unit
• Minimum monthly storage charges
• Minimum number of month’s storage
• Any applicable charges for storage preparation, padding or packing
• Any charges applied for transportation if this service is available and accepted
• Other charges the warehouse may apply

The cost of storage can vary depending on the options you decide to accept. The basic cost will cover items such as light, electricity, insurance, security and pest control. In order to calculate the actual costs it is important to think through the storage options you NEED. I stress the word need because if your goods do not require conditioned storage to remain in good condition it is probably not worth paying for it, however if your goods do need special storage conditions it is advisable to pay for it as it will be worth it in the end. For example, paper products going in to storage should be stored in rooms that have humidity control. You will pay extra for environmentally controlled rooms such as temperature and humidity control and you will also pay extra for non standard insurance.
A warehouse must insure goods against loss or damage for a minimum of about $0.30 per pound per article up to $2,000. The figure may vary slightly depending on the state. If your antiques china set weighing 10 pounds and valued at $1,500 is broken in the warehouse you would be entitled to the tidy sum of $3.00. You may want to take out additional insurance and the warehouse operator is required to inform you that additional insurance is available. Be sure you understand what the insurance covers in the unlikely event any goods become damaged. For example if you take out $3,000 worth of insurance on $12,000 worth of goods, i.e. ¼ of the value, if there is $4,000 worth of damage you would be covered for only $1,000 of the loss.
Source: http://www.newyorkmovers.org/storage-estimates.htm

Recommended New York Storage

Storage New York - FlatRate moving provides storage facilities in New York to accommodate every sort of residential and commercial requirement in your own unit. They operate their own facilities in Manhattan & NYC, which are climate controlled, with modern sprinkler systems, freight elevators, and loading-dock access for any size truck. Flatrate New York facilities are safe and completely insured. FlatRate New York City storage provides short-term and long-term storage units or storage to consolidate your goods for long-distance shipment.

RECOMMEND New York / Manhattan Storage Facility

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New York Storage 

Before you move, you must make sure that you have a place to store your belongings for the time being. There are many different sizes of storage rooms and many different size lockers. For more information go to New York Storage website.

Many moving companies provides mini storage facilities to accommodate every sort of residential and commercial requirement in your own unit. We operate our own facilities, which are climate controlled, with modern sprinkler systems, freight elevators, and loading-dock access for any size truck. Our facilities are safe and completely insured. FlatRate provides short-term and long-term storage units or storage to consolidate your goods for long-distance shipment.

Looking for a quality New York moving and storage service?

In 1991, FlatRate Moving Systems developed a totally new concept offering customers an all-inclusive, guaranteed, one-price moving and storage service. Their intention was to eliminate the questionable pricing practices inherent to the moving service industry, while at the same time providing quality service and storage at competitive prices. Their commitment to these goals remain steadfast.

They perform every type of moving and storage service: residential, commercial, long distance, or overseas, providing the finest overall moving service, from initial planning of your move to final follow-up.

FlatRate Moving is one of New York City’s most recommended moving services. Their estimates are always accurate and always competitive. Their moving and storage service is the most complete. They help you plan well in advance of your move, or quickly assist your in an urgent or immediate situation. They are fully equipped to move an entire home or apartment, or simply one piece of furniture.

Nearly all storage companies will have restrictions on what they will allow you to store on their premises. These restrictions are to protect both the storage company and the items being stored. The list of items a storage company will not allow you to store is very often similar to the list of items a moving company will not transport for you.
Read this section before doing your own packing and loading so that you do not find out on the day of the move that you are not allowed to store some or all of the items you have carefully packed. It is important that you understand which items you can and cannot store. There are also items you should not pack yourself, for example you may need professionals to pack up your exercise equipment correctly. The following list serves as a guide only on what not to put in to storage. If you have any specific questions contact your storage facility directly.

• Hazardous Materials / Combustible Materials / Aerosols

Flammable, corrosive or explosive items including:

• Acid / Gasoline Poisons / Charcoal / Lighter Fluid
• Fertilizer / Paints / Car Batteries / Matches
• Nail Polish & Remover / Ammunition / Liquid Bleach / Stern
• Aerosols / Kerosene / Pool Chemicals / Chemistry Sets
• Fireworks / Pesticides / Motor Oil / Paint Thinner
• Batteries / Loaded Weapons / Weed Killer / Ammonia
• Lamp Oil / Propane Tanks / Cleaning Fluid
• Do not store perishables such as food
• Plants  Plants are notorious for not traveling very well and often die in transit. They also do not survive well when moved from one location to another and are thus not generally stored. Some plants also attract pest such as insects, and so we will not allow them to be stored on site. Contact the Department of Agriculture before moving any plants across state lines as many states have rules and regulations that prohibit the entry of plants.

Examples of items you may not want to store are as follows:

• Address Books / Files / Air Line Tickets / Financial Statements / Photos and Albums
• Car Keys / Furs / Research Projects
• Bond / Deeds/ Tax Records / School Records
• Check Books / Jewelry / Sterling Silver / Valuables
• Coins / Letters / Stocks / Stamp Collection
• Computer Software / Disks / Medicine

Source: http://www.newyorkmovers.org/storage-restrictions.htm

There can be many reasons private people and businesses need to store goods away to be used at a later time. Sometimes when moving your household goods may need to be stored temporarily. This may be due to timing and not having located a permanent home in your new city and you may need to store your belongings for a few weeks as you find a new home. You may decide to do some remodeling of your new home or build an entirely new home and you will need to have your furnishings out of the way while this is going on and storage is an obvious choice. You may just need to store items you do not or cannot have in your home due to space constraints, and storage can is an option in situations like this.
An advantage of storing with your moving company is that the company will then deliver your furniture and other possessions when you are ready for them. You will not have to be present at the pick-up at the storage facility if you are moving with us as well.

If the storage is for overnight only, we will usually allow for storage within our truck itself, which is locked and parked in our safe and guarded depot, providing we have the availability. There is an extra charge for this service, and it varies according to the size of the truck. Please check with your relocation consultant in order to determine if this is option is available at the time of your move, and what the size of your shipment will cost for overnight storage.

At the time when you are making a decision on whether to store or not to store your goods, think about the other options that may be available to you. Do you really need all the items you are planning to put in to storage? Can you get rid of any without any regrets? Remember if you are moving, that everything you get rid of now is something you won’t have to pay to have moved. On the other hand you may need it someday!

Ask yourself some questions before deciding to store particular items or not.

1. Do I need the item?
2. Will I ever use this item again?
3. When did I use it last?
4. Has it got sentimental value?
5. If any of the items need repair will you really have them repaired?
6. Clothing items if you have not use any item will you really ever wear it again?

You may decide after answering the question above that you do not really need some of the items. The next big question is what to do with all this stuff. There are many options available to you. You could throw the stuff out, give it away to charity, or sell some of the items.
Source: http://www.newyorkmovers.org/storage.htm