Signs You Need Moving and Storage Solutions And When You Don't
Not every move needs a storage unit. And not every storage situation calls for a full relocation. This guide helps you figure out which combination fits your situation, before you sign anything.
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Moving is our trade. Storage is part of it.
2007
Founded in LA
CA
+ Pacific Northwest
Presto Movers has handled residential and commercial relocations across California and the Pacific Northwest since 2007. That includes straightforward local moves, cross-country hauls, and full office relocations with cubicle teardown and reinstall.
We offer moving and storage in Los Angeles as a combined service because many moves genuinely need both. Your new place isn't ready. Your closing date shifted. You're staging your current home to sell. These aren't edge cases. They happen constantly, and having storage lined up in advance avoids scrambling.
We also work with office managers, facility directors, and business owners who need industrial relocation, racking installation, or specialty equipment moves. Full-service moving means we handle the plan, the labor, and the logistics. You don't coordinate between three different vendors.
"We serve Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Simi Valley, and communities throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Get a free quote before you commit to anything."
The Real Guide
When Moving and Storage Makes Sense
The short answer: you need combined moving and storage when your move-out date and move-in date don't line up. Here's what that actually looks like.
Your Closing Date Moved
Real estate closings slip. A week here, two weeks there. If you've already vacated your current home, your belongings need somewhere secure. A climate-controlled storage unit beats stacking boxes at your cousin's garage.
You're Staging to Sell
Staging a home for sale typically means removing 30 to 50 percent of your furniture. Movers can haul it to storage the same day, and bring it back after closing. That workflow keeps your current home showing-ready without renting a second space yourself.
Long-Distance with a Gap
Cross-country moves often have a 5 to 14 day gap between pickup and delivery. Some households ship ahead and stay in temporary housing. In those cases, storage at the destination is cheaper than rush delivery fees.
Downsizing Mid-Move
Moving from a 4-bedroom house to a 2-bedroom condo? You won't know what fits until you're actually in the space. Storage gives you 30 to 90 days to decide what stays before you commit to selling or donating the rest.
Office Relocation During Renovation
Commercial moves that overlap with a build-out or office renovation almost always need interim storage. Desks, cubicles, and filing systems can't just stack in a hallway. We handle cubicle moving and installation, including teardown at the old location and reinstall at the new one.
International Relocation
Shipping furniture internationally takes weeks. Customs clearance adds unpredictability. Most people moving abroad store a portion of their belongings domestically. See our guide on international moving costs from California for realistic numbers.
When You Don't Need It
Skip Storage If Your Timeline Lines Up
Storage costs money. If you're moving directly from your old home into your new one on the same day, or within a day or two, you don't need a storage unit. A same-day move handles it in a single trip.
Same goes for local moves where the new place is ready on move-in day. Renting a unit for convenience, then never actually using the flexibility it provides, is a common waste. Most local moves in LA and the surrounding areas take 4 to 8 hours start to finish.
If you're just moving a few items, a short-distance moving company without storage is usually enough. Storage is a solution to a specific timing problem. If you don't have that problem, skip it.
Move-out and move-in are same day or back-to-back and both locations are confirmed.
You're renting and your new lease starts immediately. No gap between old and new.
You're moving a small number of items and the job doesn't justify a storage contract.
Your new office or commercial space is ready for occupancy on the same date the old lease ends.
You've already downsized significantly and everything you're keeping fits directly into the new space.
Choosing Storage
What Type of Storage Do You Actually Need?
Not all storage is the same. Here's what the main options look like and when each one makes sense.
Climate-Controlled Units
Best for wood furniture, electronics, artwork, documents, and anything sensitive to humidity. In Southern California, temperature swings in an uncontrolled unit can warp furniture over 30 to 60 days. Worth the extra cost if you're storing for more than a month.
Portable Storage Containers
A container gets dropped at your home, you load it, then it's picked up and stored. Useful if you want to pack on your own schedule. Slower than full-service, and you're responsible for loading. Not ideal for heavy furniture or large households.
Mover-Managed Storage
When your moving company handles storage directly, the same crew that loads your home delivers to the facility and retrieves when you're ready. No handoff between vendors. This is the most efficient option for most residential moves. See how it works with our LA moving and storage service.
Quick Decision Checklist
Is there a gap between your move-out and move-in dates?
Are you staging your current home before listing it?
Does your new space require renovation before move-in?
Are you downsizing and unsure what will fit?
Is this an international or cross-country move with flexible timing?
If you answered yes to any of these, combined moving and storage is worth discussing before you book.
Long-Distance Specifics
Moving Across State Lines? Storage Changes the Math.
Cross-country moves are priced by weight and mileage. The longer the haul, the more a delivery delay costs you. If your destination isn't ready, storing locally at origin is often cheaper than paying for redelivery after a long-haul truck has already arrived and unloaded.
For moves like Seattle to California or New York to San Francisco, the transit window alone is 5 to 14 business days. That's before any delays. Having storage pre-arranged at destination means you control the release, not the driver's schedule.
Some households also split the move: ship storage-bound items early, then move the essentials at the end. That reduces clutter during the final days in your old home and gives you time to settle before dealing with overflow.
Eco-Conscious Moves
Fewer Trips Means Less Fuel.
One of the cleaner ways to reduce the environmental footprint of a move is to consolidate loads. Instead of multiple small trips over several days, a single move to storage, then one delivery to the new home, cuts total vehicle miles significantly.
We also use reusable packing materials where possible. Rented moving blankets replace single-use bubble wrap for most furniture. Our eco-friendly moving approach doesn't slow the job down, it just changes what goes in the truck.
The EPA notes that transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Consolidating move trips is a small but real contribution to cutting that number.
Practical Advice
How to Prepare for a Combined Move and Storage Job
Most people underestimate how much coordination a combined job takes. Here's what the actual process looks like.
Inventory before you pack
Separate what goes to storage from what goes directly to the new address. Label boxes clearly. Mixing the two loads during a move creates problems that take hours to untangle on delivery day.
Book storage before your move date
Don't assume unit availability. In LA, storage facilities near desirable neighborhoods often have waiting lists. Book at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead. Your mover can often help coordinate this if they offer integrated storage.
Pack storage items for the long term
Items in storage get moved twice: once in, once out. Pack them properly the first time. Double-box fragile items, wrap furniture in moving blankets, and disassemble anything tall. See our guide to organizing moving boxes for specifics.
Understand access policies
Some storage facilities limit access hours. If you think you'll need to retrieve items on short notice, make sure the facility offers extended or 24-hour access. Mover-managed storage often has different access terms than self-storage.
Get the quote right the first time
A combined move and storage quote should spell out: the move cost, storage cost per month, and the delivery cost when you're ready. Getting an accurate moving quote online means providing inventory, dates, and both addresses upfront. Vague quotes lead to surprise charges.
Watch for moving scams
Storage combined with a move creates more opportunity for dishonest operators to hold your belongings hostage. Use a licensed, insured mover. The FMCSA maintains a lookup tool for verifying carrier licenses. Read our guide on moving scams to avoid.
Tip
Use the first 30 days wisely. Most storage agreements give you at least a month. Use that window to measure your new space and decide what furniture actually fits before you move everything in.
Moving with Family
Moving with kids or during pregnancy adds complexity. Storage can reduce the number of active move days. Read our guides: moving with kids and moving while pregnant.
Commercial
Office relocation costs vary by location. Check our Calabasas office moving cost guide for 2026 pricing context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving and Storage: Common Questions
How long can I keep items in moving and storage?
There's no set maximum for most facilities. Month-to-month contracts are standard. That said, storage costs add up. A 10x10 unit in Los Angeles typically runs $150 to $250 per month depending on location and climate control. If you find yourself storing for more than 6 months, it's often cheaper to sell the items and rebuy later.
Can my mover pick up from storage directly?
Yes, if the mover has access to the facility or if you're using mover-managed storage. When the same company handles both the initial move and the final delivery, they already have your items inventoried and loaded. If you stored with a separate facility, you'll need to coordinate access for the mover or load it yourself.
Is my stuff insured while in storage?
This depends entirely on the contract. Standard mover liability coverage (released value) is typically 60 cents per pound per item, which is not enough for most furniture. For storage, many facilities require you to carry renters or storage insurance separately. Ask your mover specifically what coverage applies during the storage period and what the claims process looks like. See our FAQ for more on coverage.
What's the difference between a broker and a moving company for storage jobs?
A broker sells your job to a third-party carrier. They don't own the truck or the storage facility. That handoff creates gaps in accountability, especially when storage is involved. A direct moving company manages the whole job. Read more on moving broker versus moving company before you book.
How do I know if I'm getting a fair price for a combined move and storage job?
Get at least two written quotes that break out the move cost, storage rate, and delivery cost separately. Compare those line items, not just the total. A quote that bundles everything into one number is harder to verify. How to get an accurate moving quote online walks through what information to have ready before you call.
Ready to Move?
Tell us your dates. We'll tell you if storage makes sense.
Not every move needs storage. We'll give you an honest answer after we hear the details. Free quote, no pressure.
We serve Los Angeles, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Simi Valley, and communities across California and the Pacific Northwest. Local or long-distance, residential or commercial.
Residential Moves
Local and long-distance. Full packing available. Apartments, condos, houses. Full or partial packing explained.
Commercial and Office Moves
Cubicle teardown, racking installation, industrial equipment. Coordinated around your business schedule. Cubicle moving details.
Long-Distance and International
Cross-country and international relocation with storage options at origin or destination.
2007
In business since
CA
California-wide service
PNW
Pacific Northwest coverage
$0
Cost to get a quote
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