Renting a storage space – tips for storing furniture
Your new apartment is not yet ready for you to move into, but the old one has already been rented out: you need somewhere to store your furniture. How do you find the right storage space? How much will it cost? And what should you watch out for?
15.07.2019
iStock / chandlerphoto
What storage options are available?
If you are looking for commercial storage options, you basically have the choice between a professionally managed traditional storage warehouse and a self-storage unit.
What is the difference between a storage warehouse and a self-storage unit?
In a regular storage warehouse, you hand over your belongings and an inventory list is created. Your belongings stay there until you pick them up again. In the meantime, you can usually only access your stored items by appointment and in the presence of a member of staff.
With self-storage, you typically store your items yourself in a separate, rented unit. You can access the unit either during set opening hours or 24 hours a day.
Many moving companies offer storage solutions. These usually comprise a mixture of professional warehouse storage and self-storage. Some have self-storage units within larger warehouses, and can help you place your belongings into the unit or container, if you wish.
Which solution is best?
If you need to store your belongings for a longer period and do not need to access them – if you are travelling around the world, for example – it is often cheaper to opt for traditional warehouse storage. If you want to be able to access your things whenever you like, self-storage would be the better choice. Many self-storage providers work with moving companies and for an extra charge will help with both moving and storage.
Whatever your preference, you should always get a range of quotes. For all types of storage facility, it is important that a constant temperature and humidity level is maintained. The temperature should not fall below 10°C and humidity should be between 40% and 60%, to make sure items made of wood, paper, cardboard and fabric do not rot or crack. If you have any concerns, ask the provider for more information.
Where can I rent a storage space?
There are numerous providers of traditional storage space and self-storage units across Switzerland. Providers of conventional storage include Kehrli+Oehler (Bern, Kerzers, Kloten), welti-furrer (Bern, Windisch, Zurich, Dielsdorf – including self-storage) and Gmür + Co. AG (Lucerne, Sursee – including self-storage).
Tip: when requesting quotes via Comparis, you can mention in the comments if you are interested in a storage service as well as help with moving.
Major self-storage operators include Zebrabox (11 locations in German-speaking and French-speaking Switzerland), placeB (over 20 locations in German-speaking Switzerland) and Mybox (Zurich, Bern and Basel). In Ticino, you could consider Casaforte for self-storage.
If the idea is to provide a temporary solution between moves, the facility should be close to your old or new place of residence. This saves you valuable travel time. Let’s say you are moving from Zurich to Bern. Renting storage space in Chur would be rather inconvenient. Request quotes from different locations. You may be able to save money by choosing a cheaper location.
How large should the storage space be?
For self-storage, you need to choose a room size. However, estimating the volume you need can be tricky. Storage rooms are usually between 2.8 and 3 metres high, so it’s worth stacking your items where you can. Some companies provide a volume calculator on their website or guidelines on the storage space required:
| Small cellar | Individual furniture items/boxes | 1-room apartment | 2-room apartment | 3-room apartment | 4-room apartment | 5-room apartment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volume in m3 | 3-4 | 5-7 | 8-10 | 11-16 | 17-24 | 27-36 | 45-56 |
| Area in m2 | 1-1.5 | 2-2.5 | 2.5-3.5 | 3.5-5.5 | 5.5-8 | 9-12 | 15-18 |
| Space for (for example) | 14 boxes, 1 pair of skis, 6 folders | 20 boxes, 2 chairs, 1 table | 20 boxes, sofa, TV, cabinet, bed, 2 chairs | 30 boxes, sofa, armchair, TV, cabinet, bed, table, 4 chairs | 50 boxes, sofa, armchair, TV, 2 cabinets, bed, table, 6 chairs, office | 80 boxes, sofa, armchair, TV, 2 cabinets, bed, table, 6 chairs, 2 children’s rooms, office, cellar | 120 boxes, sofa, armchair, TV, 4 cabinets, bed, table, 8 chairs, 3 children’s rooms, office, cellar, terrace |
Source: Zebrabox
You can always visit the storage facility to have a look round before deciding on a size.
How much does it cost to rent storage space?
Storage space is paid for in advance. The first rental payment is usually due when you sign the contract. Some providers offer lower rates if you rent for a longer period, but this often means paying the rent for the entire period in advance. The prices listed in the table are approximate.
| Storage volume in m3 | 1 | 6 | 10.2 | 18.9 | 29 | 30 | 37.7 | From 40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. price in CHF/month | 45 | 85 | 130 | 240 | 333 | 400 | 440 | 560 |
What else do storage providers offer?
Moving companies with storage facilities can, if required, offer assistance from their movers, who will collect your furniture from your home and deliver it to your new place afterwards. This is especially useful if you have heavy or bulky goods in storage.
If you are storing items that are very valuable, it’s worth taking out insurance. Ask your contents insurer whether your belongings are covered outside your home as well. If not, many storage providers offer insurance cover for an additional charge. Some companies require you to take out insurance cover for theft and natural hazards and automatically include it in the rental price. In this case, expect to pay premiums of around 5 to 10 francs per month for every 10,000 francs of the sum insured.
Almost all providers monitor the inside and outside of their buildings with video cameras and also have an alarm system. So as well as storing your belongings safely out of sight, storage facilities also implement preventive measures to reduce the risk of theft.
How can I store my items to take up a minimum of space?
When it comes to storage, space is money, so pack your furniture and boxes in the unit wisely.
Work out your storage arrangements in advance: things you will still need access to during the storage period should go in last. Make a plan of what you are storing where. This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for later on. Attach the plan to the wall next to the door of your storage room.
Disassemble furniture: a dismantled cabinet, for example, will take up much less space. Unscrew the table top from the legs. Remove the feet of your bed and disassemble the frame. Store all the nuts, bolts and screws for a piece of furniture in a small plastic bag and attach it to the back or bottom of the item to make sure you do not lose any.
Put the heaviest goods at the bottom: heavy and bulky furniture should be stored at the bottom so that it does not crush other items. Nest items inside one another to save space.
Pack correctly: place your belongings, organized by room, in moving boxes or banana boxes. The advantage of the latter is that they are very sturdy and therefore stack well.
Stack all the way up to the ceiling: make use of the height you have. For example, you can store sofas vertically on one end. Bring a ladder so that you can stack to the top.
Use every nook and cranny: pack smaller items into any available holes and spaces between other items or in the drawers of the stored furniture.
Label cardboard boxes: don’t rely on your memory. Label all your boxes or compile a storage list.
Are there things you shouldn't put in storage?
Most warehouses and self-storage providers will not allow you to store anything that's alive or smells. You cannot store drugs, weapons or highly combustible objects either. Basically, you are not permitted to store anything that could pose a hazard. This also means, for example, that you must empty the fuel tank of your lawn mower and leave it to dry before putting it into storage.
House plants are not suitable for storage either. It’s better to give them to friends to look after until you are ready to move in. If your items will be in storage during the winter, you can see if any garden centres will agree to store your potted companions. Many offer professional overwintering services for plants.
For more helpful tips and checklists for your next move, take a look at the Comparis moving guide.