What is Full-Service Storage?

All My Sons Moving & Storage provides full-service moving and storage solutions to our customers in the middle of a relocation. Ever wondered what full-service storage means? All My Sons has the answer for you.

When you think of storage facilities, you might first think of the warehouse lots full of storage garages. These are typically self-storage facilities, where a person pays for the use of the space itself, but handles all their own packing and other labor. On the other hand, full-service storage companies will handle every aspect of your transition into storage. 

Which one suits your needs or the needs of your business? It depends on your budget and how often you want to be able to have access to your belongings in storage. 

The primary differences between full-service storage and self-storage are in accessibility, labor, and cost. 

Accessibility

In a self-storage facility, you typically have an access card, code, or app to be able to come and go at the facility and access your storage unit as you need to. Gates and doors at self-storage facilities usually have regular access hours with the option to pay for additional 24 hour access. This is ideal for people or businesses that want to get into their storage unit often, like landscaping businesses or event planners.

In full-service storage, movers come pick up your items, pack them into crates or storage units at their own warehouse, and then keep them until you request them back. This may be ideal for the businesses and households that want to put their items into storage and do not need to access them at all. This could be a temporary place for items to go during a relocation or a long-term storage solution for items that only need to be accessed seasonally. 

Labor

At a self-storage facility, you will need to do your own labor or arrange your own labor for packing items into your storage unit. Preparing items for storage and organizing your storage unit all falls on you. The upside to this arrangement is that you can pack at your own pace and arrange items to your liking. 

With full-service storage, the packing and the loading of the storage unit is typically handled for you. Your items will be packed by professionals who understand how best to arrange and prepare items so that the risk of damage is minimized. 

Cost

Self-storage can come out the less expensive option, depending on what kind of unit you rent and how large it is. If you pay for a drive-up storage unit or a climate controlled unit, you might wind up paying more than you would for a standard indoor storage unit. Keep in mind, with self-storage you must perform or arrange for all your own labor in addition to your regular rental price.

Full-service storage may charge additional fees for loading and pickup of your belongings, but the pricing for storage rental may be more cost-effective in the long run. You should request a quote and get a breakdown of pricing when you inquire with your prospective full-service storage facility. 

Full-service storage could meet your needs if you’re concerned about security and labor. With a variety of different companies providing full-service storage across the country, you’re likely to find diverse options in what’s available. All across the board, full-service storage has several major benefits. 

• Enhanced Security: Full-service storage facilities strictly control access so that your belongings remain safe at all hours of the day. Some facilities add further security measures like 24 hour surveillance systems

• Pickup and Delivery: There’s no need to rent a truck or recruit helpers, your full-service storage facility will come pickup your items at your home or office and then deliver them right back to you when you request them.

• Hands-Off: You don’t have to lift a finger if you don’t want to. Full-service storage facilities will provide all the labor. 

• Professional Packing: Your belongings will be packed into your storage unit by professionals who know the ideal way to store items so that the risk of damage is minimized. 

If great security and a totally hands-off storage solution appeals to you, then full-service storage could be the option you’ve been looking for.

Full-service storage works best for companies and individuals that don’t need frequent, self-serve access to their belongings. Some of the items that get stored at full-service storage facilities include the following:

• Seasonal Items: Holiday decorations like your company’s Christmas-themed backdrop for the annual end of year office party can go into full-service storage when not in use. With full-service storage, you can have the items picked up when the season is over and then request them again a few weeks before the season begins, all the while knowing the items are in a secure location when out of sight.

• Office Furniture: If you are in the middle of a business relocation, renovation, or remodel, you might need somewhere to safely store your office furniture until your new location is ready. Full-service storage can pick up the cubicles, desks, and other office furniture pieces and keep them at the secure facility until you are ready to request them back.

• Electronics: Computers, monitors, televisions, and other assorted electronics might need a safe space to go when you’re doing a business update. You can keep the excess electronics on hand in storage as backups, or until you’re able to sell your items for maximum return.

• Important Documents: Businesses need secure storage space for tax records and other important documents they may be required to keep on hand. Instead of letting these files clutter up their offices, they can send their file boxes and cabinets to secure full-service storage until they need to perform an audit.

• Household Inventory During a Move: If your residential household is in transition during a move, you can send your furniture and boxes into full-service storage until your next home is ready.

Full-service storage can be immensely beneficial to companies and families that want a ‘hands-off’ approach to their storage solution. Items can be picked up, packed at the secure location, and then retrieved again at the appointed time all without lifting a finger.

When you’re looking for storage solutions, call the expert professional movers at All My Sons Moving & Storage to help. As a full-service moving company, we offer local moving services and long-distance moving services to help with your relocation. Whether you’re moving houses, apartments, or even offices, All My Sons Moving & Storage can step in and help with whatever needs you may have. Ask one of our moving specialists about our available storage facilities in your city and get started on your stress-free move by getting a quote online.