When you need to store belongings during a move, two options come up: rent a self storage unit and handle it yourself, or use a removal company that offers storage as part of its service. They sound similar, but they work very differently and the right choice depends on how much you are moving, how long you need to store it, and how much of the lifting you want to do.
This guide compares the two on cost, effort, and convenience, and shows when each one wins. If you decide self storage is the better fit, compare facilities near you to see local prices.
The two options, briefly
Self storage means renting a secure unit at a facility and moving your belongings in and out yourself, or with a hired van. You hold the only key, you control the access, and you pay a flat monthly rate for the space.
Removal company storage, often called containerised or managed storage, means the removals firm collects your belongings, packs them into wooden containers, and stores them in their warehouse. You do not normally have day-to-day access, and you pay for collection, storage, and redelivery.
Which is cheaper
For most people, self storage is the cheaper option, especially for shorter stays where you do the moving yourself. The reason is simple: with self storage you pay only for the space. With removal company storage you also pay for labour, collection, and redelivery, which adds up quickly.
| Cost element | Self storage | Removal company storage |
|---|---|---|
| Storage space | Flat monthly rate (£40–£450 by size) | Included, but priced per container |
| Moving the goods | Your time, plus van hire if needed | Included in the service |
| Collection and redelivery | Not applicable | Charged, often the largest cost |
| Packing | Do it yourself | Available, at a cost |
| Access during storage | Free and flexible | Limited or charged |
Where removal storage can close the gap is on a long-distance or whole-house move, where you would have to hire a van and a couple of helpers anyway. Once you are paying for labour and a vehicle regardless, having professionals do the heavy lifting starts to look like better value.
Which is less effort
This is where the removal company earns its fee. With self storage you do the work: carrying, loading, driving, and stacking the unit. With a removal company, a team handles all of it, which matters if you are moving a large house, have a bad back, are short on time, or are managing the move from a distance.
So the honest trade-off is cost against effort. Self storage is cheaper but hands-on. Removal storage costs more but does the work for you.
When self storage wins
Choose self storage if you:
- Are storing a flat or a few rooms rather than a whole large house.
- Need regular access to your belongings while they are in storage.
- Are happy to move things yourself or hire a van for the day.
- Want a flexible, rolling monthly contract you can end quickly.
- Are storing for an open-ended or uncertain period.
- Want to keep the cost down.
When a removal company wins
Choose removal company storage if you:
- Are moving a large, fully furnished house.
- Are moving long distance or abroad and want a single firm to handle everything.
- Cannot do the lifting, or simply do not want to.
- Will not need access to your belongings while they are stored.
- Value having the whole move, pack, transport, and store, managed end to end.
A middle path many people miss
You do not have to choose one or the other for the whole job. A common, cost-effective approach is to rent a self storage unit and hire a man-and-van service just for moving day. You get professional muscle for the heavy lifting at a fraction of a full removals quote, then keep the low, flexible monthly rate of self storage for as long as you need it. For most flat and small-house moves, this is the cheapest sensible option.
How to decide
- Estimate your size. Use our size calculator to see what unit your belongings need, then check local self storage prices.
- Get a removals quote that includes storage, and make sure it itemises collection, storage, and redelivery separately so you can compare like for like.
- Factor in van hire and your own time for the self storage option, so the comparison is fair.
- Weigh access. If you need to reach your things during storage, self storage is the clear winner.
- Decide on effort versus cost. If the saving from self storage is worth a day of your labour, take it. If not, pay for the service.
The bottom line
For most moves, self storage is the cheaper choice, and pairing it with a man-and-van service for the heavy day gives you professional help without a full removals bill. A removal company with storage makes sense for large or long-distance moves where you want one firm to handle everything and you will not need access in between. Work out your size and effort first, then compare self storage near you against a removals quote to see which adds up for your move.
Frequently asked questions
The answers below cover what people ask most when choosing between the two. For local self storage prices, compare facilities directly.