Sometimes you cannot move straight from one home to the next. A closing slips. A new build runs late. A lease ends a month early. That is when movers and storage work best together.
LiteMovers has moved and stored homes across Greater Philadelphia since 2007. This guide explains how moving and storage works, how to prepare, and how to pick the right option.
Quick answer: how moving and storage works
- ✓Inventory: the crew lists your items, and you sign the list as your receipt.
- ✓Pack and wrap: furniture is padded and wrapped, and boxes are sealed.
- ✓Store: items go into sealed, labeled wooden vaults in our private warehouse.
- ✓Deliver: you call ahead, and we deliver to your new home.
What Are Movers and Storage Services?
Movers and storage services bundle two jobs under one company. The same crew packs, loads, stores, and later delivers your things. You deal with one team, one inventory, and one point of contact.
This is different from renting a self-storage unit. With a mover, you never load a unit yourself. See our full moving and storage in Philadelphia service.
When Storage Makes Sense During a Move
- ✓Closing gaps: your sale closes before your purchase. See storage for home sales and purchases.
- ✓Renovations: you need rooms empty while work gets done. Read about storage during renovation.
- ✓Downsizing: you are not ready to decide on every piece yet. Learn why storage helps when downsizing.
- ✓Time away: a work posting, travel, or a semester abroad. See storage while abroad.
- ✓Staging: you want a lighter, cleaner home for listing photos.
How the LiteMovers Storage Process Works
1. Inventory at your home
Before anything leaves, the crew makes an inventory list of your items. You review it and sign it. That signed list is your receipt.
2. Wrap, pack, and load
Furniture is wrapped in furniture pads and stretch wrap. Boxes are sealed and labeled. Then everything loads onto our truck for the short trip to the warehouse.
3. Sealed vault storage
Your items go into wooden storage vaults. Each vault is about seven feet high, five feet wide, and seven feet long. Once full, the vault is sealed and given its own tracking code. Oversized pieces that will not fit are stored separately.
4. Delivery when you are ready
When your new home is ready, call to set a delivery date. We ask for about a week’s notice. The crew pulls your vaults, delivers, and places items room by room.
Need storage between homes?
Get one plan for your move out, storage, and move in.
Professional Storage vs. Self-Storage
Both have a place. The right choice depends on how much labor you want to do and how often you need access.
| Factor | Mover Storage | Self-Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | Crew packs, loads, and delivers | You do it or hire help |
| Handling | Items sealed in vaults, touched less | Items loaded and unloaded twice by you |
| Access | Scheduled with notice | Walk-in during unit hours |
| Security | Private warehouse, limited access | Your lock, shared facility |
| Best for | Whole-home moves, closing gaps, renovations | Small loads you visit often |
Already have a self-storage unit? We can still help. Our movers for self-storage load and unload units for you.
DIY Moves vs. Full-Service Moving and Storage
A DIY move with storage means renting a truck, renting a unit, and lifting everything twice. It can look cheaper at first. But it costs you days of labor and two extra trips.
Full service means one crew does it all. Your items are handled by trained movers, tracked on one inventory, and delivered when you call. For a whole home, most families find it is worth it.
Safety Measures to Expect
Ask any mover how they protect stored items. Here is what LiteMovers provides:
- ✓A private warehouse, not a public storage site, with limited access
- ✓24-hour video surveillance
- ✓Sealed wooden vaults, each with its own tracking code
- ✓A signed inventory that ties every item to its vault
- ✓Indoor storage in a clean, dry building
Climate control is not needed for most furniture and boxes. It matters more for wine, fine art, pianos, photos, and antiques. If you plan to store those, ask us about warehouse conditions first.
How to Prepare Items for Storage
- ✓Clean and fully dry everything, including fridges and washers.
- ✓Defrost and prop open fridges and freezers.
- ✓Drain gas from mowers, grills, and power tools.
- ✓Do not store food, plants, or anything that can spoil.
- ✓Keep papers, jewelry, and medicine with you, not in storage.
Organize for easy delivery
- ✓Pack boxes full so they do not crush when stacked.
- ✓Label each box with its room and a short list of contents.
- ✓Keep a numbered list that matches your box labels.
- ✓Set aside one box of items you may need before delivery.
Best Packing Materials for Storage
Storage lasts weeks or months, so packing matters more than on a one-day move.
- ✓New, sturdy boxes in a few standard sizes
- ✓Plain packing paper instead of newspaper, which can stain
- ✓Furniture pads and stretch wrap for wood and upholstery
- ✓Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- ✓Mattress bags to keep beds clean
Skip plastic bags on furniture and do not reuse damp cardboard. Both can trap moisture.
The Benefits of Professional Packing for Storage
Pro packing is built for the long haul. Boxes are packed tight so they stack without crushing. Fragile items get extra paper and dish packs. Our packing services and packing and storage work as one plan.
- ✓Less damage from shifting or crushing in stacked vaults
- ✓Clear labels that make delivery faster
- ✓Fewer hours of your time spent packing
- ✓Items packed by people who know how storage vaults load
What Affects the Cost of Moving and Storage
Every move with storage is different. These are the main things that shape the cost:
- ✓How much you store, measured in vaults
- ✓How long items stay in storage
- ✓Whether you want full, partial, or no packing
- ✓Distance and access at the pickup and delivery homes
- ✓Oversized pieces that need space outside a vault
Bundling packing, moving, and storage with one company often keeps things simpler and cuts extra trips. Ask about current offers and billing when you request a free moving estimate.
Insurance for Items in Storage
A mover’s basic coverage is limited and pays by weight, not by what an item is worth. That works for boxes of books, but not for a dining set or art.
- ✓Check if your homeowners or renters policy covers items in storage.
- ✓Ask your mover about added coverage for higher-value items.
- ✓Keep your signed inventory and photos of valuables before they go in.
Local Movers vs. Large Companies for Storage
Big brands are not always better for storage. National van lines often pass storage to a local agent anyway. A local mover with its own warehouse handles your things fewer times.
Our warehouse near King of Prussia serves the Main Line, Philadelphia, and the suburbs. Families in Chester County can also see our Chester County storage page.
Eco-Friendly Storage Habits
We reuse furniture pads and storage vaults move after move instead of throwing out wrap. Before you store, it also helps to let go of what you will not use. Our removals and donations service sends usable items to donation instead of a landfill.
Let us handle the move and the storage.
Call LiteMovers at (610) 755-5535 or toll-free at 1-877-798-8989.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are movers and storage services?
Movers and storage services combine moving and storing your things under one company. The movers pack and load your items, take them to a secure warehouse, and store them. When you are ready, the same company delivers them to your new home.
How does a mover and storage service work?
The crew makes an inventory at your home, wraps your items, and loads the truck. Items go into sealed, labeled storage vaults in the warehouse. When you call to schedule delivery, the crew pulls your vaults and moves them to your new address.
What is the difference between professional storage and self-storage?
With professional storage, movers pack, load, store, and deliver your things, so you never lift a box. With self-storage, you rent a unit, move items in yourself, and hold the key. Professional storage saves labor. Self-storage gives you walk-in access any time.
Are climate-controlled units essential for storage during a move?
Not for most furniture and boxes kept in a clean, dry, indoor warehouse. Climate control matters more for wine, fine art, pianos, photos, and fragile antiques. Ask your mover about warehouse conditions before you store those items.
How do I prepare items for movers to store?
Clean and dry everything first, so no moisture or food gets packed away. Empty and defrost fridges. Drain fuel from mowers and grills. Pack boxes full and seal them well. Label each box with its room and contents, and set aside what you need soon.
What packing materials protect items in storage best?
Sturdy new boxes, packing paper, furniture pads, and stretch wrap protect items best. Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes and mattress bags for beds. Avoid plastic bags and wet cardboard, because they can trap moisture over time.
Do insurance policies cover items in mover storage?
Your mover's basic coverage is limited and pays by weight, not by item value. Many homeowners and renters policies also cover items in storage. Check your own policy, and ask your mover about added coverage for valuable items.
What safety measures should I expect with mover storage?
Expect a private warehouse with limited access, video surveillance, and sealed storage vaults. Each vault should carry a label or tracking code tied to your signed inventory. Ask who can reach your items and how they are tracked.
What happens after items enter storage with movers?
Your items stay sealed in their vaults, tracked by number against your signed inventory. When you need them, you call ahead to set a delivery date. The crew then delivers and places items in your new home.
What determines the cost of storage and moving?
The amount you store, how long you store it, and whether you need packing all shape the cost. Distance, access at each home, and oversized items matter too. A free in-home or video estimate gives you an accurate number.
Are larger companies better for storage during a move?
Not always. Large national lines often hand storage to a local agent anyway. A local mover with its own warehouse knows your items, handles them fewer times, and can deliver on a shorter schedule.
LiteMovers LLC · 307 East Church Rd, Suites 1 & 2, King of Prussia, PA 19406 · (610) 755-5535 · Toll-free 1-877-798-8989 · USDOT 2173383 · PA PUC 8916211
Comments are closed.