The longer answer
How to set it up
- Make a short list. Think about the weeks in between: work clothes, school things, tax papers, a favorite pan, chargers, seasonal gear.
- Pack those items together. Fewer, well-labeled boxes beat many half-full ones.
- Mark them clearly. Write something obvious like "NEED FIRST" on the top and on two sides, in a color you will spot.
- Tell the foreman on move day. Point out the marked boxes before loading starts so the crew holds them back and puts them in last.
- Call the office before you need them. We coordinate the visit so someone can get you to the front of the unit.
What works better than a mid-storage pickup
The easiest boxes to get out of storage are the ones that never went in. Before move day, look at the list again:
- Documents, passports, medication and jewelry should travel with you, not into storage.
- Daily clothing for the in-between period can go in a suitcase.
- Anything you will need within the first week is probably better in your car.
Our moving checklist has a section on what to keep with you, and the storage page covers how a move with storage flows from pickup to final delivery.
Why loading order matters
A storage unit gets packed tight to use the space well, so a box near the back can be very hard to reach without unloading half of it. Planning the order at the start costs nothing. Digging later costs time, and time is what you pay for.
You may also ask
More questions people ask
What if I forget to mark a box I need?
Call us and describe it as best you can. It may still be reachable, but a box loaded early can sit deep in the unit, so it may take extra time to find.
Can I add items to storage after the move?
Ask the office first. Adding things later works best when it is planned, so we can arrange it properly.
Does pulling out a few boxes change my monthly storage fee?
No. Storage is a flat monthly fee charged in 30-day periods, and it is not prorated up or down.
