If you’re moving house and need somewhere to store your belongings temporarily, you’re likely weighing up two options: removal company storage or self-storage. While self-storage may look cheaper at first glance, it often doesn’t stay that way. In many cases, using a professional removals and storage company that charges by volume, like Doree Bonner International, can offer real savings once you factor in time, effort, and added costs that self-storage doesn’t cover.

How Removal Company Storage Works

Collection And Containerised Storage

Removal company storage is designed to work as part of a smooth moving process. Your items are collected from your home by a professional removals team, packed with care, and loaded into clean, dry, sealed wooden containers. These containers are stacked safely in a secure warehouse until you’re ready for redelivery.

Controlled Access

You won’t need to spend weekends lifting boxes or renting a van to visit your storage. Access is arranged through the office, so any items you need can be retrieved for you. It’s not open-access like self-storage, but for most movers that’s a benefit, not a drawback.

Integrated With Your Move

Because it’s part of your full removal service, you’re not coordinating with multiple companies. Packing, storage and redelivery are handled by one team, making the process easier, faster and more efficient.

How Self Storage Works

Store It Yourself

With self-storage, you’re packing your belongings, hiring a van (or using your car), and moving everything into a unit yourself. If you need help, you’ll likely have to pay separately for it.

Flexible Access

Most centres let you access your unit during business hours. That’s ideal if you expect to visit regularly, but not necessary for most short- or mid-term home movers.

Unit Based Pricing

You’ll usually pay a fixed rate based on unit size, regardless of how much space you actually use. If you overestimate, you pay for space you don’t need. If you underestimate, you might end up upgrading or taking a second unit, both of which increase your costs.

Why Removal Company Storage Can Work Out Cheaper

long term item storage

You Only Pay For What You Use

Doree Bonner’s containerised storage is charged by volume, not by fixed unit size. That means you’re only paying for the space your items take up, not an oversized room just because you weren’t sure how much you’d need.

Fewer Costs You Have to Handle Yourself

With self-storage, you need to cover:

  • Van hire or multiple car trips
  • Packing materials
  • Time off work to load and unload
  • Physical labour or hiring help
  • Return journeys to collect your goods

With professional removal storage, the crew handles packing, lifting and transport for you. The only job you have is telling them what stays and what goes.

One Move In, One Move Out

You don’t have to do the same job twice. The team who collects your goods also returns them when you’re ready. That cuts down on journeys, fuel costs and hassle.

Comparing Real-Life Storage Scenarios

Scenario 1: You’re Storing Between Sale and Completion

You’ve sold your home, but your purchase is delayed by a few weeks. With Doree Bonner’s storage, the removals team collects your belongings on moving day, loads them straight into containers, and delivers them to your new home when it’s ready. No back and forth, no temporary rental vans, no double handling.

Scenario 2: You’re Renovating and Need Items Out of the Way

If your home is being refurbished and you need to clear a room or two, the removals crew can collect and store just the items you need to move. They’ll return them when the work is done. You won’t be stacking wardrobes in the garage or borrowing a van from a mate.

Scenario 3: You’re Moving Abroad and Need Partial Storage

If you’re going overseas and not taking everything with you, containerised storage keeps your remaining belongings safe and sealed until you’re ready to return or arrange shipment.

Cost Breakdown: Removal Storage vs Self Storage

Comparison of self-storage versus removal company storage
Cost ElementSelf-StorageRemoval Company Storage (e.g. Doree Bonner)
Unit chargeFixed sizeCharged by volume used
CollectionDIY or paid separatelyIncluded
Packing materialsBuy yourselfCan be supplied
Van hireUsually requiredNot needed
LabourDIY or extra costIncluded
RedeliveryDIY or extra costIncluded
AccessAnytimeArranged through office

When you add up all the elements, not just the weekly storage price, removal company storage often represents better value for home movers.

Practical Benefits Beyond Price

Less Effort, Less Stress

You’re not lifting heavy boxes or driving hire vans. The removals team does all the work, which is ideal if you have children, a busy job, or simply want to avoid the physical effort.

Greater Peace of Mind

Your belongings are stored in sealed containers within a monitored, secure facility. Items are packed properly, protected with wrap and covers, and loaded by trained professionals.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

You know exactly what’s included: collection, packing, storage by volume, and redelivery. No hidden fees or surprise extras.

Questions To Ask Before You Decide

  • How is storage charged? (Volume vs fixed unit)
  • What’s included in the quote?
  • Are collection and redelivery part of the service?
  • Can you access items if needed?
  • What’s the minimum storage term?
  • Is insurance included?

At Doree Bonner, we’re always clear about what you’re paying for, and our team helps you work out the most efficient and cost-effective storage plan for your move.

Conclusion

A Smarter Way To Store When You’re Moving

Self storage may seem cheaper at first glance, but the real costs often add up fast. When you use a professional removals and storage service like Doree Bonner, you get storage that fits your actual volume, labour included, and full end-to-end support from a team that’s done it all before.

You save time, avoid stress, and often spend less than you would trying to do it all yourself.

Need a quote for storage as part of your move? Get a free online quote or contact our team 24/7 for tailored advice.