A lot of South Florida moves involve a storage unit somewhere along the way. Maybe you're between leases, selling a house, downsizing into a condo, or a snowbird closing up for the summer. Storage moves aren't hard, but they have their own quirks. Here's what to know before moving day.
I'm Kyle, one of the two guys behind Miles Above Moving. We're based in Pompano Beach and move people in and out of storage units all over Broward and south Palm Beach.
Picking the right unit
If you haven't rented one yet, a few things make a big difference on move day:
- Drive-up vs. inside units. A drive-up unit lets us back the truck right to the door. An inside unit means carts, hallways and sometimes an elevator, which takes longer.
- Climate control. In South Florida this is worth thinking about. Heat and humidity are rough on wood furniture, mattresses, electronics, photos and paperwork. If you're storing anything you care about for more than a few weeks, ask about a climate-controlled unit.
- Size. Facilities usually have a size guide. If you're torn between two sizes, the bigger one is often easier, because you can leave a walkway and reach things later.
- Location. A unit close to your old or new place cuts drive time, which matters when you're paying by the hour.
Call the facility before you book movers
Every facility runs a little differently. Ask:
- What are the gate hours? Some close early, and you don't want a crew waiting outside a locked gate.
- Is there a loading area or truck height limit? Our truck is a 16-foot box truck, so covered loading areas matter.
- Are carts and elevators available? For inside units, this sets the pace.
- Do they have their own rules for moving in? Some facilities have their own forms or check-in steps, so ask what they need.
Then text that info to your mover so there are no surprises.
Packing for storage in Florida
Stuff in storage just sits there, sometimes for months, so pack it a little differently than a regular move:
- Use sturdy boxes of similar sizes. They stack better and won't crush.
- Skip trash bags for long-term storage of clothes and linens. Plastic can trap moisture. Bins or boxes work better.
- Make sure everything is dry before it goes in. A damp patio cushion can bring mildew into the whole unit.
- Clean and defrost appliances and leave fridge doors slightly open in storage so they don't get musty.
- Label boxes on the side, not just the top, so you can read them when they're stacked.
- Keep a simple list on your phone of what's in the unit.
How we load a storage unit
When we load a unit, the goal is to fit everything and still let you get to what you need:
- Heavy, sturdy stuff goes in first and toward the back: dressers, appliances, boxed books.
- Mattresses and couches stand on end along the walls to save floor space.
- Boxes get stacked heavy on the bottom, light on top.
- Things you might need sooner go near the door.
- A walkway down the middle if there's room.
Furniture stays wrapped in moving blankets on the truck. If you'd like pieces to stay covered in the unit, it's a good idea to have your own covers or old sheets ready, since our blankets come back with us.
Moving out of storage
Getting stuff out is usually faster than putting it in, but a few things help:
- Go take a look first if it's been a while. Check for anything damaged or anything you don't want to bring.
- Bring your key or code and make sure your account is current, so you can get through the gate.
- Decide what's not coming. If you find things you don't want anymore, set them aside so they don't end up on the truck.
Combining storage with your move
A common one: some things go to the new place and some go to storage. That's fine, just tell us upfront. We'll load the truck in the right order so the storage stuff comes off first (or last), instead of digging through the whole load.
What it costs
We charge $150 an hour for two movers and our 16-foot liftgate truck, with a $250 minimum and no deposit to book. For a storage move, time mostly comes down to how much you have, whether the unit is drive-up or inside, and the drive between stops. Photos of your stuff and the unit details help us give you a good estimate.
Need help with a storage unit move?
We're Kyle and Andrew, a two-man local crew out of Pompano Beach, open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 8 PM. Call or text 954-408-4024 or send us your move details. You can also read more about our storage unit moves.
