The Ultimate Guide to Moving & Storage Before You Move

This is our ultimate guide to moving and storage before you move. Moving home or moving abroad can be one of the most stressful things in life, but it does not have to be. With the right plan, a moving company you trust and smart use of storage, you can turn a messy, rushed time into a calm one.

At Elite Moving, we have handled a great many moves across the UK and Europe, from small city flats to grand villas in France, Switzerland and further afield. This guide shares what we have learned about how to plan your move, keep your things safe and use storage to make the whole move simpler for you.

1. Planning Your Move: When to Start and What to Do First

The earlier you start to plan, the smoother it all goes.

Eight to Twelve Weeks Before Moving

• Create a moving folder — store quotes, receipts, and checklists.

• Start clearing out: sell, give away or get rid of unused things.

• Get quotes from movers with a good name (ideally with insurance and customs know-how if you are moving abroad).

• Book time off work for your move.

Four to Six Weeks Before Moving

• Confirm your chosen moving company.

• Order packing materials, or book a full packing service.

• Tell schools, banks and energy and water firms your new address.

• Decide what goes into storage and what goes straight to the new home.

One to Two Weeks Before Moving

• Pack non-essentials and label every box by room and content.

• Arrange storage if your new property won’t be ready in time.

• Confirm the dates, parking and access with your moving team.

2. Budgeting Your Move and Storage

Costs vary a lot, based on volume, distance, access and the services you need.
Here is a rough guide to help you set a budget:

💡 Top tip: Always get a written quote that lists what is included, such as transport, fuel, insurance, stairs and customs. Do not rely on a price given only by word of mouth.

3. Choosing the Right Moving Company

Not all movers are equal. A few key signs of a professional moving service include:

• Clear prices, split out by volume or by the hour

• Fully insured for domestic and international moves

• Skilled crews trained in export packing, fragile items and customs papers

• Good reviews on Google, Trustpilot or other checked sites

• Proof of insurance and a clear written quote, with a real address and phone number

Before booking, ask:

• Do you give a list of items and insurance cover?

• Can you help with customs or import papers?

• What happens if there are delays or access issues?

4. Packing Tips from the Professionals

Essentials

• Use sturdy, double-walled boxes.

• Put the heaviest items at the bottom and lighter ones on top.

• Fragile items: wrap each one on its own in bubble wrap or paper.

• Label boxes on more than one side, so they are easy to spot.

• Keep an inventory list — note box numbers and key contents.

Room-by-Room Strategy

• Kitchen: pack glassware upright, tape boxes “FRAGILE.”

• Bedroom: use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes.

• Living Room: keep electronics in their first boxes if you can.

• Garage/loft: clear out lots; do not move banned items (paint, fuel, aerosols).

Pro Tip: Elite Moving offers full and partial packing and export wrapping services, ideal for long-distance and international moves.

5. Storing Your Belongings Safely

Whether you need a few weeks between homes or long-term storage abroad, knowing your options helps keep your things safe until you need them again.

Types of Storage

• Short-term storage: ideal for short gaps between moves.

  

• Long-term storage: good for moves abroad or for downsizing.

• Crate storage: secure wooden crates, sealed when we collect them, kept in warehouses watched by CCTV.

• Self-storage units: easy to get to, but often not as safe, and they can cost more over time.

What to Look For

• Clean, dry, pest-free facility

• 24-hour CCTV and alarmed access

• Inventory tracking and sealed containers

• Insurance and fire protection systems

Preparing Items for Storage

• Clean and dry all items before storage.

• Use materials that breathe (do not wrap sofas and chairs in plastic).

• Disassemble large furniture.

• Store heavier boxes on the bottom and leave a small walkway for access.

6. Moving Day: What to Expect

Before the Crew Arrives

• Set aside valuables, keys, passports, and documents.

• Defrost your fridge or freezer at least 24 hours before.

• Make sure the lorry has easy access and a place to park.

During the Move

• The crew will inventory and label items.

• Fragile or high-value goods will be wrapped in strong, padded materials.

• If you are using storage, the sealed crates will go straight to the warehouse.

At Delivery

• Check all items off against your inventory.

• Inspect for damage and report anything immediately.

• Put boxes in the right rooms to save time when you unpack.

7. Moving Abroad: Customs, Taxes & Transport Options

International moves add more steps, but the right partner makes them simple and clear.

Transport Options

• Dedicated vehicle: your goods go straight from your old home to the new one.

• Part-load / groupage: a shared service that costs less for smaller loads.

• Container shipping: best for far-off lands, like Australia or Canada. Your goods go by sea.

Documents You May Need

• Passport copies and proof of residence

• Packing inventory (in English and destination language)

• Customs declarations (ToR1, T1, etc.)

• Vehicle registration and valuation (for car transport)

Taxes & Duties

Rules vary, so check with your mover or customs agent.

8. Insurance: Protecting Your Possessions

Even with skilled handling, accidents can happen.
Make sure you have:

• Standard liability insurance (ask what is covered and what is not)

• Extended or full-value cover for high-value items

• A clear idea of the claim process and the time limits

We are fully insured, with Goods in Transit cover too, so you can rest easy when we move your best things.

9. After the Move: Settling In Smoothly

• Reconnect utilities and broadband.

• Unpack the key things first: kitchen, bedding and work things.

• Schedule furniture placement before unpacking everything.

• Recycle your packing kit. We pick up boxes and use them again if you ask us to.

• Leave a review on Trustpilot or some feedback. It helps other customers and helps us improve.

Bringing Your Moving and Storage Plan Together

Moving does not have to feel like too much. Whether you are moving across London, into Europe or just downsizing into storage, careful planning and a skilled team make all the difference to how your move goes.

At Elite Moving, we bring good planning, safe storage and five-star care together. This gives you peace of mind at each step of your move.

👉 Get your free quote today. Just call +442080444474 or email info@elitemoving.co.uk

A Simple Moving Timeline Before You Move

A good move starts with a clear timeline. As soon as you have a rough moving date, start clearing out. Go room by room and decide what to keep, sell, give away or throw out. The less you move, the less you pay, and the less you need to pack and store.

Next, get written quotes from a few moving firms. Ask each one what is included and how they handle storage. Once you have chosen a firm, book your date as early as you can, mostly if you are moving at a busy time of year or need storage as well.

In the weeks before the move, pack the things you use least. Leave the kitchen, bathroom and everyday clothes until the last few days. Keep a small bag of essentials with you on the day, with chargers, papers, medicines and a change of clothes.

Choosing the Right Storage for Your Move

Not all storage is the same, so it helps to think about what you need. Short-term storage suits a gap of a few days or weeks between homes. Long-term storage suits people moving abroad for a while, or downsizing into a smaller home and keeping some pieces for later.

Crate storage is often the safest choice for a full home. Your things are packed into wooden crates at your home, sealed and taken straight to our warehouse. Nobody opens them until they come back to you. Self-storage gives you more access, but you do all the lifting and packing yourself.

Think about how often you will need to reach your things. If you need regular access, a self-storage unit may suit you. If you want your things kept safe and left alone until your new home is ready, our secure storage service is a good fit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Moving and Storing

The most common mistake is storing things you do not need. Paying to keep old furniture you will never use again soon adds up. Be honest when you clear out, and only store what you will truly use in your next home.

Another mistake is poor packing. Half-empty boxes can crush when stacked, and damp items can grow mould over time. Fill boxes well, seal them firmly and make sure everything is clean and dry before it goes into storage.

Finally, do not forget to make a list. A simple list of what is in storage, box by box, saves a lot of time when you need to find something. We list every item we collect, but your own notes help too.

One more mistake is leaving storage until the last minute. Space and dates can fill up, so book your storage at the same time as your move. That way, you know your things have a safe place to go on the day.

How Elite Moving Handles Moving and Storage Together

When you book moving and storage with us, our team handles the whole job. We can pack your home with our packing service, load your things and take them to storage in the same trip. Everything is listed, so you know just what we hold for you.

When your new home is ready, call us on 07428474474 or 02080444474 and we will plan your delivery. We bring your things back, place furniture in the right rooms and put back together anything we took apart. It is one team from start to finish, which keeps your move simple.