The essential guide to mobile storage in London
We’ve all experienced the headaches and very real physical aches of moving house, with all the heavy lifting that comes with it. It can be a similar story with self-storage, involving lots of trips back and forth with heavy boxes.
So what if there was a better way to store? This is where our super convenient mobile storage solution comes in.
With mobile storage, your storage unit comes to you. That’s right - our experienced Kiwi Storage team actually drives a mobile unit right to your door, to be filled and then safely stored away. This can save you an enormous amount of time and hassle. You’ll then be free to get on with your packing, planning or whatever else you need to do.
If you’re interested in mobile storage, read on. We’ve put together the ultimate guide, covering everything you need to know. This includes how much mobile storage costs, how to book it and tips to pack your unit efficiently.
So, let’s dive right in.
What is mobile storage and how does it work?
Mobile storage is a door-to-door solution that brings the storage unit straight to your doorstep. With Kiwi Storage, this means choosing a container - starting from 35 square foot - and having it delivered to your home or business you can either pack it yourself or opt for professional packing. Once it’s full, our trained team will collects and transports it to one of our secure storage depots, all equipped with 24hour CCTV and alarm systems.
When you want your stuff back, you simply need to pick the date. The Kiwi Storage team will deliver your unit back to your premises or anywhere in the UK (and even internationally). You only need to empty it - or if you need a hand, we can help with that too.
The beauty of mobile storage is its flexibility. Delivery, collection and storage are all tailored to your schedule, without any need for you to visit a facility in person.
It’s ideal if you don’t drive or don’t have a car, have trouble with heavy lifting or haven’t been able to find a friend or family member to help. Whether you’re moving between homes or offices, student accommodation or perhaps even between countries, this kind of storage solution is suitable for everyone.
So in a nutshell, mobile storage is self-storage that comes to you - it’s convenient, secure, and flexible.
Pros of mobile storage
Mobile storage is becoming one of the most popular ways to store stuff if you’re moving out, heading abroad or just need more space. It’s perfect for those ‘transitional’ times when you’re between places or there’s been a big change in your life.
Some of the main advantages of mobile storage include:
Convenience
- Your storage unit will arrive at your doorstep at the exact date and time of your choosing. There’s no need to drive or hire a van. You can simply kick back with a coffee and wait for our team to arrive. You can then pack at your pace, and let us handle collection, transportation and storage when you’re done.
Ideal for heavy and bulky items
- If you’ve only got a small car, you’re not likely to be able to fit in a large sideboard or sofa. There’s also the risk that you’ll injure yourself trying to load things in and out. This is another major benefit of mobile storage, as it does away with the need to load heavy items and move them long distances. Instead, you can make use of our trained team to load your
unit.
A secure storage environment
- Items in mobile storage are kept in our secure self-storage warehouses, which are monitored 24/7 by CCTV and alarm systems. Access is controlled, so you’ll have peace of mind that your stuff is completely safe and secure.
Flexible storage, with no fixed contracts
- Storage is paid for monthly, and can be cancelled with just 14 days' written notice. Our services cover the whole of the UK, and international delivery can be arranged too.
Transparent pricing
- You’ll know exactly what you’ll be paying from the start, with mobile storage rates starting from just £23.40 a week.
Time-saving - and no need to drive
- With mobile storage, your storage pod comes and goes at your convenience. This helps you avoid all the stresses that come with driving, from navigating traffic to parking, and ultimately save a huge amount of time too.
How much does mobile storage cost?
Now we come to the really important question - how much does it cost to use mobile storage? You might think that due to the convenience of the service, where your storage pod comes to you, that it’ll be eye-wateringly expensive.
But this isn’t the case at all. At Kiwi Storage, we aim to make all of our storage solutions affordable, accessible and excellent value for money. We only charge you for exactly the space you need and use, and we tell you about any extra costs upfront - so there are never any hidden fees.
For our mobile storage service, the price is per container - known as a Kiwi Cube. This provides you with 35 square feet of space, and costs £82.50 + VAT per month. If you need more space, you simply add another Kiwi Cube onto your booking and pay an additional £82.50 + VAT.
Other costs you need to know about:
- Load and collect fee - £99 + VAT
This is the fee to collect your items from your home or business, but its free if you’re keeping your storage unit for 3 months or more. - Access fee - £30
Mobile storage isn’t really designed for people who need regular access (for this, you’d want to check out our self-storage solutions) but you can access your unit if you need to. There’s a one-off charge of £30 per access visit, and you’ll need to provide at least 72 hours notice. - Packing service - £99
Need us to pack your unit for you? For just £99, we offer a one hour packing service. This means you can have your unit professionally and quickly packed, without having to lift a finger. - Cancellation fee (less than 2 days notice) - £75 + VAT
Here at Kiwi Storage, we offer a generous and flexible cancellation policy. If you need to cancel your unit before you move in, just let us know 2 working days in advance. Otherwise, there’s a cancellation fee of £75 + VAT.
Are there any hidden or extra costs?
In a word, no. You simply pay for the storage you need. We offer additional services if you need them, such as packing or boxes, and the price of these is available upfront.
The only extra thing you need to get sorted is insurance. You’ll need to provide proof of insurance from your home insurance cover or take out Store Protection through us on a new for old basis.
How long can I store my items with mobile storage?
You can store for as long as you want! There’s no upper limit, but you’re also contract-free so you aren’t locked into a lengthy stay. This can be handy if you need to move out earlier than planned.
Mobile storage is charged on a monthly basis, so you’ll just need to make sure you keep paying your monthly bill. Any unused days will be refunded when you move out of your unit.
Choosing the right size mobile storage unit
It’s really easy to choose a mobile storage unit at Kiwi Storage. This is because we have what we call Kiwi Cubes, which are a set size - you just need to choose how many you need.
Each Kiwi Cube is 35 square foot. To give you an idea of what you can fit in this space, it’s about the same size as a standard garden shed. To help you work out how much space and how many Kiwi Cubes you’ll need, you can use our
handy space estimator tool.
Alternatively, one of our friendly team can help you choose the right size unit - get in touch on 020 8264 0550 or contact us here.
What if I need a bigger storage unit?
If you find you’re struggling to fit everything into your unit or you have more stuff to store, it’s really easy to upgrade. Get in touch and we can simply add on more units, as many as you need.
Our modular system makes it really easy to scale up or down, and work out exactly how much you’ll be paying each month.
How to book mobile storage
Ready to book? It’s really easy to arrange your mobile storage online with Kiwi Storage. Simply follow these steps:
1. Use our space estimator tool to work out how much space you need
2. Check out our prices page, or contact us to get a quote
3. Start your booking online, choosing how many Kiwi Cubes you need and for how long
4. Select your extras, including packing, load and collection, boxes, insurance and more
5. Choose your collection date, and select a time slot (morning or afternoon)
6. Enter your details to create an account, or sign in if you already have an existing account
7. Provide your ID when prompted
8. Confirm and pay for the first month.
One of our team will then call you back to confirm that you’re still all good for your move in date. Then all you have to do is pack and wait for your collection date.
If you prefer, you can also book your mobile storage over the phone. Call us on 020 8264 0550 and one of our helpful team will confirm the unit size and type and get you booked in. They’ll then email you to electronically sign the contract, upload some ID and make secure payment.
What documentation do I need to book?
To book a mobile storage unit, we need to see:
- A copy of your drivers licence, passport or student ID
- A photo of you holding up the ID (just to make sure it is actually you!)
We’ll also need an emergency contact number, just in case you’re overseas for example.
How do I pay?
We require payment by debit or credit card for the first month, and this is done securely online. Simply enter your card details when prompted. Payments will be charged monthly in advance to the card provided.
Just a heads-up that we’ll need to pre-authorise your card the day before collection. This ensures that the payment method is valid, and that there are sufficient funds available to pay for the service requested. It will place a temporary hold of funds on your credit card.
How does collection for mobile storage work?
Once your collection day and time is confirmed, our team will arrive and load your container(s). They can collect from anywhere in the collection address, but your goods must be packed ready to go.
If anything needs disassembling, this must be done before our team arrive, or we may need to charge an extra fee.
Moving into mobile storage - what to do on the day
All you need to do on your collection day is make sure your stuff is ready to be loaded into the unit. Make sure access for our vehicle is clear wherever possible, and that everything is securely packed and disassembled. We’ll run through some packing tips for you in just a moment.
Otherwise, you can simply watch on with a coffee while we do all the heavy lifting and loading your goods into storage. You can even arrange in advance for us to do the packing if you like.
Accessing your mobile storage unit
Mobile storage works a little differently to self-storage. Once your unit is filled and delivered to one of our secure warehouses, it’s not really designed to be accessed. This is unlike with self-storage, where you can come and go as you please.
That being said, it is certainly possible for you to access your mobile storage units if you need to, for a charge of £30 per visit. We just need 72 hours notice and you can visit our depot (based in SW19 and NW10).
If you need more frequent fee-free access to your belongings, we’d recommend using our self- storage service instead.
Mobile storage FAQs
How do I cancel or vacate mobile storage?
All you need to do is give us 10 working days written notice, and then choose a date for delivery. Bear in mind that this will be subject to availability, so you’ll need to check our online booking calendar.
How secure is mobile storage?
All of our storage facilities include 24hr monitored CCTV and alarms, and access is carefully controlled.
Do you provide boxes?
We don’t include boxes and packing materials in the price, but you can buy them from us at a small additional cost.
Our current prices for packing materials are:
- Book box - £3 + VAT
- Medium box - £3.75 + VAT
- Large box - £4.50 + VAT
- Hanging wardrobe - £12 + VAT
- Paper - £20 + VAT
- Bubble wrap - £25 + VAT for 100m (charged in amount used)
- Tape - £3.50 + VAT per roll
Do I need insurance to use mobile storage?
Yes. As members of the Self Storage Association, we require you to either provide proof from your insurer that your goods are covered in our storage facility. Alternatively, you can take out sufficient Store Protection from us for the declared value of your goods.
Where is the Kiwi Storage mobile storage facility?
Our mobile storage units are securely stored Gloucestershire in a self storage warehouse. This helps keeps our prices as low as possible. If you need self storage near you, we can also arrange that. Check out our self-storage locations here, or get in touch.
