Using Temporary Storage
If you’re moving cross-country and are carrying a significant amount of items, you should talk to your moving company about the possibility of temporary storage. This is a service offered free of charge by many companies, in which your belongings are stored in a facility, rather than delivered to your new address. This is a great option if you’re moving to a new city but don’t have a place to live yet, or if your new house needs repairs before you can bring your items in.
Temporary storage has its drawbacks, such as reduced insurance (your boxes may not be protected against damage), limited access (you may not be able to go back and forth to the storage place to retrieve items one at a time), added costs (when it’s time to move your moving boxes, you may need to do it yourself or pay an extra charge) and other considerations.
Finally, companies may refuse to store valuable items for you, including pianos, pool tables or electronics. If those are among the items you packed in your cardboard boxes, you need to find out what happens with them and whether the temporary storage option is a good one for you.
