A storage unit is a space you rent and manage yourself; furniture storage is a service: they collect your things, store them and bring them back. In the moves we do, the choice almost always comes down to one question: will you be going in for your things or not? If yes, storage unit; if you'll leave them for months untouched and don't want to carry or drive, furniture storage.
In short
- Storage unit: you bring, arrange and access. You pay only for the space, from €25-45 a month for 1 m² in Madrid.
- Furniture storage: the company collects, stores with an inventory and delivers. Ours is from €49 every 4 weeks.
- A storage unit wins if you go in every few weeks and have transport; furniture storage, if you don't want to move anything.
- Always look at transport, insurance and minimum term, not just the rent.
What's the difference between furniture storage and a storage unit?
You can tell by three things: who transports, how you pay and how you access. With a storage unit you rent metres and do all the work: packing, taking, arranging and coming back for your things. With furniture storage you pay for a service that includes pick-up, the warehouse and return. Since prices overlap at the low end, many people mix them up.
| What changes | Classic storage unit | Furniture storage with home pick-up |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | You supply it: van, loading and stairs | The company does it. With us, free pick-up up to 3 m² if you store for 3 months |
| Price | €25-45/month for 1 m², just the space | From €49 every 4 weeks for 1 m², with inventory |
| Access | You go in yourself, within opening hours | You ask for a delivery. With us, €95 per extra delivery |
| Insurance | Usually separate | Usually included. Ours is basic cover up to €500 per contract |
| Inventory | You take care of it | The company logs it |
Classic storage unit price: MejorTrastero. Our full rate, at door-to-door storage unit.
When does furniture storage suit you?
When what matters is that your things are safe and you don't have to move them yourself. We see it mostly in moves where the dates don't line up, in renovations and whenever what's stored will sit untouched for months. Also when there's large furniture or a staircase with no lift, which is what's hardest to carry yourself.
- You leave one home before you can get into the other.
- You're emptying your flat for a renovation lasting several weeks.
- You're storing bulky furniture or things you can't carry alone.
- You don't want to hire or drive a van.
When does a storage unit suit you?
When you'll be going in for your things often and can transport them yourself. With a classic storage unit you go in whenever you like within the centre's opening hours; with us, each extra delivery costs €95. If you're also storing things that don't break, like tools, sports gear or seasonal items, a storage unit usually works out cheaper.
- You go in once or several times a month.
- You have a van or someone to help you load.
- You're storing tools, sports equipment or seasonal clothes.
- You need it for many months in a row and budget comes first.
Which costs get forgotten when comparing?
The most forgotten is transport: a storage unit is cheap to rent, but taking your things there and back means hours, a van and sometimes help. Then insurance, which for a storage unit is usually bought separately because the centre insures the building, not your contents. And welcome promotions, which often require a minimum term. With us there's no minimum term: the minimum is 4 weeks and you cancel with 15 days' notice.
Frequently asked questions
Does a storage unit include insurance?
Usually not: it's bought separately, because the centre insures the building, not your contents. Our door-to-door storage unit includes basic insurance of up to €500 per contract and €100 per item.
How much deposit can they ask for?
The Urban Leases Act (LAU) allows up to two months' rent when it isn't housing, although most operators in Madrid ask for one. With us you book with €20, which is deducted from the first payment.
Can I store anything?
No. Nowhere can you store flammables, explosives, fresh food or plants. With us we also don't accept works of art, antiques or collectibles.
What happens if I need my things early?
With a classic storage unit, you go in. With furniture storage with home pick-up you ask for a delivery: with us, each extra delivery of a few boxes or items costs €95.
If you already know you want furniture storage, see how much it costs in Madrid.