July 21

How Much Does Storage Cost in London?

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Storage in London costs between around £30 and £150 per week depending on the type of storage and how much you need. Container storage, self-storage, and removal company storage all work differently and price differently. The right choice depends on how you actually need to use it.

I have been running London House Removals since 2010. We store hundreds of customers’ belongings every year at our Rainham facility. Storage in London costs what it costs for a reason, and knowing that reason saves you money.

Useful guides: Storage solutions London | Removal costs London | Full cost of moving house | Storage North London

1st week of storage FREE with any removal. No minimum spend. No catches. Mention it when you book.

Storage costs by type in London

You can store your belongings in London one of two ways, with a third that blends both. The cost depends heavily on which one fits your situation.

Container storage (removal company). The removal company collects your items, packs them into sealed containers, stores them at their facility, and delivers them back when you need them. You do not visit the facility or handle anything yourself. This is what we do at London House Removals.

A standard container costs around £30/week (inc VAT) for storage with insurance included. Collection and delivery are arranged separately as part of a removal job. A combined quote covers everything: the removal, the storage, and the final delivery. The first week of storage is free when booked with any removal job.

Self-storage (chains). You rent a room or locker at a facility, transport your items there yourself, load them in, and visit whenever you need. You do everything except provide the building. Prices vary widely by provider, location, and room size. Promotional rates can be low, but standard rates are typically higher and extras add up.

For self-storage, the headline weekly price rarely tells the full story. A competitive introductory rate might double or triple after the first few months. Van hire (if you don’t have one), insurance, and admin fees all sit on top of the room price. Always ask for the standard rate, not just the promotional one.

Removal plus storage bundle. Some removal companies offer storage as part of a house move. You book the removal, they store your things between properties, and deliver when the new place is ready. This is typically the same container storage model but coordinated as a single move with a gap in the middle. The first week of storage is often free.

What affects your storage price in London

Once you know the headline rates, these factors determine what you actually pay.

How much you are storing. This is the biggest factor. Our containers hold roughly what fits in a 1-2 bed flat. If you are storing a whole 3-bed house, you need 4-6 containers at £120-180/week. A few rooms worth of furniture fits in one container at £30/week.

What you are storingContainers neededContainer cost per week
Contents of a 1-bed flat1-2£30-60/week
Contents of a 2-bed house2-4£60-120/week
Contents of a 3-bed house4-6£120-180/week
A few rooms of furniture1£30/week
Just boxes and personal items0.5-1£15-30/week

How long you need storage. Container storage is billed in 4-week blocks. Self-storage chains bill weekly or monthly. The longer you stay, the more you pay, but there is no discount for long-term storage with either model. For container storage, early move-out refunds are calculated per full week remaining.

Location of the facility. Self-storage prices vary dramatically by London borough. A room in central London (Kensington, Bloomsbury, Kings Cross) costs more than the same room in Edmonton or Beckton. Container storage with a removal company does not have this problem because you only pay for the container, not the real estate location. Our facility is in Rainham (RM13), which keeps the cost low regardless of where in London you live.

Access model. If you need to visit your things regularly (weekly or more), self-storage is probably the right choice. If you are storing things between moves and will only need them back once, container storage works out better because you are not paying for 24/7 retail access you will not use.

Hidden storage costs to watch for

The weekly price is only part of the picture.

Transport. Self-storage assumes you bring your items to the facility. If you do not have a van, you need to hire one. Van hire in London starts at £60-100 per day plus fuel and ULEZ charges. If you need two trips, double it. For container storage, collection and delivery are arranged as part of your removal job. Ask your removal company for a combined quote that includes the storage, the collection, and the final delivery.

Insurance. Self-storage chains offer insurance but it is priced into the room rate or charged separately. Always check. Our container storage includes insurance in the £30/week (inc VAT) price.

Access fees. Container storage: if you need to inspect your items, there is a £30 inspection fee (inc VAT) and 7 days notice. If you need a mover to help you access things, assisted access is £24 per hour (inc VAT) (2-hour minimum). Self-storage: you can visit anytime during opening hours at no extra cost. If 24-hour access matters, you pay a premium for it.

Admin and setup fees. Some self-storage facilities charge a one-off admin fee (typically £10-30) or require a refundable deposit. These are not always disclosed on the pricing page. Ask before signing up.

Minimum terms. Container storage with us is billed in 4-week blocks, but the minimum term is just 1 week. You can store for 1, 2, or 3 weeks and only pay for the weeks you use. After the minimum 4-week billing block, remaining weeks are refunded if you move out early. Self-storage minimum terms vary by facility. Some require a month’s notice to vacate. If you only need storage for a week or two, check the minimum term before committing to anything.

How to get the best value on London storage

Know how you will use it before you pick a type. If you need daily access and want to visit on a Sunday to sort through boxes, self-storage fits better. If you are storing things between house moves and only need them back once, container storage with a removal company is simpler and costs less overall when you factor in transport.

Declutter before you store. The less you store, the less you pay. For container storage, fewer containers means lower weekly cost. For self-storage, a smaller room means a lower rate. Go through everything before it goes into storage. If you have not used it in a year and it has no sentimental value, sell it or donate it.

Time your move to get the free week. If you are booking a removal anyway, the first week of container storage is free. That covers the gap between completion dates at zero cost. If your chain is likely to take more than a week to complete, ask about extending at the standard rate.

Book a survey. Container quotes are free and take about 10 minutes by video call. We assess what you are storing, tell you how many containers you need, and give you a fixed price. A proper survey means no surprises when the crew arrives. The same applies to self-storage: visit the facility and measure the room before you book.

London House Removals storage offering

If you are moving house and need somewhere to keep your belongings between properties, this is what our container storage looks like.

Storage: £30/week (inc VAT) per standard 250 cu ft container
Insurance: Included in the weekly price. Upgradable on request.
Collection and delivery: Arranged as part of your removal job. We collect your items on moving day, store them at our Rainham facility, and deliver them to your new address whenever you are ready. Ask for a combined quote.
First week free: When you book a removal with us, the first week of storage is free. No minimum spend, no catches.
Minimum term: 1 week. Billing runs in 4-week blocks, but you are not locked in for 4 weeks. No long-term contracts.
Access: By arrangement with 7 days notice (£30 inspection fee, or assisted access at £24/hour with 2-hour minimum).

Our facility is in Rainham (RM13), which keeps the cost low. Unlike self-storage, you are not paying for a premium retail location. You are paying for secure container storage. Your container is sealed and stored until you need it back.

1st week of storage FREE with any removal. No minimum spend. No catches. Just mention it when you book.

Get your free storage quote or call us on 0207 118 7778. We cover all London postcodes. Container storage from £30/week (inc VAT) with insurance included. Collection and delivery arranged as part of your removal job. First week free with any removal.

*London House Removals Ltd. 313B Hoe Street, London, E17 9BG. 0207 118 7778. info@londonhouseremovals.com. Fully insured. 5.0-star rated. 10,000+ moves completed since 2010.*

Written by Kris Kazimierski, Owner, London House Removals. 10,000+ moves since 2010.

FAQ

How much does storage cost in London in 2026?+
Storage costs in London range from around £30 to £150 per week depending on the type and how much you need. A single container with London House Removals costs £30/week (inc VAT) with insurance included. Collection and delivery are arranged as part of your removal job. The first week is free when you book a removal.
Is container storage cheaper than self-storage in London?+
For most people storing furniture between moves, yes. Container storage at £30/week (inc VAT) includes the container, insurance, and secure storage at our facility. Collection and delivery are arranged as part of your removal job. Self-storage headline rates can look lower, but you add van hire, insurance, and your own time to move everything in and out. When you factor in transport costs, container storage often works out better value for the first few months.
How many containers do I need for a 2-bed house?+
A typical 2-bedroom house needs 2-4 containers at £60-120/week total. Each container holds roughly the contents of a 1-2 bed flat. We confirm the exact number during the free video survey, so you only pay for what you need.
Is there a minimum storage period?+
Container storage with London House Removals has a 1-week minimum. Billing runs in 4-week blocks, but you are not locked in for 4 weeks. No long-term contracts. Self-storage minimum terms vary by facility. Always check before booking.
Do I need to pack my items before storage?+
Not if you do not want to. We offer a full packing service where our team packs everything professionally using proper materials. If you prefer to pack yourself, that is fine too. We also sell boxes and packing materials if you need them. Half-and-half works: you pack the books and kitchen, we handle furniture and fragile items.
Can I access my items while they are in storage?+
Container storage: yes, by arrangement. You need 7 days notice and there is a £30 inspection fee (inc VAT). If you need help moving items, assisted access costs £24 per hour (inc VAT) (2-hour minimum). Self-storage: if you hold the keys, you can visit anytime during opening hours.
Is my stuff insured in storage?+
Yes. Our container storage includes insurance in the weekly price. Coverage upgradable on request. For self-storage rooms, insurance is arranged by the facility based on the declared value of your items. Check whether your home contents insurance covers items in storage too. Many policies do, which can save you paying for duplicate cover.
How quickly can I get storage booked?+
Usually within a few working days. Sometimes next day depending on the schedule and container availability. If dates have moved and you need storage urgently, call us on 0207 118 7778 and we will see what we can do. We keep some capacity for emergencies.
What items cannot go in storage?+
No perishable food, live plants, animals, flammable materials (paint, petrol, gas bottles, chemicals), illegal items, cash, or jewellery. Keep irreplaceable valuables and important documents with you rather than in storage. If you are unsure about a specific item, ask before packing.
Can I switch from storage to a removal part-way?+
Yes. This is the most common scenario. People store belongings between house moves, then when the new place is ready, we deliver everything there instead of back to the original address. We handle the removal and storage as one coordinated job, so you are not calling different companies to sort it out.
How do I get my things back from storage?+
For container storage: email or call with 7 days notice, tell us where and when you want delivery, and we bring it all back. We can deliver to a different address than where we collected. This is the most common scenario when moving between properties.
Is storage worth it for a few weeks between moves?+
Yes. The first week is free when you book a removal with us, so a 2-3 week gap costs £30-60 for storage. Compared to the cost of rushing into temporary accommodation or paying double rent, a few weeks of storage is a small price for the flexibility. That is exactly why we offer the free first week: to take the pressure off when dates shift.

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