HOW TO HIRE · REMOVALS & STORAGE

How to hire a furniture storage firm in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No register covers furniture storage. Sign an inventory, check insurance and read the notice terms.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a furniture storage firm in five steps

  1. Get an inventory at collectionEvery item and its condition, signed.
  2. Check the insuranceEvents, limit and exclusions.
  3. Ask how it is storedWrapped, in containers or racked.
  4. Ask about accessCan you visit, and is there a charge?
  5. Agree delivery backPrice and notice.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No licence or register applies to furniture storage firms in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, so the protection is in the insurance, the written contract and the inventory. Trade association membership is voluntary.

Ask for the terms, the insurance details and the claims procedure in writing before booking.

Insurance for stored goods

No law sets the cover for furniture storage; the contract does. Ask whether your goods are insured by the furniture storage firm, need your own policy, or are excluded, and what events (fire, flood, theft) are covered.

Get the insurance terms and the per-item limit in writing.

Reasonable care and skill

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes reasonable care and skill a term of every service contract, so damage a furniture storage firm causes by careless handling is a breach.

Note any damage on the inventory at unloading, with photographs, before signing. legislation.gov.uk →

Cancelling a storage contract

Storage is not excluded from the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, so a furniture storage contract agreed online, by phone or away from the trader's premises can be cancelled within 14 days; if you start using it sooner, you pay for the time used.

Check the notice period and minimum term as well. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Storing furniture is standard-rated, so a registered furniture storage firm adds 20% to the monthly price and to collection, wrapping and redelivery. Registration becomes compulsory once a furniture storage firm has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask the furniture storage firm for the VAT number with the storage terms and for rent, transport and VAT shown separately. gov.uk →

“What insurance covers my furniture in storage?”

A good answer: Events and a limit.

“Will you list the furniture and its condition?”

A good answer: A signed inventory at collection.

“How is the furniture stored?”

A good answer: Wrapped, in lidded containers, in a dry building.

“Can I visit my furniture?”

A good answer: Access arrangements.

“What does delivery back cost?”

A good answer: Written.

“What notice ends the furniture storage?”

A good answer: A period in writing.

“What if I fall behind on payment?”

A good answer: The steps in the contract.

Getting the quote right

  • Storage price per month
  • Who actually attends the collection and redelivery: the furniture storage firm's employed crew, or a subcontracted removal team
  • Collection and delivery
  • Inventory and wrapping
  • Insurance
  • Notice period
  • The VAT number, and VAT at 20% on storage, collection and delivery

Walk away if

  • No inventory
  • No written insurance terms
  • Storage in an outdoor, unalarmed yard
  • No contract
LOW
£60
TYPICAL
£130
HIGH
£300

What a furniture storage firm costs: £60–£300 per month

Furniture storage is priced per month by volume, with collection, delivery and insurance on top. Furniture Storage price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Furniture storage firms near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. CollectFurniture listed and wrapped.
  2. TransportLoaded and taken to the store.
  3. StoreIn containers or racks in a dry building.
  4. AccessVisits as agreed.
  5. ReturnDelivered back and checked.

Containerised storage
Furniture kept in lidded wooden containers.
Inventory
Signed list of items and condition.
Wrapping
Blankets or covers protecting furniture.
Notice period
Time needed to end storage.
Access visit
A visit to your stored goods.
Goods-in-transit
Insurance while carried.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the inventoryCheck against it on delivery.
Inspect on returnNote damage before signing.
Claim in timeWithin the terms.
Your reviewOnly booked jobs get reviews on Locufy. Raise anything unfinished with the furniture storage firm through the make-it-right step, then review.

STEP 1Raise it with themKeep it in writing: what was agreed for the furniture storage, what was done, and what you now want from the furniture storage firm. Work done without reasonable care and skill breaks the contract under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
STEP 2The make-it-right stepA review under four stars for the furniture storage firm goes to them first if you say so, and we chase the reply. Then you review.
STEP 3A trade body, or Trading StandardsIf the furniture storage firm belongs to a trade association, use its dispute or ombudsman service. The consumer helplines pass complaints to Trading Standards: Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) for England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060), Consumerline (0300 123 6262) for Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Claim the money backFor a furniture storage firm who ignores a fair request, the small-claims limits are £10,000 (England and Wales), £5,000 (Scotland, simple procedure) and £5,000 (Northern Ireland).

Hiring a furniture storage firm: questions people ask

Furniture storage firms trade without any licence or registration requirement.

Usually within 14 days under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, paying for any time used.

£60–£300 a month is the usual range and £130 the typical figure. The furniture storage price guide has the factors behind it.

Only on the contract's terms; check the limit.

Usually, with notice and an access charge.

Not in a dry, ventilated store; ask how it is kept.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in removals & storage

How to hire: Self StorageHow to hire: Container StorageHow to hire: Home RemovalsHow to hire: Man with a VanHow to hire: Furniture DisposalHow to hire: Packing & Unpacking ServiceHow to hire: International RemovalsHow to hire: House ClearanceAll 701 hiring guides →

Furniture storage firms near you

Furniture storage firms in LondonFurniture storage firms in ManchesterFurniture storage firms in BirminghamFurniture storage firms in GlasgowFurniture storage firms in BelfastAll furniture storage firms on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  2. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 30 — the 14-day cancellation period
  3. Civil Procedure Rules Part 26 — the small claims track (England and Wales)
  4. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money (simple procedure)
  5. nidirect — the small claims process (Northern Ireland)
  6. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  7. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register