When preparing for a move, don't be afraid to telephone shop when looking for a moving storage provider. Most will be willing to provide a quote over the phone, especially if you have a good idea of the total square footage of the material that you need to store.

If you have no idea how much storage space you'll need for your stuff, check the web sites of several major moving storage companies. Often, they'll provide a storage space calculator where you can put in various items, and they'll calculate the space you'll need for each.

Before storing lawnmowers, trimmers, and other power tools, be sure to drain out all oil and gas. The storage of combustible materials is prohibited by most moving storage companies, so you'll want to avoid storing paint, turpentine, and the like, too.