TheMouse

I appreciate that there is fairly wide variation depending on the location and the amount but I just wondered if anyone had crunched the numbers at a very high level on how much it typically costs to put 1 cubic metres/20kg worth of things into storage (for 2 years) versus transporting them. I reckon we need to sort into categories:
Put into storage and replace when we get there
Transport to the US (air freight)
Give away, replace when we get there and possibly replace again when we get home.

We'll need things straight away so the transport option is probably only applicable to things like kitchen equipment (non-electrical), bikes, clothes, a drum kit (!) etc. rather than heavy furniture.

Any guidance/war stories gratefully received!

Rete

Your husband is being transferred from the UK to the US office in Massachusetts but you already know that they are only transferring him for two years, and then he, you and the son will be returning to the UK?

If that is so, then what kind of relocation expenses will the employer be paying for the very temporary transfer? Will it include shipment of major pieces of furniture or will you be able to buy new or used when you arrive in the US and sell it privately when you leave?

Unless the company is paying the freight and storage bills, it seems like you are going to have quite a bit of expense on your part for a very short term transfer which will benefit the company but not you.

TheMouse

Well that really wasn't the question I asked but if it helps to clarify the issue the company is giving us a lump sum to cover relocation expenses so clearly it's in our interests to spend it as wisely as possible.

Ecto17

Are you moving into furnished accommodation in the US? If not perhaps consider sending your belongings by sea, especially if you can get them into a 20ft container (which takes loads!) as l suspect this would be cheaper once you add storage in the UK and buying temporary furniture here. I am afraid l don't have exact figures for you but when we initially looked at storage we found it was a lot cheaper to use storage facilities in cheaper areas opposed to only looking at ones close to where you live. In the end we rented our house out unfurnished but kept the loft and garden shed and was able to store everything we needed in those spaces which saved us a fortune. Hope that helps a little.

Shezi59

I couldn't decide what to do with my stuff in the UK since I was moving to the US to get married but we'd already considered the possibility of living in the UK at some point - so I put it into storage to give us some thinking time. 3 years later... We could have paid for shipping and then some - so we bit the bullet, gave some of it to goodwill, trashed some of it and shipped over what was left (half of a container's worth) for about £3k

I think it really depends on how much your stuff means to you. If it's just 'stuff' you can probably buy cheaper here (cheaper than shipping it, that is) - so I would check your itinerary of things - try to allocate a value on what you would be bringing and do the math! Good luck!

kirstyp

Is it only a single cubic meter of belongings you're looking for or is this just a rough guide for a per cubic meter cost so you can do your maths from there? Many removal companies charge storage by wooden container which holds around 7 cubic meters give or take and depending on the area you're storing come in at around £10-£15 per week. Of course other options are available to provide a bit more flexibility if wooden containers don't work for you, but as a guide I hope that helps.

Depending on how big your 'take with you' pile is you might want to consider sending some of the non urgent bits by sea. Air freight once you hit a certain volume/weight of items can be a lot more expensive than shipping so if you can make do for a while at either end without some of it then shipping the non vitals by sea will save you some money. Are you going straight into a rental or will there be a period of serviced accommodation short term (that might would come with kitchen bits etc.)

Hope that helps!

md95065

Be aware that the relocation allowance you get from the company is taxable income so, if the company haven't agreed to "gross it up" (ie pay you extra to cover the taxes) then you don't have as much money as it might appear.

petitefrancaise

Since you will be bringing stuff anyway what you want is the marginal cost of bringing extra. ie. I definitely want to bring 1 cubic foot, so how much will 2 cost me. Most companies have a base cost and then additional amounts are added on to that.

Unless the situation is bring everything or leave everything.

Go to one of the removal companies and ask them for quotes -most removal companies will organise storage as well. If your company is providing a mobility service then ask them.