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Moving and Storage Costs for Colorado Home Sellers

Brian Lee BurkeBrian Lee Burke
Feb 29, 2024 • 6 min read
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Moving and Storage Costs for Colorado Home Sellers

A Denver metro move with a month of storage runs $800 to $2,500 depending on home size and whether a full-service crew packs and loads, while a self-managed move with a rented pod runs less. Sellers who plan storage into the listing timeline avoid the scramble of finding space the week before closing.

How much does moving storage cost in Denver metro?

Storage pricing depends on unit size and whether it is climate controlled. A 5x10 unit for a smaller move runs $60 to $110 a month, and a 10x20 unit for a full house runs $200 to $300 a month across most Front Range facilities. A full-service move that includes packing, loading, short-term storage, and delivery to a new address runs $1,500 to $4,000 for an average three-bedroom home, depending on distance and crew size.

What drives the cost of a moving company's storage service?

Four factors set the price: the amount of belongings by weight or cubic footage, whether the unit is climate controlled, the length of the storage period, and the facility's location relative to Denver's core versus outlying areas like Brighton or Castle Rock, where rates run lower. Full-service warehouse storage through a moving company costs more than a self-managed unit because it includes the labor to load, inventory, and later deliver the items.

Should I use a portable storage pod or a self-storage unit?

A portable pod delivered to the driveway saves a second loading trip, since belongings load once and the pod either stays on-site or moves to a facility. A self-storage unit costs less per month but requires the homeowner to transport items there directly. Sellers staging a home for photos choose a pod parked off-site temporarily so the driveway and curb appeal stay clear for showings.

How long can I store belongings during a Colorado home sale?

Most facilities rent month to month with no fixed maximum, so a seller can store belongings for the weeks between listing and closing, or longer if a new home purchase closes on a different date. Sellers should build at least a 30-day buffer into the storage plan, since Colorado closings shift by a few days more frequently than buyers expect.

Does climate-controlled storage cost more in Colorado?

Yes, $20 to $40 more per month than a standard unit of the same size in most cases. Colorado's dry air and wide temperature swings between summer and winter make climate control worth the extra cost for wood furniture, electronics, and anything with natural fibers or finishes that crack or warp in an unheated metal unit.

Should I put furniture in storage before listing photos?

Removing bulky or mismatched furniture into storage before the photographer arrives is one of the highest-return steps in preparing a Colorado listing, since buyers respond to rooms that look larger and less cluttered in photos. See the full staging checklist on Kenna's adding-value guide.

How much does full-service moving cost in Denver?

A local full-service move within Denver metro, including a two- to three-person crew, a truck, and a half-day of labor, runs $600 to $1,500 for an average home. Long-distance moves out of state price by weight and distance and run several thousand dollars more, depending on the destination.

ServiceTypical Denver metro cost
Local full-service move (2 to 3 person crew, half day)$600 to $1,500
Self-storage unit, 10x10, per month$120 to $200
Climate-controlled 10x10, per month$150 to $240
Portable pod rental, delivery plus one month$300 to $600

What size pod do I need for a three-bedroom house?

A three-bedroom Front Range home needs two standard-size pods or one large pod in most cases, depending on the company's sizing. Measuring furniture and estimating box count ahead of booking prevents a costly second delivery mid-move.

Does storage cost more during the summer moving season?

Yes. Demand for movers and storage rises from late spring through August as more Colorado buyers and sellers close during warmer weather, which pushes both moving crew rates and pod availability tighter during those months. Booking a mover or pod at least three to four weeks ahead during peak season avoids paying a rush premium.

How far in advance should I book a mover for a Colorado move?

Three to four weeks ahead for a summer move, and one to two weeks ahead for a winter move when demand is lower. Sellers with a set closing date should book storage and moving crews as soon as the date is firm, since Front Range moving companies book up fastest in June and July.

What belongings cost more to move in Colorado's altitude and climate?

Pianos, large aquariums, and heavy furniture cost more to move through homes with stairs at altitude, since crews work harder in thinner air at 5,280 feet and above. Movers factor this into local labor pricing more than long-distance pricing, where cost is set by weight and distance instead.

Should I store items during a bridge period between homes?

A bridge period, closing on a sale before a new home purchase closes, is one of the most common reasons Front Range sellers use short-term storage, since it avoids a rushed same-day move between two closings that rarely land on the same date. Ask a lender about bridge financing options and read the best moving companies for Colorado downsizers before setting a moving budget.

How do I budget moving costs into my home sale timeline?

Add moving and storage costs to the net proceeds calculation before setting a listing price, since these costs come out of a seller's pocket regardless of the sale price. See Kenna's home equity and net proceeds guide for a full breakdown of what comes out of a Colorado closing.

Does mag chloride and winter weather affect moving timelines?

Colorado's winter road treatment with mag chloride and occasional snow can delay a moving truck's route timing, and movers scheduling a winter move should build in a buffer day around a forecasted storm. A winter move frequently costs less overall since demand and rates drop outside the peak season.

What questions should I ask a Colorado moving company before booking?

Ask whether the quote is binding or an estimate, whether storage is climate controlled, what the cancellation policy allows if a closing date shifts, and whether the company is licensed for interstate moves if the destination is out of state. A Colorado seller with a firm closing date should get the quote in writing before signing.

Confirm insurance coverage on stored belongings separately from the moving policy, since some companies cover items in transit but charge extra for coverage while items sit in storage between the two closings. A seller juggling a sale and a purchase on different dates should ask each company how it handles a closing date that moves by a few days, which happens on Colorado transactions more than buyers expect.

Where to go next

Talk to the Kenna Real Estate Group

The Kenna Real Estate Group helps Colorado sellers build moving and storage costs into a realistic closing timeline before the home ever hits the market. Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers. Not a robot, not a phone tree. Planning your next move? Search every home for sale in Colorado.

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Questions about any home in Colorado? Call or text 303-955-4220. A live person answers.

Quick answers

What does a local move cost in Denver metro?

A local full-service move with a two- to three-person crew for a half day runs $600 to $1,500 for an average home, depending on how much needs to be packed.

Is a portable pod cheaper than a self-storage unit?

Pod rental including delivery and one month of storage runs $300 to $600, which lands close to or slightly above a comparable self-storage unit, but it saves a second loading trip.

Does climate-controlled storage cost more in Colorado?

Yes, $20 to $40 more per month than a standard unit in most cases, and it is worth it for wood furniture and electronics given Colorado's dry air and temperature swings.

When should I book a mover for a summer Colorado move?

Three to four weeks ahead. Demand rises from late spring through August, and Front Range movers book up fastest in June and July.

Should I store furniture before listing photos?

Yes. Removing bulky or mismatched furniture into storage before the photographer arrives is one of the highest-return steps in preparing a Colorado listing.

How do moving costs factor into my net proceeds?

Moving and storage costs come out of a seller's pocket regardless of sale price, so they belong in the net proceeds calculation before setting a listing price.

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WRITTEN BY
Brian Lee Burke
Brian Lee Burke
Team Leader and Licensed Broker, REALTOR® since 2002, Author

Brian Lee Burke is the founder and team leader of Kenna Real Estate Group, a real estate team at Keller Williams DTC. A licensed REALTOR® since 2002, Brian helps Colorado buyers and sellers navigate residential real estate, new construction, pricing, and negotiation. He is also the author of The Real Estate Playbook and Mastering Real Estate: Your Guide to Becoming a Top Agent.

View Brian Lee Burke’s full profile.

WRITTEN BY
Brian Lee Burke
Brian Lee Burke
Team Leader and Licensed Broker, REALTOR® since 2002, Author

Brian Lee Burke is the founder and team leader of Kenna Real Estate Group, a real estate team at Keller Williams DTC. A licensed REALTOR® since 2002, Brian helps Colorado buyers and sellers navigate residential real estate, new construction, pricing, and negotiation. He is also the author of The Real Estate Playbook and Mastering Real Estate: Your Guide to Becoming a Top Agent.

View Brian Lee Burke’s full profile.