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How does mobile storage work? A step-by-step guide

What is mobile storage, how does the process work, and how does it differ from self storage? This guide takes you step by step through how mobile storage works — with the lead times, security and flexibility you want to know upfront.

Storage & Space
Portrait of Bram Jansen, Lead Storage Advisor at Inbox Storage
August 3, 2026Luuk Kamman

WHAT IS MOBILE STORAGE?

Mobile storage means the unit comes to you instead of the other way around. No trips to a self storage warehouse: we place it at your door, pick it up whenever you want, and bring it back when you need your things again. That's how it works at Inbox Storage in four steps.

YOU BOOK ONLINE OR BY PHONE

It all starts with estimating how much space you need.

  • Our calculator works out in two minutes what volume matches your belongings — compare your situation to a room, apartment or whole home.
  • You choose a service level per pickup: from doing it yourself to fully taken care of by our drivers.
  • You choose a minimum rental period: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months — the longer you rent, the lower the monthly price.

Tip: unsure about how much space you need? Our guide how much storage space you need compares to familiar spaces so you can estimate quickly.

THE UNIT COMES TO YOUR DOOR

On the agreed day our driver brings the unit to your address.

  • The day before you receive an expected time slot around 16:30; on the day itself you get live updates once we're on our way.
  • We call about half an hour before arrival — keep two parking spots free within 20 metres of the door.
  • You load yourself, or our drivers do it — depending on the service package you chose. Help carrying to the van is also an option.

Tip: having the unit come to you instead of the other way around often saves several trips per year. Read why people choose storage outside the home to see why that convenience is often the deciding factor.

STORAGE IN A SECURED HUB

Once the unit is full, it's immediately sealed and linked to your unique customer ID.

  • The seal stays intact until we deliver it back to you — our staff only handle the unit, never the contents.
  • Storage in a ventilated, climate-controlled space, with daily measurements of temperature and humidity.
  • Monitored 24/7 by a professional security company: cameras, alarm, sprinklers and smoke detectors.
  • Racks up to 12 metres high — physical access to your belongings is virtually impossible for outsiders.

Tip: want to see exactly how we work? On the page how we handle storage you'll find the full process with photos of the hub.

RETURN ON YOUR MOMENT

When you need your belongings back, we schedule a return moment on your preferred day.

  • Back all at once, per room, or as a partial return — whatever fits your situation best.
  • Need something in between? By appointment we place your sealed unit in a separate anteroom — only you access it.
  • You can extend monthly; notice period is 14 days after the chosen minimum rental period.

Tip: that flexibility is exactly where mobile storage differs from classic self storage — where you keep driving yourself. In self storage vs. mobile storage we compare all the differences.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE IN PRACTICE?

Data from more than 4,800 customers (2023–2025) shows: on average 10 days between quote and booking and 17 days between booking and pickup. Expect roughly four weeks from first contact to the moment we ring your bell — faster when availability allows. We advise booking at least 14 days in advance.

The Netherlands is a mature storage market. According to the European Self Storage Industry Report 2025 by FEDESSA, the country has 1.24 million m² of storage space and an occupancy rate of 85.3% — one of the fullest storage markets in Europe (European average: 78%). The Netherlands also records the highest recognition of storage facilities across Europe: 8% of people know five or more storage locations in their own neighbourhood, compared with 1–2% in most other countries.

Why mobile storage fits here: two numbers from the same report explain it. 93% of the Dutch population lives in urban areas — smaller homes, less storage space. And storage customers travel on average no more than 15 minutes to their storage facility. Mobile storage flips that logic: instead of you driving 15 minutes, the storage comes to you. Our own data shows customers need access to their storage about three times a year — with classic self storage that means six trips; with us it means we come to you three times (and return afterwards).

📋 Booking: online in minutes or through advice

🚚 Pickup: unit at your door, you load or we load

🔒 Storage: sealed, in a climate-controlled hub, monitored 24/7

📦 Return: on your day, all at once or in parts

Ready to see what mobile storage would cost you? Enter your postcode and see it within 60 seconds.

Calculate at Inbox Storage in 60 seconds what mobile storage would cost you.

CALCULATE YOUR STORAGE

Enter your postcode and see in 60 seconds what mobile storage costs. No obligation, no hassle.

We come to you
From 1 month
Dry and secured

DONE IN 60 SEC.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MOBILE STORAGE

The questions that come up most often when people start with mobile storage — with concrete answers from our own practice.

WHAT DOES MOBILE STORAGE COST PER MONTH?

From €39 per month for 4m³, rising to about €96 for a full apartment.

  • Small volumes (4–12m³, e.g. one room): €39–€72/mo on a 12-month period.
  • Average household leftover (18m³, small apartment): €96.75/mo.
  • Row house contents (36m³): €172.50/mo. Large family home (48m³): €228.75/mo.
  • Storage is VAT-free for private individuals. Transport within your region is included from 3-month rental up.

Tip: for a full breakdown by volume and rental period, see what storage costs per month.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET STORAGE?

We advise booking at least 14 days ahead — on average it takes 17 days from booking to pickup.

  • When availability allows it can be faster. Book as early as possible for your preferred date.
  • Operations: pickups Monday through Saturday, between 08:00 and 17:00.
  • In a rush? Call our advice team at 085 018 1302 (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00) — we'll check what fits in the schedule.

CAN I ACCESS MY BELONGINGS IN BETWEEN?

Yes, by appointment. We place your sealed unit in a separate anteroom — only you access it.

  • Announce your visit in advance; we verify your unique customer ID on arrival and have the unit(s) ready.
  • No access to units of other customers — every customer visits their own anteroom, fully separated.
  • Prefer us to bring or pick up items instead? Also possible — book an in-between trip via the customer form.

WHAT IF I WANT LONGER OR SHORTER THAN MY MINIMUM PERIOD?

You can extend monthly; notice period is 14 days after your chosen minimum period.

  • Four rental periods: 1, 3, 6 or 12 months — with increasing discount up to −25% at 12 months.
  • In practice people rent 4.5 months formally on average, but stay around 8 months in reality — that flexibility is often needed.
  • Need less space than expected? Downgrading within your contract is possible — you only pay for what you use.

IS MY HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE VALID DURING STORAGE?

Often yes — and if not, Inbox offers insurance from €16 per month.

  • You upload your policy in the customer portal; we check whether the cover is sufficient for temporary storage.
  • If not: Inbox insurance from €16/mo for €2,000 cover, up to €50/mo for €10,000. Higher amounts on request.
  • Condition for cover: items must be packed correctly. Inadequately packed goods are excluded.

Tip: unsure about your own cover? In insurance during a move you'll read what to check before we come to pick up your belongings.

Illustration of a purple Inbox Storage van delivering mobile storage at home
Inbox Storage staff member and customer carrying belongings together during pickup at home

Smart storage that comes to you

Across the Netherlands and Belgium we pick up your belongings at home, store them safely and climate-controlled, and bring them back whenever you want.

  • We come to you
  • Rent from just 1 month
  • Dry and secured
  • Grow or shrink whenever you want