Blog Post Hero Mobile

From order to pickup: the storage process day by day

From first quote to unit at your door averages 27 days — 10 days to booking and 17 days to pickup. In a rush, we can be at your door within 3 working days. This guide: the four phases of the storage process, with concrete timelines and what happens in each.

Storage & Space
Portrait of Bram Jansen, Lead Storage Advisor at Inbox Storage
August 13, 2026Luuk Kamman

FOUR PHASES FROM QUOTE TO STORAGE

The mobile storage process runs through four clear phases. From our data of over 4,800 customers we know exactly how long each phase takes on average — and what you do in that time. At the end: a unit at your door, sealed and ready for storage.

REQUEST & QUOTE (DAY 0–10)

From first calculator entry to final booking averages 10 days. Most people use that time to work out the details of their situation.

  • Calculate online in two minutes what volume you need, or request an advisory call on 085 018 1302.
  • Based on your volume, rental period (1, 3, 6 or 12 months) and service level you receive a tailored quote.
  • Why those 10 days? Usually a human reason: waiting on a contractor's start date, requesting time off, arranging help from friends or family — the final pickup date often needs coordination.

Tip: unsure how much space you need? In how much storage space you need you'll find comparisons to familiar spaces like a room or an apartment.

BOOKING & SCHEDULING (DAY 10–27)

After you agree to the quote, you receive the booking confirmation and first invoice. Once paid, you get a date picker and lock in your preferred pickup day.

  • We advise at least 14 days between booking and pickup — in practice it averages 17 days.
  • Urgent? We can always be at your door within 3 working days. Call the advice team at 085 018 1302 and we'll check availability immediately.
  • Peak scheduling falls around the last week of every month — rental contracts end or new homes get keys. Book slightly earlier than average in that week.
  • Working days Mon–Sat between 08:00 and 17:00. Public holidays may vary.

Tip: preparation saves time on the pickup day. In moving with storage: checklist, timing and costs you'll walk through everything for a smooth start.

PICKUP DAY (DAY ~27)

The day itself starts with communication: the day before at 16:30 an email with expected time slot, live updates on the day, and a phone call half an hour before arrival.

  • Standard between 08:00 and 17:00. For more certainty about a specific time you can upgrade upfront: day start €35, morning or afternoon slot €20, Saturday €50.
  • Ensure 2 parking spots within 20 metres of the door. Items heavier than 50 kg or longer than 275 cm must be reported in advance.
  • Our driver places the unit(s), you (or our staff, depending on service level) load, we seal immediately with a unique customer ID and drive off to Gouda.

Tip: well-prepared packing makes the difference. In packing for a move you'll find a complete guide per item type.

STORAGE & RETURN

From the pickup day your unit sits sealed in Gouda. When you want it back, you schedule a return moment on your preferred day.

  • In-between access by appointment — we place your sealed unit in a separate anteroom, or come by with an in-between delivery.
  • Extending is possible monthly after your minimum period; notice period is 14 days.
  • Return all at once, per room, or as a partial return — whatever fits best. Also to a new address if you move in between.

Tip: how we work in the hub is shown on how we handle storage — with photos of the full process.

WHY THIS TIMELINE, AND WHAT IF IT NEEDS TO BE FASTER?

The average 27-day timeline comes from our own data of over 4,800 customers (2023–2025). It's deliberately generous: it gives you time to terminate your rental, arrange help and sort belongings. For mobile storage: the process starts on our side the moment you give the go-ahead, and we build the logistics around that — unlike traditional self storage where you start on day 0 by renting a van.

Peak periods are predictable. According to the CBS Moving dashboard, hundreds of thousands of Dutch people move each year, with a clear monthly pattern. We see that pressure in our own scheduling: the last week of every month is busiest, as rental contracts end and new homes are moved into. Summer months peak extra. Want pickup on a specific day? Book slightly earlier than the average 17 days in those weeks.

Urgency is not a problem with mobile storage. Even on short notice we can always be at your door within 3 working days — call the advice team and we'll check availability immediately. Changes are free up to 7 days beforehand; within 7 to 3 days 50% is charged, within 3 days the full trip (minimum €35). Legally you also have 14 days after booking to cancel without obligation; anyone wanting extra flexibility can take out a booking insurance for €50 within 48 hours after booking, allowing free cancellation up to 7 days before pickup.

📝 Request & quote (day 0–10)

📅 Booking & scheduling (day 10–27)

🚚 Pickup day (day ~27) or within 3 working days for urgent cases

🔒 Storage & return on your preferred day

Ready for the first step? Enter your postcode and start the process — a tailored quote follows within minutes.

Start the storage process at Inbox Storage — quote within minutes, pickup possible within 3 working days.

CALCULATE YOUR STORAGE

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

Possible within 3 working days
From 1 month
We come to you

DONE IN 60 SEC.

FAQ ABOUT THE STORAGE PROCESS

The questions that come up most as people prepare their first booking — with concrete answers from our own practice.

HOW SOON CAN I BE PICKED UP AFTER BOOKING?

In an urgent case we can always be at your door within 3 working days. Regular timeline after booking is 17 days on average.

  • We advise booking at least 14 days in advance for your preferred date.
  • Urgent? Call 085 018 1302 (Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00) and we'll check the schedule immediately.
  • Around the last week of every month it's busier due to rental turnover — book slightly earlier then.

CAN I CHANGE MY PICKUP DATE?

Yes, provided you notify us in time. Costs depend on how close to the date you change.

  • Up to 7 days before: free.
  • 7 to 3 days before: 50% of the trip cost.
  • Within 3 days: full cost, minimum €35 per trip.
  • Legally you also have 14 days after booking to cancel without obligation. Extra flexibility? For €50 (added within 48 hours after booking) you can take out a booking insurance allowing free cancellation up to 7 days before pickup.

WHAT DO I NEED TO ARRANGE BEFORE PICKUP DAY?

Four preparations make for a smooth pickup day — no surprises for you or our driver.

  • Keep 2 parking spots free within 20 metres of the door.
  • Report items heavier than 50 kg or longer than 275 cm in advance — we'll factor that into the schedule and equipment.
  • Belongings packed and disassembled where needed. Furniture protected with covers or blankets.
  • Be reachable by phone on pickup day — we call about half an hour before arrival.

Tip: all preparation steps in one overview in moving with storage: checklist, timing and costs.

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME SLOT?

By default we come between 08:00 and 17:00. For more certainty about a specific time there are upgrade options at extra cost.

  • Day start 08:00–10:00: €35
  • Morning slot 08:00–12:00: €20
  • Afternoon slot 12:00–17:00: €20
  • Saturday 08:00–17:00: €50 (popular moving day, sometimes the only option)

WHAT HAPPENS EXACTLY ON PICKUP DAY?

Communication first, then execution. Day before at 16:30 an email with time slot, live updates on the day, phone call half an hour before arrival.

  • Driver places the unit(s) at your door.
  • Loading happens according to service level — yourself, with driver help (max 30 min), or fully handled by 2 staff.
  • We seal the unit immediately with your unique customer ID.
  • Then we drive to Gouda; you receive confirmation that the unit has arrived safely.

Tip: how we work in the hub is shown on how we handle storage.

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

From booking to pickup: one plan, no surprises

Clear phases, average timeline of 27 days — or within 3 working days for urgent cases. We handle the logistics, you decide the date.

  • Possible within 3 working days
  • Working days Mon–Sat, 08:00–17:00
  • Transparent change conditions
  • Live updates on the day itself