Storage unit vs renting totes for a short project

If you're clearing space for a remodel, staging a home or decluttering, you might wonder whether you need a storage unit or just good containers at home. They solve different problems. A storage unit is the right choice for some people — and we'll say so. STORVA doesn't offer storage units or store anything; we rent totes that stay at your place.

Important: STORVA does not store anything

STORVA is not a storage company and does not offer storage units. We drop empty totes off at your home or business, the packed totes stay at your place the whole time, and we pick the totes up only after you've emptied them. Rentals can run up to 12 weeks in total, with extension rates listed on the pricing page.

What a storage unit solves

Gets belongings out of your home completely.
Holds furniture and large items, not just containers.
Works for long periods.
Useful between homes when you have nowhere to keep things.

What renting totes solves

Gives you sturdy, stackable containers for a short project.
Keeps everything at your home, so you can reach it anytime.
No trips to a facility — totes are dropped off and picked up empty.
Works when you have space at home, like a garage or spare room.

Choose a storage unit if…

You need items out of the house entirely.
You have furniture to set aside.
Your project or gap between homes runs longer than a few months.
You don't have a garage or spare room to stack containers.

Choose at-home totes if…

You have somewhere at home to stack packed totes.
Your project is short — a remodel, staging, decluttering or seasonal reset.
You want to reach your things during the project.
You mainly need containers, not space.

Using both

Some people use totes to pack and organize, then take packed containers to a storage unit they rent separately. STORVA totes need to be emptied before pickup, so plan that timing if you go this route.

Questions to ask yourself

Where will packed containers sit during the project?
How long will the project really take?
Do I need to set aside furniture?
How often will I need to reach the items?

A quick example

Say you're remodeling a kitchen for a few weeks and have a two-car garage. Packing the kitchen into totes and stacking them in the garage keeps everything close, and you can grab a pan or a platter when you need it. A storage unit would add trips for little benefit.

Now say you're between homes for several months with a full house of furniture and nowhere to put it. That's a job for a storage unit — totes alone won't solve it, and STORVA doesn't store anything.

Most projects fall clearly on one side; if yours is in between, consider how often you'll need access and how much space you really have at home.

How STORVA tote rental works

STORVA rents reusable 27-gallon black totes with yellow snap-on lids across Dallas–Fort Worth. We drop the empty totes off at your door, you pack, move and unpack your own belongings, and we pick the empty totes back up on the date you chose. We don't move, pack or haul anything for you — we supply the equipment.

Packages start at $79. The 1 Bedroom package and larger include black 4-wheel dollies; extra dollies are $9 each. Next-day drop-off is available across DFW; for weekends and the end of the month, book 2–3 days ahead.

Dorm / Studio: 10 totes, 1 week included, $79.
1 Bedroom: 20 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $109.
2–3 Bedrooms: 40 totes + 1 dolly, 2 weeks included, $189.
4+ Bedrooms: 60 totes + 2 dollies, 2 weeks included, $239.

Rent totes · Use the tote calculator

Frequently asked questions

Is STORVA a storage unit alternative?

Only for short projects where you have space at home. STORVA rents totes that stay at your place; we don't store anything. If you need items out of your home, a storage unit is the better choice.

Can I take STORVA totes to a storage unit?

Totes must be emptied before pickup at the end of your rental, so plan accordingly.

How long can I rent totes?

Up to 12 weeks in total, with extension rates on the pricing page.