--- title: Vault Storage vs Self-Storage Units: How They Differ url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/vault-storage-vs-self-storage/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Vault storage vs self storage # Vault storage vs self-storage units O'Brien's vaults are 7 by 7 by 5 feet, vault storage starts from $40 per month, and about 2 to 3 weeks notice is needed to ship stored goods. With self-storage you load and visit the unit yourself; with vault storage, the movers load wooden vaults in a warehouse and ship them when you call. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) The two options share a word, storage, and little else. One is a rented room you manage. The other is a service in which the mover handles the goods from the door to the warehouse and back. Knowing the difference helps you pick the right one for a given move. ## How a self-storage unit works You rent a unit, move your goods into it with your own vehicle and your own labor, lock it, and visit when you like. Access on your own schedule is the strength of a unit. The trade is that you do the lifting twice, once in and once out, and the contents stay as you left them. ## How full-service vault storage works Movers pack and wrap the goods at your home and load them onto the truck. At the warehouse in Sparks, the crew places them into wooden vaults, each 7 by 7 by 5 feet, stacked in a 30,000 sq ft building. Vault storage runs from $40 per month, short or long term. When you are ready, you give the office about 2 to 3 weeks notice and the goods are delivered to your new home. The warehouse is at the same site as the office and the truck yard, 2277 Glendale Ave. See [our warehouse](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/our-warehouse/) and [vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/). ## Side by side | Question | Self-storage unit | Vault storage | | --- | --- | --- | | Who loads it | You | The moving crew | | Who unloads it | You | The moving crew, at your new home | | Suits | Items you visit often | A household in transition | | Notice to get goods out | Not applicable | About 2 to 3 weeks | ## When vault storage fits - Between homes: you sell before the new house is ready and the goods wait in the Sparks warehouse. - A remodel: furniture leaves for weeks, then comes back with the crew. - A long-distance move with a gap between pick-up and delivery. - A downsize or an estate: furniture needs a place while decisions are made. - A seasonal move: a second home or a winter away. ## When a unit fits If you will open the space every week for tools, seasonal decor or business stock, a self-storage unit is built for that. If you want your goods handled once in and once out by a crew, and you will not need them for weeks, vaults are the better match. The [storage vault sizer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/storage-vault-sizer/) estimates how many vaults your goods fill. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.609 (storage in transit)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Vault storage: how 7 x 7 x 5 ft wooden vaults work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/vault-storage/) - [Storage vault sizer](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/storage-vault-sizer/) - [Our 30,000 sq ft Sparks warehouse and vault storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/our-warehouse/) - [Long-term household storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/long-term-storage/) Moving guides ## Read next - [How to prepare furniture for storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/preparing-furniture-for-storage/) - [Long-term storage tips](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-term-storage-tips/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack glasses and stemware](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [How to pack a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/) - [How to pack mirrors and picture frames](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-mirrors-and-pictures/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How many vaults will I need? The vault sizer gives a first guess and your estimator confirms it at the home. ### How long can goods stay? Vault storage works short term and long term. ### How do I start? Call 775-359-6683 or request a free in-home estimate, and the estimator will go over storage with you. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. J Janet M. May 16, 2026 I was so impressed with the way the crew handled and packed each piece of furniture for short term storage. They were polite and professional. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning a move. ### Owner's reply Janet we are so glad to hear that your move was a great success and we sincerely appreciate you providing us with this wonderful review. We will continue to provide you with the best service as we move forward. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070