There’s a particular dread in watching a table or a dresser you actually care about sit in a room full of dust while the builders work, telling yourself it’s fine because the door’s closed.
Builders start this week and the room’s already dusty? Move furniture out now, see the facility section below. Planning ahead, job booked but not started? Jump to the terms section to see the notice and refund mechanics before you book. Been burned before by damp or dust damage? Read on for why “just along the hall” isn’t actually safe.
Why Furniture in the Work Zone, or “Just for Now” in a Spare Room, Is Still at Risk
Dust from renovation work travels further than expected and can settle in rooms not being worked on, according to official HSE guidance.
How far does renovation dust actually travel?
There’s no fixed safe distance. Fine dust stays suspended in the air for a long time, working its way well beyond the room being worked on.
Why a closed door isn’t a safe distance
HSE’s own guidance states it’s “very difficult to give an answer that will cover all situations” when asked how far dust travels within a building. That’s the honest answer, no room in the house is reliably safe, which is exactly the moment furniture actually stops being at risk, the moment it crosses out of the house entirely.
The Leatherhead Kitchen-to-Loft Scenario: What Actually Happens If You Wait
This is a realistic, illustrative scenario, not a named customer.
Week one: the spare room isn’t as sealed as it looks
A homeowner having a kitchen re-fitted moves the dining table, dresser and boxed crockery into the nearest spare bedroom, assuming a closed door two rooms away is safe. Within the first week, fine dust from first-fix work already reaches that room via the hallway.
When the job runs over, and it usually does
By week four, the job has run two weeks over, common for a kitchen re-fit. The dresser has a fine grey film worked into its joints, and the boxed crockery needs a full wash before it’s usable again. A homeowner who moved the same items off-site instead just gets them back exactly as they left, and unused paid days are refunded if the job finishes early.
Wigwam Self Storage Leatherhead: The Real Facility, Not a Placeholder
Wigwam Self Storage Leatherhead exists specifically to take this risk off the table during a live renovation.
Where it is and how to reach it
1D, Business Park 8, Barnett Wood Lane, Leatherhead KT22 7DG, easily reachable for anyone renovating in Leatherhead, Fetcham, Bookham or Ashtead.
Getting in touch
Call 01372 386916 locally, or 0800 2545585 generally. Office hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm, closed Sunday, separate from unit access hours.
What Size Unit Does a Renovation Actually Need?
Size scales with how much of the house is being cleared, from a single room to a full strip-out.
| Room count | Approx unit size | Typical renovation scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 1 room | 25-50 sq ft | Single-room refit, e.g. a kitchen |
| 2 rooms | 50-75 sq ft | Two-room job |
| 1-2 bed home | 75-100 sq ft | Larger single project or small full clear-out |
| 2-3+ bed home | 125-150+ sq ft | Full-house strip-out |
Ranges only, get an exact quote for your Leatherhead move.
Terms Built for a Timeline That Might Slip
The deposit and 14-day notice structure exists precisely because renovations overrun, so booking early for the expected length isn’t a financial risk.
The deposit and 14-day notice, in plain terms
A deposit is taken when you book, 14 days’ notice ends the agreement, and once notice ends, any unused paid days are refunded, three separate steps, not one blurred promise.
Access while the building work is happening
Access runs 6am to 10pm, seven days a week, via smart entry. Sites are unmanned, so if a tradesperson or delivery needs unit access, someone from your own side needs to be there.
Get a price for the size you need.
Keeping It Safe Once It’s in the Unit
Units at Leatherhead are individually alarmed, kept clean, dry and secure.
What “clean, dry and secure” covers, and what it doesn’t
Not climate-controlled, never temperature or humidity control. For antiques or damp-sensitive pieces, correct prep, covers, off-floor storage, matters more than a climate claim Wigwam doesn’t make.
Insurance: required, not optional
Contents insurance is required, either Wigwam’s own cover or proof of your own equivalent. This is general information, not advice, check with your own insurer for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked
What size storage unit do I need during a home renovation?
See the room-count table above, or get an exact quote for your specific move.
Is there a deposit, and what if my renovation runs over?
A deposit applies, 14 days’ notice ends the agreement, and unused paid days are refunded.
Can I access my unit while the building work is happening?
Yes, 6am to 10pm, seven days a week, via smart entry.
Do I need insurance for furniture in storage during a renovation?
Yes, contents insurance is required, either Wigwam’s own cover or your own equivalent.
The Next Step, If You’re Ready
You know the real facility, the mechanism, and the terms. Moving furniture out before the work starts beats cleaning it up after.
Get a price for your Leatherhead move. If you’re moving house rather than renovating, our Leatherhead moving guide covers that instead.
