With a direct removal, everything goes from A to B in one go. With a removal via storage, there's a storage period in between. That changes the entire workflow: you have two removal moments, multiple invoicing moments and ongoing storage billing.
This article describes the full workflow from start to finish.
Direct vs. via storage
The difference between the two workflows:
Direct | Via storage | |
Removal moments | 1 (loading and unloading on the same day or consecutive days) | 2 (in-storage and out-storage, often weeks or months apart) |
Invoicing moments | 1 (after the removal) | At least 3 (in-storage + monthly storage + out-storage) |
Quote template | Standard | Separate template with storage text |
Extra costs | None | Container handling costs, storage costs per month |
Planning | 1 planning block | 2 separate planning blocks (in-storage and out-storage) |
Step 1 - Creating a case file with the "Via storage" package
When creating a new case file, you choose the Via storage package. This is a separate package with a different invoice structure than a direct removal.
Click New removal
Enter the loading address (the customer's current home)
Enter the unloading address (the future home, if already known)
Enter the customer details
Select the Via storage package
The system now knows there's a storage period in between. The storage address (your warehouse) is automatically included as a waypoint.
Tip: Don't know the unloading address yet? Then enter "Unknown" or leave the field blank. You can add it later once the customer has a new address.
Expected result: a case file with the "Via storage" package and the correct addresses.
Step 2 - Carrying out the survey
The survey works the same way as for a direct removal. You go room by room and record the inventory.
The difference: with a removal via storage, you can indicate per room or per item of furniture whether it's going into storage. Not everything has to go into storage. Sometimes part goes straight to the new address and part goes into storage.
Start the survey tool from the case file
Add rooms and record the furniture per room
Indicate per room or per item of furniture what's going into storage
Select the services (disassembly, packing, and so on)
Take photos and add notes
Expected result: a complete inventory with a clear distinction between what's going into storage and what isn't.
Step 3 - Drawing up a quote with storage lines
The quote for a removal via storage contains extra lines that you don't see with a direct removal. The "Via storage" package automatically generates a different invoice structure.
Typical quote lines for via storage
Line | Description | Example |
Removal costs (in-storage) | Loading at the customer's, transport to storage | EUR 1,800 |
Container handling costs | Loading and unloading the container (per handling) | EUR 175 per handling |
Storage costs per month | Monthly rental of the storage space | EUR 95 per month |
Removal costs (out-storage) | Loading from storage, transport to the new address | EUR 1,200 |
Warranty certificate | Optional | EUR 45 |
The container handling costs are calculated twice by default: once for in-storage (loading the container) and once for out-storage (unloading the container). You set this amount as a fixed line in your package, so it automatically appears on every via-storage quote.
Quote template
The "Via storage" package comes with a separate quote template. This contains adapted text, for example: "Removal from your current home via our storage to [new address]."
Check the quote template when setting up your packages. The template is selected automatically as soon as you choose the "Via storage" package.
Tip: Mention the container handling costs separately on the quote. Customers appreciate this transparency.
Expected result: a quote with the removal costs, handling costs, storage costs and any extra services.
Step 4 - Planning the in-storage move
Once the customer has confirmed, you plan the in-storage move. This is the moment the belongings are collected from the customer and taken to your storage.
Open the case file
Go to Planning or Dates
Click Schedule
Select the service type: Load into storage
Choose the date and set the start and end time
Add crew members and vehicles
Reserve a container or crate (via the storage tab in the case file)
Add notes for the crew
The removal crew can see in the app which container or crate has been reserved. They know exactly what needs to go and where it's going.
Expected result: a scheduled in-storage appointment with crew members, vehicle and reserved storage unit.
Step 5 - Invoicing at in-storage
After the in-storage move, you invoice the first part. With a removal via storage, you work with multiple invoicing moments. The first moment is the in-storage move.
Go to the case file > Financial > Invoicing moments. You'll see the invoicing moments that belong to the package. The first moment contains the removal costs for the in-storage move and the handling costs.
Click Prepare invoice to create a draft invoice. Check the invoice and send it.
Tip: Use a fixed amount per invoicing moment rather than a percentage. For removals via storage, a fixed amount works more clearly than splitting 50/50.
Step 6 - Storage period and monthly invoicing
During the storage period, the storage costs are invoiced automatically. The system generates draft invoices based on the frequency you've set.
Setting the frequency
Set the invoicing frequency when linking the storage unit to the case file:
Frequency | When suitable |
Monthly | Default choice for most customers |
Quarterly | Regular customers with long-term storage |
Annually | Annual contracts |
Converting weekly prices to monthly prices
Many removal companies are used to invoicing weekly or every four weeks. Bas works with monthly invoicing. The conversion formula:
Monthly price = Weekly price x 52 / 12Example calculation:
Weekly price | Calculation | Monthly price |
EUR 25 | 25 x 52 / 12 | EUR 108.33 |
EUR 42 | 42 x 52 / 12 | EUR 182.00 |
EUR 60 | 60 x 52 / 12 | EUR 260.00 |
Or if you're used to invoicing every four weeks (13 periods per year):
Monthly price = Four-weekly amount x 13 / 12Example calculation:
Four-weekly | Calculation | Monthly price |
EUR 100 | 100 x 13 / 12 | EUR 108.33 |
EUR 168 | 168 x 13 / 12 | EUR 182.00 |
The annual amount stays identical. Only the monthly breakdown differs from the four-weekly one.
Start date and last invoiced date
Set the last invoiced date. This is the date up to which the customer has already paid. The system automatically picks up invoicing from that point onward.
Note: Enter the last invoiced date, not the storage start date. If you enter the start date, the system will try to invoice all the missed periods as well.
Expected result: the system automatically generates draft invoices at the right moment. You check and send them.
Step 7 - Planning the out-storage move
Once the customer has a new address, you plan the out-storage move. This is the second removal moment: the belongings go from your storage to the new address.
Open the case file
Complete the unloading address if it wasn't entered yet
Go to Planning or Dates
Click Reschedule or New appointment
Select the service type: Unload from storage
Choose the date and set the start and end time
Add crew members and vehicles
Add notes
The system knows which container or crate is linked to this case file. The removal crew can see this in the app.
Expected result: a scheduled out-storage appointment as a separate event within the same case file.
Step 8 - Invoicing at out-storage
After the out-storage move, you invoice the final part: the removal costs from storage to the new address, plus the handling costs for unloading the container.
Go to the case file > Financial > Invoicing moments. Click the second invoicing moment and prepare the invoice.
In case of early out-storage (the customer collects their belongings before the invoiced storage period ends), the system automatically calculates a credit note for the amount overpaid.
Expected result: the out-storage move has been invoiced and any remaining storage costs have been credited.
Overview of invoicing moments
With a removal via storage, you have at least three types of invoicing moments:
Moment | What you invoice | When |
1. In-storage | Removal costs for loading + container handling costs | After the in-storage move |
2. Storage (ongoing) | Storage costs per month | Monthly, automatically |
3. Out-storage | Removal costs for unloading + container handling costs | After the out-storage move |
Tip: You can send the first storage invoice separately or add it to the in-storage invoice. Most removal companies invoice storage separately, so customers aren't taken aback by a high total on a single invoice.
Distributed storage
Not all belongings always fit in a single container or crate. Sometimes the goods are spread across multiple locations in your warehouse: pallets on a rack, loose furniture in a corner, boxes on a different floor.
This is called distributed storage. In Bas, you create a distributed storage case file for this in the WMS. Instead of a container number, you record per item or per line what's being stored and at which location.
When do you use distributed storage?
The belongings don't fit in a container or crate
The customer has items of different sizes (pallets, cabinets, bicycles)
The belongings are physically spread throughout your warehouse
Invoicing for distributed storage
Invoicing works the same way as for container storage. You set a monthly rate and the system generates draft invoices based on the frequency.
Storage agreement
A storage agreement is customary for storage. This document sets out what's being stored, under which conditions and at what price.
In Bas, you can upload the storage agreement as a document against the case file or against the specific storage unit in the WMS. This way, the document can always be found.
The storage agreement is currently still drawn up manually. Upload the signed document to the case file via Documents > Upload. Tick Visible in app if the removal crew needs to be able to view the document.
Setting up the "Via storage" package
The "Via storage" package contains the lines that automatically appear on the quote. Set this up under Settings > Packages.
Lines in the package
Line | Type | Example |
Removal costs (in-storage) | Calculated based on volume/hours | Variable |
Container handling costs | Fixed amount, 2x by default | EUR 175 per handling |
Storage costs per month | Recurring line (ongoing) | EUR 95 per month |
Removal costs (out-storage) | Calculated based on volume/hours | Variable |
You set up the container handling costs as a fixed line. The system automatically includes this on every quote with this package. By default, twice: once for in-storage, once for out-storage.
You set up the storage costs per month as a recurring line. The system automatically invoices this amount according to the set frequency.
Common mistakes
Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
"Direct" package chosen instead of "Via storage" | No storage lines on the quote | Check the package when creating the case file |
Handling costs forgotten in the package | Customer isn't invoiced for in-storage/out-storage | Set up handling costs as a fixed line in the package |
Start date entered as last invoiced date | System invoices all missed months | Always enter the last invoiced date |
All containers set to a total price | When a container is taken out of storage, the rest falls to EUR 0 | Enter the rate per container separately |
Out-storage not planned as a separate event | Removal crew doesn't know it's a storage out-storage move | Plan in-storage and out-storage as separate events |
Tips
Always use the "Via storage" package. Only then will you get the correct quote template and invoice structure.
Plan in-storage and out-storage as two separate events. This gives crew members and planning clarity.
Invoice the first storage month separately. Not added to the removal invoice.
Reserve the container or crate in advance. This way the removal crew knows which unit is ready.
State handling costs transparently on the quote. Customers appreciate a clear cost breakdown.
Please note
Multiple invoicing moments. A removal via storage has at least three types of invoices. Keep track of them.
Converting weekly price to monthly price. The annual amount stays the same, but the monthly amount is slightly higher than 4x the weekly price. Be prepared for questions from customers.
Crediting for early out-storage. The system handles this automatically, but check the credit note before sending it.
Uploading the storage agreement. Save the signed document against the case file or the storage unit.
Next article: Storage agreement and storage contracts
Next article: Invoice references for storage: splitting and bundling