Moving in a portable storage container is a great option for storage during your relocation. Whether you are living in an apartment or a house they are convenient in many aspects. If you want to pack some things and you’re not sure when you will want them then the pod containers are a great solution. You may be breaking up and moving out or just relocating and looking for a new home, but until you find the right place for you where you can unpack it all, moving portable storage containers is your best option. Whatever your need and whatever the reason for your decision moving in a pod or portable storage containers has its advantages. Find out how to pack for such a move, what the moving containers pricing is, how to find a company which offers containers for rent and more tips here below.
Pod Moving Storage Containers Advantages
- Moving containers or the pod fit greatly on the driveway and thus you can have them delivered to your front door and then delivered to another address. Anyway, check with the local authorities if you need to have a permit to drop off your container.
- They are locked when loaded. This means that if you wish to use one or more of them you will have the key and of course the only possible access to the container giving more security to your luggage in there.
- They are strong and sturdy which means that your belongings are well protected there. They cannot be harmed from the outside.
- Moving containers or the pod made of wood are hardly influenced by weather conditions which means that your belongings are safe there and will stay intact by mold, moist or condensation. This does not come true however for a pod out of metal or plastic!
- You can use moving storage containers if you want to pack and load at your own home your belongings for storage.
There are various moving pod sizes at different prices.
- What are the typical moving container sizes? When moving you can fit about a room, a room and a half in one pod depending on the size of the room and the amount of items in it. This is equal to about 50 average-sized boxes or a studio apartment. This refers to a 5x7x8 pod container. There is also a 6x7x8 moving container. Other moving pod sizes are the 8x8x12 that will take up things from about 1,200 sq. feet and the 8x8x16 pod will accommodate a larger area of about 1,500 square feet. The variety of moving container sizes allows you to choose the best containers that you need for the moment.
- You can pack the portable storage containers and have them delivered at another location or have them kept in a storage unit. In this way your things won’t shift inside when they’re being moved and they will be safe under your own private access.
How to Load the Moving Containers or a Pod
Pack everything well before placing it in moving containers or in a pod. When you begin loading the pod make sure that you secure the items inside. If they move inside during transportation they may get scratched, dented, smashed or may get broken. Arrange closely all items when moving them in portable storage and use cushioning in between like cardboard or moving blankets. Be especially careful when packing breakable items for moving in a pod. When on the road the containers are exposed to vibration from the road and this may cause damages. That is why always pack well dishes, plates, and other breakable items. Use a lot of packing paper (or newspaper) and bubble wrap. If you are not sure how to pack, call movers to do it. Again, just like when moving with a truck, there are items forbidden to put in the POD. Beware of liquids. Since the container is closed when moving if a liquid is spilled it will soak up your belongings and may damage them. That is why don’t put in the moving pod liquids like cleaning materials, gas from the lawn mower, etc.
Portable Moving Container Rates
The prices of renting a pod will vary from about $150 to a few hundred depending in the size of the container, the time, distance and the company's charges.
An 8x8x12 container would cost you about $220. This is the price including the tax and you can get to use the container for a period of up to a month. This means that when you’re done and you need your things you can just return the pod. You may find a company that will charge you less – for example you may be given the moving pod pricing of just $100 to have a container at your disposal and have it taken from your doorstep. But then again as the time to get your moving container back comes you understand that you have to pay another $100 for the service. The price will vary depending on the time you use the pod, the size of the container and the distance. So the moving pod pricing could drop to $150 or rise to a few hundred.
So in order to know the real, correct moving container rates ask for a moving quote. Get several moving quotes to find out what prices will be offered to you and then choose your company. And yet again in order for you to know the approximate rates we need to remind you of something important – ask how the price is formed and what it contains, in other words, what you can expect to get for your money. Moving in a pod is cheaper than renting a truck and yet do not throw money away and always check who you hire. Read moving reviews here – just select a location. After you find your destination see which companies are working on the route that you need and simply call them. This is how you can use the moving containers successfully and enjoy a smooth move. If you have a moving question to which you don’t find the answer here you can consult our moving experts free on this link.
What are some of the disadvantages? I would imagine having to do the loading and unloading yourself. They also don’t seem to be very big.
Hi Jared,
One major disadvantage for using a moving pod is the price. As Pamela mentions above, these containers can cost around $200 per month plus a $100 fee for pick up / delivery. This is very expensive if using the pod for any period of time. Typical self-storage facilities will offer first month free or for $1. Then they usually charge $100 – $200 per month for a typical 8′ X 12′ unit. Prices fluctuate based on accessibility of the unit within the facility.
Of course another disadvantage of a moving pod is loading and unloading yourself. If you are hiring a moving company to relocate your entire home, then renting a self-storage near the destination location is a better choice. They will be handling your goods anyways so you might as well have them make an extra stop at a storage location.
Storage pods may not be the best choice if you are moving a large home or need long term storage. Although, they are beneficial for those who need to move a few rooms and would like to do it themselves.
*Storage pods are great for home renovations. You can store your items on premise during the renovation process for easy access.
Thanks Mike. Do you think that PODS are the best option for temporary storage? I prefer them over storage units because it requires a lot less work.
I really like them too as opposed to self-storage. They are the best option in terms of convenience but not for the price.
There’s so many pods companies out there now (PODS, packrat, ubox, relocube, etc) I really don’t know which one to use. I’ve been reading the comparisons at http://www.easystoragesearch.com/portable-storage-containers-reviews-and-rates/. Does anyone have any recommendations?