How Much Does 1-800-PACK-RAT Cost?
Here’s the bottom line: Local moves with 1-800-PACK-RAT can be less than $500 or more than $2,000, while long-distance interstate moves with multiple containers can cost $6,000 or more. The truth is, with so many variables in the moving process, it is tricky to determine an “average” price.
That said, figuring out how much your move with 1-800-Pack-Rat will cost comes down to analyzing your move. That means thinking about how many containers you’ll need, how much stuff you have, and where you’re heading.
To help you do that, we’ve broken down 1-800-Pack-Rat storage services, moving services, and pricing.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
1-800-PACK-RAT company and services
1-800-PACK-RAT has been a leading moving container and storage services company for nearly two decades. Unlike traditional movers, 1-800-PACK-RAT uses portable containers to move household goods from Point A to Point B.It’s called the “you load, we drive” model, and it’s become increasingly popular in recent years.
They’re not the most affordable provider in the niche, but they do offer one of the cheapest moving containers in the industry. And generous promotions and moving discounts help keep their prices in line with their biggest competitors – PODS and U-Pack. Check out more on PODS cost and U-Pack cost.
With storage facilities in dozens of states, 1-800-PACK-RAT offers multiple storage options perfect for those who want to save money on a DIY move without driving a big moving truck.
Here’s how it works –
- You reserve your container(s) online at 1800packrat.com, over the phone, or in person.
- They deliver them to your home, apartment, or business on the appointed day.
- You pack and load your items into the container
- For storage, you can keep the container on-site or have them haul it to one of their storage facilities for safekeeping.
- If you’re moving, they’ll transport your container(s) to your new address, whether it’s around the corner, across the state, or the country.
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
What we like about 1-800-PACK-RAT
- High-quality containers with steel frames, roofs, walls, and floors
- Multiple container sizes
- Quotes include 30 days of storage
- Local and long-distance moves and storage are available
- Discounts for college students, military members, first responders, teachers, medical workers, and senior citizens
- Frequent promotions
- Price-matching is available in some markets
- No additional fee if you cancel within 48 hours
- They’ve partnered with labor and auto transport companies
- Pay-as-you-go means payments are small and manageable
What we don’t like
- High base prices
- Confusing pricing structure
- Storage charges can’t be prorated
- No moves to or from Alaska or Hawaii
- Fewer locations than some competitors
- Content Protection Coverage isn’t available on local moves
- High fee if you cancel in less than 48 hours
- Credit card required at time of booking (not a huge deal unless you have to cancel at the last minute)
How much does 1-800-PACK-RAT cost?
- Barn-style container doors make packing easier
- Available for both local and long distance moves
- $10k insurance included with option to purchase more
- Free lock provided for container door
1-800-Pack Rat can cost anywhere from $500 for a small local move to $6000 or more for long distance moves. As with full-service moving companies, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s prices vary widely based on the following factors –
- Your origin and destination locations
- The distance between your old and new homes
- When you’re moving including drop off date and delivery date (prices may increase during the peak season between June and August)
- What size and how many containers you’ll need
- Whether you’ll need moving, storage, or a combination of both
- Which insurance coverage you choose
Local moving and storage with 1-800-PACK-RAT
To recap, local moves generally cost between $500 and $2,000. Your actual costs will vary based on the above mentioned factors. Still, each quote includes 30 days of free storage, a considerable value.
Free quotes exclude –
- Optional insurance coverage (more on this shortly)
- Additional storage (monthly charges can be more than $200 per container per month)
- Packing material
- Moving equipment like dollies, straps, moving blankets, and pads
- Loading and unloading labor
Remember, though 1-800-PACK-RAT doesn’t provide labor, they partner with companies that do, and you could always use HireAHelper — a labor company that will do the loading for you.
For local moves (and storage jobs), you’re charged for the rental and delivery fee once they drop the container off. Transportation, storage, and post-move pick-up fees are charged as they occur, so you pay in manageable increments.
Long-distance moving with 1-800-PACK-RAT
The average price to move a moderately furnished home or multi-bedroom apartment 1,000 miles with 1-800-PACK-RAT is approximately $3,750.
Cross-country move customers must pay a $500 deposit about five days before their containers are delivered.
The balance will be due before the final delivery, which can be a few days or more than two weeks, depending on the distance.
Remember, interstate moves can be as short as 8 miles (Lake Park, Georgia to Jennings, Florida) or more than 3,000 miles (Spokane, Washington to Key West, Florida.)
Not surprisingly, costs are all over the place. The following table includes a few “average” costs based on varying home sizes and distances.
| Less than 500 miles | Between 501 and 2000 miles | More than 2000 miles | |
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | $1,700 | $2,690 | $3,200+ |
| 2 or 3-bedroom home or apartment | $2,600 | $2,950 | $3,600+ |
| 4 or 5-bedroom home | $3,550 | $4,690 | $5,600+ |
These figures are based on a relatively small sample size. Use them for “ballparking” purposes only, and plan on getting your personalized quote(s).
1-800-PACK-RAT service area
The company says over 95% of the continental United States is within its service area. Suppose you’re one of the few people who live in a region that isn’t covered. In that case, they may still be able to develop a custom moving or storage solution, so don’t hesitate to call them and ask.
1-800-PACK-RAT’s website is an excellent resource for –
- Finding a service center or partner (like Lowe’s and their useful moving boxes) near you
- Determining how many containers you’ll need using their space calculator
- Getting preliminary pricing (you may need to call for long-distance moving quotes)
- Reserving your containers and scheduling a delivery date
1-800-PACK-RAT vs the competition
With 1-800-PACK-RAT’s moving and storage services, you can –
- Store your container(s) at your home
- Store it at one of the company’s secure facilities
- Have it transported across town or within the state
- Have it shipped to another state
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In short, 1-800-PACK-RAT is a good fit for savvy customers interested in customizing a move to fit their needs without paying top dollar for a full-service moving company.
Though great for household moving and storage, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers and services also work well for home renovation projects and business storage.
But 1-800-Pack-Rat isn’t the only container option. In fact, there are several other companies you can get quotes from to compare prices and services.
These include:
- PODS: Best nationwide coverage and ideal for people who need storage, want unlimited loading/unloading time, need multiple container sizes, or are staging a home.
- U-Pack: best overall value featuring 7-foot Relocube containers and 28-foot trailers. They also have one of the largest coverage areas, making it ideal for rural moves.
- Zippy Shell: Best for city to city moves, offering 10-foot and 15-foot containers.
- Moving Place: best for large moves as they offer 28-foot and 58-foot trailers.
Multiple container sizes to fit most needs
1-800-PACK-RAT’s container lineup makes it easy to utilize space efficiently and save money.
On small moves, you can pick the best container size. On more significant moves, you can mix and match to ensure you’re paying for something other than unused space.
1-800-PACK-RAT’s units come in the following sizes –
8-foot container
- About 400 cubic feet of interior space
- Hold one or two rooms of boxes and furniture
- 4,000-pound weight limit
12-foot container
- Approximately 620 cubic feet of usable space
- Hold two or three rooms of furniture and boxes
- 6,000-pound weight limit
16-foot container
- More than 825 cubic feet of interior space
- Hold the contents of a two-bedroom apartment or a small home (excluding attic, basement, and garage)
- 6,000-pound weight limit
Don’t see a size that fits your needs? Check out other moving container companies that offer different sizes and freight trailers.
Learn MoreAll-steel construction makes a difference
1-800-PACK-RAT’s industry-leading all-steel containers are stronger and more secure than the competition’s units. To maximize strength, increase usable space, and minimize move-day mishaps, the doors on 1-800-PACK-RAT containers open outward. Most moving and storage containers have roll-up doors, which limit interior space and tend to jam when items shift during transit.
Their sturdy weatherproof design keeps contents safe, dry, and pest-free (bugs and rodents) during transit or storage. On the downside, steel containers aren’t cheap, translating into slightly higher rates.
Does 1-800-PACK-RAT offer insurance?
You’ll have two insurance options when moving or storing items with 1-800-PACK-RAT. The first covers the container while it’s in your possession, while the second covers your items in transit.
The Basic Plan covers each container for $9.99 monthly, but your items aren’t insured. The optional Silver Plan (Contents Protection Plan) covers your household goods. Silver Plan costs range from less than $35 per month for $5,000 of coverage to about $150 per month for $75,000.
Other coverage levels include:
| Value declared | Approximate monthly cost |
| $5,000 | $35 |
| $10,000 | $50 |
| $15,000 | $60 |
| $25,000 | $80 |
| $50,000 | $120 |
| $75,000 | $150 |
Each coverage option has a $100 deductible, and long-distance moves include $10,000 of content protection, which covers your items while the container is being transported.
On local moves and storage jobs, content protection coverage is yet to be available. Unlike regular moving insurance (valuation), with 1-800-PACK-RAT’s insurance, your items are only covered if they’re damaged or destroyed by water, fire, or an accident while the truck is transporting your container.
It’s worth calling your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company to ask if they’ll cover your items when stored or moved locally, but most won’t.
1-800-PACK RAT vs PODS
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The two most significant differences between them are their prices and containers.
The benefits of using 1-800-PACK-RAT:
- Their all-steel containers are more robust and more secure
- Barn-style doors increase usable space and are less prone to jamming
- Containers have higher weight limits
- Plenty of discounts and promos keep prices competitive
- Relatively large coverage area
- 30 days of free storage included with most quotes
- Pay-as-you-go keeps payments small and spreads them out
The benefits of using PODS containers:
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
- Lower prices for initial delivery and transportation
- Translucent container tops illuminate the inside of the container during the day
- Larger coverage area than 1-800-PACK-RAT
- Less expensive storage rates
- Pay-as-you-go
What’s the best way to get a quote?
1-800-PACK-RAT’s website is chock full of helpful tools and information, and free online quotes are available for local moving and storage jobs. You’ll need to enter relevant move details, like when and where you’re moving, your home or apartment size, and whether you’ll need moving or storage services.
Each quote will include the following –
- Monthly rental cost for each container
- Amount due before initial delivery
- Estimated transportation and final delivery costs
It may seem like a needless hassle, but on long-distance moves, you’ll need to speak with a customer service representative for final pricing and to book your activity, so expect to spend at least a few minutes on a phone call.
They will help you determine what size and how many containers you’ll need and whether items like labor, automobile transport, packing material, and moving equipment are required.
FAQ
What’s 1-800-PACK-RAT’s phone number?
1-800-PACK-RAT.
How much can fit in a 16-foot PACK-RAT container?
Each 16-foot container holds approximately three or four rooms of furniture and boxes or up to 6,000 pounds.
Is Pack-rat cheaper than PODS?
No, PODS pricing is usually more affordable, but promos and discounts often level the playing field.
Does the 1-800-PACK-RAT price match?
Yes, in many instances, 1-800-PACK-RAT will match prices from competitors like PODS.
How long does it take for a PACK-RAT container to be delivered?
Local and long-distance delivery times vary by season and location. On interstate moves under 1,500 miles, the delivery may take up to 10 business days, while on longer moves, you may need to wait up to 14 business days to get your items.
Does 1-800-PACK-RAT sell packing material?
Yes, 1-800-PACK-RAT sells everything from wardrobes, stretch wraps, and picture boxes to bubble wraps, packing paper, and mattress bags.
What’s the best moving container?
Regarding quality all-steel construction, easy doors, and high weight limits, 1-800-PACK-RAT’s portable storage containers are hard to beat. For more information on the most optimal moving services for you, check out our picks for best moving container companies and compare costs using our moving cost calculator.
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