What is a Moving Pod?
Have you tried to DIY your own move with a U-Haul rental truck? Whether you have a local move coming up or you’re moving cross-country, moving to a new location requires some elbow grease.
PODS containers are a simple, portable storage option that make moving simple and easy. But how much do these portable storage containers cost? And what do PODS customers think about the service? moveBuddha’s moving experts are here to answer your burning questions about PODS moving so you can move to your new home with confidence.
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In this post, we’ll look at what a PODS moving container is, how it works, PODS costs, and alternatives to these portable moving containers.
What are PODS moving containers?
Moving pods are extremely popular storage containers that ease the process of relocating. This form of portable on demand storage comes with roll-up, keyed, ground-level access. PODS also uses steel containers that are weather-resistant.
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
You can choose from three different sizes:
- Small container: This small container is eight feet long. It’s perfect for studio apartments, so college students typically choose this size.
- Medium container: This 12-foot container is ideal for a single-bedroom home.
- Large container: This is a 16-foot container that’s ideal for a two-bedroom home. It’s the length of a standard parking spot and holds as much as a 10-foot by 15-foot storage space.
With PODS, the company will drop off a shipping container on-site. You pack it up, tell PODS where to send it and when, and their professional movers transport the POD for you.
While the PODS rental process is pretty simple, it’s a good idea to follow PODS do’s and don’ts, like:
- Telling the delivery driver where, exactly, to place the pod.
- Avoiding loading while it’s raining so your items don’t mold.
- Spreading heavy items evenly across the pod.
Keep in mind that buying a moving container just includes container delivery. If you want movers to do the heavy lifting (literally), then hire a full-service mover to manage the pod for you. Look for a best interstate moving companies with verified customer reviews.
How do moving pods/containers work?
Moving pods are simple to use. The process involves the moving pod company bringing the storage unit to you. The exact process will differ depending on your storage solution, but containers usually follow this process:
- Delivery: You fill out an online quote with the container moving company, pay, and arrange a delivery location. Once the pod company delivers the container, all you have to do is load your storage unit at your own pace, all from the comfort of your home.
- Pickup: If you requested storage, the moving pod company will pick up the unit and drive it to a secure storage facility. Unlike typical self-storage, the company will move your belongings for you, with no need to load or unload.
- Transportation: When you’re ready to retrieve your belongings from storage, the company will bring the storage unit back or to your new home. This means you only need to unload the unit once and at your own leisure.
What are some moving pod/container companies to consider?
There are so many moving pod providers to choose from, but based on moveBuddha’s research, these are the five best moving container companies.
ABF U-PACK ReloCubes
rating
5 / 5
89% of users select this mover
ABF U-PACK ReloCubes are metal and weatherproof, which makes them a popular option for cross-country moves.
You can reserve as many containers as you think you’ll need, but U-PACK will only charge you for what you actually use. There’s no requirement for a down payment or a deposit, either.
Once you load the container, you pay with a credit card for the number of moving pods you end up using.
Want to know more about what it’s like to move with PODS? Check out Chloe’s move from California to Utah. She went with PODS and described how the experience went — from checking quotes to detailing the moving day experience.
PODS
rating
4.8 / 5
89% of users select this mover
PODS.com offers storage units ranging from eight to 16 feet. You can rent moving pods by the month, which gives you the flexibility to load on your own schedule without the added pressure of short time limits.
Want to know more about what it’s like to move with PODS? Check out Kyle’s move from Arizona to Washington. He chose PODS to make the move and explained how the experience went — from comparing quotes to describing his moving day experience.
1-800-PACK-RAT
rating
4.45 / 5
89% of users select this mover
With a heavy emphasis on durability and security, 1-800-PACK-RAT is perfect if you want extra peace of mind during a long move. The containers are weatherproof, climate-controlled, and even include video surveillance.
Want to know more about what it’s like to move with Zippy Shell? Check out Desmond’s move from Oregon to Ohio. He used Zippy Shell to make the move and documented the process from gathering quotes to describing what happened on moving day.
Zippy Shell
rating
4.2 / 5
89% of users select this mover
Zippy Shell’s containers are more like small moving pods instead of full-sized shipping containers. They’re roughly the length of two cars, so you can parallel park them on the street or place them in smaller areas that aren’t always fit for larger moving containers.
Zippy Shell also offers full-service moving services, if you want to pay for a pod and a moving company all in one.
MovingPlace
rating
4.0 / 5
89% of users select this mover
MovingPlace has some of the lowest prices, but it has more restrictions than other moving pod companies. MovingPlace keeps things simple with just two truck sizes and short-term and long-term storage options.
The only downside is that you have just three days to load and unload your belongings. You get to pick the dates, but this does come with more time pressure than other providers.
Want to know more about what it’s like to move with MovingPlace? Check out Matt’s move from California to Minnesota. He used MovingPlace to transport all his belongings and documented the process from getting quotes to the actual move-day experience.
Who should use a moving container?
Moving pods are for anyone who is in the process of relocating, whether you want to be closer to family or you’re moving for work. It all comes down to how you prefer to move.
You’re a good candidate for a moving pod if:
- You have firm moving dates. This makes it easier to rent the pod for the right length of time.
- You want to store belongings before moving them. This is a bigger advantage over moving with a truck, which can only store your belongings temporarily between locations.
- You’re single or a college student. A single moving pod is perfect for a small household. You can use these services with a larger family, but you’ll need to rent more pods.
Why are moving pods a good option?
Moving containers are a secure and safe way to both store and transport your belongings. moveBuddha’s readers also like moving pods because they’re:
- Affordable: Containers are more cost-effective than hiring a full-service moving company. Plus, there’s no need to rent or drive a large moving truck to transport your belongings.
- Flexible: Containers give movers more flexibility. You can customize your container’s size, quantity, storage options, delivery dates, and much more.
- Low pressure: Unlike traditional moving options, moving containers don’t require you to adhere to a strict timeline. You can pack and unload at your own pace, which makes the process less stressful.
Durable: Never worry about your valuables breaking in transit. Moving pods are steel-framed and designed to withstand winds up to 110 miles per hour.
How much do moving containers/pods cost?
Pods pricing depends on several factors, including:
- The company’s delivery fees and pick-up fees
- Where you’re moving
- How many pods you need
- Storage costs
For local moves, you can expect to pay $225 to $850. Long-distance moves range in price from $450 to $7,600.
Be sure to research moving container companies’ pricing before committing to a contract. Many pod rental agreements are monthly, which includes the time the unit spends in your driveway, in storage, or en route to your new home.
Not sure how much your move will cost? moveBuddha’s Moving Cost Calculator is a great resource. Just enter your move dates, origin and destination cities, and the estimated size of your long-distance move, and the magic algorithms will do the rest.
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