While planning a move, the first thing you can do is to research the different moving options and choose the one that meets both your needs and requirements. It would be difficult for you to choose the best as every option has its share of pros and cons.
While looking for an option, you would like to consider the moving container as an option. A moving POD offers a simple, convenient as well as a cost-effective way to pack, store and ship all the belongings to your new location.
What are Moving Containers?
You can rent a portable storage container and use it for storing your household items, while you are relocating to a new place. Also, you can use it to ship your belongings from your old house to your new house.
- The professionals from a storage container company will drop off the POD at your location, pick it up and then ship it to your new location.
- You can keep the storage container with you if you want from a few days to a few weeks. This will help you pack, unpack as well as organize your items in your new house at your convenience.
- A portable storage container is made up of wood, metal, aluminum, or even steel.
Is a moving container the right option for you?
A portable storage container isn't for everyone. Some people will not go near it while others will not get plentiful of them. Here, we will go through a few simple aspects that will help you decide if a moving container is a worthy option for you or not.
Cost of storage Container
The cost of a portable storage container is average, in short, it is neither too high nor too low. Alternatively, if you consider hiring professional movers, it would be the costliest option for you, while the rental trucks would be the cheapest among them all.
If you decide to rent a portable storage container, you should understand that its rental cost isn't the only expense you will incur in the process. You should consider a few miscellaneous expenses like purchasing or renting moving supplies, traveling costs to your new home as well as tipping those who will help you load and unload your belongings to and from the rental truck.
A moving container might cost you a few hundred dollars for a local move and over $3000 for interstate relocation. Here are a few factors that will affect the final price of renting a moving container.
Distance of the move
The distance between your old location and the new location will determine the cost of renting a portable container. For example, you will need to pay less if you are making a 200-mile trip as compared to what you may need to pay if you are making a 2000-mile journey.
Size of the moving container
A storage container comes in various shapes and sizes. Regardless of whether you are moving to a one-bedroom apartment or a five-bedroom house, both the size and quantity of your storage container will affect its final price.
Generally, a moving container comes in three different sizes ranging from small, medium, and large. Flexibility is the biggest advantage of a portable storage container but not all companies have their size available.
Are you looking for storage?
You don't need to relocate to your new house at around the same time as your belongings. You may need a place where you can pack and store your belongings for a few weeks. Most moving container companies will offer you storage time at the price you are paying.
So, there isn't any need to rent storage space separately that will further increase the cost of your relocation. You may ask for more storage time by paying an additional charge.
Do you fear shipping your valuables and antique pieces in a portable storage container? We recommend you buy extra protection that would cover all your valuables as there is a chance of them getting damaged in transit.
Drawbacks of a moving container
- Portable storage can be costly for a long-distance move, mostly when you have to move a big house.
- Parking can be a major issue in many instances. For example, in New York, you need to load and unload your items instantly from the portable container because overnight packing isn't allowed in many locations. Alternatively, you can use the truck rental service to move your belongings to a storage container warehouse where you can unpack them into a container.
Tip: Many moving containers offer you seasonal discounts, but they don't advertise it. So, we recommend you ask these companies about the various discounts available.
Tips to rent a Moving Container
- Look for the best moving container companies to see what each of them has to offer you.
- U-Pack- It is one of the biggest and oldest moving container companies across the country. You only need to pay for the storage space you use, regardless of the number of containers you might have booked. Also, you don't have to pay a deposit to schedule your move in advance.
- PODS- It is one of the best storage container companies in the moving industry across the country. PODS are a convenient option for both local and long-distance moves, providing scheduling flexibility as well as faster delivery.
- 1800-PACK- RAT- It is another leading storage container company across the storage industry. Moreover, it is available in three different sizes, ranging between 8, 12, and 16 feet long. Ideally, 30 days of storage would be included in the price you pay to rent your moving container. You can either store the container at your property or even the 1800-PACK-RAT warehouse.
- U-Haul- Of course, U-Haul is a popular truck rental company, but it also offers a good quality storage container for your move. The pricing they will offer you is competitive along with different coverage options and online tracking features.
- Shortlist the moving container companies that are within your budget and suit your other requirements as well.
- Compare the shortlisted options and choose the one which best suits your requirements.
Tip: We recommend you check with the storage container company what you can store in them and what you can't store. For example, you should avoid packing delicate items as well as valuables like artwork or even jewelry in a storage container.
Overall, a moving container can be an excellent solution for those who need both storage as well as flexibility while they are on the move. So, research various moving container companies and choose the one that lies within your budget and meets most of your requirements.