Everything You Need to Know About Moving PODs
Published by Chris Townsend
- What Does POD Stand for?
- What are the Advantages of Using a POD Container?
- What is the Process for Renting a POD Container?
- Determine the use and duration you’ll need it for
- Choose the size of the container, the location for delivery, and the date
- Once delivered, load the container
- After you’ve packed
- Cost of Renting a Pod Container
- Renting for Moving Purposes
- Renting for Storage Purposes
- Different Container Sizes of PODs
- 7 feet
- 12 feet
- 16 feet
- Things to Keep in Mind Before Ordering a Container
- Tips to Pack your Container
- Final Thoughts
Pods Moving Cost
When you are looking to move you have a lot of things to consider and a lot of choices to make. Do I move things on my own or do I use help? How many boxes will I need? What type of services should I get? Those are just some of the questions to answer.
Another important question is, do I need storage? and if so, for how long? Moving companies like Three Movers offer short term storage solutions, but if you need to store your belongings for months you’ll have to look for other options. One of those could be a moving POD. Let us tell you what they entail.
What Does POD Stand for?
The acronym "PODS" stands for "Portable On Demand Storage," and the PODS company has been a popular moving and storage container brand in the United States since the 1990s. The storage pods are steel box crates with roll-up, locked, ground-level access and weather- and impact-resistant cladding. After you've packed your PODS rental, the firm will physically move it for you, and they provide both local and long-distance moving services. You can use the pods container for international moves as well. Whether you're a company or a person, they'll pack it and move it.
What are the Advantages of Using a POD Container?
There are various advantages to renting a PODS container, be it for storage or moving, but here's a quick rundown:
- Safe
- Won’t have to use a truck to transport everything
- Sticks to your schedule/timetable without worrying about additional charges
- Simple loading/unloading
PODs are a popular choice because they have steel frames and paneling that’s resistant to weather, as well as ramp-free loading. These things make them excellent for storage and loading. For security purposes, each PODS container comes with steel locking latches, tie-downs, and a lock and key. PODS claims that its containers can resist winds of up to 110 miles per hour.
What is the Process for Renting a POD Container?
It's simple to rent a PODS moving container. Here's how it works in general:
Determine the use and duration you’ll need it for
For starters, you have to decide if you want to store your belongings, relocate them, or both. If you're going to store a PODS container, you'll have to pick between storing the container at a location of your choosing or at a PODS Storage Center.
You also have to decide how long you will require PODS storage.
Choose the size of the container, the location for delivery, and the date.
You must select the size of container to rent, and the location and date to delivery it to for both moving and storage.
Once delivered, load the container
Once you've reserved one or more PODS containers, the provider will transport them to your front door. Then it's only a matter of loading your items inside the container at your leisure.
After you’ve packed
When you're ready, PODS will pick up the container and bring it to either a storage place or your new home.
Cost of Renting a Pod Container
Renting for Moving Purposes
So, how much do PODS set you back? The price of moving using a PODS moving container is determined by the size of the container hired, the length that you’ll be renting it, and the distance traveled. PODS prices will vary depending on where you're moving from and to, according to the business. Long-distance moves start at $800, but prices vary depending on how many miles you'll be traveling and how many months you'll need to store your belongings. A local relocation, according to PODS, is often less expensive. In either case, PODS pricing is less expensive than hiring a full-service moving firm.
Renting for Storage Purposes
Customers can keep a PODS container either on their own property or at a PODS storage facility. If you select to store it at your property, the rates can vary from $110 per month for the 12-foot option, to $120 for the 16-foot option, according to the firm. The rate to rent monthly, on the other hand, varies depending on the length of storage, location, and availability of containers.
Different Container Sizes of PODs
PODS has three different container sizes to choose from, all of which are suitable for both short and long-term personal and commercial moving and/or storage.
7 feet
The dimensions of the PODS 7-foot container are roughly 7'x7'x8'. The container is "ideal for small-volume moving and storage," according to PODS, and is frequently utilized as a shipping container or storage unit for apartment and studio transfers. The container's interior has 385 cubic feet of packing space and can store one room's worth of furnishings. The 7-foot moving container, according to PODS, is similar to a 10-foot rental truck.
Some uses that are popular for this container, according to PODS, include:
- Small remodeling and restoration projects, such as bathroom remodels, require temporary storage.
- Moving to a smaller home is easier.
- Moves in a studio apartment
- relocating an estate
- relocating goods to a new location
- relocating a college student
Long-distance travels in the United States and Canada are possible with the 7-foot container. This container is also available for local relocation and storage at many PODS sites.
12 feet
The dimensions of the PODS 12-foot container are roughly 12'x8'x8′. The container is the "ideal choice for transferring an apartment or house with two or three rooms," according to PODS. The container's inside has 689 cubic feet of packing area, which is similar to a 15-foot rental vehicle.
This container is commonly used for:
- Larger apartment transfers
- Moving homes with two to three rooms
- Home repair and restoration projects
- Office relocation, according to PODS.
The 12-foot container is available at most PODS facilities and can only be used for transportation and storage inside the city limits.
16 feet
The 16-foot PODS container measures roughly 16'x8'x8'. The container is PODS' largest container option and a "common choice for transferring a home with three or four rooms," according to the firm. The container has 857 cubic feet of packing space on the inside. The 16-foot moving container, according to PODS, is similar to a 20-foot rental truck.
This container is commonly used for:
- Large home remodeling and restoration projects
- Office relocations
- Moving homes with three to four bedrooms, according to PODS.
Long-distance movements in the United States and Canada are possible with the 16-foot container. In most PODS locations, this size container is also available for local moving and storage.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Ordering a Container
Before you go ahead and book a PODS container, make sure you've planned ahead and done your best to anticipate exactly what you'll need, how long you'll need the container for, and where you'll be shipping it to. To make your relocation with PODS go more smoothly, follow the additional advice below:
- Be home during drop-off and pickup to meet the driver in person to check the POD is placed where you want it, that the lock works, and to ask any queries you may have.
- Overestimate how much room you'll require. If you're already on the line, get a second PODS container.
- Schedule your PODS container drop-off and pickup at least one week in advance, especially during peak moving months.
- Look for PODS coupon codes on the internet; you never know what you'll find, and your POD storage costs could be reduced.
- Instead of cardboard boxes, which can crack or crush each other, use plastic bins to load and stack in the PODS container.
- Gather all of the necessary moving and packing materials, such as sharpies, moving blankets, boxes, scissors, tape, a dolly, bungee cords or ropes, packing paper, and so on.
Tips to Pack your Container
Packing a PODS container is similar to packing a moving truck, except that it's easier because it's at ground level, and weight distribution is more critical. When feasible, heavy things and huge furniture should be spread out rather than stacked together.
Another advice is to place vital items or stuff you'll need sooner rather than later in the front of the container for better access after you've arrived at your new location. Prioritize items such as your blankets, pillows, mattress, some clothes, bathroom essentials, desk essentials, and so on.
Finally, in case of unexpected loss or damage, keep crucial documents such as passports, vehicle titles, birth certificates, and medical records with you rather than packing them in the PODS container.
Final Thoughts
A POD container can be an excellent choice when you need extra storage space for long term duration that is easily accessible from your home. As a moving option, it’s not necessarily the best one but it is definitely one you could consider. One downside of using it as a moving option is that you won’t get the service perks that can come with working with a moving company, or the protection from insurance.
If you are looking for a more complete service, including comprehensive insurance coverage and the option for full-service moving, then you are looking for Three Movers. Contact us today if you want your move to go flawlessly and without stress.
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