Renting a Container for Moving, Storage, or Both? Top Tips From People Who’ve Done It
Moving and Storage Container Guides
To help you decide if a portable moving container is the best choice for you, we’ve put together a list of things to consider, along with advice from people who’ve used PODS storage container rental for moving before. Their stories represent some of the main reasons people choose renting PODS containers over traditional movers, rental trucks, or self-storage units. Examples include:
In all but one case, this was the first time these folks had ever used PODS container rental for moving, and they weren’t sure how it worked. That leads us to our first tip:
When a last-minute move left Katherine Tuttle looking for an easy solution, PODS was there to help. She even said renting a container was the “best decision we made for this move,” in her Instagram post.
(Source: @kotuttle via Instagram)
1. Research and Ask Questions About What To Expect When Renting a Container
Wondering “How do PODS containers work?” You’re not alone. Like anything you’re not familiar with, you may not have the full picture when it comes to renting a storage container.
For instance, Katherine Tuttle was surprised when a friend recommended PODS after her Atlanta home sold faster than expected, leading to a last-minute move. “I’d seen PODS containers around, but I never really thought about them for moving … I guess I always thought they were for storage,” she recalls. But when her friend explained that “you just get the container early, pack it up at your leisure, and then they come to pick it up and take it to your new place,” Katherine thought, “That is genius!” After making eight moves in six years, Katherine said using a container made it the “least stressful move” she’d experienced.
In the case of Ethan Hethcote, the first time he and his partner moved across the country, they knew they wanted “some type of container for hire” to get their stuff from Bloomington, Indiana, to Los Angeles while they drove both their cars. After doing preliminary research online, Ethan called PODS to find out more. “I’m really a fan of their customer service … They took their time and explained everything about how to rent a PODS container,” said Ethan. In fact, they liked it so much, they used PODS again when they decided to leave L.A. and move to Nashville.
See these links to learn more about how to rent a PODS container based on usage type:
When Jehlisah Rae and her husband had to move while she was several months pregnant, they decided to take their time with PODS. She said having it delivered in advance gave them the breathing room they needed to complete the move virtually stress-free.
(Source: @jehlisahrae via Instagram)
2. Take Your Time!
By far, the most frequent advice from PODS customers is to pack and load at your own pace because flexibility is the main thing they like most about renting a container.
For example, when Jehlisah Rae and her husband had to move while she was several months pregnant, they knew they couldn’t cram all their moving into just one day. Even though their new Pittsburgh-area home was just three miles from their townhouse, they didn’t want to go with a DIY rental truck like they’d always done. She said renting a PODS container and having it delivered to their driveway in advance gave them the breathing room they needed to get their packing and loading done gradually over the course of a few weeks.
“Everything was so easy,” said Jehlisah, explaining how the ability to do a little at a time helped her feel less stressed, even while working full time and caring for their toddler daughter.
While PODS can help you find the best-sized container for your home, committing to a smaller size can be daunting if you’re not quite sure of what you need. Consider ordering the next size up instead, if you think you might need more space.
3. Size Up Your Container Needs.
For long-distance moves, PODS customers can choose from two container sizes: 8-foot and 16-foot. For local moves, there are three container size options: 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot. Most customers we talked to used the online moving and storage calculator tool and size chart to figure out how much space they needed, in addition to getting advice from a customer service representative. In all but one case, the PODS container sizes they chose provided enough space.Ethan and his partner made both their cross-country moves in one 8-foot container. On their way out to L.A., it was no problem. But when they headed back east, even though they still lived in a one-bedroom apartment, he admitted they’d accumulated a bit more stuff. “So we decided we wanted to downsize and just trim the fat,” he said. They held a yard sale a month before they moved, and “then we had just enough things that would fit.”
Even with the downsizing, they fit a lot of stuff in that 8-foot container: “We had a king-size bed, mattress and box-spring, and a queen-size mattress. Plus a lot of other stuff. We also had four bikes: two regular and two electric bikes.”
Still, if you’re in doubt about the size, one strategy is to simply order the next size up if you think you might need more space.
When Stacye and her husband retired and downsized from a five-bedroom home in Columbia, Maryland, to a two-bedroom home in Phoenix, Arizona, they underestimated the space they needed. After filling a 16-foot and 8-foot container, they still needed more space, so they rented a third container. If they had it to do over again, they would have started with two 16-foot containers. “Whatever you think you need, add some space to that,” she advised.
Another strategy for renting a container is to have them delivered one at a time (called “staggered deliveries”), so you can load the first and see how much more space you still need. That way, you can adjust the next container order if needed.
But choosing a container size really depends on the size of your household, how much stuff you have, and how much downsizing you’re willing to do. This leads us to our next tip…
Whether it’s before or after your move, a great strategy to take on is staggered deliveries. You can have more than one container for your belongings, and you won’t have to worry about space. Plus, you can move at your own pace and know that PODS is always ready whenever you are.
(Source: @smashingdiy via Instagram)
4. Have Containers Delivered Early To Help Downsize and Declutter.
Since you get a full 30 days with your PODS storage container rental, many customers get their containers delivered in advance to help them declutter and downsize as they pack and load gradually. You can put furniture, boxes, and other belongings in your container to help you stay organized while you’re sorting things and making decisions.
“Just because something goes in doesn’t mean it stays in,” said Sherry and John of the popular Young House Love podcast when they used a PODS container to help their family of four downsize. They went from a sprawling 3,150-square-foot home in Richmond, Virginia, to a home less than half that size, so they could live on the beach in the Florida panhandle. They managed to fit everything they really needed into a 16-foot container.
5. Take Control With Tools Like Moving Checklists and Packing and Loading Tips.
In addition to the moving calculator, many customers are fans of PODS’ Ultimate Moving Checklist and packing and loading tips on the PODS Blog. The downloadable checklist helps you stay on track with a week-by-week, step-by-step guide to everything you need to do for a successful move. The packing and loading video and tips are also essential for maximizing container space and helping to minimize damage to your belongings.
One of the tips that Stacye and other customers stress is to create an inventory of what you’re packing and where you put it — especially if you’re using multiple containers. Your inventory list should include the:
- Container number
- Category of items to go in that container (e.g., kitchen, living room furniture, clothing, recreational)
- List of items going in the container
If you need time between relocating, make use of a secure PODS Storage Center to keep your belongings safe while still allowing for easy access if and when you need it.
6. Simplify Moving in Stages When You Have Time Between Homes.
Many people use temporary housing or short-term rentals when they have a gap between long-term homes. Customers tell us that’s when PODS makes the relocation process much easier, because they can keep most of their belongings locked up inside their own container in a secure PODS Storage Center. If they need access to something, it’s easy to schedule a visit, and their container will be waiting for them when they arrive. Once they’ve decided on their new home, their container is delivered. In contrast, with traditional moving services and rental trucks, customers have to unload and reload multiple times, not to mention pay to move twice (at least)!
Temporary housing is a typical scenario for professionals relocating for a job. For instance, Paul Tucker, who relocated from San Antonio, Texas, to Tampa Bay, said he and his wife always rent before buying when they move to a new area, so they have time to get to know the neighborhoods and make better home-buying decisions. While they’d always used traditional movers for job relocations in the past, he said containerized moving was a “game-changer” for his family. “Renting PODS containers made this our easiest move ever,” said Paul, who has relocated several times either for his own career or his wife’s.
Moving with PODS gives you the freedom to hire local moving help as you need it. Whether you want a crew to completely load and unload your storage container or you just want some help with the heavy lifting, you’ll be able to cater everything to your individual needs.
7. Get and Pay Only for the Moving Help You Need.
While renting a container doesn’t include loading or unloading your belongings, several customers used PODS’ referral network to hire local moving help by the hour. “It’s worth it, because the pros know what they’re doing. They’re familiar with loading containers, so they’ll get the most out of your space,” said Paul.
Because flexibility is built into the PODS plan, it means movers like Paul get a PODS storage container rental cost that only includes the space they need. When it came time to unload at the home they purchased, the ease of ground-level containers enabled him to save money by hiring help only for moving the heavy furniture. This also enabled Paul and his wife to unpack gradually and even downsize more by having a local furniture dealer pick up furniture pieces to sell on consignment. “We didn’t even have to unload certain items because they were picked up and sold instead,” Paul recalled. They also had only one container delivered at a time, so once one was empty, the next was delivered.
While installing a new epoxy floor in their garage, avid DIYer Stacie Walker and her husband (pictured above) used a PODS container to store their belongings right in their driveway.
(Source: @staciesspaces via Instagram)
8. Clear the Way for Remodeling.
Containers aren’t just for moving; renting a container for storage while you’re remodeling is also common. Diane Galow Hertel of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, did exactly that when she and her husband got new flooring.
They were concerned about protecting their fine furniture while their contractor replaced almost 2,100 square feet of oak and travertine tile with real hickory flooring. Although this was only part of their home, they wanted to make sure the rest would be livable. They also could have used their garage, but “that’s not the cleanest environment… I didn’t want my good furniture sitting in a garage. We talked about a self-storage unit for some of our more expensive furniture, but the idea of hiring a company to move it made no sense. Plus, you never know what you’re getting when you get a storage facility, how clean it will be.”
After she thought of renting a PODS container and checked it out, “that was a no-brainer,” she said. Although her husband was skeptical at first, the experience went so well, they planned to use containers for the next two phases of their home flooring project. “The container was clean, we could lock it, and having it made the process so easy and effortless,” said Diane.
The timing was good, too. Since their floors were completed in three weeks, a one-month container rental allowed plenty of time.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, PODS is available to help whenever you need it. Reach out for a quote or call with any questions about how to rent a PODS container.
Renting a PODS Container – FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to book a container?
A: Wondering, “How much can I rent a container for?” The answer depends on several factors, such as how long you need the container, how much you’ll be storing, and when you’ll need the storage. For a ballpark figure, average PODS storage container rental cost ranges from $180 per month for an 8-foot container on your property to $288 per month for a 16-foot container stored at a secure PODS Storage Center. Your best bet? Get a detailed quote for your specific storage project by visiting PODS.com or calling (855) 706-4758.
Q: How does renting a container work?
A: How your rental works exactly will depend on what you’re using it for, but the process for obtaining one is usually the same across the board. With PODS, you can rent on a month-to-month basis and have the unit delivered to and picked up from your home. You load it at your own pace and keep it on your property or have it stored at a secure PODS Storage Center (both are easily accessible). If you’re moving, they’ll deliver the container to your new home — whether it’s across town or across the country. And if you’re storing things on your property, they’ll pick it up when you’re ready. Each rental comes with 30 days of storage, so if you need it longer, be sure to call (855) 706-4758 to discuss your options and get a customized quote.
Q: What size container do I need for a 4-bedroom house?
A: It depends on how much stuff you have and how large your things are, of course, but for a typical 3,000-square-foot home that’s lightly or moderately furnished, you’ll likely need three 16-foot containers. To get a more specific, personalized estimate, check out our online moving and storage calculator tool and size chart.
Q: What happens if a PODS container is too heavy?
A: If you're concerned that you may be approaching the maximum weight (8-foot container = 5,200 pounds, 12-foot container = 4,700 pounds, 16-foot container = 4,200 pounds), pick out your heaviest items and look for comparable items online. Most retail websites will list the weight of their items. The total weight of your heaviest items shouldn't exceed 75 percent of the total allowed weight. Heavy items to consider are appliances, sofas, large entertainment centers, bookcases, bedroom chests, safes, exercise equipment, pianos, and pool tables. Don’t feel like you have to calculate your content's weight, though! The weight limits should be used as a guideline when packing the container.
Q: Can PODS containers be used for long-term storage?
A: While PODS containers are great for storing things on your property while you prepare for a move, if you need storage for more than a month, we recommend having your container moved to a secure PODS Storage Center for added protection and convenience. Of course, you can rent PODS containers by the month, though, so how long you keep it is up to you!
Q: Can I use PODS if I live in an apartment?
A: Yes, renting a container isn’t just for houses with driveways. Check with your property manager to see if your building has a policy on portable containers. Then, make sure you have enough room in your parking lot for container delivery and storage. This video has more detail.
Choose the Moving Solution That’s Right for Your Needs
Moving and storage containers make a great match for many customers, but they aren’t for everyone. While they appeal to people who prefer to maintain more control over their move and belongings, some folks would rather not have anything to do with the moving process — and are willing to pay more to hand it all over.
The important thing is to make the choice that best fits your specific needs. In addition to reading tips and reviews shared by people who’ve selected PODS, you can learn more about PODS storage containers for rent by getting an online quote for local moves or by calling (855) 706-4758 to ask questions and get quotes for renting a PODS container for both local and long-distance moves.
Liz Taylor is a freelance writer based in Tampa who is always looking for ways to declutter after living in the same house for over 28 years.
Editor’s Note: Some customers quoted in this article were sponsored influencers or employees of PODS.
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