Our seller clients often consider PODS (portable moving containers) as an alternative to full service moving providers.

Usually a container is dropped off in your driveway and you have a period of time to pack and load your own belongings. When the items are loaded, drivers pick up the container and transport it to your new home, where you unload and unpack.

This might be a good option for you if: 

      

  • You would like to pack and load some of your household goods into storage while your house is on the market or if you cannot move immediately into your new home. Remember that you will be charged for the unit for the time that you are using it for storage. Compare those costs with full-service van line storage options.
  • You have a very small shipment. Most full service movers have a minimum weight requirement. If the weight of your shipment is significantly lower than that minimum weight it may be more cost effective for you to use a portable moving container.

Although portable moving containers provide solutions for the above situations there are some things you should take into consideration:

  • Consumer Reports Money Advisor, January 2007, published a study of pricing for moving services. Portable containers turned out to be significantly more costly than other self pack options.
  • Don’t forget to add the cost of packing materials to the base price of your portable container estimate. Packing materials are included in a full pack quote from full service van line providers.  
  • You forfeit the benefits of having professional movers pack your items for transport. These benefits include professional packing techniques and protection coverage. Don’t forget the added benefit of having someone else do all that physical labor!

We know...this is thrilling stuff.  But part of our job is to keep you inforrmed so make sure that you are comparing apples to apples when you are reviewing pricing and various options for your move.