There are many different types of moves that you can make through a moving company, but, recently, moving containers and moving container companies have risen in popularity. You might be asking yourself, what is a moving container and how does it work? Well, a moving container is just what it sounds like – a container for moving and storing your items, whether you are moving down the street or across the country.
Moving containers are a low-cost and efficient alternative to the traditional full-service experience provided by a moving company. To get started, you’ll need to order a moving container which will be sent to your place of residence a few days before your move. You will then be given several days to load up your moving container before letting the moving container company know that it is ready to be picked up and brought to your new place of residence. These containers, also known as moving pods, come in a variety of sizes and are typically steel-framed and weather-proof, so you don’t have to worry about your items being destroyed outside. While moving can be stressful, hiring the best moving container company for your move doesn’t have to be. Follow the tips below to help you narrow down your options and choose the moving container that best fits your needs.
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Moving container companies are all similar in the sense that they offer you the chance to rent a moving pod, fill your items into it, and ship it to your new location. However, they vary in the additional services that they will provide.
When you are researching moving container companies, it is important to know exactly what you need. Are you moving long-distance or a couple of blocks away? Some moving container companies will only service moves that are considered long-distance (over 100 miles) while others offer pods for moving within the same town. Do you know how many moving pods you need? Some companies will deliver multiple moving containers to your residence and only charge you for the ones you use, but other moving container companies will require you to pay for each pod that they bring to you. Another important question to ask yourself is what kind of storage you will need after your move. Some moving container companies will give you the option of storage with them while others have a time limit on how long they will hold your items before you need to unpack. While all moving container companies are similar in concept, they are not all created equally. It is important to know exactly what you want while doing your research into containers for moving.
The biggest benefit of using a moving container instead of a traditional full-service move is the money that you will save. The cost of any move will vary based on distance, size of move, time of the year, and a variety of other factors, but most of the time the cost of a move with a moving container is going to be cheaper than one without.
Moving containers also give you a lot of flexibility because they allow you to take a few days to fill your moving pod. Moving container companies do often offer an additional service of packing your container if you would like to add that on.
Moving containers also offer the benefit of storage. Most moving container companies will allow for the add-on of storage to your moving package which then allows you to leave everything in your moving container until it is ready to be brought to your new home.
|
Container Size |
Home Type |
Home Size (sq. ft) |
Container Capacity (cu. ft.) |
Weight Limit (lbs) |
|
Small (7-8 ft) |
Studio apartment |
400-600 |
100-375 |
2,000-5,000 |
|
Medium (12 ft) |
1- to 2-bedroom home |
600-1,200 |
375-750 |
2,500-6,000 |
|
Large (16 ft) |
2- to 3-bedroom home |
1,200-1,600 |
750-1,000 |
3,500-6,000 |
|
Moving Trailer (27 ft) |
4-bedroom home |
>1,600 |
2,000 |
22,500 |
While moving containers are already one of the more cost-effective options for your move, there are ways to save even more money on your pod.
It can’t hurt to ask right? Moving container companies are often flexible with their customers when it comes to cost. You can also ask if they have any price matching guarantees.
Make sure that you sign a contract before getting your moving container. If you settle for just an estimate, there is a chance that your moving container company could hit you with undisclosed fees later on.
As soon as you know that you are going to move, you should start looking at options for moving all of your things. The longer you wait to book a moving container, the more expensive it is going to be. Plan early and you will save yourself money on your moving pod in the long run.
Don’t be afraid to get rid of that sweater that you haven’t worn in 25 years or that couch that you don’t want at your new place anyway. Each item you give away, sell, or throw out means more space in your moving container. Also, if you sell some of your things, you can use that money to offset the cost of your moving pod.
This sounds obvious, but don’t settle for the first containers for moving that you see. Do your research, read reviews, and find the best moving container company for your needs.