What Are Portable Home Moving Containers?
You’ve likely seen portable home moving containers without even realizing what they were. Simply put, it is a large box that you rent to store your belongings in and ship to your new home. They are typically around 7’x7’x8′ and are left at your home for a prearranged amount of time, which can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Once the moving container has been packed and the agreed upon amount of time has passed, the container is picked up and taken to the new home. From there, you just unpack it and have it picked up for return whenever you’re ready.
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Benefits of Using a Home Moving Container
Portable home moving containers are a great moving solution and offer a host of benefits, such as:
- Ease of use: Unlike a moving truck, portable moving containers are at ground level. There is no need for ramps or any other specialized equipment, making it easier to move your belongings from one place to another. This also decreases the chance of accidents and damage to personal items while unloading.
- Flexibility: Portable home moving containers allow you to schedule the time you need to organize and pack your belongings. Then, once it has been delivered to your new home, you have as much time as you need to unload it. These containers offer more flexibility than the timelines typically offered by a rented box truck or moving service.
- Safety: It is natural and understandable to worry about your possessions during a move. Portable moving containers are highly durable and insulated, providing your belongings with enhanced security from the weather and other outside forces. When it comes time to move the containers, they are handled by experienced professionals and transported via trucks with hydraulic lift systems to keep everything safe and secure. Portable home moving containers also have locks for added security.
- Temporary storage: Sometimes all you really need during a move is some quick, temporary storage. Moving containers are a wonderful solution for anyone looking for easily accessible storage to be left in front of their home or a secure location.
How Much Do Portable Home Moving Containers Cost?
The cost of portable home moving containers is largely determined by the amount of storage space you need, the amount of containers you need, and the company you go through. What follows is a general pricing guide to provide an idea of what you can expect to pay for your portable home moving container(s). All prices are calculated for moving an average two-bedroom home across the country (about 1,400 miles).
Pack-Rat
- A 16′ container from Pack-Rat, which amounts to around 830 cubic feet, has an average cost of $2,500 to $3,000.
- A 16′ container couple with an 8′ container, which amounts to around 1,234 cubic feet, has an average cost of $4,300 to $5,300.
Pack-Rat offers 30 days for you to load, transport, and unload your container. If any additional time is needed, it comes at an additional cost.
PODS
- A 16′ container from PODS, which amounts to around 857 cubic feet, has an average cost of $2,700 to $3,000.
- A 16′ container coupled with a 7′ container, which amounts to around 1,106 cubic feet, has an average cost of $4,100 to $5,000.
All PODS quotes include fuel, driver costs, and taxes. The company offers 30 days for loading, transportation, and unloading, with any additional time coming at an additional cost.
U-Haul
- Two U-Boxes, which amounts to around 514 cubic feet, have an average cost of $2,300 to $2,700.
- Three U-Boxes, which amounts to around 771 cubic feet, have an average cost of $3,000 to $4,000.
U-Haul allows you to use their U-Boxes for a month, with any additional time needed coming with an extra cost.
U-Pack
U-Pack offers portable home moving containers (called ReloCubes) in addition to their moving trailers.
- Three ReloCubes, which amounts to around 918 cubic feet, have an average cost of $3,000 to $4,000.
- Two ReloCubes, which amounts to around 612 cubic feet, have an average cost of $2,200 to $2,800.
U-Pack includes the cost of fuel, liability coverage, taxes, and tolls in their quotes. The company also charges only for the containers you use, so if you ordered two containers but only needed one, there is no charge for returning the unused moving container.