Moving Yourself with Portable Containers

Moving on Monday

One way to save money when moving is to use portable containers, or pods.  These are units that are delivered to your home and you fill yourself.  They come in a variety of sizes and styles.  Some are made of corrugated steel, some are soft-sided, and others are wood. If you are moving a long distance, wood or steel containers would work best.

Some containers are small and only hold about 1 ½ rooms.  Others are 10-12 ft long and hold several rooms.  Companies can help you estimate the number of units you will need for your move.  You should make a detailed list of the furniture and contents of your rooms, including basement, garage and attic for an accurate count.  They will also need to know how many boxes you will be packing with the contents of your cabinets. 

Once you know how many units you need, you can set up delivery of the units.  Check with your local government agency to see if they have restrictions on the number of days a unit can be in front of your house.  You will also have to let the company know of any possible hazards, such as low-hanging wires, narrow streets or steep driveways.  This may limit the size of containers you can have delivered.

When the containers are dropped off, start filling them, using every inch of space so things don't move around.  Use bungee cords to hold your furniture against the sides of the unit.  Be sure to cover breakables and furniture with moving pads so they don't break or get scratched.  Place heavy items on the bottom, and lighter items on top.  Never put flammables or hazardous materials in the containers.

Once they are loaded, the company will pick them up and take them to the new location.  They can also hold them in storage for you if you won't be going directly to your new home.  After unloading them at the new house, the company will pick up the empty containers. 

While this is a money-saving option for you, it requires strength, patience and skill.  You will have to move all heavy furniture yourself—no experienced movers to help.  So be sure this is something you can handle before signing the papers.

Benefits of Using Portable Storage

Moving on Monday

Portable storage usually consists of compact units a company delivers to your door for you to load.  Sometimes they stay on the property, and sometimes they are taken away and stored in a warehouse.  There are different styles and sizes of pods.  Some have canvas sides, while others are corrugated steel.  Some are large enough to hold the contents of a small apartment, while others are designed to navigate through narrow city streets. 

They differ from offsite storage in that they are delivered to you, rather than you driving your belongings somewhere.  This is the major benefit of these storage pods.  They are brought to you.  There is no need for you to rent a truck to transport your belongings to a storage facility. 

Another benefit is that they can be kept in a temperature-controlled warehouse rather than sitting in your driveway.  This will better protect your belongings. 

When you are moving, pods are useful for storing all your extra boxes and furniture to make your house look less cluttered.  Just remember that access to the pod is limited, so don't store anything you'll be needing soon.  Also, do not use them to store any valuables, as insurance coverage is limited.

Finally, pods can be a cheaper alternative to hiring a mover.  If you are physically able to load all your furniture and belongings into a pod, it is much less than paying a moving company.  Any damage to your property will be your responsibility in this case.  So take care when packing your items.