You may have noticed a storage container from a company like PODS sitting in a neighbor’s driveway and wondered what it was. Over the past few years, PODS (short for “portable on-demand storage”) have risen in popularity for home and business owners. But how do they work, and do they live up to their hype?
What Are PODS?
PODS containers come in small, medium and large sizes.
- Small: At 8′ x 7′ x 8′, the small size can accommodate the contents of a dorm room or studio apartment with 500 square feet or less. It has up to 402 cubic feet of usable space, approximately equal to a generously sized walk-in closet.
- Medium: With dimensions of 12′ x 8′ x 8′, the medium size holds approximately two to three rooms worth of belongings.
- Large: PODS’ 16′ x 8′ x 8′ storage container is the largest option the company offers. With 835 cubic feet of space, it can accommodate three to four rooms worth of furniture and other possessions.
The company promises to deliver your chosen container size to your driveway and take it to your new home when you’re ready, leaving you to do everything in between by yourself. Though this may seem convenient at first glance, look around your home and consider how much you own. For instance, if you have a three-bedroom house, even the largest PODS unit available might not be a practical solution for you.
PODS vs. Professional Movers
PODS claims their rentable storage containers are a practical alternative to hiring a professional moving company, but let’s take a moment to analyze that in more detail – there are probably some variables you haven’t considered.
Cost
If you don’t have much experience with relocations, you might assume a DIY move is your most affordable option. However, the do-it-yourself approach has several hidden expenses that can add up quickly.
For example, if you break an expensive piece of electronic equipment when loading or unloading your items, you’ll need to pay for that cost out of pocket. In contrast, professional movers have insurance to ensure your peace of mind. Experienced pros also have all the equipment and techniques necessary to safely handle heavy or bulky items – which you probably lack.
Time
Whether you’re moving to a new neighborhood or a whole different state, packing up your whole life also takes a lot of time and energy. You may need to take several days off work to tackle tasks like decluttering, and it might be overwhelming to decide where to start. Moving can also be emotionally exhausting, especially since it represents a significant life milestone. Hiring professional movers can save you plenty of time and effort. You won’t have to put your daily responsibilities on hold, so your overall experience will be much less stressful.
Flexibility
Most people underestimate how much stuff they’ve accumulated until it comes time for a move. If you rent a storage container, you’ll probably discover you need more space to work with, forcing you to put your moving efforts on hold while you arrange for another container or two to arrive. Experienced movers know it takes more than merely guesstimating to expertly pack and safely transport your belongings. Plus, at Fox Moving and Storage Charlotte, we can be at your property and ready to help with your moving needs in as little as one hour’s notice!
Charlotte’s Leading Moving Company
When you hire our professional moving company instead of trying to put together a DIY move with a portable storage container, we will provide quality, white-glove service, treating your belongings as if they were ours and ensuring a seamless moving experience. To learn more about our full-service moving company, start by requesting a free quote today.