pod companies for moving

Moving Pods vs. Moving Companies | Angi

Moving Companies vs. Moving Pods: Key Differences

Traditional moving companies can tackle your entire move from start to finish, offering a hassle-free experience for homeowners and renters. But even if you do all the packing yourself, hiring a moving company can still be pricey, depending on how many miles the move is.

Moving pods are shipping containers you rent, pack, and store on your property for however long you need. And then you schedule to move them when you’re ready.

What Is a Moving Company?​

A moving company does everything associated with moving household items from your current location to your destination.

Best for:

• Households with a substantial amount of large items
• People who cannot lift heavy items and are at risk of pain or injury
• People who are concerned about damage to valuable items

Pros of a Moving Company

Professional movers are experts who can quickly load and unload all your household items. Most full-service companies can also supply you with packing materials or even do all the packing for you, potentially saving you hours of extra work.

A moving company will also disassemble all your furniture quickly and secure any valuable items you may have. And once you reach your destination, the movers will unload your items and reassemble the furniture. This will help keep stress at bay and leave you time to deal with other aspects of moving.

Cons of a Moving Company

All these benefits come at a price, though. If you’re wondering how much do movers cost, it’ll depend on distance and if you add packing services to the list. Moving locally (within 100 miles) costs between $880 and $2,550, while moving cross-country can range from $2,700 to $10,000 or more. Moving companies consider factors like distance, weight, number of items, moving time, packing supplies and services, the number of movers needed, and time of year in their calculations.

Also, because you’ll likely share a moving truck with another household (more so for long-distance moves), you won't have much control over when your items arrive at their destination. Finally, you have to do your due diligence. There are a lot of scams in the moving industry, so when researching moving companies near you, make sure to check their credentials thoroughly.

What Are Moving Pods?

Moving pods are durable shipping containers you pack yourself, use as storage, and move when you’re ready.

Best for:

• People on a budget
• Individuals who want more control of their moving schedule
• People who want to store their items for a specific period of time

Pros of Moving Pods

Moving pods cost between $500 to $5,000, making them less expensive than traditional movers. The price is calculated by shipping container rental cost, size, and distance of your move. The company you choose will conveniently drop the shipping container at your residence.

You’ll then pack and load the pod on your timeline and store items as you go. Once you’re ready, you will schedule delivery of the container to your new address. The company then picks it up and promptly takes it to your destination.

Cons of Moving Pods

While convenient and cheaper than using a moving company, in the battle between moving pods versus moving trucks, they are not the least inexpensive option. If you don’t have a private driveway, you may need a special permit to park your moving container in the street. HOA and building rules will apply if you live in a condo or apartment.

When packing shipping containers, you’re responsible for all the materials and equipment you’ll need. If you don’t pack your items well, they may be damaged during transport.

Moving Companies vs. Moving Pods

Let’s review which moving system is your best option when it comes to cost, convenience and additional factors.

Cost​: Moving Pods

Moving pods can be considerably cheaper than hiring a full-service moving company because there’s no need to hire labor—although some moving pod companies do offer the service. Even though you’ll need to acquire your packing supplies and equipment, you can still cut down on costs overall.

Ease of Move: Moving Companies

When you hire a reputable moving company, you will not have to lift a finger from the time they show up until you reach your destination. They’ll disassemble, pack, and load your items on the truck, remove the packing materials, and reassemble everything at your new location. Moving companies will handle all your items with professionalism and great care.

Item Damage: Moving Companies

Movers are experts at packing and unpacking valuable items, preventing damage during transportation. They also know how to pack the truck efficiently and in a way that prevents the items from damaging each other during the move.

Flexible Timetable: Moving Pods

With moving pods, you have more control over scheduling your move. You decide when to rent the shipping containers and pack at your leisure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many moving pods do I need to move a 4-bedroom house?

Moving pods are most often available in three sizes: 8, 12, and 16 feet. To move a four-bedroom house, you’ll likely need two 16-foot moving pods. Of course, the exact answer depends more on your house’s square footage and the amount of belongings you have than on the number of bedrooms in the house. For example, moving a small four-bedroom house may only require one 16-foot pod and one 8-foot pod, but moving a large four-bedroom house may require more than two 16-foot pods.

Is it less expensive to rent a pod or a storage unit?

Renting a storage unit is less expensive than renting a moving pod. On average, renting and shipping a moving pod costs $3,000, while a storage unit costs between $75 and $200 per month. Storage units also tend to provide more space, increasing their cost-effectiveness. The only instance in which storage units are more expensive than moving pods is if you need to rent the unit for an extended period of time.

How far in advance should I book a moving pod?

It’s best to schedule a moving pod two months before your moving date. This should give you enough time to secure the correct size and number of moving pods you need. It’s often possible to book moving pods on shorter notice, even within one week, but there’s a higher risk of local pods already being taken, especially if you’re moving during the summer or on a holiday or weekend.