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Renting a moving container to move your belongings from one house to another comes with a whole list of benefits. Moving insurance, someone else doing the driving and easy loading are just a few of them. Perhaps the best reason to rent a container is the convenience of not having to pack everything all in one morning. Easy storage is another great benefit if that’s needed.
Wondering how to choose the best moving containers? Every move and mover is unique. Be sure to check several companies to make sure they can provide the services and equipment that you need. Then check their reputation to ensure your happiness. To help, we’ve reviewed the top moving container companies for you and listed the best five of them here to give you a place to start.
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Our top spot features Newsweek’s No. 1 customer service in moving companies winner for 2022. U-haul U-Box began as a trailer rental company in 1945. They’ve been improving and expanding ever since. Today they rent trailers, trucks, containers and just about any other item you could need for DIY moving.
MovingHelp, U-Haul U-Box’s online marketplace, can connect you to full service packing partners if doing it all by yourself isn’t appealing. They offer instant and upfront price quotes online, shipment tracking, several moving insurance options and they never charge a fee for cancellation or date changes.
The company has been accredited with the BBB since 2000 with an A rating, and they have average to high overall ratings across the board. They’re available in every state for local or long distance moving . Some of their services require a deposit.
PODS, or Portable On Demand Storage, is second on our list. Started in 1998 as a way to improve upon their storage business, PODS was an innovator by developing a method of gently loading and unloading their containers. Headquartered in Florida, they’re currently available in all but four states (Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming).
PODS offers two insurance methods for their customers, one covers the container and everything in it, the other covers just the container. So there’s no need to pay for extra insurance if your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance already covers moving risks.
A deposit is required, but upfront pricing through online quote requests are available, and they allow free cancellations up until 4pm on the day before your move. You’ll need another way to ship any automobiles though, and no shipment tracking is currently available.
A somewhat smaller company, 1-800-Pack-Rat takes third spot. They’re currently only available in 31 states, but if you’re lucky enough to live there, they’ve been offering some great benefits for the past 18 years. Instant online quotes and upfront pricing are available on their website, as are several levels of moving insurance for peace of mind.
Trustpilot, known for being competitive, ranks them at an impressive 3.4 stars. Although they don’t offer full service packing, vehicle shipping or moving supplies, they do partner with several companies so you can easily find just what you need right from their site.
No deposit is required for local moving, but you’ll need $500 to secure your spot for a long-distance move. Shipment tracking isn’t available, but you’ll have until 48 hours before your scheduled move to cancel for free.
Accredited since 2001 and rated A+ with the BBB, U-Pack is next on our list. They’re designed to be a long-distance, basic and affordable container moving company, and they’re good at it. Consumer Affairs awards them four stars and MMR gives them 3.6.
Headquartered in Arkansas and available in all 50 states, they specialize in distance moving and storage of household items and small vehicles such as ATVs and cycles. They offer shipment tracking, competitive insurance options and instant upfront pricing. A deposit isn’t required and cancellation is free until seven days before your move.
If you’re in need of packing and loading help, U-Pack will connect you to their business partner, Moving Staffers, who offer customized labor services by the hour.
Smart Box takes the final spot on our list. They offer small containers for local or long-distance moving and storage. They can appear to be more expensive than their competition, but distance moving insurance is included in their instant and upfront pricing quotes, and extra insurance options are available. The insurance cost isn’t included in local moving quotes.
The company has been around for a little over two decades and operates in just under half of the 50 states. Although shipment tracking, full service packing and vehicle shipping aren’t available, they do offer moving supplies, college student discounts and corporate solutions.
Are you looking to get all your belongings from one place to another in a convenient way? Moving containers can be your best bet whether you’re moving across town or the country. Once you find the ideal moving container company and the best size container to assist with your move, they will deliver a container to your curb or driveway. After you fill the container with all your belongings, the company will pick it up and take it to your destination. If your move isn’t for a few weeks, most moving companies offer the option to store the container until your moving day comes.
Renting from a moving container company has become more popular as homeowners are also more likely to DIY parts of their move to save on costs, such as loading and unloading themselves.
Forbes Home evaluated 70 national and international moving companies and ranked the best of the container companies by taking a look at factors like nationwide availability, deposits and tracking for shipments, customer happiness, protection and insurance options, and storage availability. Ultimately, we found five moving companies that specialized in container options.
The best container moving companies shine in the areas of nationwide availability and customer happiness, which make up 45% of our weighting.
The average cost to rent a moving container for a long-distance move is about $3,000, though prices greatly vary depending on where you’re going, how much stuff you’re bringing with you and the time of year you’re moving.
According to multiple moving quotes provided by the above companies, the cost of a moving container that can fit a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,000 while a five-bedroom house or apartment would bring the cost up to $4,500.
Preparing in advance for your move will help make it smoother and less time consuming. Dedicate some time to creating a solid plan of action. This will help to ensure that your move stays on track while also relieving some of your stress. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your move.
A moving checklist may seem tedious, but it works. Writing or typing your to-do list helps commit it to memory so you don’t waste precious time trying to remember what you have to do.
Things to put on your checklist include:
As you complete an item, stay on track by crossing it off.
Moving can be expensive, but setting a budget can help you save money on your move. A realistic moving budget will ensure that your move will not cost you more than you can afford.
Moving is the perfect time to declutter. Sort through all your things and donate or throw away anything you no longer need. This step will save you packing time and give you more space on the moving truck .
Now that you have a better idea of the amount of things that you have to move, it’s time to get moving boxes and packing supplies. Get more moving boxes than you think you will need. The last thing you want is to have to run out on packing day to find or purchase more. That will cause more stress and waste time.
There are numerous packing calculators available to help you estimate how much you will need. Unused packing supplies can be donated or sold to someone else prepping for a move.
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Once you’re sure that you need moving containers for your trip, here’s what to look for:
No matter how great the company is, if you can’t afford the rates, it won’t work for you. After budgeting for the overall move and any relocation fees, consider how much you can spare for moving containers. When researching which company is best for you, make sure the prices make sense as well.
Reviews should always be part of your decision-making process. Choosing a moving container company with positive customer feedback will help you know you’re going with a trustworthy business.
This is important because no two moves are the same. Make sure the company can accommodate everything from small family heirlooms to large pieces of furniture.
Finally, make sure the company you choose can travel to the exact location of your new home. Some businesses only do local moves, while others can cover more mileage.
When preparing for your move, one of the earliest, and most important, decisions you’ll have to make is how you’re going to move. While there are many different ways to go about getting your items from point A to point B, the most popular methods are renting a moving container and moving yourself, or hiring full-service movers to do it for you. Here are some of the pros and cons of both options.
To determine the best moving containers companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed third-party data on 70 companies, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
*Nationwide availability and customer happiness counts for 45% of the total weighting.
Get Your Free Moving Estimate
Receive a custom quote that's designed to meet your needs and budget.
The average cost to rent a moving container for a long-distance move is about $3,000, though prices greatly vary depending on where you’re going, how much stuff you’re bringing with you and the time of year you’re moving.
According to multiple moving quotes provided by the above companies, the cost of a moving container that can fit a one-bedroom apartment is about $2,000 while a five-bedroom house or apartment would bring the cost up to $4,500.
Shipping containers come in several different sizes. Generally, they measure approximately eight feet wide by eight feet tall and vary in length from about seven feet to 16 feet long. A 16 foot long container is large enough to move the entire contents of an apartment or small two-bedroom home. You may need four or five smaller containers to move the contents of a four bedroom home.
That said, each container company will have their own capacity recommendations based on container size and weight limits of their individual containers.
Most moving containers are weatherproof. Some are water-resistant, which means that water isn’t likely to intrude, but it’s a possibility. In either case, if your items will be stored in a container for more than several days, take steps to keep the inside of the container as dry as possible to protect your possessions from any mold or mildew that could develop.
While most moving companies will be willing to move common furniture —and some may offer specialty services for items such as pianos , wine collections and expensive art—be aware that there are some items you should consider throwing out before working with a moving company.
You will be hard-pressed to find a company that doesn’t include the following items on its hazardous or do-not-move list:
The major distinguishing factor between containers and traditional movers is how much you want to do yourself. Moving containers are typically much cheaper than hiring movers but require homeowners to load and unload their household items into their chosen container. A moving company will be more hands-on and may offer packing services for convenience, but will be more expensive.
For long distance moves , you can expect to pay $1 to $4 per mile on average. The price will typically raise if you opt for a larger shipping container.
Most moving storage container companies carry units and pods of all sizes . After choosing the best storage container company for your needs, you can choose between all of the sizes offered.
Deane is a 30+ year veteran in the contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair industry. His experience ranges from licensed building contracting to property maintenance company ownership. Currently operating a home repair and DIY consulting service, he empowers his clients to be self-sufficient in their home repair and remodeling endeavors.
Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. She has almost four years’ experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).