Pod Alternatives

When PODS burst onto the moving scene in 1988 they totally transformed the self service moving industry. Up until this time the only alternative to full service moving was renting a moving truck. Moving pods offer many advantages such as quick loading at ground level and increased flexibility when it comes to the time your available loading time, but it is possible to hire cheap moving PODS? This article examines this point in detail and provides tips and advice on how you can achieve the cheapest possible price for your move using a PODS container.

So for the uninitiated what is a moving pods and what are the main advantages of this type of moving. The easiest way to explain things is to tell you what the word “PODS” means which is Portable On-Demand Storage. A pod is basically is storage container that is delivered to your home, you pack it at your leisure; it is then picked up again and taken to your new home. If necessary it can be stored in between your move at a warehouse.

Stop by http://www.movingestimates.com for more information about making a move easy.

If you’re the type of person who seeks out moving boxes from friends and family members, late-night stock-boys at the local supermarket or the dumpster around the corner, PODS may be out of your budget.  However, price does not always equal affordability when all things are considered.

If you’re looking for inter-city moving, PODS is right in line price-wise with hiring a moving company; you might be able to skate by on less than a few hundred bucks for transportation and self-storage of your belongings.  Cross country moves can vary significantly in pricing, and in some cases, especially if you’re utilizing the storage facility, the move will set you back several thousand dollars.

You can rent a truck from one of the major truck rental companies in the business. U-haul, Budget Truck Rental, Penske Truck and Avis Truck all offer one way truck rental option.  They will usually charge you a flat fee between the two zip codes with a time frame to complete your move.  Rates can vary and we recommend to reserve your truck in advance.  When comparing rates you will have to take into account the cost if insurance.

General Moving Tips

No matter how well you plan your move; there will always be last minute things to do. To minimize this list, make a plan of what needs to be done to close off your life in your old home, and a corresponding list of what needs to be done to have the same in place in your new one. This will involve everything from arranging for meter readings at both ends from utility companies, changing or moving your telephone number, informing your bank of the date when you will move, as well as any insurance companies you may deal with. You will need to think about registering with a doctor and a dentist, plus a veterinarian if you have pets. Allow yourself time to do research and ask around for recommendations rather than choosing one when an emergency arrives!

By visiting movingestimates.com, you can take all the stress out of your move even if you move with a POD.

Packing is a process and will take quite a while to do. Unless you’re moving out, say, tomorrow, then it wouldn’t be wise to pack shampoos, conditioners, bedspreads, etc. Pack the junk you honestly don’t use.

If there’s bathroom stuff in a box, write it on there for god’s sake. Unless you plan on unpacking everything in one day, it’s more helpful to know exactly where your most essential items are and unpack those first. If you’re too tired, at least you’ll have a toothbrush, shampoo, undies, and razor.

Your move should occur at a time that is convenient for you and your family. If you have children you will most likely want to move when the school term is up. Unfortunately this may fall in to the peak season and your costs will probably be higher. If your move can be rescheduled for a time when the van line agents will be less busy you may be able to reduce your moving costs.

Alternatives to Pods

There are many reasons why people need to store goods away for a period of time to be used at a later date. In today’s world people like as little clutter as possible in their homes. What better way to remove this clutter and still hold on to your valued possessions than self storage. Self storage offers a safe, secure and clean environment to store your goods. Generally 24 hour access to your goods is allowed and on site security with many offering CCTV is fast becoming the norm in this highly competitive industry. Most storage warehouses offer climate controlled options to store such environmentally sensitive items as books and fur coats. Books and all paper products are highly sensitive to high humidity levels and furs generally need to be stored in the cold to prevent fur degradation. Couple all of these with sound pest control programs and you are talking with the standard service warehouse offer today.

Let movingestimates.com help you find the right moving solutions for you!

What to Store

• Seasonal items or items used periodically (e.g. skis, holiday decorations and clothing).
• CDs, books and toys.
• Dishes and silverware.
• Cars, boats, motorcycles and RVs.
• Commercial goods and supplies.
• Appliances such as TVs and computers.
• Furniture, mattresses and linens.
• Equipment including lawnmowers and leaf blowers.

What Not to Store

• Flammable or combustible items (e.g. cleaning fluids or paint thinner).
• Perishable foods.
• Anything living.
• Toxic, hazardous or illegal substances.

 

Many storage operations offer a multitude of other service including truck rental or even a free truck for a period of time in order to get your business. Many companies have workers who will come to your home and pack up your goods professionally, load up a truck and drive it to the storage unit. They will then unload your goods and pack them in to the storage space efficiently. Remember these people are professionals and can do the job more effectively and efficiently than you may be able to. Of course this convenience come with a fee however it may be worth it for the peace of mind.

How to Pack a Moving Pod

Distribute weight evenly throughout the PODS container. For example, place a couch on the far right-hand side of the unit and a similarly heavy object on the far left-hand side. Place heavy items on the bottom of the PODS container and stack lighter boxes on top.

Pack as many items into boxes as you can fit, but do not pack the boxes so full that they bulge or the tops do not close. Add fillers like plastic foam peanuts and packing paper to the boxes to fill in small spaces to help prevent damage.

• Pack as much as you can fit into boxes. This will help protect your belongings, and will make loading your moving pod much easier.
• Use moving pads and blankets to protect your furniture. Many moving pod companies provide discounts on combination packages of pads and boxes.
• Tie down your belongings to the container, one section at a time.
• Try to distribute the weight of your contents throughout the container.
• Use all of the space inside of your container to pack your belongings. If necessary, turn furniture on its side (protecting them with packing blankets, of course), fill your refrigerator and dressers with miscellaneous items and take legs off tables to minimize wasted space.
• Place heavy items on the bottom of your moving container, and lighter items on the top.
• Pack pictures and mirrors in the narrow spaces between boxes and furniture. This will help prevent them from breaking, while maximizing space in your container.
• Don’t forget to lock up your container with a heavy-duty lock!
• As you pack, look for spaces where awkward items will fit. Don’t be afraid to mix smaller items with larger items, to put a box inside a dresser or to lay your vacuum cleaner across the top of a stack of boxes. You can use every inch of space in your container if you really work at it!

 

 

 

 

Using Pods for Tasks Other Than Moving

Providing you a better way to store – Maybe you’re having construction work done, and need a safe place for your things. Maybe you’ve outgrown your home or garage, but don’t want to haul things back and forth to some off-site self storage warehouse. Whatever your situation, PODS is the perfect solution for short- and long-term storage. Choose your expected storage need below to learn how PODS can take the stress out of storage.

Need outdoor storage on your property for weeks, a season, or a year? We have your solution among our 10’ mini storage containers all the way up to 48’ domestic containers, security offices & office/storage trailers—all with pricing and flexible rent or purchase options that deliver major economic advantages over leasing warehouse space. Please note that we do not offer personal moving services nor do we store your loaded container on our property.

Get fast and FREE moving estimates from qualified movers today!

With PODS, the storage comes right to you, but rest assured, should you choose to keep your things at one of our Storage Centers, they’ll receive the best and most secure treatment available. PODS Storage Centers are clean, safe and dry (many are climate controlled). There are hundreds of convenient and safe locations near you with easy accessibility and operating hours. PODS provides great deals on moving & packing supplies as well as insurance options.

Whether short-term storage for home staging, or longer term storage, you are covered. Portable storage units allow you to keep boxes (aka pods or units) at your home or office. It’s like an extra storage shed that you can give back when you are done! Best of all if you are preparing to move home staging can be an effective short term portable storage option, and when your house is sold, you can use them to make your move simple.

 

Pods: A Company Review

POD pricing varies based on how long you’ll need the POD, how far you’ll need the POD transported, and whether you use a PODS secure storage facility.  For local moves in the Maryland area, PODS charges $229 to deliver the POD to your current home, pick it up at a later date, and drop it off at the new home.  They charge an additional $39 fee to remove the POD from your location after the move is complete.  You’ll want to finish your move in less than a month, or PODS gets another $179 per month until they retrieve their POD from your premises.  While the pricing is reasonable, a 24′ budget rental truck will hold nearly as much as 2 PODS for around $200/day.  Of course, with the Budget Truck, you must complete the move in 1 day, where PODS will let you pack and unpack at your leisure.

Always get Moving Estimates when you are preparing to move, no matter which method you use.

At 8x8x16, a large POD holds 1024 cubic feet or about 38 cubic yards.  In plain English, I estimate it takes about 2 large PODS to move a moderately-furnished, medium-sized, 2 story, 3-bedroom townhome if you can also make a few runs with a truck/van.  If you aren’t moving locally and EVERYTHING has to fit in the POD, you’ll want to disassemble as many things as you can and pack them in boxes.   You’ll probably still need a third POD to move all the odd-shaped stuff leftover (think lamps, large kids toys, odd-shaped furniture, etc).

In addition, pods can also be used for pure storage uses as well. For instance, if you wish to refinish the floors of your home all at once, remodel your dwelling, or undertake any other activity that requires your living space to be devoid of furniture, you can ask for pods to be delivered to your home for this purpose.  From there, you can either opt to leave the pods where they sit for the duration, or you can have them shipped to a secure nearby storage facility until you are ready to bring everything back in. Search for a local pods rental provider near you, and you might be surprised at how far the industry has come!

Why Move with a Pod?

Moving containers, like those offered by companies like PODS, U-Haul, Smartbox and others, are quickly becoming the most popular way to move one’s furnishings from home to home. But in an industry that was essentially started by one company (PODS), there are now many different companies to choose from with each one offering different services, prices structures and portable storage containers. Comparing your portable moving options will help ensure that you choose the company and service that’s best suited for your needs.

Expert movers at http://www.movingestimates.com  can help you find the right methods of moving today!

When PODS burst onto the moving scene in 1988 they totally transformed the self service moving industry. Up until this time the only alternative to full service moving was renting a moving truck. Moving pods offer many advantages such as quick loading at ground level and increased flexibility when it comes to the time your available loading time, but it is possible to hire cheap moving PODS? This article examines this point in detail and provides tips and advice on how you can achieve the cheapest possible price for your move using a PODS container.

So for the uninitiated what is a moving pods and what are the main advantages of this type of moving. The easiest way to explain things is to tell you what the word “PODS” means which is Portable On-Demand Storage. A pod is basically is storage container that is delivered to your home, you pack it at your leisure; it is then picked up again and taken to your new home. If necessary it can be stored in between your move at a warehouse.

Pod moving allows flexibility; it arrives and you pack as you can. When you are ready, it is picked up and delivered to your destination. You can move across town or across the nation. All you have to do is find the company you want and arrange to schedule your pod’s arrival.

Problems with Moving Pods

It is no secret that portable storage pods are a very popular storage option for many. Their demand can easily be evidenced by simply looking around in your neighborhood as odds are good you will see or two fairly quickly. The interest in these has risen to the point where they have become a preferred item over other options. However, even with all this interest, they are not without their own problems or issues. Here, we take a look at a few of these issues and what you can do about them.

Storage pods have difficulty in extreme temperatures.

This will be intuitive to many people who recognize that any portable storage will have its limits. In extreme temperatures, these containers suffer in performance. However, they do turn out to do really well in a pretty broad temperature including fairly cold temperatures and very hot temperatures. But if you find that the temperature gets too hot or cold in your area, we suggest that you have the container moved to a climate controlled facility. Most of the container companies have this option and you should take advantage of this option at times when the temperature really goes beyond what these containers are designed for.

The Best Choice for You

In order to decide which moving method is right for you, weigh the pros and cons of each choice.  For one person, a pod may be the right decision.  For another person, moving in the back of a pick-up truck or a rented truck may be the right choice.

No matter your choice of moving method, call around to different providers to ensure you are getting the best rate for the best service.  For the pod moving method, there are many providers, including (but not limited to): PODS (Portable On Demand Storage), UPack and SAM.

Choosing a Moving Pod

Moving pods are storage containers that come in standard shapes and sizes that are mobile and portable. They get delivered to your home, and you can fill it with your belongings in the time and manner you prefer. When you’re done with the filling portion of the task, the moving pod company will transport the pod to the new location, either your new home or to a storage facility.

Moving pods come in standard sizes. There are three basic sizes, starting with a smallish square. The other two are rectangles, a smaller and a larger rectangle. The smallest is best suited for extra belongings or a small apartment, while the largest is best suited for a whole house. If you’re unsure, you should get a larger pod.

Find great movers at affordable prices at ww.movingestimates.com!

So, where can you get a POD from? All the major moving companies provide moving pods on demand.. Search on your preferred search engine for pod movers or pod moving company and you will find several moving companies or storage container providers you can use. You are able to rent a pod and keep it in your place as long as you like. Because they are at the ground level, you can easily access them and store you items in them, much more easier than any moving truck.

In addition, pods can also be used for pure storage uses as well. For instance, if you wish to refinish the floors of your home all at once, remodel your dwelling, or undertake any other activity that requires your living space to be devoid of furniture, you can ask for pods to be delivered to your home for this purpose.

From there, you can either opt to leave the pods where they sit for the duration, or you can have them shipped to a secure nearby storage facility until you are ready to bring everything back in. Search for a local pods rental provider near you, and you might be surprised at how far the industry has come!

Moving POD Basics

These pods are movable because a company can just pick them up and take them somewhere for you. Simply amazing for anyone who needs to store and move something eventually. These pods help everyone move things they cannot keep in their home. There are no other pods like this on the market.

These moving pods are simply amazing because they come in every shape and color possible. You never know what might become of these storage pods as far as a TV shows goes. Storage Wars are a popular show and perhaps moving pods will get their own show too.

Getting Moving Estimates on PODs or moving companies can make moving simple!

Companies have been creating these moving pods for a while now. People are wow just getting the hang of it and understanding the true use behind them. You can actually collect your stuff in one of these pods and then move it when you move.

Make sure that as you pack your pod, you are making sure the items inside are packed safely and securely. The pod will be moved and the items could shift. Delicate items should be packed carefully in a manner that shifting the pod won’t cause them to break.

Moving pods are a great way to move your belongings while avoiding the stress and misery of a traditional move. By packing your own belongings you can avoid the unpleasantness of having a moving company come and invade your home. Packing your own items also avoids the concern of careless packing by others. Regardless of whether your move is across town or across the country, moving pods are a fast and convenient solution.