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- Portable Storage Units: Convenient and Secure Storage Solution
- Benefits of Choosing On-Site Storage Containers
- What to Expect When Renting a Portable Storage Container
- Essential Points To Consider Before Booking PODS
- Helpful Portable Storage Unit Tips
Whether you rent a home or own one, space is something you’ll never seem to have enough of. While there are solutions out there, such as renting a self-storage unit or relying on the goodwill of friends or family to store your belongings in their garage, these options can quickly become costly or downright inconvenient.
If you’re looking for a safe, convenient and affordable option when it comes to storing personal or business items, consider a portable storage unit. This latest storage trend is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are looking for quick and easy access to their possessions. How is the process quick and easy? The storage pods are literally dropped off and picked up from your doorstep.
Keep reading to discover more about the world of portable storage containers. Specifically, what they are, how they’re different, their benefits, and how the whole process works.
Portable Storage Units: Convenient and Secure Storage Solution
A portable storage unit is essentially a large, sturdy and safe container to store belongings in the convenience of your own home or place of business. As their name implies, the portable storage unit or pod can be easily moved from one place to another.
The most common reasons for renting storage pods are moving, home renovations, transporting business goods/tools from place to place, event storage, construction site storage and seasonal storage.
Joel, Founder and CEO of Next Modular shares “As a business owner myself, I understand how important it is to have a safe, convenient, and secure storage solution. Portable storage units provide all of these benefits and more.”
If you’re currently weighing your options between a portable storage unit and a traditional self-storage unit, this chart may help you make the best choice.
| Portable Storage Pods | Traditional Self-Storage |
| storage unit is delivered to your door and stored in your yard/driveway/lot | unit is part of a larger facility with multiple units |
| 24/7 access, 365 days/year | many facilities have round-the-clock access |
| on-site storage for businesses with the option to move the pod to a secondary location | businesses will need to unpack their storage unit and move items to another location |
| option of moving the pod short or long distances if moving homes | unit will need to be unpacked before moving |
| pods are picked up from your home or business | need to provide transportation to and from the facility |
Whereas storage facilities have multiple unit sizes, portable storage containers typically come in three sizes: 8-feet, 12-feet or 16-feet.
Benefits of Choosing On-Site Storage Containers
When it comes to utilizing on-site storage units, or Portable On Demand Storage (PODS), the benefits are tremendous. Here are some reasons you’ll be glad you used one.
Convenience: Portable storage units are delivered and picked up right to your home or business, and they can be stored on-site or at a facility.
Flexibility: You can pack and unpack as much or as little as you want, any time of day, seven days a week. You’ll also have the option of short or long term rentals.
Affordability: Portable storage units can be a more affordable option than traditional self-storage, depending on what your storage project is, of course. You’ll avoid the hassle and cost of hiring movers or renting trucks to transport your belongings back and forth between your home/business and the storage facility.
Accessibility: With the pod in your driveway/lot or yard, you’ll have quick and easy access to your belongings.
One of the top reasons people choose storage pods is their level of security. As Joshua Haley, founder of Moving Astute notes,
“Portable storage units are designed with security in mind. They are typically made of durable materials and equipped with robust locking mechanisms to protect your belongings. Some units also feature weather-resistant construction, shielding your items from the elements. Additionally, reputable portable storage companies often offer secure storage facilities with 24/7 surveillance, further ensuring the safety of your possessions.”
Joshua Haley, founder of Moving Astute
What to Expect When Renting Portable Storage Containers
Once you’ve decided to rent a portable storage unit, find out if it’s available where you live. If so, here is what you can expect:
Order/Payment: Once you find a reputable company (ex. PODS), choose your unit size, the date you’d like it delivered and how long you’d like to rent it. Some companies have 30-day limits, and some will allow you to keep it as long as you’re paying the rental fees, which range from a few hundred dollars a month to thousands of dollars for a cross-country move. You can compare the prices of different companies here.
Drop-Off: The portable container is delivered to your specified location on the agreed date. You’ll likely be a fan of this convenient storage method, and so will Mother Nature. A pod in your yard means you won’t be using fuel to drive back and forth from a storage facility. Additionally, more and more storage containers are being built with environmentally friendly materials.
Loading/Unloading: If you’re using your pod for a short time and not planning on using it for a move, you can load and unload in any fashion you’d like. However, if you’re packing for a move, you’ll want to make the best use of your space.
Pick-Up: Your pod will be picked up once your rental agreement is up. Ensure that all items have been removed and the pod is clean. If you are having the pod moved to another location, make sure all items are secure.
Essential Points To Consider Before Booking PODS
Before renting a portable storage container, think about these crucial things:
- Make sure you have a clear, accessible space for the pod.
- Find out if you need a special permit to store the pod in your desired location.
- Consider weight. If you’re moving an already packed pod, keep in mind that its weight may impact both the delivery and placement process.
- Ensure that you’re aware of all fees up front. The typical costs are for transportation, delivery, storage and liability.
Helpful Portable Storage Unit Tips
Here are some helpful tips for packing your items neatly and keeping them protected:
Stay Organized: Before you start packing up your belongings, make a plan on how to organize your portable storage unit. Think about what you’ll need easy access to and carefully seal and label packed boxes.
Proper Loading/Unloading: If your packed pod will be transported to another location, ensure even weight distribution and pack your items tightly to prevent shifting during the move.
Disassemble Furniture & Roll Up Rugs: Doing these simple things will give you much more available space.
Avoiding Damage: Use blankets or bubble wrap to cover surfaces that may get chipped or scratched during transport. If you’re using your storage container long-term, keep things like temperature changes, insects, rodents and mildew in mind.
Note: Avoid damage to your belongings and to the portable storage container by refraining from storing things that can’t be stored in a storage unit.
Remove Valuables: Try to avoid storing valuables in your pod. If you have valuables packed, be sure to remove them prior to the container being shipped to a secondary location.
Preventing Theft: Check on your storage container often and always keep it locked.
If you’re looking for a practical and convenient solution to your storage needs, portable storage containers may be the answer. With benefits such as doorstep delivery, 24/7 access, security and easy accessibility, these storage pods provide a welcome alternative to traditional self-storage units.
Contact your local storage provider to learn more about your options and take advantage of any deals or discounts they have to offer.
