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In this review: Our Take | Pros & Cons | Services | Availability | Cost | Scheduling | Reviews | Conclusion | FAQs
PODS is a well-known name in moving services and storage solutions around North America. The company was founded in 1998, and its name originally stood for “Portable On-Demand Storage.” Its goal is to provide flexible moving solutions and do-it-yourself options for homeowners, renters, and businesses.
The This Old House Reviews Team reviewed PODS to help you decide if it’s the right company for you.
Our Take on PODS
After the This Old House Review Team reviewed PODS, we rated them a 4 out of 5 stars and gave them the superlative “Most Convenient.”
You can rent its portable containers to load up your belongings and control your own moving timeline. The company offers convenience and ease, and it offers a 10% discount to active, retired, and veteran members of the military.
Pros & Cons of PODS
Learn about some of the advantages and disadvantages of PODS:
✔ Over 20 years in business
✔ Flexible solutions that allow you to take your time while you pack up
✔ Transparent about pricing on the website
✘ Packing and loading services are add-ons offered by third-party companies
✘ Not available in all 50 states
✘ Customer satisfaction varies by location
PODS Services
PODS provides nontraditional moving services with the opportunity for you to customize your service needs. The PODS team will deliver a moving container to your home and allow you storage on-site for as long as you need. You have the option to keep the container on your property and take your time loading it.
If you need help with packing or loading your items, PODS can give you a referral for service providers in your area.
When you’re ready, the driver will pick up your PODS container. You can choose to have it stored at a PODS storage center or move it to your new home. The company offers local and long-distance moving services and three different sizes to meet your needs. An added bonus is that you can order as many containers as you need.
Here are some details about each container size offered by PODS:
PODS Moving Container Sizes
| Container Size | Details |
|---|---|
| 8-Foot | The smallest size, great for small moves or college students: Ideal for a studio apartment or area under 500 sq. ft. Compares to a 10-ft. moving truck |
| 12-Foot | Ideal for small apartment moves: Packs up a 500-800 sq. ft. space, or 2-3 rooms Compares to the size of a 15-ft. moving truck |
| 16-Foot | The largest size, great for homes with 3-4 rooms: Approximately 1,200 sq. ft. Size of a regular parking spot or a 20-ft. moving truck |
| Container Size | Details |
About the PODS Moving Container
The moving and storage containers offered by PODS are steel-framed to ensure durability and weather-resistance. The roll-up door allows you more room to load your belongings, and it gives you ground-level access. This means you won’t have to worry about rolling out a large ramp.
During the move, you get to hold onto the keys, so you can remain confident that your items are safe and secure.
PODS Availability
A major brand in the moving and storage industry, PODS has many locations across the United States, as well as international locations in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
PODS’ services are available in 46 states and Washington, D.C., which means its team can help you move nearly anywhere in the nation.
You can find a PODS location in all U.S. states except the following:
- Alaska
- Montana
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
PODS Cost
PODS offers flexible moving solutions for many different customers’ needs. On its website, the company estimates local moves using a portable container will cost around $349- $549.
Factors Affecting PODS Cost
The cost of moving services from PODS will be different for every customer because every move has different needs. Your customer service representative will estimate your customized price by looking at personal factors like:
- Where you currently live
- The distance of your move
- The container size you need
- Number of containers required
How To Obtain a PODS Quote
For the most accurate price for your local moving and storage needs, get a quote online. When you get a price estimate, it’ll include:
- Container delivery and pickup
- 30 days to load or store your belongings before pickup
- Transportation to your new home
Unfortunately, packing and loading labor are not included in your price from PODS. If you’d prefer to have help with those parts of your move, PODS can connect you with local, highly rated businesses that offer those services.
PODS Booking Process
When you’re ready to get started with moving services from PODS, request a quote online or over the phone. You’ll be asked to provide some information about your move and the services you’re looking for. This includes whether it’s a corporate move or residential storage, as well as your moving date, distance, and contact information.
You get to choose the delivery and pickup dates for your storage or moving container. Then, you’ll gain access to PODS’ online tools to schedule your move. Log into the online dashboard to manage your order and make changes.
The company recommends that customers schedule their move as soon ahead of time as possible. This will give you optimal time to choose an ideal moving date and to prepare your home.
NOTE: Summer is a busy season for moves, so you may save money if you schedule outside of that season.
PODS Customer Reviews
PODS is not accredited on the Better Business Bureau site, which isn’t always a red flag since companies are required to pay a fee for accreditation. The company does have thousands of reviews on TrustPilot, where it holds over a 3.9-star rating*.
PODS reviews mostly feature positive feedback, with customers complimenting the company for completing deliveries on time.
Below are some real PODS reviews:
“The customer service is absolutely amazing! I was able to schedule 2 pods for a move over 1000 miles away and coordinate pick up and delivery seamlessly in the middle of a pandemic. Every single person I spoke to was absolutely fantastic!”
–Lisa via TrustPilot
“They missed their transport window and now customer service cannot find me an update because they did the work out of the system in a notes field. I have two customer advocates on this and neither one will return my calls or emails. Everything I own is in these PODS.”
–Jeremy M. via BBB
*Accurate as of November 24, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions about PODS
When will the PODS team drop off my container?
When you schedule a move with PODS, you can access an online customer dashboard. There, you can access tools like the Estimated Service Window. This timeframe will be available after 6 pm on the night before your scheduled delivery date.
Once you schedule a container drop off, you don’t have to be home for the delivery. You can get notifications via email about the status of your delivery.
Are any items not allowed to store in a PODS container?
Customers are not allowed to load hazardous items into their rented moving containers. This includes toxic chemicals, liquids, or gases, as well as waste, motorized vehicles, and illegal items.
PODS also discourages its customers from loading valuable items like family heirlooms, important documents, or other special personal property. Those should be moved using your own personal vehicle.
Does PODS sell moving supplies?
Yes, you can order moving supplies like boxes and packing materials from PODS online at PODSboxes.com, which offers free shipping within three business days.
Does PODS offer any discounts?
On its website, PODS mentions that it offers a military discount of 10%. When requesting a quote, mention that you’re a member of the military.
Is PODS Best for You?
Our Reviews Team discovered that PODS is a great option for DIYers who are doing some spring cleaning and tidying up or moving across the country. It may not be ideal if you want full-service moving solutions that include help with packing items and loading your container, but it is a more affordable alternative to many full-service companies and can also connect you with packers and loaders to create a full-service experience.
PODS customers also get the benefit of moving at their own pace and are not forced to stick to rigid schedules as they would be with many other companies.
PODS has many satisfied customers and has more transparent pricing details than many of its competitors in the industry, and we recommend getting a quote if you’re considering the company.
If you’d rather work with a full-service moving company, we recommend getting several quotes from the top rated moving companies in the country:
Other Moving Resources
We’ve done extensive research on the best moving companies across the country and have compiled easy to digest comparisons.
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- Best Cheap Moving Companies
- Best Moving Companies for Small Moves
- Best Moving Companies for Military Moves
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for moving service providers is on a 100-point scale based on 7 factors:
- Moving Services (30): Does the company offer its services for local, long-distance, and/or international moves?
- Additional Services (29): What additional services does the company provide, such as packing and unpacking or loading and unloading?
- Coverage (10): Does the company offer any additional insurance plans, such as full-value coverage?
- Scheduling (7): Are customers able to schedule online, over the phone, or on both platforms?
- Trailers/Containers (7): How many trailer or container sizes does the company offer?
- Additional Benefits (12): What additional benefits does the company provide, such as storage options, moving truck rentals, and financing?
- Reputation (5): What rating does the company feature on popular review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB)?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
