How to Use Pods for Moving

With just a little more work on your side, you can save lots of money, and sanity, by using a 'pod' moving service.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Place to move
• Stuff to move
• boxes, padding, tape and supplies
• calendar

1. Image durhammovinglabor.com Step 1 is determine if a 'pod' moving service is right for you. The only thing that should stop you from using them is availability. They do not yet deliver to all addresses in the US. Go to a few of them on the web and plug in addresses, both existing and new, and make sure they service them. Another obstacle, although not a showstopper, is the geography of your location. They like a nice flat driveway, usually with a maximum 10% grade. If your drive is steeper than that though, you can have the pod dropped in the street.
2. image dcvamdmovers.com Once you have verified service to your locations, determine how many pods you will need, and for how long. For large homes, consider getting two pods, delivered at separate times. Fill the first pod with large furniture, storage items, winter or summer clothes, things you do not need immediately. Once that pod is filled, have it picked up and the second pod delivered. They will store the pod for you in a climate controlled environment. Fill the second pod with everything else that is going, but try and think through the order will need the items. Things you may not need immediately should go in first. Things that you need right away, or will need attention as soon as you arrive should go in last. When we last moved, I packed all of our plants on as the last item, to minimize their time in the pod. Don't forget your furniture dollies, hand carts, and gloves and blankets should go in at the end as well.
3. image emptymyhouse.com.au Spend a couple of hours with a calendar planning how long it will take to load yout pod(s), how long they will need to be stored, and how long it will take to move your pod from your old address to your new address. Use the same calendar for all your moving 'action items', like power, water, cable and phone, so you can see the best time for delivery and unpacking. Moving pods will definitely save you money over traditional moving services. They can also save you headaches, as you have full control of your property. You pack it, you load it, and you unload it. No more fly-by-night moving outfits destroying your family heirlooms while they move it, or holding your stuff hostage for a higher price than they quoted. Good luck, and happy moving.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the biggest advantages of a moving pod is that you can take as much time as you need to load it. Make sure you use the time, and load it well.
• PODS are a much cheaper alternative to moving services, but you have to be ready to load things yourself
• If you don't want to use a pod because you have to load everything yourself, you can hire day laborers on both ends of the move to help you load. This will still be cheaper than movers, and will save you some work.
• Compare several pod services, and don't be afraid to ask them for better deals, comparing them to what you can get from 'the other guys'.
• Make sure you have enough insurance to cover your property inside the pod, as well as the pod itself. Ask if the standard insurance that comes with the pod covers both.
• You are responsible for loading the pod. Make sure you think it through, and load it well. You can fit more than you think in them, but you have to use all the space available, both vertically and horizontally.