How Much Are PODS for Moving? (Price Guide)
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Codee Chessher
- Last updated:
Moving is a stressful ordeal full of boxes, packing tape, and exclamations of, “Honey, where is my…?” Thankfully, as technology has advanced, so, too, has the moving industry. Instead of packing your home into a box truck and paying an eye-watering amount, PODS offers an easier way to move. Local moves can cost as little as $800, while cross-country moves can run you more than $6,000. Let’s find out what you need to know about PODS for moving.
What Are PODs?
PODS is short for “Portable On Demand Storage,” but they’ve become very popular as a cheaper, easier alternative to conventional moving companies. Unlike those companies, PODS doesn’t charge by the day or hour for labor. Instead, they charge monthly, which affords you a lot of flexibility in your moving plans.
Notably, PODS doesn’t offer moving services of any kind. They will, however, recommend highly rated local moving services that are suitable for your needs. In many cases it comes out cheaper to rent a PODS unit, have movers load it, and have PODS move it to your new home.
Another big pro is that you can combine moving and storage. You can rent the POD and take your time loading it, have it stored at a PODS facility, and have it moved at your leisure. If something unexpected happens during your moving window, the monthly rent period gives you plenty of time to sort it all out.
Finally, you don’t have to move right away. You can rent a PODS unit the following day and keep it for months before moving it or have it stored until you need it. If you’re sick of secret fees, restrictions, and fine print, this is a godsend.
How Much Do PODS Cost in 2023?
The cost of a PODS unit depends on various factors, which is to be expected with a flexible service. The main ones you need to think about are container size, mileage, and home size. Local moves can cost as little as $800, while cross-country moves can run you more than $6,000.
PODS has three container sizes: 7-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers. The only difference you’ll notice in price is the first month’s rental fee because the other fees are the same. To figure out what size is right for you, use PODS’s moving calculator. Let’s check out how the sizes vary, and what other fees to expect.
- 7-foot: $164.99
- 12-foot: $189.99
- 16-foot: $199.99
- Container delivery fee: $74.99
- Monthly rental after 1st month: $164.99 per month
- Moving fee: $89.99
- Final pickup fee: $99.99
- Padlock: $25
- Insurance (optional): $10–$450 per month
Mileage has no fixed price, and you have to call PODS for a specific estimate. However, we can use past prices as a guide to come up with a general price range. The number of rooms you’re moving also factors in because more stuff and more miles will make your costs skyrocket. Let’s check out average prices so you can know what to expect.
| Number of Rooms | 100 Mile Distance | 1,000 Mile Distance | 2,000 Mile Distance |
| 1 bedroom | $700 | $1,800 | $2,700 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,300 | $4,000 | $4,500 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,300 | $4,500 | $5,000 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,100 | $6,000 | $7,200 |
Of course, these are estimates and you shouldn’t make concrete plans based on these figures. Instead, contact PODS today for a more personalized quote.
Other Costs to Anticipate
Other than those base prices, you have to consider several fluid variables when using a PODS container to move. These include timing, storage, and accessories. Let’s explore how these can impact your PODS move.
Timing
Spring and summer are the most popular times to move, so moving with PODs will cost more during these seasons. What day of the week you move is important, too, because the majority of people prefer to move on the weekend. If you’re looking to save some cash, consider moving during the off-season or during the middle of the week.
Storage
If you take advantage of PODS storage centers, you don’t have to pay an additional storage fee, but there’s a catch: you’ll have to pay a pickup fee of $74.99 each time you have the container moved. This can add up if you move the container frequently, so it’s wise to only move it when absolutely necessary.
Accessories
PODS will sell you straps, packing tape, moving blankets, and other moving supplies if you need them. Their prices are rather steep, but they do include free next-day shipping to sweeten the deal. If you already have moving supplies or don’t mind shopping around for the best deals, it’s likely not worth it.
Conclusion
PODS is one of the hottest names in moving, providing superior flexibility and affordability over many other traditional moving companies. It still won’t be cheap to move cross-country, but it will be a lot cheaper than hiring regular movers.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
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