How Much Do PODS Cost? 2025 Savings Guide

The stress of moving house can be exasperated by the need to load and unload a vehicle in the same day, leaving your new home full of boxes, making it hard for you to see the wood from the trees. An alternative method of shipment is to use PODS, portable containers that can be loaded and unloaded at your own pace.

If you’ve not used portable storage units before, the thought can be daunting – our guide will be covering:

• How much PODS hire costs
• What affects the cost of PODS hire
• How to save money on PODS hire
• What’s involved in PODS hire 
• How to know if PODS hire is the best choice for you
• How to start the PODS hire process

If the conventional method of moving hasn’t worked for you in the past, it might be time to try out something new with the assistance of PODS. Keep reading to find out how to do it in the best way possible. 

How Much Do PODS Cost?

PODS stands for “Portable On Demand Storage,” and it’s a service that offers a convenient and flexible way to store and move your belongings. The concept revolves around using portable storage containers that can be delivered to your home, allowing you to load and unload your personal belongings at your own pace – and then, once packed, the container is either stored at a secure facility or transported to your new destination.

Let’s take a look at some sample costs.

Distance of Move	Cost per Bedroom	Total Cost per 3-Bed House
Local (within 250 miles)	$200 to $225	$600 to $675
More than 250 miles	$400 to $460	$1,200 to $1,380
Cross-country	$2,000 to $2,250	$6,000 to $6,750

While accurate quotes must be obtained from PODS directly, taking into consideration your actual arrangements and volume of items, as a rough estimate, a local move of below 250 miles can cost around $200 to $225 per room. For a standard three-bed home, this can total around $600 to $675.

Larger properties and larger distances will bring higher prices, with a cross-country move of over 500 miles costing closer to $2,000 per room, totalling $6,000 to $6,750 for a three-bed house move.

What Affects the Cost of PODS?

PODS offers a tailored solution to your storage and moving needs, which means there are a variety of prices available for the various services. Let’s talk about the main points that can affect the cost of PODS hire.

Container Size

The size of the container you choose will directly affect the cost. Larger containers provide more space but come at a higher price, so it’s best to select a size that suits your belongings to optimize value.

Similarly, choosing a too-small container is counterproductive as you’ll need to fill and re-fill the container to complete your move. 

Distance and Location

The distance between your location and the PODS storage facility can impact the cost, including delivery and transportation fees. Moving the container further might lead to slightly higher expenses, as shown in the table above.

When considering the use of PODS, compare the cost of a traditional move service to see if it’s a worthwhile investment for the convenience it offers.

Duration of Use

The longer you need the container, the more it might cost. Pricing takes into account the rental period, so be mindful of how much time you need as adding on extra days or weeks can substantially impact your costs.

Additional Services

PODS offers various services, like loading assistance or storage. Opting for these services can increase the cost, so be mindful of adding these on unless they’re necessary to facilitate your move.

How Can I Save Money on PODS?

Now that we understand what affects the cost of PODS hire, let’s take a look at the ways in which you can look to save money when using the service.

First and foremost, make sure you choose the right container size, which means selecting a container size that matches your needs without excess space. Larger containers cost more, so opt for the smallest size that comfortably accommodates your belongings – but make sure that it is large enough, as extra container hire will undoubtedly add more zeros to your bill.

Where possible, consider booking your PODS container during off-peak seasons when demand is lower. This can lead to potential discounts on rental rates, saving you money in your moving process, as the container companies will be wanting to fill their schedules during these seasonal lulls.

While it may be tedious, it’s a good idea to make the most of the container’s space by packing your items efficiently. Make sure to utilise vertical space, disassemble furniture if possible and use boxes that fit snugly to minimise wasted space – don’t just throw things in there and hope for the best!

If you’re able to, loading and unloading the container yourself can save you money compared to hiring labour. Enlist the help of friends and family to make the process smoother – but remember that help can be hired if this isn’t an option for you.

Finally, consider shortening the rental period. The longer you keep the container, the more it can add to your costs – having a clear plan and staying organized can help you complete the process faster.

What’s Involved in Hiring PODS?

Simply explained, when you hire a PODS service, a portable storage container is delivered to your location. You pack it at your own pace, and then the company picks it up and can store it at their facility or move it to your new destination, making it a flexible and convenient way to handle moving without the rush of loading and unloading in one day.

To get in touch with PODS and arrange hire, visit their website or call their customer service number. You can provide details about your needs, get a quote, and schedule the delivery of a portable storage container to your location.

Are PODS the Best Choice for My Home Move?

While they’re not a conventional moving method, PODS are growing in popularity to streamline the moving process, taking away some of the rush that’s normally felt during a move. Let’s look at the main advantages and disadvantages of using the service when compared to traditional moving methods.

Advantages of PODS	Disadvantages of PODS
Flexibility - the main advantage of using PODS when moving is the flexibility it offers when compared to traditional moving methods where you have to load and unload your belongings in the same day	Self-loading - PODS are serviced by you, meaing you'll have to load and unload without any labour assitance
Fixed cost - PODS are charged at a fixed rate, giving you greater control over your finances	Insurance - traditional movers have insurance to cover your goods during transit; with PODS you'll need to arrange that yourself
Options - there are plenty of container sizes and hire durations to choose from, giving you a good deal of options	Potential for delays - availability and demand can affect the schedule, meaning your dates could change at short notice

The main advantage is greater flexibility for you as the mover when it comes to loading and unloading your belongings as it doesn’t need to happen same-day as is the case with traditional movers. However, the disadvantages are in a similar vein – you have to do the loading and unloading yourself, which can be time-consuming and labour-intensive.

How Do I Find and Hire PODS?

Finding and hiring PODS is a straightforward process.

Firstly, you’ll need to visit the website and request a quote, entering your location details and requirements to get a quote for the services you need. From this, you’ll then need to select the container size that suits your needs and any additional services you want, such as length of container storage, or loading assistance.

A date can then be set for the delivery of the PODS container to your location. Then, once the PODS container has arrived, you can take your time to pack your belongings into the container at your own pace.

Once you’re ready, schedule the pick-up of the container for transportation or storage at a PODS facility.

Finding the Best Container Shipping Service For Your Needs

Determining if PODS are the right choice for you involves considering your specific needs and preferences. The number one consideration is that if you prefer to pack and load your belongings at your own pace and have a flexible moving timeline, PODS can provide the convenience you’re looking for.

Also, if you require temporary storage between moves, PODS’ storage options could be ideal, offering both moving and storage services. Most importantly, if you’re comfortable with self-loading and unloading, PODS can be a suitable option.

However, if you want something more standardised, traditional movers often provide fixed schedules for delivery and pick-up, which can be beneficial if you’re working with specific move-out and move-in dates. This is especially important if you’re working to a tight timeframe and need to move quickly, as traditional movers’ expertise in efficient packing and transportation could help you more than PODS may.

Final Checklist

When the time comes to move, it’s a good idea to remove as much uncertainty as possible – and sorting out your storage and mover options well beforehand can be a great way to achieve that peace of mind.

• Consider if PODS are right for you – take a look at our advantages and disadvantages table to compare the service to traditional movers
• If you are happy with manual labour (loading and unloading your container) PODS can provide a flexible solution to your moving
• Speak to a PODS sales professional and talk about your needs, being sure to pick a container size that is suitable for you (not opting for something bigger than you need)
• Discuss timeframes and when the drop-off can be
• Confirm everything and get ready for the big move!

Frequently Asked Questions