Review of PODS - Everything You Need to Know

Review of PODS - Everything You Need to Know

An industry pioneer and leader since 1998, PODS provides residential and commercial moving and storage services – with contactless container delivery and pick-up – across a vast service network that spans Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The Canadian-owned business, with its unparalleled flexibility, convenience, and control, makes for a great choice as your local or long-distance moving and storage partner. A PODS portable container is delivered to you, you load it on your schedule, and you can keep it in your driveway for 24/7 access, store it at one of their secure indoor facilities, or have it moved to your new home.

PODS aims to provide a personalized approach to every customer’s moving and storage experience. PODS is typically a popular option because of its containers’ weather-resistant, steel-framed, and ramp-free loading. In this article, we’ll give you a full review of PODS and everything you need to know about this company.

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General Information About PODS

In 1998, PODS pioneered portable storage with its introduction of a new and flexible way to store and move. Now a leader in the industry, PODS provide residential and commercial moving and storage services in six Canadian provinces, 46 U.S. states, Australia, and the UK. 

PODS offers 8-, 12-, or 16-foot weather-resistant and steel-framed portable containers with ground-level access and roll-up doors. Every container is lockable and has convenient tie-down rings that allow you to secure your belongings with ropes or straps. Once you’ve loaded your container, PODS offers many moving and storage options. Your PODS container can stay on your property, it can delivered to a secure PODS Storage Centre, or delivered to your new home – whether it’s across town, across the country, or in the U.S.

 

Where Is PODS Available?

In Canada, PODS is located in six provinces and eight cities across the country. Whether you use a PODS moving and storage container for personal or business use, PODS can help you store your things and even move across the country. PODS has a presence in the following areas: 

  • Alberta
    • Calgary
    • Edmonton
  • British Columbia
    • Vancouver
  • Manitoba
    • Winnipeg
  • Nova Scotia
    • Halifax
  • Quebec
    • Montreal
  • Ontario
    • Ottawa
    • Toronto

In the United States, PODS services 46 states. The four states PODS doesn’t service are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

 

How Does PODS Work?

After a PODS moving and storage container is delivered to your home, you can keep it on your property, have it moved to a local PODS Storage Centre, or have it moved your new home. Here’s a full breakdown of how PODS works:

  1. A PODS portable container is delivered to your home.
  2. You load your container at your own pace, keeping it as long as you like. PODS can even refer you to a local labour provider to help load your container for you. Then you can keep your container in your driveway for 24/7 access or have it moved to a secure PODS Storage Centre.
  3. If you’re moving, PODS will pick up the container and deliver it to your new home.
  4. When you’re ready, unload your container on your schedule, and PODS will pick it up when you’re finished. 

 

Get a quote

 

What Services Are Offered by PODS?

PODS containers can be used for moving or storage, or both. PODS also offers other services such as contents protection and packing and loading assistance. The contents protection service offered by PODS is ideal when your insurance doesn’t cover your belongings during a move. If you want your move to go as smoothly as possible, you can also hire packing and loading assistance. These professionals will help make sure your belongings are loaded and unloaded efficiently.

Local Moving

PODS will deliver your container directly to you, offering personalized local moving solutions.

Long-Distance Moving

For long-distance moving, you don’t have to do the driving. With its professional drivers, PODS will take care of everything. Moreover, no payment is required until 7 days before your container is delivered.

Commercial Moving

PODS commercial moving is perfect for:

  • Corporate relocation
  • Franchise rollouts
  • Inventory exchanges
  • Disaster recovery and relief
  • Restoration and renovation projects
  • Housing and urban development programs 
  • Moving materials between job sites

With a range of PODS container sizes to choose from, you can be sure all your commercial merchandise will fit. PODS is also very flexible with their timeline because they understand plans change.

PODS for Storage

PODS offers storage at your place, storage at its facilities, and commercial storage and winter car storage. A PODS container in your driveway gives you 24/7 access to your things. Another option is to store your belongings at one of PODS’ facilities. PODS Storage Centres aren’t open to the general public. Appointments are required. For commercial storage, PODS offers on-site and temporary storage services for your business. Moreover, if you want to give yourself more space in your garage or driveway, PODS can store smaller cars in a steel-framed, weather-resistant container inside its storage centres 

PODS containers are great for many purposes. For example, if you’re doing home renovations and looking for a way to store your furniture temporarily; PODS’ portable storage containers can be a great option. You’ll only have to pick a date for the delivery of your containers to your house. PODS rents its containers monthly, and you can have them placed on your property or have them picked up and stored in a PODS facility.

PODS for Moving and Storage

If you wish to move to a new house but it’s not move-in ready, or you’re planning to move to a new city but have yet to find a new apartment or house, you can use a PODS container to store your belongings and then have them delivered to your new place once you’re settled in.

 

Types of Containers

Container Dimensions (feet)

Construction Type

Capacity (rooms)

Interior Space (cu. ft.)

Clearance Area Required (feet)

16 x 8 x 8

Stainless steel frame/ impact- and weather-resistant high-tech polymer wall panels

3 or 4

835

40 x 12 x 15**

*12 x 8 x 8

Stainless steel frame/ impact- and weather-resistant high-tech polymer wall panels

2 or 3

689

40 x 12 x 15

7 x 7 x 8

Stainless steel frame/ impact- and weather-resistant high-tech polymer wall panels

1

402

40 x 12 x 15

* The 12 x 8 x 8 feet container is only available for local moving and storage, but the other two container sizes are available for long-distance moves.

**Note that the driveway doesn’t have to be 40 feet long, as the maneuvering area can include the street as well.

Not sure which size is better suited for your needs? Here’s more information on PODS’ moving and storage containers:

16-foot PODS Container

12-foot PODS Container

8-foot PODS Container

  • Dimensions: 16’ x 8’ x 8’
  • The largest container size for moving a home with 3 to 4 rooms
  • Office moves
  • Ideal for restoration and remodeling of larger rooms
  • Dimensions: 12’ x 8’ x 8’
  • An ideal container for apartment moves
  • For in-town storage and moving only
  • Comparable to 15’ rental truck or 10’ x 10’ storage unit
  • Dimensions: 8’ x 7’ x 8’
  • Ideal for relocation for apartment residents, college students, or those looking to downsize
  • Comparable to a 10’ rental truck or 5’ x 10’ storage unit

 

Cost of Services

MovingWaldo Exclusive Offer

Visit PODS.com or call 1-844-509-0318 to get 10% on your moving and storage container by using promo code WALDO.

PODS Moving Cost

Moving costs vary based on geographic location, season and time frame, size and the number of containers, and distance. Costs can also vary from customers to customers, as each has different needs. All estimates include one-month of storage and other flexible options. Get a quote from PODS for your upcoming move.

PODS Storage Cost

For people who need to store their belongings, a PODS container rental cost is estimated based on different factors; rental fees will depend on geographic location, season and time frame, size and number of containers, and whether you’re storing your containers on your property or at a secure PODS Storage Centre. Delivery and pick-up charges are to be considered as well.

 

Monthly Prices

Available on demand. Save 10% off rates through MovingWaldo using promo code WALDO!

Get a quote

 

Pros and Cons of PODS

When choosing whether a PODS portable moving and storage container is the solution for you, you may want to consider the fact that they are flexible. In fact, they provide enough time to load and unload your valuables and offer flexible delivery and pick-up dates. You won’t need to worry about driving your belongings. 

On the other hand, it’s important to know demand for containers can be high at various times throughout the year, like the summer months, so customers should schedule as far in advance as possible to secure their preferred container delivery and pick-up dates. Also, not all services such as packing and loading are included in the price. They are add-ons. Here are some other pros and cons to consider when choosing PODS:

Pros

Cons

  • Contactless delivery and pick up.
  • They do all the driving.
  • You control the schedule – so you can take your time.
  • Flexible, easy storage options – in your driveway or in their secure indoor facilities.
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing.
  • Offers car storage for smaller vehicles.
  • Must be reserved in advance to ensure availability.
  • Packing and loading services are add-ons. 
  • 12 x 8 x 8 feet containers are only available for local moving and storage.
  • Need an available parking space or driveway at each location for loading and unloading.

 

Why Choose PODS for My Move?

Whether you’re moving across town, across the country – or if you need storage – in one of its secure indoor facilities, PODS has offered a flexible, convenient way to move and store your belongings for more than two decades.

Mix and match among a range of portable moving and storage containers to fit your needs, and unlike traditional moving companies, PODS doesn’t require a deposit, nor are you required to pay for your entire move upfront. They offer pay-as-you-go pricing since you rent your PODS container(s) by the month, putting you in control of your schedule, so you can take your time. Not to mention, PODS is a contactless service, so you do not need to greet their driver for delivery or pick up.

PODS can also help make packing and loading/unloading easier by referring you to highly rated hourly labour in your area. These pros know their containers inside and out to help maximize your space, and they will do as much as you need them to do.

PODS also offers a discount for people who book through MovingWaldo, which may be a great cost-saving option for some.

 

FAQ – Most Frequently Asked Questions About PODS

Is PODS the Right Moving Solution for Me?

PODS is the right option for you if you have an available parking space or equivalent to put your container at each location for loading and unloading. In Toronto, PODS City Service is available, which is designed for the challenges of big city moving. Most people trust PODS because of the durability of its moving and storage containers, their flexibility, and they transport them to your desired location. Renting a PODS container offers flexibility to pack and load at your pace and leisure.

What is a Moving Container?

Moving containers are portable units (resembling big boxes) that make it easy for you to move your belongings. They are wood or metal containers and come in different sizes depending on how many items you wish to move. Plus, they’re durable and weather-resistant and designed to last for long-term storage. You simply need to load your belongings into your container and let the company transport your container to your new place. Once it arrives, you just need to unload your things and let your provider pick up the empty container. They’re an efficient and low cost way to move or store your belongings.

What Are PODS Business Hours?

PODS is available by phone 8 a.m.-10 p.m. ET Monday-Saturday. If you’re interested in receiving a local moving and storage quote, PODS.ca is available 24/7.

How to Contact PODS?

You can visit PODS.com to chat with an associate. You can also reach them at 1-844-509-0318.

How Do I Find A PODS Location Near Me?

Visit PODS.com to find the nearest location.

 

Conclusion

Renting a moving container remains the most affordable option when moving your belongings and valuables. Regardless of the options and services you are looking for, be it time-frame options or container size choices, you can guarantee that PODS has them and more. As PODS is not only a moving service, you can also have your things temporarily stored in a container. The option of having it on your property or an indoor PODS facility is truly a great value to using its services. While costs will depend on the options and possible additional services you choose, you can count on the fact PODS offers a great price for your move and/or storage needs.

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Ann Nacario

The author

Meet Ann – our head writer with a knack for making moving and city living a breeze. From the many details of moving to picking the perfect moving company, she’s your guide. Ann has a friendly yet detailed approach to ensure your move goes off without a hitch. When she’s not writing about relocation, it will always be on her mind, but you’ll catch her spending time with her three furry friends.

Mathieu Paquette

The expert

Introducing Matt, our expert relocation specialist at MovingWaldo. With over 6 years of experience in the moving industry, coupled with a Tariff Certification accredited by Atlas Van Lines, Matt plays a central role in our wealth of moving expertise. His business background brings a unique perspective, enriching our wealth of moving knowledge and taking our services to a new level.

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