Portable Storage Solutions Designed Around You

It’s easy to access your PODS storage unit while it’s in a secure PODS Storage Center. Just call us at (877) 770-PODS to schedule a time that’s convenient for you and we’ll have your storage container waiting for you. You may access your PODS container as often as needed – no additional charge. Or if you prefer, you can have your container delivered when and where you need it, and then picked up and taken back to the Storage Center when you’re ready.

PODS storage rentals can be kept on your property or at a PODS secure Storage Center. With our huge nationwide network of over 230 Storage Centers in 46 U.S. states, you’re likely to find storage near you.

PODS sturdy, steel-frame containers are designed to be weather-resistant to keep your items protected from the elements when stored outside on your property. When you keep your storage unit at a PODS Storage Center, you get a “double layer” of protection – the container plus our facilities – further reducing the risk of water damage.

While you should check your storage rental agreement for details on prohibited items, here’s a
general list of things that should not be placed in a storage unit:

• Toxic or hazardous chemicals: This includes even legal home and garden chemicals. Examples include gasoline, oil or fuel of any type, paint and paint thinners, cleaners, pesticides, weed killers, car batteries, fireworks, liquor, charcoal, and any equipment containing fuel.
• Irreplaceable items: Heirlooms, artifacts, high-value art, and other items of great value to you.
• Important documents: Passports, birth certificates, deeds, and legal notices should be kept with you.
• Living things of any kind: It’s illegal for people to inhabit a storage unit for any length of time, and animals and insects are prohibited. Living plants aren’t recommended for storage, as they won’t survive.
• Food and other perishable items
• Motorized vehicles: Restrictions for storing cars and other vehicles vary among storage facilities.
• Illegal items

There are all kinds of online tools that can help you figure out what size storage unit you need, from storage size calculators to demo videos. With these tools, plus a little patience and due diligence, you can find the right fit. Your goal? Being able to avoid paying for extra space you don’t need, while still making sure you don’t run out of storage space after you’ve already loaded most of your stuff. While it’s hard to visualize how much storage space you’ll need, most people are pleasantly surprised at the amount of stuff they can pack into a PODS storage unit. That’s because storage units can be loaded vertically to the full 8-foot height and arranged differently than a typical room or closet.

Start with taking inventory of what you plan to put into storage. Use a measuring tape to note dimensions of your larger items, estimate the number of boxes, and consider items that don’t have a regular shape and can’t be stacked, like lamps and bikes. In addition to the size and amount of stuff you want to store, factor in how you’ll be using the storage space and how much access you’ll need. For example, if you’ll just be loading and unloading everything once, then you can maximize your space and load your storage unit to the max. But if you’ll need to periodically get things out of storage, then you may want to allow space so you don’t have to unload half your stuff just to find what you’re looking for. If you’re not sure about the storage size you need, ask your storage company for guidance. And if you’re worried about running out of space, ask how much the next larger size costs. While you want to avoid paying for more space than you need, the cost difference between sizes is often so small that it may be worth the extra peace of mind.

PODS offers three moving and storage unit sizes to give you the options you need. See the chart summary below or view our container sizes page for more details.

Depending on your location, you’re likely to have lots of options when it comes to getting professional help loading and unloading your storage unit. See our packing and loading provider recommendations for help finding companies with a proven track record in the area you need.

Whether you’re looking for a self-storage facility or portable storage units that you keep on your own property, it’s important to know your belongings will be inside a space that’s constructed for durability and weather resistance. The most common storage facility materials are steel and concrete masonry. Portable storage containers may be made of steel, wood, aluminum, or high impact-resistant polymers. PODS portable storage units are made using a combination of steel, wood, and high-impact-resistant polymers for superior durability, security, and protection from the elements.

With PODS, we bring the storage to you, so there’s no need to do any driving. You load your storage unit at your own pace and keep it at home or we’ll pick it up and drive it to a secure PODS Storage Center where you can access it easily. When you’re ready for your stuff, we bring your storage container back or to your new home – whether it’s across town or across the country. Either way, you load and unload your stuff only one time, and at your leisure.

Our portable storage containers are rented by the month, which includes the time the container may spend in your driveway, in storage, or en route to your new home, if you’re moving. This gives you the flexibility to load and unload at your own pace, and on your own schedule. And if your situation changes and you need more time, no worries. You can rent our containers for as long as you like.

Your first step in comparing storage options is to get clear about your needs and what’s most important to you. Ask yourself these questions:

• How much stuff do you need to store?
• What type of items are you storing?
• How long will you store it?
• How often do you need to access it?
• What factors are most important to you – price, convenience, flexibility, peace of mind, other factors?

Once you’ve developed a checklist of what you want from a storage rental, you can start by comparing two of the most popular storage options: Self-storage and portable storage units. Here’s a quick comparison between PODS portable storage units vs self-storage rentals.

We sure do! Here are some of our most popular resources:

• Packing and loading tips and videos
• Zen and the art of packing
• Your complete storage checklist

You bet. Find packing and moving supplies that are compatible with PODS storage units at: PODSboxes.com

Most portable storage units are designed with a locking mechanism that will fit a lock that you purchase yourself.

Since many storage rentals are available on a month-to-month basis, you don’t need to worry if your dates aren’t locked in. That said, some storage companies do require leases or charge penalties if you don’t meet a minimum storage rental time, especially if the rate is tied to a discount offer. Just make sure to check the details and get your rental terms in writing.

With PODS, all storage rentals are on a month-to-month basis -- whether you’re keeping the container on your property or at a PODS Storage Center. Unlike other storage and moving companies, there are no rigid schedules with PODS. Plans change. Just call us.

What’s more, you can even reserve storage units and move dates risk-free, just by giving us your credit card information. No payments are due until 7 days before your container delivery. And even if you’ve already paid, you’ll get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your storage unit is delivered.

Price, convenience, security, customer reviews, and industry experience are key factors when comparing storage companies. But you also need to ask yourself some questions about your preferences and storage needs to determine what’s important to you. With so many storage options available and new companies entering the market all the time, you want to be sure you choose a company that can meet your needs and has a record you can trust, so you know your belongings are safe in secure storage.

One of the most basic decisions is whether you prefer self-storage or a portable storage container that you can keep on your property or at a storage facility. Here’s a quick resource for comparing portable storage vs. self-storage. For a summary of the full range of storage options and the right questions to ask, see our blogs on how to choose a storage unit and 5 ways to tell is your storage facility is legit.

And, if you’ve already decided that portable storage is the best option for you, here are questions to help compare portable storage companies:

• Can the portable container be stored at a secure storage facility?
• Can you access your container easily while it’s in storage?
• How much time do you have to load and unload your container?
• Are there different container sizes to choose from?
• How weather-resistant and secure are the containers?

How far away can the containers be delivered (in case you’re storing as part of a move)?