AMERICANS LOVE THE CONVENIENCE OF STORAGE PODS

Storage pods have become a popular option for U.S. consumers in the past 15 years, whether office owners, homeowners, or tenants. Customers have favored pods for long-term storage, moving furniture and possessions, and emergencies.

 

The industry leader, PODS, dates back to 1998. The company’s name is an acronym for “portable on-demand storage.” Competitors include Units Portable Storage, Mobile Mini, Pack Rat Portable Storage, MyWay Mobile Storage, Door to Door Storage, and Go Mini’s. Even U-Haul International, founded in 1945 to rent moving trailers and trucks, now offers a storage pod, brand named U-Box.

 

In height and width, a standard pod size is 8 by 8 feet. Depending on the company, clients may request pods that are 12-foot, 16-foot, or 20-foot long. Customers who need to store the contents of businesses or very large homes may request greater sizes and lengths. Pods are normally constructed of fiberglass with a hardwood bottom, all metal, or a mix of metal (such as aluminum) and wood. 

 

Among their many advantages, pod units load and unload at ground level. Most customers require an average of four days to pack all their belongings, but pod companies recommend that everyone plan on seven. Firms are happy to allow clients to take as long as they like to pack a pod.

 

The easiest place to park and load a pod is a driveway. If a driveway is unavailable, the pod company may place the unit in the yard or at curbside. Clients should be aware that local municipal regulations may require a permit in that situation, however, so be sure you know the laws and file the proper applications.

 

College students increasingly use pods between school terms. Pods can also store a room’s contents while it is being renovated. During a potential home sale, the owner may may find a storage pod invaluable for storing extra clutter. If fire, flood, or earthquake damages a residence, a storage pod can be a handy place to secure the surviving goods while the homeowner decides what to do next.

 

If clients worry about temperature extremes or potential moisture, many storage pod firms also own warehouse structures with temperature controls. Renters of pods in such environs will want to inquire whether security includes 24-hour surveillance and monitoring for pests and fires. With 24 hours advance notice by telephone, most companies can let clients retrieve an item from a storage pod on site. Some will respond even sooner.

 

Pods can be moved quickly and easily. With a forklift or truck, the company can lift and move a pod across the city or the nation. Most firms have specialized trucks that will lift a storage pod on special mechnical arms that keep it level and avoid toppling or bouncing the goods inside. No longer do clients have to park and operate the moving truck on their own.

 

For more resources and information, I recommend Door to Door storage pods.