LOAD IT IN YOUR DRIVEWAY. KEEP IT AT OUR STORAGE FACILITY.

Climate-controlled storage is a general term used to describe storage that maintains air temperature and humidity levels in a specified space. Even though lots of storage companies advertise “climate-controlled storage,” many offer only vague descriptions of what that means. There are no official industry standards or regulations that set requirements for customers to rely on, so it’s up to you to ask how the storage facility backs up their claims about providing climate controlled storage.

To learn more about climate-controlled storage and whether you really need it, see about climate control and indoor storage.

In our mobile society, uncertainty around moving and storage needs is a fact of life. That’s a big reason why people choose portable storage over traditional movers, rental trucks, and self-storage. With a company that combines portable storage units and moving services with a large network of locations, you can manage a move with confidence, even if you don’t know where or when you’ll ultimately land.

This is exactly why PODS reinvented how moving services are done, starting 20 years ago. With PODS, you can keep your container on your property or in one of our secure Storage Centers until your next home is ready. With our national coverage across 46 states, it’s likely your destination address is covered in our huge network, but before selecting PODS for your move, be sure to verify that we service the ZIP codes you may possibly move to by calling (855) 706-4758.

Your approach to packing items for storage will depend on several factors. Whatever your situation, here are some of our most popular resources on the best ways to pack to prevent damage and ease stress when storing and moving your stuff:

• Watch and learn from our video and tips on how to maximize storage space and minimize the risk of damage to your stuff.
• Keep track and pack like a pro with this Packing and Loading Checklist.
• Find a wealth of packing and storage advice on our Containing the Chaos blog.

Your main goals when you’re preparing your belongings for storage are to optimize your space while reducing the risk of damage from breakage, mold, or mildew. The most important principles are preparation, organization, and inspection:

Preparing and organizing your items: This can range from decluttering and downsizing so you spend less on storage space to packing items carefully to protect from breakage. Our storage checklist will guide you through packing an entire household while staying organized from beginning to end.

Inspecting items: It’s critical to inspect all items before you store them to ensure everything is 100% dry and free of moisture, mold, or mildew. One single damp item could spread mold throughout your storage unit, even if your unit is well protected from the elements or you’re paying extra for climate-controlled storage. Rather than leaving items exposed in your storage unit, wrap them individually with moving blankets or plastic wrap, or place them in plastic storage bins. This can prevent the spread of mold in case one of your items is damp or carries mold spores.

If you want to maximize flexibility and control while minimizing stress, portable storage units are hard to beat. Depending on the storage company you choose, portable storage lets you store your stuff out of the way and keep it close on our own property or at a storage facility. When you’re ready, you can have it delivered where you need it, and when you’re done, you can have the empty container picked up and hauled away.

If you want to set your own pace and don’t want to drive a big truck or vehicle to haul your stuff to a self-storage unit, portable storage could be the right fit for you. The services and degree of flexibility — such as timing, storage center availability and access — will depend on your portable storage company, so be sure to ask plenty of questions. To learn more, see comparing PODS and self-storage.

You schedule dates for delivery and pickup for your portable container at the time you book your PODS order. While we do our best to accommodate your needs, delivery dates are subject to availability. To help get the dates you need, we recommend scheduling your storage container's delivery and pick-up as far in advance as possible. Keep in mind that Saturdays and the summer months are usually in highest demand, and deliveries are generally not made on Sundays. If you need to change your delivery or pick-up date, just call us. Your new date will be based on availability.

Remember that you don’t have to be present for us to deliver or pick up the container. However, if you’re not sure about where you want the container placed, you should be there to discuss the options with your driver.

While most storage companies will offer rentals on a month-to-month basis, some may have lease requirements and charge penalties if you want to stop renting the storage unit before the end date of the commitment. Check with the companies you’re considering and get the rental terms in writing. If you’re using a special offer or discount, be sure to check if the offer requires a minimum storage time before you rent a space and move your stuff into storage. Some storage rental companies use introductory offers with deep discounts combined with long-term rental commitments to attract customers.

With PODS, all storage rentals are on a month-to-month basis, whether you’re keeping your container on your property or at a PODS Storage Center. There are no commitments beyond your first month’s rental, because we know how plans change.

Since storage companies are usually not liable for lost or damaged items, you may want to consider getting contents protection, depending on the value of your items. However, if you have homeowners or renters insurance, you should check your policy first to see if it provides “off-premises” personal property coverage. If so, ask your insurance agent or company about your policy’s coverage limits and what types of perils are covered.

If your stored items aren’t covered by another policy, then ask the storage company if they offer contents protection. For example, PODS offers a wide range of coverage levels so you can decide on an amount that best fits your needs. For details on PODS coverage, see PODS Contents Protection options.

Most people make the decision to use portable storage because of the added convenience, flexibility, and control that it offers compared to self-storage. For example, you don’t have to drive a big truck or load and unload your stuff multiple times. Another benefit of on-site storage containers is you can use them for moving, too.

Whether you need to store your things short term or for several months, portable storage units are ideal solutions for:

• Combining moving and storage, especially moves that involve uncertainty or require temporary storage
• Home staging
• Remodeling projects
• Downsizing and decluttering

Depending on the company you choose, portable storage lets you store your stuff out of the way and keep it close on your own property or at a storage facility. But the options and degree of flexibility — such as timing, storage center availability, and access — will depend on your portable storage company, so ask plenty of questions and check customer reviews.

Questions to ask about portable storage:

• 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? (This is an important question if you’re moving and want to have your container re-delivered to your next address.)
  
  Want to know how PODS stacks up specifically? Compare PODS to self-storage units.
  

*Compared to pricing on the phone with our Customer Care Team. Price varies by market and is subject to change. PODS arranges for independent third-party motor carriers to transport containers long-distance between PODS’ service locations.

**PODS arranges for independent third-party motor carriers to transport containers long-distance between PODS' service locations.