Have You Considered SMARTBOX For Portable Storage?

Portable storage containers are one of the most popular moving and storage options, allowing you to rent large containers, fill them up with your stuff, and then have them shipped to your new home or stored for a set period of time. And if you’ve started to look into portable storage, then you’ve probably come across SMARTBOX.

SMARTBOX is a portable storage company that allows you to rent one or more containers for a flat rate. It’s service offerings are similar to PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and U-Pack, though there are differentiating factors that you should consider when trying to decide which company you want to go with. To help you compare, we’ve put together this quick guide on SMARTBOX.

SMARTBOX: The Basics

SMARTBOX is one of the leading moving and storage container companies, with a commitment to transparency in pricing that can give you a lot of peace of mind when you’re trying to figure out what your total cost is going to be. They offer local and long distance moving services with their containers, as well as the ability to fill up your container and store it at your home or at a SMARTBOX warehouse.

If you’re not a fan of doing a ton of guesswork when choosing a moving or storage service, then you’re in luck since SMARTBOX only offers one size of their portable containers. If you have more stuff than can fit in one container, you can rent multiples. And don’t worry if you rent more containers than you end up needing; SMARTBOX only charges for those that you use.

While they do offer service across the U.S., locations are limited. A search for SMARTBOX in Los Angeles, for example, brings up just one location in Rancho Dominguez—about a 20 minute drive south of the city center.

What SMARTBOX Offers

With SMARTBOX, you can choose from one of four options for your moving container:

    • Store it at your home
    • Store it at a SMARTBOX warehouse
    • Ship it locally
    • Ship it long distance

    These service options are great for storage and local and long distance moves for general consumers, as well as for corporate relocations and storage.

    SMARTBOX Pros

    If you’re looking for portable moving and storage containers on a budget, then SMARTBOX may be a great choice. Here are some of the special features that help this moving and storage provider stand out from its competitors.

    Simple service. From start to finish, SMARTBOX makes it easy to get your thing stored and shipped. When you book service, you’ll pick a date for SMARTBOX to drop off your container. They’ll come back and pick it up for you when you’re ready too, whether that’s to transport it for you to your next home, to bring it to their warehouse for storage, or because you no longer need it. Combined with the simplicity in their container offerings it makes it all a pretty easy process, which is good news when you’re already juggling other facets of a move.

    Price transparency. What you see is what you get when it comes to SMARTBOX pricing. You’ll be able to lock in your quote so that you don’t have to deal with any surprise expenses when the job is complete.

    Price matching. See a lower price for the same service through another portable container company? Most SMARTBOX locations will lower their own price so they can match it for you.

    Secure containers. SMARTBOX’s portables containers offer a few major benefits that help keep your belongings safe. This includes a waterproof canvas that goes over the outside of each container and helps protect it from outdoor changes in heat and humidity. You’re also able to lock each container to prevent anyone else from getting in (you’ll have to provide your own lock for most services, but locks are provided for long distance moves).

    SMARTBOX Container Size

    SMARTBOX containers come in just one size: 8’ x 5’ x 7’. The interior dimensions are just a touch smaller at 4’8” x 6’5.75’’ x 7’7.75”, with a total weight capacity of 3,000 pounds.

    Each container can hold about a room to a room-and-a-half’s worth of furniture. Figure you’ll need one container for a studio apartment, two containers for a one-bedroom house or apartment, three containers for a two-bedroom house or apartment, and so on. Use SMARTBOX’s storage estimator to help figure out exactly how many containers you need to rent.

    How Much Does SMARTBOX Cost?

    Your total cost to rent through SMARTBOX depends on a couple of things, including what type of service you need and how many containers you’re renting, as well as the location and availability nearest to you. That being said, here’s a general idea of what you can expect to spend with SMARTBOX:

    Local Move

    About $79 to $89 per container plus a $99 fee for delivery and a $99 fee for drop-off. This is for a one month rental, meaning you have one month to fill up your container and have it delivered to its final destination. Rentals are charged on a month-per-month basis, so if you need the container for longer—even if it’s just for one more day past the first month—you’ll have to pay for an entire additional month.

    Long Distance Moves

    About $3,200 to ship three containers long distance. This is less than the average cost of hiring professional movers for a long distance move, which costs about $4,500 on average. The fee for a long distance move with SMARTBOX factors in the cost of a one month rental per each container (about $79 to $89 each) plus the cost of gas and mileage to ship it to your next location. Keep in mind that boxes are only delivered Monday through Friday.

    On-Site Storage

    About $79 to $89 per container, plus a $99 delivery fee.

    Warehouse Storage

    About $69 per container, plus a $99 delivery fee.

    Prices may vary depending on where you live, with some reviewers mentioning delivery fees of closer to $199 for certain services. Make sure to ask about different fees directly when booking your rental so that you don’t end up with unexpected costs.

    As for discounts and promotions, SMARTBOX does usually offer reduced rates for military moves and college students.

    What About Insurance?

    Long distance moves with SMARTBOX include up to $10,000 in insurance coverage while the container is in transport. Local moves and storage options do not include insurance coverage, nor is it available for purchase. Unfortunately, many homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies do not cover belongings when they’re in portable storage and moving containers, so you’ll have to decide whether the lack of coverage is a dealbreaker or not.

    How to Book a SMARTBOX Portable Storage Unit

    To get more information or book your rental, start at SmartBoxMovingandStorage.com. From there, you’ll be able to get the quote for your rental, which will include a breakdown of costs sent to your email. You can also give them a call directly at 1-87-SMARTBOX (1-877-627-8269). You can cancel your reservation four or more days before the initial drop-off for no fee, but do it after that and you’ll be charged 15% of the total price or $400—whichever is more.

    Bookings cannot be completed online. Instead, call the location nearest you and make your booking over the phone. They’ll be able to fill you in on availability and service capabilities so that you know exactly what your options are. SMARTBOX is known for having exceptional customer service, and you should find the experience of renting your containers to be a pleasant and easy one.

    Use the information above to decide whether you should use SMARTBOX. If you’re looking for a budget portable container option without a lot of fuss, then it could be just right for you.