How to Choose the Right Moving Containers
Portable moving containers are one of the most popular ways to move household furnishings from one place to another. Most portable container companies offer a wide selection of moving containers to choose from.
While having a variety of moving containers to choose from makes it easier to accommodate your move, knowing exactly what size to pick is the key to keeping your moving costs down—and your moving stress levels manageable.
Here are some basic guidelines to help guide your decision making.
Not all moving containers are equal
Before you choose the size of the container you’ll need, know that all moving containers aren’t created equally—they are constructed of different materials. Containers can be made from the following:
- Steel
- Steel and aluminum
- Plastic
- Construction-grade wood
Materials matter when it comes to the weight a container can handle. A standard storage container sized 8’x7’x7′ made from construction-grade wood can handle up to 2,500 pounds of goods, while the same-sized container made from steel and aluminum can accommodate up to 5,000 pounds.
Moving containers made from all steel components can handle even heavier loads.
Estimate capacities
Here’s a breakdown of how many standard-sized moving containers (approximately 300 square feet of capacity per storage container) are typically required for a move:
- For moving an apartment — two moving containers
- For moving a two to three bedroom house — three moving containers
- For moving a three to four bedroom house — four moving containers
- For moving a house with five-plus bedrooms — five moving containers
Some companies do offer 16-foot containers capable of handling up to 10,000 pounds of furnishings and household items.
To compare, one 8’x8’x16′ moving container offers 1,024 square feet of storage space, whereas a standard 8’x7’x7′ container offers 392 square feet of storage. So to accommodate the same square footage as the larger container, you’d need three standard-sized moving containers.
Moving container considerations
Remember how much stuff you have to move before you decide on a moving container. If you have a two-bedroom home crammed with stuff, it may be more than three standard-sized moving containers can handle.
Before you lock in a delivery date, account for your home’s furnishings and determine what size of moving container will provide you with the right amount of space.
Keep this in mind: one major benefit of using moving containers is if you need additional storage space, all you have to do is call and have another one delivered.