Moving and self-storage
loading time
Loading time is the period a customer has to fill a portable storage container once it is delivered. Providers set it in the rental agreement. Some include a set number of days, and some describe it as however long the customer needs. After it ends, pickup or extra daily fees may apply.
Why it matters
The term is a trade phrase, and companies define it differently. One may include a few days. Another may bill by the month with no strict limit. Portable storage lets customers load at their own pace instead of working to a mover's schedule. For operators, loading time affects fleet use, since a container that sits on a driveway longer cannot serve another customer. A common mistake for customers is to book too little time, then pay for extra days or rush the job. Ask how loading time is counted, when pickup is scheduled and what happens if you need more time.
Read: How much does portable storage cost? Monthly rent, fees and totals
Definition source: getmibox.com
Related terms
local move
A local move is a move within the same area, usually the same city or region. With portable storage, the provider delivers a container, the customer loads it, and the provider takes it to the new address or to a storage center. The customer does not need a rental truck.
long distance move
A long distance move is a move to a distant city or another state. With portable storage, the customer loads a container at home, the provider moves it by third-party carrier to the new area, and a local team delivers it for unloading. The customer does not drive a truck.
on-site storage
On-site storage means keeping a portable storage container on the customer's own property, such as a driveway or a job site. The provider delivers the container, the customer loads and locks it, and the container stays there until the customer wants it moved or picked up.
rental agreement
A rental agreement is the contract that sets the terms for renting a container or similar unit. RentalModo says it is usually two or three pages. It covers the rate, minimum term, damage rules, delivery and pickup, and fees. The fine print is often in clauses that renters skim.
minimum rental term
A minimum rental term is the shortest period a customer must pay for. RentalModo's sample agreement language says the minimum period is three months and that early termination requires payment of the remaining minimum balance. Other companies use one month or another length.
utilization rate
A utilization rate is the share of time that rental assets earn money. InTempo Software defines time utilization as how often assets are rented out. It is calculated as days on rent divided by days available. For example, 25,000 rented days out of 36,500 gives 68.5 percent.
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