National Portable Storage Association

Uses

Local moving containers

A local moving container is delivered to your home, you fill it at your own pace, and the provider moves it to your new address or to its storage center. Use one when closing dates do not line up, or when you want to avoid a rental truck.

Quick facts from NPSA members
Loading
At your own pace, yourself or with hired local professionals
Delivery
Directly from one location to the next, or to a warehouse
Unloading
Take your time once the container is delivered

How can a moving container help with a local move?

Portable storage and moving solutions are unique because they can help facilitate a local move or help customers deal with storage requirements around a real estate transaction. Portable storage containers provide a solution if the closing dates of the sale/purchase of your new home don’t line up. If you are building a new home and require a temporary storage solution, they can help with that, too. Portable storage and moving solutions are a great alternative to traditional movers who will charge for cartage (transportation) to their warehouse or traditional fixed storage. Should individuals choose to utilize a fixed storage facility, they will invariably need to rent or pick-up a rental truck provided by a storage facility to transport their goods to the storage facility.

Do I have to do all the work myself?

Given the flexibility of moving and storage solutions provided by portable storage and moving companies, you won’t have to do everything yourself for a local move. You could hire local professionals to help with the loading and/or unloading of your container. This flexibility is important when exploring portable storage and moving solutions, as it typically will impact convenience and price.

Can I move my things without handling them twice?

Portable storage and moving container services also provide the opportunity to move goods directly from one location to the next. If your closings do not align, or if you plan to move your goods into warehouse storage, you can do that without re-handling these items, which will minimize potential damage.

What does moving at my own pace mean?

Since everything is done at your pace, you can ensure that it is done right. This flexibility provides customers with peace of mind knowing that they don’t have to deal with movers or truck rental company timelines. This creates a sense of control and allows you to focus on your move knowing there are many other things that need to be addressed when moving locally. Once the containers have been delivered to their destination, individuals can take their time unloading the containers.

How to get a quote

NPSA is a trade association. Its member companies rent and sell moving containers for a local move. Send a quote request and it goes to member companies near you, or search the member directory yourself. If your move crosses state lines, see long distance moves. To keep a container in a storage center, see portable storage centers.

Questions

Local move: common questions

How does a local move with a portable container work?

The provider delivers a container, you load it at your own pace, and the provider takes it to your new home or to storage. At the new address you unload when it suits you. You can hire local professionals for loading or unloading if you prefer.

What if my closing dates do not match?

Portable storage containers provide a solution when the closing dates of the sale and purchase of your new home do not line up. You can keep the container on site, or move it to the provider's warehouse, without re-handling your items. The same idea helps if you are building a new home.

Why use a container instead of a moving company?

Portable storage and moving is a great alternative to traditional movers, who charge for cartage to their warehouse or to fixed storage. With a container you set the pace and avoid mover and truck rental company timelines.

Do I have to load the container myself?

No. You can hire local professionals to help with loading, unloading, or both. This flexibility typically affects convenience and price, so ask each provider what labor options and rates they offer in your area.

Is a moving container better than a rental truck?

It depends on your move. A container lets you load over days and avoid driving a truck. A truck suits a quick, one-day job. Our moving container versus truck guide compares the steps and costs so you can choose.

Need storage?

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Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you.

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