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Best Container Moving Companies
These moving companies can save you money if you're willing to load and unload everything yourself.
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Tina Orem is an editor and content strategist at NerdWallet. Prior to becoming an editor and content strategist, she covered small business and taxes at NerdWallet. She has been a financial writer and editor for over 15 years, and she has a degree in finance, as well as a master's degree in journalism and a Master of Business Administration. Previously, she was a financial analyst and director of finance for several public and private companies. Tina's work has appeared in a variety of local and national media outlets.
Julie Myhre-Nunes leads the Home Services team, covering home improvement, home warranties, home security, solar and moving. She has over a decade of experience in personal finance. Before joining NerdWallet, she led editorial teams at Red Ventures and several startups. Her personal finance insights have been featured in Forbes, The Boston Globe and CNBC, while her writing has appeared in USA Today, Business Insider, Wired Insights and more.
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We looked for the best do-it-yourself moving companies based on more than a dozen factors, including things such as whether they offer reliable quotes online, have consumer-friendly payment policies, provide predictable deliveries and have low customer complaint rates. U-Haul’s U-Box scored the highest in our rubric, making it our top pick.
Some common themes:
Most of the companies we reviewed don’t require an upfront deposit – but some do.
Some of the companies charge a fee to pay with a credit card.
Many of the companies don’t let you track the location of your in-transit container in real-time. You may want to consider getting an Apple Air Tag or similar tracking device and putting it inside the things you put in the container.
A few of the companies we reviewed offer additional services, such as packing, unpacking, car shipping, storage or junk removal – but often these services are actually farmed out to third-party companies.
How does container shipping work?
Container-shipping companies rent large metal or wood containers by the day or month. Typically, these companies use trucks to deliver empty containers to customers, who then fill them with various items. Customers can either keep a container on site indefinitely or have it moved to another location, such as a new home or a storage facility.
This DIY-style moving option is often less expensive but more involved than using traditional full-service moving companies. It can be useful if you need to move out now but don’t have another address lined up yet.
Our analysis focused on the largest do-it-yourself or container moving companies by market share and number of monthly Google searches (as a proxy for interest). Several smaller moving companies also offer similar services but weren’t included in these results.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Robust storage-unit business.
Sells moving boxes and other supplies.
Comprehensive offerings and lots of options for truck size, so you only get what you need.
Can go anywhere there's pavement; don't have to rely on service area.
Cons
Truck isn't at ground level, so you have to use the ramp.
Moving help is through third-party provider.
You are responsible for all damage, including vandalism, regardless of fault if you decline coverage.
Additional services offered
Car shipping, storage.
Deposit required?
No if paying with credit card; yes if cash
Customer ratings
Worse than most
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Robust storage-unit business.
Sells moving boxes and other supplies.
Comprehensive offerings and lots of options for truck size, so you only get what you need.
Can go anywhere there's pavement; don't have to rely on service area.
Cons
Truck isn't at ground level, so you have to use the ramp.
Moving help is through third-party provider.
You are responsible for all damage, including vandalism, regardless of fault if you decline coverage.
U-Box, offered by U-Haul, is the highest-rated do-it-yourself mover in the group. We like that it doesn’t ask for all your contact information in order to get a quote online, there’s no fee to pay with a credit card and the company has wide geographical breadth within the U.S. and Canada. The company also offers day-certain delivery on its U-Box offering, which is a big plus (a U-Box is a container you rent, fill yourself and have the company ship to a destination you specify). Customer complaints to the Better Business Bureau are relatively high compared to other DIY and container moving companies we reviewed, though complaints to the Department of Transportation were relatively low.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Free $10,000 move protection.
Sells moving boxes and gear.
Small containers can help control cost because you only use what you fill.
Cons
Relatively limited service area.
Just one size of container (8 ft x 7ft x 5 ft).
Only compensates you if they're at least 4 days late.
Can't track the truck.
Additional services offered
Car shipping, storage.
Deposit required?
No
Customer ratings
Average
Based on Better Business Bureau rating, as well as number of complaints to the BBB or Department of Transportation.
Pros
Free $10,000 move protection.
Sells moving boxes and gear.
Small containers can help control cost because you only use what you fill.
Cons
Relatively limited service area.
Just one size of container (8 ft x 7ft x 5 ft).
Only compensates you if they're at least 4 days late.
Can't track the truck.
Smartbox is owned by SIRVA, which also owns Allied Van Lines and Allied Express (which also does DIY and container shipping). We like that you can get a binding quote and day-certain delivery, plus there’s no upfront deposit or fee to use a credit card. However, Smartbox only does business in about half the country, and (like some of its competitors) you can’t track the real-time status of your shipment online.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Widely available.
No fee to pay with a credit card.
Cons
Not many additional services offered.
Contents protection policy doesn't cover theft.
Additional services offered
Storage.
Deposit required?
No
Customer ratings
Average
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Widely available.
No fee to pay with a credit card.
Cons
Not many additional services offered.
Contents protection policy doesn't cover theft.
We like PODS for its pricing and payment policies (no deposit, no fee to pay with a credit card), though you can’t get a reliable quote online without supplying personal information and talking to a salesperson. Nonetheless, PODS has a relatively high geographical breadth within the U.S., and people with narrow moving windows may like that PODS provides day-certain delivery. Some downsides are that the company gets a relatively high number of Better Business Bureau complaints, and it doesn’t ship cars or offer packing services.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Easy to get firm quote online
Relatively high BBB ratings
No deposit required.
Cons
Driveway slant of more than 5 degrees can limit container delivery.
Charges a fee to use a credit card
Can't access items until they're delivered at the destination.
Thin storage options.
Additional services offered
Storage.
Deposit required?
No
Customer ratings
Better than most
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Easy to get firm quote online
Relatively high BBB ratings
No deposit required.
Cons
Driveway slant of more than 5 degrees can limit container delivery.
Charges a fee to use a credit card
Can't access items until they're delivered at the destination.
Thin storage options.
U-Pack is owned by ArcBest, which is an Arkansas-based freight and logistics company. We really like how easy it is to get a firm quote from the company online, plus there’s no deposit required and the company’s complaint history with the Better Business Bureau and U.S. Department of Transportation is better than most of the companies we reviewed. However, you have to pay extra for day-certain delivery and the company doesn’t disclose (and didn’t respond to our questions about) whether it charges a fee to use a credit card or whether you can track the location of your stuff in real-time.
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Three different container sizes (16, 12 and 8 ft).
Barn doors and steel construction make loading and storage safer.
Free no-cut security lock and $10,000 in contents protection included with long-distance moves.
Storage is climate-controlled.
Cons
Packing service is through third party.
Deposit required.
Can't track the truck.
Relatively high complaints.
Additional services offered
Storage.
Deposit required?
Yes
Customer ratings
Worse than most
Based on Better Business Bureau rating and number of complaints per 100 vehicles to the BBB and Department of Transportation.
Pros
Three different container sizes (16, 12 and 8 ft).
Barn doors and steel construction make loading and storage safer.
Free no-cut security lock and $10,000 in contents protection included with long-distance moves.
Storage is climate-controlled.
Cons
Packing service is through third party.
Deposit required.
Can't track the truck.
Relatively high complaints.
This company, which is headquartered in North Carolina, also owns Zippy Shell. We like that the company offers storage space for your container if you need it, but it offers few other additional services. It operates in 34 states and Washington, D.C., so some customers might have a hard time finding a location. We like that the company includes a free no-cut security lock and $10,000 of contents protection with long-distance moves. However, you have to pay extra for a guaranteed delivery date, and the customer complaints record with the BBB and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) aren’t as good as most other companies we reviewed.
Allied Express is part of Allied Van Lines, which is a full-service moving company that’s owned by SIRVA. That’s a perk, because Allied Express customers also get help with packing or unpacking and can add car shipping, storage and debris removal. We also like that the company pays customers $75 a day if Allied is late on a delivery. One big downside, though, is that the containers are just large cardboard boxes, which significantly restricts their weight-bearing ability, durability and ability to sit outside for a long time. Also, the company charges a fee to use a credit card.
Go Mini’s Moving & Portable Storage
Go Mini’s is a container shipping company headquartered in Westlake Village, California. The company was one of the best of the group we reviewed when it comes to BBB and DOT complaints, but the company doesn’t disclose (and wouldn’t respond to our questions about) whether it requires upfront deposits, whether it charges a fee to use a credit card or whether it provides binding quotes.
Container on Wheels (COWs)
Container on Wheels is headquartered in Homestead, Florida. It didn’t make our list because it discloses so little to consumers about its pricing, payment policies, features and services. It didn’t respond to our questions about these things, and the only way customers can contact the company is via phone.
Keeping track of your stuff
Often, movers give an estimated delivery window that can span several days, particularly with long-distance moves. This may work for some, but if your stuff has to be somewhere by a certain day or else, hearing “we’ll do our best” doesn't cut it. This is why some movers offer day-certain delivery, which guarantees that your stuff will show up on a specific day.
If you want to know exactly where your truckload is, some companies let customers track their shipments in real-time, usually through the company’s app. This is a good tool because it can give you an early indication of whether your things are going to show up on time, which can prepare you to deal with any fallout from a delay.
Can track location of in-transit container in real-time online
Offers day-certain delivery
Payment per day for late delivery
U-Haul/U-Box
No.
Yes.
$50.
Smartbox
No.
Yes.
$50 after fourth day late, up to 30% of total move cost.
PODS
No.
Yes.
Case-by-case if rescheduled to a different day.
U-Pack
No response from company.
Yes.
No response from company.
1-800-PACK-RAT
On day of delivery, customer can communicate in real time with the delivery team via phone, email or text.
For $50.
$50 total (not per day).
How do I know if a moving company is legit?
Legitimate moving companies are registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), which is part of the Department of Transportation and regulates household movers. States also regulate household movers. You can see if a mover is registered with the FMCSA by searching its database.
🤓Nerdy Tip
The FMSCA doesn’t act as a consumer advocate against movers, meaning that you can file a complaint with the Department of Transportation, but they won’t necessarily argue with the movers on your behalf. If you have a dispute, check your contract to determine whether you have to engage in arbitration with the mover or if you have to take legal action.
Look for these moving company red flags:
The mover gives you a quote without inspecting your belongings.
The mover tells you they’ll give you the cost after they load the truck.
The mover wants a big deposit before the move.
The mover wants you to sign forms that aren’t filled in.
The mover’s website doesn’t have a local address, registration information or insurance information.
The movers tell you their insurance covers your stuff (“full value protection” is not insurance).
The movers don’t answer the phone with the name of the company you hired.
The movers don’t have an office.
The movers show up with a rented truck instead of one with the company logo on it.
The movers claim you have more stuff than what they put in the estimate.
Methodology
NerdWallet's Home Services team evaluated DIY and container moving companies across several factors, including availability of online quotes, upfront payment or deposit requirements, fees to pay with a credit card, availability of binding and/or not-to-exceed quotes, availability of additional services, geographical breadth, contents protection, container trackability, availability of day-certain delivery, compensation for late delivery, Better Business Bureau (BBB) customer rating, number of BBB complaints over the last three years, number of U.S. Department of Transportation complaints over the last four years and customer service contact options. Because costs can vary with the circumstances of each move, it's best to get quotes from multiple companies before making a decision. Read more about how NerdWallet rates DIY and container moving companies.
