Alex is the founder of 9Kilo Moving, which he started to help people easily find and choose the right moving company to make their move as stress-free and seamless as possible. He has spent over 20 years working in the moving industry, so he knows every aspect of the business and uses his knowledge to write about the industry and give moving advice. More on about us page
Are you in a situation where you want to move but you want a way to store your belongings? Or are you someone who just wants to take a long vacation but your lease is ending and you don’t know where to store all your items? Whatever the case, wouldn’t it be great to have a company take care of everything from delivering an empty container at your doorstep to storing it and then giving it back to you in its original shape?
That’s exactly what 1-800-PACK-RAT does and we’re here to give you a concise review of the company with a list of the services it offers. Keep reading!
CALCULATE MY MOVE
First started in 2001, the portable moving and storage company 1-800-PACK-RAT grew to 50 locations in the United States in just two years. Today they’ve grown to 29 states with 200 different locations across the country and are one of the topmost competitors among portable moving companies.
1-800-PACK-RAT is known for multiple reasons, but mostly for the variety in container sizes and the number of discounts they have to offer. The total costs also match the cost of PODS on most occasions and are usually lower than you’d expect, making these containers affordable too!
1-800-PACK-RAT has a range of services to offer and we’ll first take a look at what those are briefly down below:
1-800-PACK-RAT offers both local and long-distance moving services which also involves moving portable containers filled with your belongings. With long distance moves, you get a 30-day period to pack the containers which is an option that moving companies rarely give. With local moves, 1-800-PACK-RAT makes it a point to hire locals so that your move can happen as efficiently as possible by people who know how to maneuver around these neighborhoods.
For both local and long distance moves, 1-800-PACK-RAT gives you the option of storing your containers in their storage spaces if you don’t have space to keep those containers yourself. You can either store them for a short or long period of time for which you will be charged on a monthly basis for each container you have.
See also: Best Moving and Storage Companies
1-800-PACK-RAT has more than 15 years of experience with military moves, so you can trust them to carry out your move smoothly. If you’re in the military, you can take their assistance for both storage and moving services because.
When you move with 1-800-PACK-RAT, you can get your Government Constructive Cost (GCC) reimbursed by choosing a Do It Yourself (DITY) move or a Personally Procured Move (PPM). Once your goods have been delivered to you and you have submitted all paperwork required, the government gives you a reimbursement which will usually be higher than what you paid your mover.
See also: Moving Grants and How to Apply for It
If you’re thinking of hiring 1-800-PACK-RAT for your move, you might want to know the ins and outs of how they function first. Below is a step-by-step guide of how your move will take place if you go ahead with 1-800-PACK-RAT.
When you hire 1-800-PACK-RAT for a short-distance move, you are expected to pay the total amount for the container rental and delivery on the day it is delivered. In a similar way, the payments are taken on a “pay as you go” basis where you have to pay for the pick-up, transportation, and storage as and when you avail of those services.
For long distance moves, you will have to pay a deposit of $500 five days prior to the delivery of an empty container. This amount will be deducted from your total cost, the balance of which you have to pay before the loaded container arrives at its destination.
Costs in the moving industry fluctuate more than you’d imagine and that’s also true of the costs that 1-800-PACK-RAT quotes because it is affected by the same industry factors. Before we give you the average costs of using their portable storage services, let’s look at the factors that are responsible for these price fluctuations:
1-800-PACK-RAT has lower costs in the industry when it comes to long distance moves but otherwise, their rates are 10% higher than industry averages prior to discounts. To give you an average of the costs, to move a one-bedroom apartment you might have to pay anywhere between $2,470 to $3,060 depending on the distance.
On the other hand, moving a five-bedroom apartment could cost anywhere between $3,680 to $3,590 depending on the distance. As you can see, if you’re moving long distance, the amount you pay is going to be lower than the industry average of over $4,000, no matter the size of your apartment or home.
If you’re planning to store the container at their storage spaces, 1-800-PACK-RAT will charge a fee of $285 where the first 30 days will be for free. You must also remember that the prices on their website don’t include fuel costs for long distance moves, so don’t forget to discuss that with a 1-800-PACK-RAT representative.
Good ratings and reviews have the power to make or break a company’s standing in the industry which is why they are extremely important. At the same time, reviews give you a good idea of the kind of services you can expect to receive. It goes without saying that when a company’s customer service is top-notch, the user experience will also be positive.
When it comes to 1-800-PACK-RAT, their website proudly states that they’re the best in the industry in terms of customer satisfaction and it’s something they strive to achieve. Reviews online usually praise the company’s professional work, and negative reviews pertain to delayed deliveries.
There’s one thing you need to keep in mind though which is that 1-800-PACK-RAT is based in many states with numerous offices. So it goes without saying that their reviews and ratings might vary from place to place. For this reason, we suggest you go through the reviews of the1-800-PACK-RAT office near you first.
Now that we’ve seen all of 1-800-PACK-RAT’s services and how they function, let’s discuss the things that we approve of this company:
When you’re hiring someone to store and move your belongings by paying such a large sum of money, you’d expect good services and high-quality containers. You’re in luck if you go with 1-800-PACK-RAT because they offer some of the best containers in the industry.
Their containers are made of high-grade steel which can protect your belongings against extreme weather and pests unlike containers made of materials like plywood. Add to that barn-style doors which ensure a smooth opening and closing of the containers, and you won’t have any trouble at all while loading and unloading your belongings!
Unlike many other companies in the industry that only have standard and premium coverage options that have a big price difference between them, 1-800-PACK-RAT has plenty that you can choose from depending on how much you’re ready to spend. These range from $9.99 per month to $149.95 per month. We’ll put it down in a table for you below.
Since 1-800-PACK-RAT operates in a number of states and localities, these costs are subject to change depending on where you live. So we suggest you confirm these rates with a 1-800-PACK-RAT representative when you’re being given the quote. Also, note that their standard deductible is $100 for coverage of any kind.
1-800-PACK-RAT is known for its discounts, and we’re sure that like everyone else, you wouldn’t want to let go of the chance to get some good discounts too. Not just that, 1-800-PACK-RAT has the best discounts in the industry, for example, they offer a flat 10% for most services, so you’ll end up saving thousands of dollars for cross-country moves.
Apart from that, 1-800-PACK-RAT also has discounts that cater to local movers, medical professionals, first responders, senior citizens, military families, and even teachers!
When you book portable storage with 1-800-PACK-RAT that’s for a local move, there are a number of things that you can take advantage of. One of them is their online management system that’s only available for local moves. The tool lets you modify everything from pick-ups, drop-offs, reservation dates, and also make payments online itself!
For a local move, you also have the option of receiving an instant quote online itself. Wait, there’s more: 1-800-PACK-RAT offers more container sizes for local moves, so you’ll definitely find something that fits your belongings efficiently!
Now that we’ve given you details about the best parts of 1-800-PACK-RAT, it’s time to look at a few things that you should keep in mind about the company’s services before you make a booking.
1-800-PACK-RAT is only available in 29 states which means that a large portion of the United States gets left behind. They also don’t offer international moves for portable storage units, so that’s out of the question too.
In case you still want to move with them and they’re located a considerable distance away from you, you can call them for a pick up at your place. But as expected, you’ll be charged extra, especially for the fuel since the drive will be out of their usual routes.
As mentioned previously, if you’re looking to move cross-country, there are a few services that you won’t have the option of using. This includes their online instant quote tool which is only for local moves. You’ll have to give them a call and wait for representatives to get in touch with you if you’re moving long distance.
Conclusion
1-800-PACK-RAT is both efficient and reliable, and they’re among the best in the industry for short distance moves with container sizes you won’t find anywhere else. While it does have a few shortfalls, they aren’t as big so as to outshine the perks of hiring them for a move where you also require storage. As always, we highly recommend that you do your research and talk to their representatives, confirm if they can cater to your needs, and only then go ahead with your booking.
Is Pack Rat or pods better?
You need to know that the 1800 Pack Rat is an economy-priced, two-door container with standard plywood construction and steel reinforcements. The pods containers are made of precast concrete or extruded aluminum panels. They are expensive but worth it if your project is large enough to justify the cost.
How do I cancel my 1800 Pack Rat?
If you need to cancel your order, customer service representatives can be reached by phoneIf you cancel within five days of the initial delivery, a cancellation fee may apply.
Does Pack Rat price match?
Yes. Pack rat is committed to matching any lower price you find on an identical item
Is Pack Rat climate controlled?
Pack Rat is a climate-controlled storage facility which means it protects against extreme temperatures and humidity.
How big is a Pack Rat container?
One of our most popular options is the 16-foot storage container. Compared to many other containers, these are durable and spacious, with 830 cubic feet of packing room. Each 16-foot storage container holds about 3-4 rooms worth of furniture and provides 6,000 pounds worth of contents.
How much does a Pack Rat cost?
1-800-PACK-RAT is the perfect solution for all your moving needs. The company offers everything from long-distance moves and storage to local moves, including a monthly rental option so you can get even more value for their money! All of these services are available at reasonable prices, too - on average $3,439 per move using 1-800 PACK RAT's shipping containers.
Can you buy a Pack Rat container?
No, a Pack Rat container is not available for purchase.
See also: Top-Rated And Affordable Movers in the US
Fill Out the Form and Get 100% Free Moving Quote!
Quick Response
Satisfaction Guarantee
Expert & Professional
Professional Approach
High Quality Work
24/7 Emergency
Complete the form to get instant quotes! Its that easy!
Privacy Policy Terms Of Use
We will send you a text with a short verification code
9Kilo brings the movers directly to you! We'll find the top moving companies for your needs and have them call you right away. Search no more. Just sit back and relax!
This is your estimated moving cost. Professional movers will contact you within one business day.
We're sorry, but we are unable to service this move because it is considered a local move.