1. Put every service event on one timeline
Link to this sectionAsk the provider which dates are booked, which are estimated, and which still require a later request. Keep transit estimates distinct from confirmed destination appointments. Record the included loading and unloading periods, how extensions are requested, and when rental or other charges continue. Confirm arrival before finalizing destination labor.
For example, U-Pack’s door-delivery page says customers receive up to three business days to load and three business days to unload. That is U-Pack’s stated service arrangement, not an industry-wide allowance. Ask how holidays, local scheduling, and your specific booking affect the calendar.
Choose a person who can answer calls during each delivery window. If you will be traveling, arrange an alternate contact with the provider and clarify what that person is permitted to approve. Include required access appointments.
| Event | Record before confirming | Person responsible |
|---|---|---|
| Empty delivery | Date or window, placement plan, access instructions | Origin contact |
| Loaded pickup | Readiness deadline and collection request method | Loading coordinator |
| Destination delivery | Confirmed address, placement approval, available date | Destination contact |
| Empty collection | How to request it and when billing ends | Person checking the final receipt |
2. Verify placement at both addresses
Link to this sectionA container’s footprint is only one part of the space requirement. Ask about the delivery vehicle, maneuvering room, surface, grade, overhead clearance, and access route. Provide current photographs or measurements if requested, but let the provider confirm whether its equipment can use the location. Repeat the check at the destination even if the origin is straightforward.
PODS currently publishes a delivery clearance area of 12 feet wide, 15 feet high, and 40 feet long for its PODZILLA system. Those are PODS delivery requirements, not dimensions to apply to another company’s equipment. Its checklist also says adjacent parking spaces may need to remain clear again at pickup.
Get permission for the actual placement and duration from the property owner or manager. Ask the local authority whether street placement requires a permit; requirements depend on the location. Confirm a door orientation that leaves practical access without obstructing entrances, pedestrian routes, or emergency access.
- Check gates, access codes, parked vehicles, and overhead obstructions
- Ask about non-paved or sloping surfaces before delivery
- Confirm permission covers both drop-off and collection
- Agree on an alternate plan if the requested placement cannot be used
3. Inspect the empty container and resolve concerns early
Link to this sectionWhen the unit arrives, record its identifier and take photographs before loading. Check the accessible interior, door operation, visible condition, and any supplied equipment. Report concerns to the provider while the container is empty. Ask for its instructions if the door does not work normally or the unit appears unsuitable for the planned contents.
Confirm how the container locks and obtain a compatible lock before the loading period starts. Keep the key with the traveling essentials and arrange a spare separately. If several units are delivered, label your private records by unit identifier rather than assuming the provider will move or deliver them in your preferred order.
Send helpers a brief plan showing the approved loading access, the unit they should use, and the items staying with you. Separate traveling essentials and excluded items from the boxes being loaded.
4. Screen the contents against the chosen provider’s rules
Link to this sectionRead the current prohibited-items list and your agreement before packing the last cupboards, shed, or garage. Do not rely on a generic moving checklist for acceptance. U-Pack’s list includes poisonous, flammable, corrosive, and perishable items, with examples such as cleaning supplies, motor oil, and fireworks. Those examples are not a complete list.
PODS has its own restrictions, including rules affecting lithium batteries and items containing them. Check those details directly with PODS if relevant to your shipment; permission from a different carrier does not transfer. Ask about an uncertain item while it is still accessible rather than trying to resolve acceptance after the unit has been collected.
Keep identification, travel documents, medicines, essential keys, and anything needed during transit with you. For belongings sensitive to heat, cold, or humidity, ask what environmental conditions the service actually provides. Decide separately whether the item belongs in this shipment.
Resolve uncertain contents before sealing boxes or arranging their handoff. Check what movers will not move and record each decision →
5. Agree on the loading handoff and keep the door clear
Link to this sectionFollow the provider’s loading and securement instructions for the specific container. If using hired help, give them the equipment information and confirm who checks the finished load. Use qualified assistance for heavy or awkward items. Container capacity, anchor points, and permissible loading arrangements vary; a generic diagram cannot replace the relevant instructions.
Make a simple location sketch as sections are completed. For multiple containers, note which unit holds the bed hardware, kitchen basics, and other early-unpacking items. Photograph the visible finished arrangement without climbing on the load. Keep any provider-required clearance near the door and closure mechanism.
Use a readiness note: “Unit identifier recorded; contents screened; loading checks completed by named person; door closes normally; lock fitted; pickup confirmed.” If the door resists closing, stop and ask for help rather than forcing it against the contents.
6. Treat pickup as a separate appointment
Link to this sectionConfirm whether pickup is automatic or must be requested when loading is complete. Recheck the access route shortly before the visit; a space that was clear at delivery may now contain a neighbor’s car. Tell the provider about changes in access or scheduling instead of assuming the driver can adapt on arrival.
PODS states that loaded containers must be padlocked before its drivers can collect them. Follow the chosen provider’s lock and readiness requirements and keep the key out of the shipment. Save pickup confirmation and the container identifier with the service timeline.
If pickup fails, establish the next appointment, who must resolve the access problem, and whether the delay changes any charges or destination plans. Update affected helpers promptly.
7. Close the move with an empty collection and final record
Link to this sectionBefore destination delivery, confirm that placement permission and the access contact are still valid. Inspect accessible exterior condition on arrival. If the door is jammed or the contents appear to press against it, contact the provider rather than forcing it open. PODS specifically directs customers with a door-opening problem to its support team.
After unloading, check the unit for small parts, packaging, and personal belongings. Follow the provider’s instructions about the lock and collection condition. Request empty pickup through its required channel and save the confirmation. Verify that collection occurred and that the final statement reflects the service dates and approved changes. An empty container still sitting outside should remain an open item on your moving plan.