1-800-PACK-RAT was founded in North Carolina in 2001, with its first three locations opening in 2003. Within two years of this, it expanded to more than 50 locations in many other states.
It was ahead of its time in the early 2000s, with all-steel construction for its containers and a proprietary lifting and shipping system that ensured the safety of all container contents.
No matter your moving or storage needs, this is one of the best moving container companies for the job.
Read on to learn more about the following:
- Pack Rat’s service profile and reliability
- How much you should pay for any Pack Rat move
- What past customers thought of their Pack Rat moving experience
3.7
Our Rating
Our Preferred Moving Companies
Today’s Homeowner recommends several movers to our readers. Below you’ll see our latest suggestions and their unique superlatives.
You can also explore our review of some top-notch moving companies to find your top choice.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
Our Pack Rat Review
Like many other providers of portable storage containers, Pack Rat provides a leading hassle-free option for DIY moving. Despite somewhat limited availability compared to its competition, the all-steel storage units it provides are among the most reliable in the industry today.
Although it doesn’t provide the breadth of service that a full-service moving company can, its partnerships with HireAHelper and other local moving labor firms provide comprehensive moving help to most clients.
When booking through 1800packrat.com, you should know that this provider is prone to many of the same pitfalls as other movers. Miscommunication regarding move cost and container size availability are among the most common complaints broached by past clients. Similarly, the claims process through Pack Rat’s resolution team can be difficult to navigate.
All told, 1-800-PACK-RAT is an industry leader for a reason. Flexible pickup and dropoff dates and easily accessible service representatives during booking make it a solid choice for clients throughout its operating territory.
Pros & Cons of 1-800-PACK-RAT
How Much Does Moving with 1-800-PACK-RAT Cost?
Your moving costs with 1-800-PACK-RAT will primarily depend on the service you need. You can get a storage or moving quote online by supplying your email address, phone number, and basic service information. Moving pricing figures will include an initial storage period and pickup and delivery fees but will depend on the following:
- Move distance: A cross-country move will cost more than a local relocation. Your move distance and proximity to Pack Rat facilities at each end will play a part in determining costs.
- Move size: Renting larger or more units will substantially impact your bottom line. Take advantage of Pack Rat’s size calculator to know what you’ll pay.
- Season: Moving season peaks between May and September. If you move around this time, you can expect fewer available units in most locations and higher rates.
Here, we’ve included some basic cost data for moves with Pack Rat.
| <250 mi | 500 mi | 1,000 mi | 2,000 mi | |
| 2 BR | $800 – $2,000 | $1,400 – $2,400 | $1,800 – $3,000 | $2,300 – $3,500 |
| 4 BR | $1,000 – $2,200 | $2,200 – $3,200 | $3,200 – $4,200 | $4,500 – $5,400 |
Storage
Storage fees per unit will cost between $250 and $320 per month, including delivery and pickup fees. Expect this figure to increase sharply with each unit you rent.
Protection Plans
1-800-PACK-RAT provides tiered protection plans, which can be purchased for local moves or tacked onto the $10,000 contents protection provided for long-distance moves.
- $5,000 in contents protection: $34.95
- $7,500 in contents protection: $49.95
- $15,000 in contents protection: $59.95
- $25,000 in contents protection: $79.95
- $50,000 in contents protection: $119.95
- $75,000 in contents protection: $149.95
Check out our newest recommendations below:
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
What Services Does Pack Rat Offer?
1-800-PACK-RAT offers a fairly typical range of services throughout its service area. As a primarily DIY moving company, it doesn’t provide full-service moves. That said, booking moving labor help and purchasing moving supplies is easy. Its multiple container sizes can provide a range of moving and storage assistance, including all that we’ve listed here. All of its containers are available for moves of any distance, which separates it from PODS, another power player in the container moving space.
Local Moving
Unlike its direct competitor, U-Pack, Pack Rat can provide leading local moving assistance. Whether moving across the street or to the next town, renting a Pack Rat container can be a great option.
Since all Pack Rat rentals come with a 30-day lease, as well as flexible pickup and delivery times and dates, you’ll be able to load and unload at your leisure. This means there is far less pressure to hire professional movers or moving labor help to get your move done quickly.
Long-Distance Moving
1-800-Pack-Rat provides a far cheaper solution for long-distance moving than any full-service mover can. Similar to local moving with this provider, you’ll be able to load and unload at your own pace while scheduling pickup and dropoff of your container(s) whenever it is convenient for you.
As a bonus, each long-distance move with Pack Rat comes with $10,000 in contents protection, included in your base price. This can be supplemented with Pack Rat’s tiered Silver Protection Plans and insurance for the container itself. While not necessary, protection options may be worth considering if you’re transporting high-value items.
For other affordable options check out our list of cheapest moving container companies.
Military Moving
Pack Rat offers a 10% discount to all military personnel. This can be of particular use when your occupation requires you to move every few years. Many military moving clients opt for the self-service option since they get to keep the difference if their move costs less than their given government stipend to do so. Moving without the hassle that a full-service move can sometimes entail can be an added help here.
Short and Long-Term Storage
Whether you need on-site storage during a home renovation or remodel, or long-term storage at a Pack Rat facility, this company can help. For short-term on-site needs, you should know that any initial quote will come with delivery and pickup fees and a full month of storage. In most cases, this will be more than enough for a home renovation or similar need and offer a transparent pricing figure.
Moving Supplies
Pack Rat serves as a vendor for most essential moving or packing supplies. This includes boxes, tape, packing paper, moving pads, and far more. They even market packages of supplies tailored to different home sizes. Contact your local branch for more information about this.
Moving Labor
1-800-PACK-RAT partners with HireAHelper, which makes accessing loading and packing help fairly easy in any zip code. If your move is on the complicated side, or if you just have a couple of heavier furniture items, it may be a good idea to hire some help.
Container Sizes
Like many other container companies, Pack Rat provides moving containers in multiple sizes to help with various moving and storage needs. If you have a larger home, then you’ll also have the option of renting multiple units to cope with your needs:
Eight-Foot Container
Pack Rat’s eight-foot storage container provides 404 cubic feet of total space and can hold around one or two rooms worth of goods. These containers come with a 4,000-pound total weight limit and are ideal for most studio apartments.
12-Foot Container
Pack Rat’s intermediate moving and storage option fits into most average parking spaces and can hold the contents of most one-bedroom apartments. With a 6,000-pound maximum loading capacity and 606 cubic feet of total room, this is comparable to most 10’x10′ storage units. These will only be available for local moves.
16-Foot Container
The largest option available from Pack Rat is the 16-foot container. This is ideal for smaller two-bedroom apartments and also has a 6,000-pound maximum capacity. For reference, it is equivalent to most 10’x15′ storage units.
Service Area & Availability
If you’re within 100 miles of a Pack Rat facility, you’ll be able to get moving or storage help from this provider. Its locations in the following states are all quality providers of a number of moving services:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
How To Schedule With Pack Rat
You can schedule with 1-800-PACK-RAT by giving them a phone call. Unfortunately, this provider doesn’t offer online booking. All moving service quotes that you receive will include the following:
- Pickup and delivery fees
- Transportation costs to your new home or Pack Rat facility
- One 30-day rental period
We recommend calling at least six weeks to a month in advance in order to ensure that you are able to book the moving or storage services that you need with your desired container size. Pack Rat’s service model allows you to pack at your own pace without taking liability for the goods that a moving truck rental would require. You’ll have as much time to load and unload as you need — unlike its competitor U-Pack, which only allows for three days on either end of your move.
Before booking with any container service, we recommend checking for valid company registration and valuation coverage options. We’ve outlined Pack Rat’s coverage plans above, but registration should include USDOT and MC numbers, as well as state-level compliance with whichever governing body presides over moving in your locale.
Check out our best recommendation below:
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
Pack Rat Reviews From Actual Customers
Before booking any moving service, you should always look into customer reviews. Any mover or storage container provider can make a positive impression when you get a quote or through their stated policies, but reviews will be the most telling gauge of a company’s actual ability on the move. Customer reviews from Google, Yelp, BBB, Trustpilot, and social media will give you insight into the following:
- Pricing accuracy
- Reliability
- Customer treatment
- Adherence to stated policies
- And more
The Good
When it’s at its best, Pack Rat provides prompt service for most moving needs. The customer service team it employs has a lengthy track record for success and for working with clients at every step of the process.
The Bad
The most commonly-seen complaints for Pack Rat moves are pricing disputes and delivery date discrepancies. While most moving companies can say the same, this is still something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Be aware of this when booking, and be sure to follow up around a week ahead of your move date to be sure of your reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1-800-Pack-Rat
Do I have 24-hour access to my goods in a Pack Rat facility?
No. You’ll have to schedule a time to remove or add goods to your units with the office at any given Pack Rat storage facility. This should be done around 24 to 48 hours in advance; your access will be limited to that location’s business hours.
What are minimum charges?
Minimum charges are imposed by local movers or providers of moving labor assistance. These will total between two and four hours of labor, at whatever hourly rate your mover of choice has set. Expect to pay $35 and up per mover per hour for labor-only assistance.
Does Pack Rat supply tie-down straps for its containers?
Pack Rat will not supply this free of charge. That said, it offers moving kits with packing supplies and furniture pads at additional costs for customers who need them. Inquire about tie-down straps at your Pack Rat location. If it doesn’t sell these, then your customer service rep can likely recommend a retailer that does.
4.5
One month of free storage included with your move
Provides moves in all 50 states
Offers air & ocean freighting
4.0
Flat rate pricing for all moves
Offers price matching
Expedited moves between big cities
4.2
Top-notch packing services
Nationwide partner network
Comprehensive moving calculator
Today's Homeowner Rating Methodology
At Today's Homeowner, our primary goals are to be a reliable source of information and to be totally transparent to our readers. With that in mind, we’ve developed the following formula to render objective ratings – on a scale of 10 points – for the moving companies we review.
- Transparency (3.0): Communication and being fully straightforward regarding company policies and licensing are incredibly important. A given mover’s willingness to display these, to supply quick quotes, and to provide clearly-worded moving contracts all factor into the three points within this single rating criteria.
- Cost (2.5): A mover’s cost relative to industry averages, as well as accessibility to cost data play a role in the customer experience as much as anything else. We know that being sure of what you’re paying – and being confident that you’re not overpaying – will ultimately make for a positive move. We’ve weighted cost factors accordingly in our ratings.
- Customer Service (2.0): Establishing an easy line of contact with your movers during the booking process or during the move itself is a huge asset for any moving client. The stress of moving, in general, can be greatly eased by knowing you can talk to a licensed professional whenever you need to, which is why we’ve listed this as a key rating category. This is where customer reviews come into play; since the majority of complaints stem from poor customer service, feedback from BBB, Yelp, Google, and other review platforms factor into this criteria.
- Services Offered (1.5): This rates lower on our priority list than many would think, simply due to the fact that many movers provide a similar line of services. However, breadth of service offerings does still vary to a degree.
- Customization Options (1.0): Having the autonomy to fully customize your move should rate highly on any moving checklist. Here, we’ve taken moving package customization ability, as well as pricing for more involved add-ons. Steep pricing for such services can provide something of a soft barrier for clients looking to add to their move, and we’ve taken this into consideration.
