Moving house comes with plenty of decisions, and one of the biggest is how you'll move your belongings.
Do you hire professional removalists, rent a truck and do it yourself, or use a moving pod for more time and flexibility?
Each option has its advantages, and the best choice depends on your budget, timeline, how much you're moving and whether you need storage along the way.
Here's how moving pods, removalists and truck hire compare.
Option 1: Moving Pods
Moving pods are portable storage containers delivered directly to your property.
Instead of trying to pack and move everything in a single day, you can load your container at your own pace. Once you're finished, we can collect it and transport it, or store it until you're ready.
Pros of Moving Pods
- Pack at your own pace
- No need to drive a moving truck
- Useful when settlement dates don't line up
- Can combine moving and storage
- Reduces double handling
- Container can be stored until your new home is ready
Moving pods can be particularly useful when you have a gap between properties, are downsizing or want to start clearing your home before moving day.
If you're already feeling short on space while preparing for the move, our guide to how a mobile storage unit can solve space problems has some useful ideas.
Cons of Moving Pods
- You generally need to pack and load the container yourself
- You need suitable access for delivery
- You need to plan how your belongings are packed into the container
Option 2: Professional Removalists
Professional removalists handle the transportation and much of the physical work involved in moving.
Depending on the service you choose, they may load your furniture and boxes, transport everything to your new property and unload it at the other end.
Pros of Removalists
- Less physical work for you
- Experienced with moving large and heavy items
- Can make moving day faster
- Useful if you can't or don't want to do the lifting yourself
Cons of Removalists
- Can be more expensive
- Your move generally needs to happen within a set timeframe
- Delays can create complications
- Storage may need to be arranged separately if your dates don't line up
Removalists can be a good choice when your old and new properties are both available on moving day and you want the move completed as quickly as possible.
Option 3: Hiring a Moving Truck
Truck hire is the traditional DIY approach.
You hire a moving truck, pack and load your belongings yourself, drive to the new property and unload everything at the other end.
Pros of Truck Hire
- You control the move
- Can be cost-effective for smaller moves
- Works well when moving locally
- No need to wait for a removalist crew
Cons of Truck Hire
- You do all the lifting
- You need to drive a larger vehicle
- Everything usually needs to happen within the hire period
- Multiple trips may be required
- Storage needs to be organised separately
Truck hire can work well for smaller moves where you have plenty of help and both properties are available at the same time.
Moving Pods vs Removalists: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference is how much control you have over the timing.
Removalists generally work around a scheduled moving day.
Moving pods allow you to start packing earlier and finish unloading later.
This can take some of the pressure off moving day, particularly if you're juggling work, children, cleaning or property settlement.
If you're packing yourself, it helps to start with belongings you don't use every day. Our older guide on how to pack for moving house has some practical tips for getting organised before the move.
Moving Pods vs Truck Hire
Moving pods and truck hire are both more DIY than professional removalists, but there's an important difference.
With truck hire, you're responsible for transporting the belongings yourself.
With a moving pod, the container is delivered to you and transported once you've packed it.
That means you don't need to drive a moving truck or fit the entire move into a single hire period.
What if Your Settlement Dates Don't Line Up?
This is where moving pods can be particularly useful.
You might need to leave your current property on Friday but not receive the keys to your new home until the following week.
With a traditional move, this can mean:
Old home → moving truck → storage → moving truck → new home
With a moving pod, your belongings can remain inside the same container while you wait:
Old home → moving pod → storage → new home
This reduces the amount of loading and unloading required.
What if You're Downsizing?
Moving into a smaller property can make moving day more complicated.
You might have furniture and belongings you're not ready to get rid of but aren't sure will fit into the new home.
Storage gives you some breathing room.
Rather than making rushed decisions, you can store belongings temporarily while you settle in and decide what you actually need.
Before you start packing, it can also be worth working through your belongings. Our steps to take when decluttering can help you decide what to keep, sell, donate or store.
What if You Need Storage as Part of Your Move?
If you already know you'll need storage, moving pods can simplify the process.
Instead of moving your belongings into a truck, unloading them into a storage unit and then repeating the process when you're ready to move into your new home, your belongings can remain inside the same container.
This can be useful when:
- Settlement dates don't line up
- You're moving into temporary accommodation
- You're renovating before moving in
- You're downsizing
- Your new home isn't ready
- You're relocating and need more flexibility
Which Option Is Cheapest?
There's no single answer.
The total cost depends on:
- How much you're moving
- How far you're moving
- How long the move takes
- Whether you need storage
- How much work you're prepared to do yourself
Truck hire may look cheaper initially, but remember to consider fuel, insurance, equipment and potentially multiple trips.
Removalists include labour but can cost more depending on the size and duration of the move.
Moving pods combine storage and transport, which can make them particularly useful when you need both.
The best way to compare your options is to look at the total cost of completing the move, rather than only the initial advertised price.
So, Which Moving Option Is Best?
It depends on your situation.
Choose removalists if: you want someone else to handle the heavy lifting and your moving dates line up.
Choose truck hire if: you're completing a smaller DIY move, have people available to help and can move everything within a set timeframe.
Choose moving pods if: you want more time to pack, need temporary storage or want greater flexibility around moving dates.
For moves where settlement dates don't line up or you need storage between properties, a moving pod can make the process considerably simpler.
Make Moving Easier With gobox
With gobox, your moving container is delivered directly to your property.
You pack your belongings at your own pace, then we'll collect your gobox when you're ready.
Your container can be stored until your new home is available or transported to your new property for unloading.
No rushing everything into a moving truck. No unnecessary double handling. Just a more flexible way to move and store your belongings.
