What Is a U-Box Container and How Does It Work?
A U-Box is a portable moving container that’s a product of U-Haul Company. During your move, the container is delivered directly to your door, so you can pack the things that are moving. But if you want, you can tow the container home yourself using U-Haul’s specially built trailer. Once the container is in your home, you can store your things for as long as you want or until you’re ready to move.
Additionally, U-Haul will ship the U-Box container across town, states, or the world, depending on where you’re moving. If your new home is not ready for entry, U-Haul can keep the container in a secured storage facility until you’re ready to get back your possessions.
It’s also worth noting that you can order as many U-Box containers as you need. If you're unsure how many moving containers you need, get extra—U-Haul won't charge you for containers you don't use.
Pros and Cons of U-Haul U-Box
Below are the main pros and cons of U-Haul U-Boxes:
Pros
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- You only pay for the U-Box containers that you use.
- The containers can be delivered to your home and shipped wherever you want, so you don’t have to be physically present during the move.
- U-Haul has service locations in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
- Available for local moves, long-distance moves, and international moves. You may benefit from packing and loading assistance.
- You can save money by packing and unpacking at one of the U-Haul facilities.
- You can easily get a quote online.
- U-Haul’s rates are more affordable compared to other container movers or full-service movers.
- U-Haul’s website is packed with lots of helpful information and is easy to navigate.
Cons
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- Containers are only available in one size, and they are smaller than other containers offered by competitors.
- Containers are made of treated plywood, which isn’t exactly weather-proof.
- Some of U-Haul’s storage facilities aren’t climate-controlled.
U-Haul U-Box Costs
The average cost of moving with a U-Haul U-Box is around $3700. However, the prices may vary depending on the size of your home and the distance you’re moving. Ask for a quote to know how much your specific move will cost.
Additional Costs May Be Incurred
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Delivery fee: If you want the U-Box containers delivered to your home, you'll have to pay a delivery fee of $99 for every container. The total delivery fee will depend on how many containers you've ordered.
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Rental fee: Each U-Box container has a monthly rental fee of around $100.
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Additional services: If you want extra help during your move, like with packing, heavy lifting, and loading, U-Haul will charge you about $45 per hour for the same.
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Extra supplies: Every order with U-Haul comes with 24 free furniture pads. But you can order additional supplies like covers, packing tape, ropes, moving boxes, and bubble wrap at a cost.
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Insurance costs: If you plan to keep your things at a U-Haul storage facility, purchasing an insurance coverage protection plan for these items is a good idea. However, this will cost you an extra $20 monthly fee, depending on the declared value of your items.
Factors Affecting the Cost of U-Haul U-Box
Here are some of the key U-Box cost factors:
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Distance of move: The farther your U-Box travels, the higher the costs will be.
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Geographic location: As already mentioned, U-Haul covers all 50 US states. However, the rates vary across different areas and markets.
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Delivery services: You have various delivery options with U-Haul, including self-delivery, door-to-door, full-service, and service center delivery. Each delivery option has its specific rate. But in general, full-service delivery will cost you more than self-delivery.
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Additional Services: The overall cost will increase if you need additional services such as packing help or storage solutions.
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Number of U-Box containers used: The more containers you need for your move or storage needs, the higher the cost will be.
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Time of move: U-Haul services often have higher demand during certain times of the year, like in the winter. As such, the costs will be higher during those times.
U-Haul U-Box Services
U-Haul U-Boxes serve three main functions, as discussed below:
U-Box Containers for Moving
This is probably the main reason many people hire U-Box containers. If you’re planning a move, whether a local or long-distance move, you can have the U-Box delivered to your site to pack your things. For local moves, you can even transport your stuff to a U-Haul storage facility and pack the containers from there.
U-Haul offers a minimum reservation period of 30 days, so you have enough time to pack the containers. Once everything is set, you can simply call U-Haul to ship the container(s) to your intended destination. Alternatively, you can transport the containers yourself using a U-Haul U-Box trailer.
Once the containers arrive at the destination, you have as much time as you need to unpack them. You can unpack the containers and then schedule a day when a driver can pick them up and transport them to a U-Haul facility. And if you want, you can transport the containers to the facility where you've been agreed to drop them off. If the destination is a U-Haul facility, you simply unpack the containers, and that's it!
U-Box Containers for Storage
U-Box containers aren't just useful when moving. You can also use them for storage.
Just like with moving, you can have the U-Box containers delivered to your home or pick them up yourself from a U-Haul facility. You can also take your belongings to the facility and pack the containers there.
Additionally, you can store the containers on your property or at the U-Haul storage facility. Each container has its lock and key, so your things will be safe. You only need to pay a monthly fee, and you can have the containers for as long as you want.
U-Box Containers for Moving and Storage
Perhaps you’re moving into a new home, but the new house is not ready for entry. Or maybe there’s some paperwork to complete before entering the house. Whichever the case, U-Haul has got you covered.
You can transport the U-Boxes and store them on your new property or the nearby U-Haul storage facility. When your new home is ready, simply unpack the containers and have your things. You can also have the containers for storage for as long as you need, as long as you're paying the monthly fee.
How Big is a U-Box Container?
U-Box containers have outside dimensions of 8’ (96”) long X 5’ (60”) wide X 7.5’ (90”) high. The internal dimensions are approximately 7’11” (95”) long X 4’8” (56”) wide X 6’11.5” (83.5”) high. Their capacity is 257 cubic feet, with a holding capacity of up to 2000lbs.
To get an idea of how big a U-Box is, a king-size bed can fit in the container while standing up. The container can accommodate about a room and a half of household items. Also, each container has a large door to allow easy access and packing.
How to Use U-Box for a Move
Simply enter your current address or zip code, NearbyMovers will help you find U-Box services around you quickly.
When using a U-Box for a move, you have as much control and flexibility as you need. Here is how it works：
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- Contact U-Haul and tell them the number of U-Box containers you need and when you will need them.
- U-Haul delivers the containers to your home, or you can get them yourself from the facility if it's a local move. There is also the option of packing the containers at the facility.
- Once you’re done packing, U-Haul ships the containers to your intended destination. You’ll be notified upon arrival.