1-800-Pack-Rat Moving Company Review 2024

1-800 Pack Rat Visit Site

1-800-Pack-Rat at a Glance

Services Covered

1-800-Pack-Rat offers local and interstate moving services, as well as short-term and long-term storage. You also have the option to buy insurance and professional packing/unpacking services. 

• Local Moving: Any move from one location to another in the same state is considered a local move, regardless of distance. It is significantly cheaper than a move across state lines. Pack Rat’s moving services are administered from its storage facilities, which typically service homes within 50-100 miles, depending on the facility. Check 1-800-Pack-Rat’s locations page to see if a Pack Rat storage facility is nearby. 

• Long-Distance Moving: Pack Rat is licensed to operate across most of the continental United States and can therefore carry out moves across state lines, also called long-distance moves. Long-distance moves are typically more expensive than local ones, and you must confirm with Pack Rat whether it is licensed in your destination State when you request a quote.

• Packing/Unpacking: For a basic, DIY move, Pack Rat will simply deliver the container to you, then pick it up and move it at your request. It is your responsibility to pack and load all of your belongings into the container. For an additional fee, Pack Rat’s movers will pack and load your container, then unload and unpack your belongings at the destination.

• Storage: Pack Rat offers a broad range of storage solutions thanks to its standardized container system. For residential moves, it offers short-term storage solutions for multi-day moves, long-term furniture storage, home staging storage, and mobile storage solutions. With mobile storage, you can order a container to your doorstep, pack it, and then have Pack Rat deliver it to one of its facilities. Afterward, you can order the container to your doorstep wherever and whenever you need it.

• Insurance: Pack rat’s insurance plans can be used for moving or storage. For just $9.99/month, you can insure against liability for damage to any of Pack Rat’s equipment. With more expensive plans, you can insure your belongings for up to $75,000.

Fleet Details

Pack Rat’s fleet operates differently than a traditional moving company. Instead of different vehicles, it offers a set of standardized containers, each of which can be packed easily, carefully, and quickly onto a Pack Rat truck. Pack Rat trucks can only be driven and operated by a professional, so you cannot drive the moving truck yourself if you opt for Pack Rat’s service.

You can choose from several sizes of storage containers.

• Eight-foot container (404 cubic feet, up to 8000lbs of contents, one to two rooms worth of furniture)

• 12-foot container (620 cubic feet, up to 6000lbs of contents, two to three rooms worth of furniture)

• 16-foot container (830 cubic feet, up to 6000lbs of contents, three to four rooms of furniture)

Pricing

Pricing is by quote only. Essentially, you will pay Pack Rat to rent and move its containers, whether you are simply moving items once or using its storage services. 

When you request a quote from Pack Rat, you will either see a quote immediately or be invited to call 1-800-Pack-Rat directly. We received a quote immediately for a move from Rhoadsville, VA to Alexandria VA, a local move of about 80 miles. Our quote offered the following options.

*Not included in final total

As you can see, the quote is flexible and transparent. If you are just looking to move, the total cost will be the number on the Total line, plus protection and guaranteed delivery in the morning or afternoon if you want them. 

You’ll pay for the first month’s rent initially, even if you do not end up using the container for a month. After that, every additional month that you either store your belongings or keep the container at your home while packing/unpacking will incur a rental fee.

You can order up to three containers, but all must be in the same size category. Adding a second container doubles all costs, while a third container triples them, so a move with two 8ft containers will cost $3820, while a move with three 8ft containers will cost $5730.

Moving Process

The first step is to get a quote from Pack Rat. During this process, you’ll specify the date you need to receive your container. You will need to add a payment method, such as a debit or credit card, to your online profile after setting up the initial quote.

If you are moving across state lines, Pack Rat will charge a $500 deposit five days before the container delivery date. Otherwise, payment for your container pickup is due upon delivery. 

When the container arrives at your home, if you requested packing/unpacking, Pack Rat’s movers will stick around to pack and load your belongings into it. If not, they will simply drop off the container for you to load.

Since the container stands on the ground, not on a truck, it is easy to load with no need for heavy lifting. You can load the container at your own pace, with no deadline, though note that you will be charged a rental fee for each month you use it. Once it’s packed, just let Pack Rat know to pick up your container. They will then move it to your new home, if you’re moving, or a storage facility. 

For moves, if you requested packing/unpacking, Pack Rat’s professional movers will unload the contents of the container and unpack them based on your instructions. If not, they will leave the container next to the property for you to unpack at your own pace. When you’re done, give Pack Rat a call, and its movers will come to collect the container. 

Customer Service

You can call Pack Rat at 1-800-722-5728, which unsurprisingly spells 1-800-PACK-RAT. Service hours are 8 am to 10 pm EST Monday through Saturday and 9:30 am to 6:30 pm on Sundays.

You can also reach out via the email contact form on Pack Rat’s website or browse the comprehensive self-service FAQ at your leisure.

Testimonials

“Everything from start to finish could not have gone any smoother. The container was delivered and picked up right on time at my home in California. It was also delivered in Tennessee right when it was supposed to. It really couldn’t have gone any better. Thank you 1-800-PACK-RAT.”

—Kieth and Andrea B., Customers

Everything was top notch all the way. Every person was very knowledgeable and polite and knew their job and did it well. This experience was excellent and I will be telling everyone about. The door system alone was worth it. Thank you.

—Eileen T., Customer

I am so pleased with the service. I did a cross country move over 2000 miles and 1-800-PACK-RAT made it seamless. I was notified before every pickup/dropoff. They were able to get me a lower rate than other companies and ship it faster. 100% using for every move! Anytime I called I got my answer straight away. Thank y’all so much!

—Makayla R., Customer

1-800 Pack Rat Visit Site

Bottom Line

1-800-Pack-Rat provides an efficient, flexible moving and storage solution across most of the continental United States. Simply order a shipping container anywhere, anytime, then transport it or store it in one of Pack Rat’s facilities until you need it. For an additional fee, you can request professional loading and unloading, insure the contents of your container, and move your container across state lines. If you want to simplify a complex move or require combined moving and storage, 1-800-Pack-Rat is an excellent choice.