--- title: PODS vs Full-Service Movers: Who Does Which Job url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/pods-vs-full-service-movers/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Portable containers vs full-service movers # PODS vs full-service movers A move has three jobs, loading, driving and unloading, and a PODS container leaves all three of them with you unless you hire help. A full-service mover takes all three, and O'Brien's can also load and unload a PODS container or rental truck while you handle the driving. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Containers and full-service crews are sometimes compared as if they were two prices for the same job. They are two ways to divide the work. Choosing between them is mostly a question of who you want to do the heavy parts. ## What a container moves for you A portable container is delivered to your driveway or curb, you fill it at your own pace, and the company picks it up and hauls it to the new address or to a storage yard. The container gives you flexibility on timing and a place to load without a rush. The labor of loading and of packing remains yours. You carry furniture to the container, stack it, strap it and protect it, and then you do the same in reverse at the other end. The company hauls; you lift. ## What a full-service mover takes on A full-service crew comes to the home with the truck, pads and wraps the furniture, loads, drives and unloads, and places the furniture in the rooms you choose. If you want it, the crew also packs. The estimator prices the whole job from an in-home walk-through, and the written estimate lists the services included. Long-distance moves run through the Bekins network, which carries the shipment to the new city. ## The middle path: containers with a crew Many households choose a container for the schedule and hire a crew for the lifting. O'Brien's loads and unloads rental trucks, trailers and PODS. That keeps the container's flexibility and removes the part of the move that hurts most. See [loading and unloading help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/loading-and-unloading-help/). ## Questions to settle the choice - Who will lift the furniture, and how many stairs are there? - Is there room for a container at the curb, and does your city or HOA allow one? - How tight is your timeline: is a date fixed, or do you need weeks of slack? - Do you want packing help for fragile items such as glassware and pictures? - Is anything too delicate or heavy to handle yourself: a piano, a pool table, a safe? - What protection applies to the goods on each option? Ask for the written terms and the valuation coverage. ## Compare the same job Ask each company for a written estimate that lists the same services: loading, driving, unloading, packing, storage and protection. Compare the lists before you compare the totals. The [container versus truck guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-container-vs-moving-truck/) goes deeper on the container side, and [hiring movers versus renting a truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hiring-movers-vs-renting-a-truck/) covers the do-it-yourself drive. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Loading and unloading for rental trucks, trailers and PODS](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/loading-and-unloading-help/) - [Moving container vs moving truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-container-vs-moving-truck/) - [Hiring movers vs renting a truck](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hiring-movers-vs-renting-a-truck/) - [Local moving in Reno, Sparks and Carson City](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/local-moving/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Vault storage vs self storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/vault-storage-vs-self-storage/) - [How to prepare furniture for storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/preparing-furniture-for-storage/) - [Long-term storage tips](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-term-storage-tips/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) - [How to pack dishes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-dishes/) - [How to pack glasses and stemware](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-glasses/) - [How to pack plates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-plates/) - [How to pack a TV](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-a-tv/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can O'Brien's load my container? Yes. O'Brien's loads and unloads rental trucks, trailers and PODS. ### Is a full-service move only for long distances? No. Local moves in Reno, Sparks and Carson City use the same crews. ### Where do I start? Request a free in-home estimate and tell the estimator which parts of the move you want help with. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) J Jennifer C. August 3, 2023 Customer service, packers, and loaders were very responsive, professional, and did an overall great job. C Christy R. March 25, 2023 All of the above! Have used o'briens several times in the past and always had great timely service! ### Owner's reply Christy thank you so much, not just for the 5 star review but also for continuing to stay a O'Brien's Customer. We appreciate your repeat business and you know we love talking with you anytime! You know where to find us when you need us! J Jessica D. February 14, 2023 I have always had a really good experience with Obriens delivery service. I've been a girl scout volunteer for 6 years now and they are always very friendly and helpful. Thank you for all you do!! ### Owner's reply Jessica, thank you so much for the kind words. We love the Girl Scout cookie distribution time. It gives us the chance to interact with you ladies that are out there making a difference in our community every day! Thank you for everything you do. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070