Household Packing & Moving Tips

Moving Yourself.. Is It the "Right Move"?

Truck rental companies estimate that you can save as much as 50 percent by renting and driving a truck yourself, rather than relying on a moving company. Is the extra hassle worth it to you? Here are some things to consider. Whatever you choose, be sure to consider all of your options carefully.

Self-Service Home Moving

Self-Service Moving is an economical option for small to mid-size moves. Companies that provide this service deliver a trailer or van to your home, leaving it there for you to load. Once the trailer is loaded, the mover picks it up and delivers it to your new home, where you unload it yourself.

Pack, Load and Drive!

Do it all yourself. Before you start, however, honestly assess your physical as well as the hauling capacity. Whether you rely on friends and borrowed vehicles or hire local college students and rent a truck to do the job, you need not only enough strong helpers but also the right hauling capacity. If you lack either of these, it's best not to do-it-yourself.

Friends and family may come to the rescue, but are they capable movers. They won't be covered by insurance and what happens if somone gets hurt? Are you patient enough to pack a truck, then drive this to the destination. Taking a 25-foot truck on a crowded freeway can be a harrowing experience.

Three-"Ps" of Household Moving

If you decide it makes sense to take on a self-move, the next step is to examine the details.The Three "Ps" of Moving:

• Pack well before moving day arrives. Pack up everything but the bare essentials in your old home. Well-packed goods take up less space, are easier to handle and are less likely to be damaged.
• People Line up as many people as you can at both ends of the move. More people means less strain on each individual and a faster move. Even so, be sure to match individuals with tasks. The people you ask to carry the couch up two flights of stairs should be in good shape.
• Power Make sure the truck is big enough for the job. The goal should be to have enough space to make loading and unloading easy, and to complete the move in one trip.

Self-Move Decision Checklist

• How far are you moving?
• Determine exactly what you are moving and what you are leaving behind.
• Inventory all contents of your home, room by room, that you are to be moved.
• Estimate the volume of these items (usually in cubic feet).
• Determine your home moving resources:
• what is your budget?
• will your health allow you to handle lifting, long hours of work, etc.?
• what are your manpower resources (friends, family members, etc.)?
• do you own, or have access to vehicles needed for a move?
• Determine the cost to rent a truck large enough to haul your belongings.

  Make sure the truck is big enough for the job. The goal should be to have enough space to make loading and unloading easy, and to complete the move in one trip. Don't overlook the cost of gas, especially if you're in for a long-distance move.

  • 10-foot truck: 1 to 2 furnished rooms
  • 14- to 15-foot truck: 2 to 3 furnished rooms
  • 18- to 20-foot truck: 4 to 5 furnished rooms
  • 22- to 24-foot truck: 6 to 8 furnished rooms
  • NOTE: To rent a truck (even the big ones) you need only a regular drivers license..
• Get estimates from several recommended or reputable moving companies. Don't forget to take into account any taxable deductions for qualified moves that offset your out-of-pocket expense to hire a mover. Properly considered, this may make hiring-out the work a bargain, especially when considering the value of your time.
• Decide if you want to share the job with a moving company, have movers do it all or do it all yourself.

Don't Forget the "Big Picture"!

After all the cost calculations are completed, the lower cost option may still not be the one that you should choose. If a professional move will cost you more money (and it probably will), ask yourself if it's still worth the decrease in stress and hassle. In the end, you might find it's easier and more worthwhile to hire professionals.