Self move and you may save money. But know what's required before making the decision to move yourself. There are options on how to self move . You can take care of the packing & unpacking, loading & unloading while a professional service drives the truck otherwise known as 'Self-Service Moving' or you can do it all - 'Pack, Load and Drive the truck.
• Self-Service Moving is an economical option for small to mid-size moves. Companies in this do-it-yourself category deliver a trailer/van to your home and leave 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 and unpack yourself.
• Pack, Load and Drive! You can do it ALL yourself. Plenty of people do. Remember, it's a double effort - what you pack you will have to unpack and what you load you will have to unload. Thoughtful foresight can save you much headache and time.
Before you start, ask the question "Do I have the physical as well as the hauling capacity?" Whether you rely on friends and borrowed vehicles or hire local college students and rent a truck, you need to be sure your help is strong enough and your hauling capacity is more than adequate. If you lack either of these, it's best not to do-it-yourself! ↑Top
Other considerations before making the decision of doing 'the move' all on your own:
- Injury / Insurance - Friends and family may come to the rescue, but are they capable movers. They won't be covered by insurance and what happens if someone gets hurt?
- Patience - Are you patient enough to pack a truck, then drive to your destination.
- Driving Skills - Taking a 25-foot truck on a crowded freeway can be a harrowing experience. Do you know your driving capabilities with extra large and long vehicles such as moving trucks? The Following is a guideline for estimating how much truck you'll need.
- 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
Remember, to rent a truck (even the big ones) you need only a regular drivers license.
- Bottom-line Comparison - Self Move? Does moving yourself actually makes economic sense? If you are moving a long distance, calculate the cost of travel: gas, tolls, meals, lodging, and so on. Add in the costs of renting a truck large enough to handle all your belongings, insuring valuable possessions, hiring additional help, and even the cost of pizza at the post-move party. Then get some estimates from professional moving companies and decide how costs compare with a self move. ↑Top
- Hassle Factor - If a professional move will cost you more money, 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.
If you decide it makes sense to self move, the next step is to examine all the details and begin making the arrangements keeping in mind -
The Three "Ps" of Moving:
- Pack - Have all your items packed up before moving day arrives, except the bare essentials of 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 self 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.
If you have further questions or comments about a self move , go to the moving blog to search the archives for more answers, post your questions and share your experiences. The moving community would love to hear from you! ↑Top |
