There are many ways to move you things from your old home to your new one. Moving containers is becoming an increasingly popular option. Before you move you should think about all of your moving options.  Here are some to think about.

Full Service Movers

Full service movers are the most expensive way to go if you are moving very far. If you are just moving across town then hiring people with a moving truck that will do the heavy lifting and even take apart your furniture is not quit so bad. Generally when we are talking about full service movers we are talking about hiring a large moving company that can pack your belongings in there boxes, put everything in there truck and drive it to your new home, store everything if you need them to, and then deliver and unload for you.

Moving Containers and Moving Pods

Moving containers and moving pods is my favorite way of moving long distance. You can get a few containers delivered to your residence, pack them at your own rate, and then get them picked up and driven to there destination for you. You can also have these containers stored in there warehouse if you need some time. This method does tend to be more expensive then just renting a rental truck or using your own vehicle, but the convenience can be worth it.

Moving Trucks

Moving trucks are a great option if you have too much stuff to mail or the distance is too great to use your own vehicle. Even if you are moving just a few miles renting a moving truck can save you lots of time since you can make fewer trips. In my experience the rental truck always costs at least twice what you think it will.

Moving With Your Own Vehicles

Unless you don’t have much to move, moving with your own vehicles is a lot of work and can take a really long time. If you aren’t moving far then this is one place you can save a lot of money moving. I moved a few years ago just using an old van and the trunk of a car. It took three days, still not sure if the money saved was worth it.

Moving With the Post Office

Moving with the Post Office only works if you are not moving much. This is very likely the most expensive way to move per pound. We used the post office to move once from Anchorage to Albuquerque. We got rid of almost everything and shipped the rest. It was easy to do and cost us less then moving everything we owned in a rental truck. That was over nine years ago and we still have a few boxes from that time that are still sealed. Obviously they were not worth the time and money to ship. Just make sure you really want everything that you ship or else you will be wasting your money.

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Moving Cheap is always a great idea especially now. I have hit this particular point numerous times, but it is so important that we will take another shot at it.

Pack Rats Have The Most Expensive Moves

Most of the time the most expensive part of a move is the moving of your stuff. If moving cheap is a priority to you than hanging onto unnecessary objects is going to bust your budget. If you don’t need it or you haven’t used it for the last 6 month then get rid of it before you move. Of course there are exceptions like seasonal and Things that mean a lot to you.

Even better than just throwing your unneeded things out you can sell them. Think about listing those objects on Ebay, Creags List, Yahoo Auctions, Your local want ads, or having a garage sale. You could help pay for your move with the things you sell.

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You’re moving to a new city because of a new job, but you don’t know where you will live yet. You book the first moving company you see in the phonebook. They come to your house to get your stuff and pack it into there truck. When you get to your new city you find out that finding a place to live is going to take longer than you thought. The moving company says “no problem we can store your things in our where house for an extra fee". One month later you have finally found a decent place to move into and you are ready for your furniture and clothing to be delivered.

How much was that storage bill? 

To avoid the extremely expensive storage fees that moving companies like to charge try these.

1. Find a temporary home to rent that can hold your things ahead of time. You can use it as a base to explore the area and take the time to find the perfect place to live permanently.

2. Get the moving company to deliver to a storage facility of your choice. Any other storage is going to be cheaper than what the moving company is going to charge you for using their where house. Keep in mind that you will need to spend a little more money when you are ready to move your stuff into your new home.

3. Use a container moving company with storage facilities. This can be expensive and you will need to do your own loading and unloading, but it is still going to be cheaper than the above scenario.

Photo of  Unit 13 by St_A_Sh

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I am as cheap as they come, even when it comes to moving house. So, anytime someone tries to get me to pay extra on anything, I can’t help questioning the expense. Every time you move you are taking the chance that your belongings could be damaged or the moving equipment you are using could be damaged and you would be liable. The question is if you are moving cheap, should you get moving insurance.

Check the insurance that you already have

If you are renting a moving truck then check with your car insurance to see if it might cover your rental truck as well. Most car insurances don’t, but a few do. If you are concerned about an expensive piece of furniture or electronics than check your home owners or renters insurance.

Are your things worth insuring?

How hard would it be to replace your breakables? If you are using movers for your cheap move then it is almost a given that something is going to get damaged. If you don’t care if one or two of the items being moved are destroyed then don’t bother insuring your stuff.

You have to think of everything when you are moving cheap.

Photo of The hot seat by B Melch

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Start with the things you have permanently stored. Separate the seasonal things like Christmas decorations and lawn furniture that you use every year out from the rest. Then pull out the keepsakes you have to keep. The rest is just a waste of space and moving costs, just let it go.

Thin out everything behind doors and in drawers. Chances are you only use what is in front and on top. Go though coat closets and junk drawers. These tend to be dumping places. If you don’t know what to do with it or where is should go then you probably don’t need it.

Go though your clothes. Most people only wear 20% of there clothing. Figure out what you haven’t worn in the last year and then try to get rid of the rest.

Books, magazines, movies, and music are heavy and take up a lot of room. Try to get rid of as much of them as you can. You can sell some books, movies, and music to earn a little extra moving money.

Good luck moving cheap, I know you can do it.

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Most people do not move in the winter so it is easier and cheaper. You don’t have to book your movers, moving truck, or moving pods as far in advance in the winter, and the prices are more competitive.

Gas in the winter is naturally cheaper then the summer. I don’t know if you have noticed, but so far gas is a lot cheaper now than it was last summer.

If you find yourself moving a good distance north and need to be moving cheap than I have really good news for you? In most cases it is cheaper to move north than south. Why that is the case is a subject for a different post.

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So were do you sleep while moving? I personally have used both the “timing it just right so you wake up in the old place and go to sleep in the new place”, and the “you sleep while I drive and then switch off” methods. They are both completely exhausting and only work for shorter moves.

What do you do for longer more relaxing moves then? Stay in a hotel of course. I know the economy is week and everyone is trying to save as much money as possible. I found the perfect solution where you can Compare Hotel Prices and Save! You should seriously consider staying in a hotel during your move, your health will thank you for it.

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I am not a doomsdayer, but sometimes we all just need to look at the facts for a minute before moving onward with what needs to be done.

I have personally been in this place before in 2001. We had job loss that lasted for six months. No one was hiring. The reason I share this is because I have developed a philosophy about these things that I want to share. Sharing this on a moving pod site may or may not be appropriate but here I go just in case it could help someone.

Change happens; sometimes it is out of your control. Some change is going to make your life harder, while other change will make your life easier. When things change that makes your life more difficult it is your job to first; figure out how to survive it, then to work hard to change things so your life will be easier again. Think about this, there are self made multi millionaires out there that were at one time broke, bankrupt, and some were even homeless. Anyone can pick themselves up and start over.

If you find yourself having to make an emergency move or any other type of move then check out these posts on this moving pod site.

Make a house cleaning checklist for your move

Another House cleaning list for your move

Are you in need of moving boxes?

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Most people move in the summer, and there are perfectly good reasons for that. If you have kids in school then summer is the perfect time. Also more houses sell in the summer.

If you are lucky enough to be able to move in the fall or winter you will most likely enjoy better moving prices. When moving in the fall you can also expect better temperatures for when you are doing the heavy lifting.

I personally have made several long distance moves in October and I would always try to aim for this month. The cooler temperatures as well as the costs are worth it.

My reasons for loving October for a move; 

1. Cooler temperatures, Heat can really take your energy away. 

2. The price of gas, have you ever noticed that no matter how high the gas is in the summer it is just a bit cheaper in the fall before the big holidays. 

3. Affordable movers and rental moving truck or moving pods availability. The fact that there aren’t many of us out there moving during this time really helps you get the exact size truck you want and for a better price. 

4. Accommodations are easier to come by when you are making a long distance move. 

5. Friends and family are more likely to be able to give you a few hours on their Saturday to help you with your move. 

If you have to move this month anyway, then enjoy the positives of moving in the fall like affordable movers.

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Moving a home or office requires a lot of planning and the most integral role throughout the process is that of the moving company. Getting a good bargain on the moving company can make your whole move easier without burning a hole in your pocket. You can talk to your friends and relatives who might have hired a moving company to find a reliable one, or read the following for some useful advice on how to find a good moving company.

The cost of a moving company can be calculated and estimated on a number of factors which includes the size of the vehicle and the distance it will cover. Nationwide companies may charge a little more than your local moving company, which might have lower rates and suit you better. All you need to do is to keep the factors of reliability and safety of your goods in mind. Whether you are planning to do a local move, interstate or even international move - the moving companies’ reputation, reliability, prompt delivery and safety of goods is what’s important. To find a good moving company you may refer to local directories and even browse online sites that detail moving companies. With a variety of services offered by moving companies, you can get a full service moving company, a pack-only moving company, a drive-only moving company, or even a trailer rental for you to pack and drive your own belongings. A lot will depend on whether you are doing the whole move yourself or require the help of moving professionals. The costs of moving trucks and professionals come at different rates depending on what you require.

There is different pricing for each moving company depending upon the nature of goods being moved, the distance covered by the truck and the size of the haul. So it’s best to do a bit of research first, get quotes from different companies on the cost and insurance, and then decide which company is the best for your move.

Tip: Once you have the above information, do some searching with the moving companies’ name online and see if you can find any customer service reviews. Knowing your goods are being safely handled or that the moving truck will be reliable is extremely important during a move. Remember the cheapest moving company may not always be more economical over the longer term if your goods are damaged or lost. Lastly, make sure you have reliable cell phone numbers of key people in the moving company should anything go wrong on the moving day.

Comparing the price quotes will give you a good idea on the actual cost, but make sure the prices quoted include insurance of your goods. Insurance is necessary in the event of accidents and loss of goods. If the moving company does not offer insurance, be sure to obtain your own insurance though another company.

The cost of a moving company depends upon whether it is making a one way trip or round trip, and whether you are booking it for a weekend or a weekday. Weekdays are comparatively cheaper as compared to weekends and similarly summers are more expensive than winters. You may also be required to make a deposit at the time of obtaining a moving company, depending on the moving company terms and conditions.

To make your move easy, remember to:

· Keep the Bill of lading that is given to you by the moving company as it is a legally binding note of contract between you and them.

· Read the quote which is on your contract as well as the agreed upon rates. Also be sure to read the moving company’s liability of your goods, delivery date and insurance claim clauses.

· If you are packing your goods, pack them properly to eliminate damage and breakages. With better moving boxes and wooden crates easily available, it is best to pack delicate glassware and other items in Styrofoam.

Finding a good moving company gives you peace of mind and allows for an easier relocation whether it is an office or home furniture and household items.

Jason Kay recommends you find a rental truck, moving boxes, and self storage at EasyStorageSearch.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Kay http://EzineArticles.com/?Finding-the-Right-Moving-Company&id=1239490

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The number one thing that if you forget to do while moving from one home to another home that can really come back to bite you in the end is;

Forgetting To Forward Your Mail!

Do I even need to remind you that people have gotten there identity stolen because of what is in there mail?

It is important to take every precaution with your personal information, so don’t forget to get you mail forwarded to a safe place as soon as you read this. You have several great ways of doing this.

1. Forward your mail to your new home if you have the address and you know that the mail would be secure waiting their for you.

2. Forward your mail to a PO Box close to your new home, if you can get one set up.

3. Forward your mail to a trusted family member or friend, if they tell you it’s OK. Just keep in mind that when you are ready to unburden them of your mail it won’t be a good idea to use a post office forwarding form from their residence because it might mess up their mail.

4. And my favorite, forward you mail to a service like "Earth Class Mail ". You can use this online PO Box type service no matter where you move or how many times you move. They will receive your mail and scan it for you so you can see it on your computer, and then you can tell them to forward that piece of mail to you or destroy it.

 

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The only tool I would tell anyone that they will need to have for any move is the old trusty hand truck. This is a great tool if you are moving your stuff all by yourself or have a crew coming to help. Even if you are planning to hire people to do the heavy lifting I would suggest still have one for the before move shift your stuff around that most of us end up doing.

We finally purchased a sturdy hand truck for our last move. It made a world of difference, I am thinking of treating myself to a second one when the time comes for us to move again. We have used this handy tool numerous times since our last move as well. Hand trucks are great for moving stacks of boxes, furniture, sacks of dirt, and giving each other a ride (try this last one at your own risk).

Luckily you can find several to choose from at your local hardware store and sometimes even the big box stores carry them. Be sure to get a good sturdy one. You will probably be lifting heavier things than you think and you want the frame to stay strong and the tires to hold up. I at first wanted to just get the cheapest one that I could find, but ended spending a bit more for a stronger one. It was absolutely worth the extra cost.

If you would prefer to just order one then Amazon.com has a few nice ones to choose from.

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An important part of moving from one home to another is making sure it will be clean enough to either get your deposit back if you rent or make the house attractive to potential buyers if you are selling.

In the post made last week we talked about what you can do to make your home appear cleaner before your move. If you have lived in a rental for a long time or are trying to get your house ready to show to potential buyers then It will be necessary to do a bit more.

I truly believe that the list that you will use as you’re to do list for your move out cleaning is very individual. No one could give you a comprehensive list to work for everyone and every situation. It is the best to make your own.

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Tricks to make the home seem cleaner

Clean the edges

Cleaning the edges of a room makes it look sharper and less dingy. Start at one edge, hopefully by a door. Sit on the floor with a dry scrubbing brush and a bucket of water and sponge. First use the brush on the edge of the carpet to push the fuzz and dirt that gets trapped there. Using a vacuum that cleans edges can help, but the results just aren’t as crisp. Next use the wet sponge to wipe down the floor boards or the bottom of the wall. Make sure that the paint is cleanable by testing a small section first. If you are working with walls that will be damaged by the water then just use a dusting cloth. When the area that you can reach is done then move over to a new section. Work all the way around the house until you are back at the place that you started. When you are done use your vacuum to pick up the gunk that was cleaned away from the walls. I have gotten my entire deposit back using this trick along with the most basic cleaning. Once even got a thank you note with it. This will take a few hours to do, but is worth it.

Bleach the sink

Smells are a powerful thing. When it smells cleaner then everything looks cleaner as well. This trick will not require a lot of work, so definitely do it. Just pour a capful of bleach onto all sinks, bathtubs, and even toilets with at least a gallon of water. Leave a few hours or overnight and then just before you are done with your cleaning just opens the drains. If bleach is just too strong for you to use then pick another cleaner with a fresh scent. If you do use a different cleaner then plan more soaking time. Your whole house should smell clean for a long time if no one starts stinking it up again.

Shine your sink

Making your sinks and other porcelain and metal fixtures should be among the last things that you do. Shiny tends to make people think clean. Use a soft cloth to rub baby oil into a nice shine. Luckily this is really easy to do after you have scrubbed off all of the grime that  it should only take a few minutes to a half an hour to do an entire house.

Fill the holes in your walls

If you have been renting your home and the lease stated that hanging objects that make holes in the walls is not OK, then try this trick. Rub white hard soap on white walls to visually fill in the holes. Do this carefully and sparingly so it won’t be too obvious.

Get rid of all trash

Not leaving anything behind would be a no brainier, but you would be surprised how often people just leave trash and other unwanted items behind. If at all possible take everything with you. Leaving anything behind is a sure way of annoying anyone that has to enter the home after you have left, like landlords or interested buyers. The home will also retain a fresh, clean smell longer if it is completely empty.

Take the time to do these extras and your home will be inviting and really feel clean to others.

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We have included a few quotes on this moving blog and are ready to start adding more. So be sure to check back to see what’s new.

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Why use U-haul instead of the competition?

The biggest thing to consider is that U-haul is everywhere in the US and Canada, in fact there are over 15,000 locations. The company claims to have lower truck beds to make loading easier and I can attest to that as we have used a few other companies as well. According to the website “U-Haul has the newest and safest fleet in the industry.” 

This company also offers storage facilities and packing supplies. And if you don’t already know, the range of sizes of trucks you could rent is amazing. You could get a pickup truck or a 26 foot Super Mover and many sizes in between.

What I found extra interesting is that you can get one month free storage with a One-way truck or trailer rental, with paid reservations either before or after your move.

So, what’s the quote?

I will use the same destination and origin as the other quotes so that the numbers can be compared more accurately. Although these prices are also dependent on other factors, and as I have stated before they are not guaranteed. Your quote will be different. I am just giving numbers to help you get an Idea of what you are looking at.

My date of move will be one month from today, February 27^th, 2008. From Mesa, AZ to Port Angeles, WA.

The basic estimate is very easy to get right there on the website. For a 17 foot truck that should hold 2 to 3 bedrooms or an 849 cubic foot capacity would cost $1,294.00 for 6 days of use with 1638 miles included. Amazingly for this distance the miles included might just be enough, but if it isn’t then expect an additional cost per mile. I also know from the past that you will be offered insurance and other extras that will make the cost go up.

And don’t forget that gas is not included. This truck should get 10 miles to the gallon. Just for the fun of it, let’s do the math on that also. So let’s assume that you can get an average of $3.01 a gallon of gas throe out your trip. With the fluctuation of gas prices this might be high or low, it’s hard to tell. For 1640 miles gas would cost around $493.64.

What is the conclusion to all this?

You can reserve your truck right there on the website easily, with options of adding extra moving supplies, equipment, and even movers to help you either pack or unpack. You would need to drive the truck yourself and with gas my estimate would be around $1787.64.

You are the only one to decide if a moving truck rental is right for you.

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Many people still have not heard of the Pods storage containers. Pods are portable on demand storage containers. They are a moving and storage system where they drop it off, pick it up and then transport it wherever you need it to go.

You could call it a moving van and storage unit all in one. They provide a great alternative to the renting of a moving van. Pods storage containers are very durable and reliable. They have uses besides moving, including situations where they have served as emergency shelters and workstations during major storms or any other time of emergency.

Pods storage containers are excellent for short-term or long-term needs. Businesses use them for holding excess inventory. Companies find that these units are quite safe, convenient and affordable. Consumers find them quite affordable as well.

Many pods storage container companies have large warehouses to store your unit for a fee. These warehouses are secure and dry for your protection. Access is arranged through the storage company.

If you are using your pods storage containers or container for moving, rest assured that the unit is not tipped at all during the loading process. The trucks have a hydraulic system that picks up the unit and keeps it level even as it is being lowered onto the truck. This feature really impresses consumers. Thus, none of your belongings are tipped or tossed around. There is practically no movement of the contents inside the unit.

Some of the benefits of renting a pods storage container over a moving van are that you are driving a rental truck around town. This is a big deal especially if you are not comfortable with driving a truck. You do not have to worry about backing it up into tight spaces or making sure it is full of gas when you take it back. The unit is at ground level, so you do not have to climb a ramp with your arms full. Therefore, it is easier to load and unload.

Some companies that rent pods storage units do not charge late fees for taking longer than you had originally thought. You are the only one that has a key to the unit so you are in complete control of your belongings. When you have finished loading, just give the rental company a call and schedule a pick-up. The company picks it up and delivers it anywhere you need it delivered, either in your city or in town or across the country.

If you are interested in renting a pods storage container then perform an online search to see if a company in your area that rents them. There are generally just two sizes of container, a twelve-foot unit and a sixteen-foot unit.

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Now what is this mysterious thing that you must do to make your life easier?  Spray for bugs.

If you are moving to an area that cockroaches are a problem, then get ahead of them. For the United States cockroaches are the biggest problem in the warmer areas, with the worst infestation in the most southern parts of the country from Florida to California. That being said, very few places in the world are completely safe from roaches. I’ve heard of infestations in New York and even Anchorage.

Spray a newly built house.

Just think about it. All of those naturally occurring bugs that were there before the house was built never left, and they are looking for a new place to live.

Don’t forget to spray if your previous home had even the smallest roach problem

If you are moving from a place that these nasty little bugs live, then don’t forget to spray before you move in. If you can’t do it before hand, try to do it right away after you move in. And then spray again 2 weeks after you have finished moving in. I would also spray about a month after that just for good measure. If you had even the smallest problem with cockroaches before, then they are most likely going to move with you in your furniture. So get rid of them before they make themselves comfortable in you new digs.

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My quote is for February 21 which is one month from today. From Mesa, AZ to Port Angeles, WA. For three bedrooms plus.

To get a quote online you will need to not only enter your moving information, but also your name and e-mail address. You could also call the number right there on the home page instead. I opted to try to get the quote from the website and was given an option of receiving an instructional DVD. You just have to give a mailing address.

The quote came very fast right there on the U-pack homepage. I expected to have a problem because my destination is somewhat isolated. The quote is $3650.00 for 19 feet of space. There is an adjustment price per foot of plus or minus $131.00. It is stated that all estimates include gas and taxes. The estimated transit time is 6 days. This is the extent of what is given in an online quote. You can’t ask someone questions for more information, but at least it gives a basic idea of cost.

To further explain adjustment price per foot, the company states “You only pay for the space you use in our 28′ x 8′ x 9′ commercial trailer. Need less space? No problem. Just subtract $131 per foot from your 19′ quote, subject to a 5′ minimum. Need more? Just add $131 per foot…”

If I want to store my belongings because I am not ready to move them in yet it will cost $395 per trailer for each 30-day period.

What I liked about this estimate is the fact that I could get the most important details right away on their site. No waiting, and no talking to someone in a call center that is mostly concerned about getting a reservation or getting me off the phone quickly. This company also seems to be able to serve many places on the map.

The only thing that I don’t like about the quote is it is a bit pricey compared to PODS, but it could be worth it.

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