Useful Tips to Make Moving House Simple and Easier

This option saves you the hassle of driving a truck, and it is less expensive
than using a full-service mover. You share the space on the truck with other
customers (if you don’t need it all) and pay for only the space you use. Both
companies have calculators on their websites to estimate the costs (see Web
Resources on next page). You can get an initial quote by phone, fax, or e-mail,
but be aware that actual charges will be higher if you exceed your estimated
load.
Hiring a full-service mover. If you can’t afford to spend a lot of time getting
from here to there, you’re moving a long distance, or you have a lot of stuff,
this is your best bet. Good professional movers have the experience and
equipment to move you quickly while avoiding damage to your property. “The
first thing we do is protect the property by putting down floor runners,
covering railings and doors, and putting down floorboard if we’re moving
heavy appliances,” explains Jon Hollander, an owner of Hollander Storage &
Moving Company, based outside of Chicago. Many movers will even pack
everything for you ― a convenience that can be worth the additional cost (20
to 30 percent of the price of your move), especially if you have limited time.
There are bad moving companies. Of the more than 1,100 industries that the
Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on, the moving industry ranked 14th in
consumer complaints in 2003. So be sure to carefully check out anyone you’re
considering.
What You’ll Need
When planning your move, don’t forget the packing supplies. You can expect
to spend around $250 or more on what’s needed to move the belongings of a
couple or a small family. And keep in mind, it’s always better to get too many
materials than too few. You don’t need last-minute box-gathering trips adding
to the stress of your move. Here’s a list of what to have on hand.
Regular boxes. If you’re moving good stuff―and why would you pay to move
bad stuff?―you should use good boxes. If you have used boxes and they’re in
decent shape (not bent, torn, or damp), go ahead and use those. Hollander,
however, recommends that you buy new boxes, made of strong corrugated
cardboard (with an edge-crush test rating of at least 32 pounds per inch
printed on the box). They cost from $1 to $5 each, depending on the size, but