Useful Tips to Make Moving House Simple and Easier

4.0 Plan a (Relatively) Stressless House Move
Whether your last move was across the country or across the street, it
probably ended with two words: “Never again!” But you don’t always have the
luxury of staying in the same place forever. Sooner or later, you find yourself
surrounded by cardboard boxes and packing tape again. Don’t despair.
Here, you’ll learn how to hire a mover (or move yourself), pack your
belongings properly, and do it all with relative ease. Take this advice―and
maybe the two words that end your next move will be, simply, “I’m home.”
Choosing a Mover
Of course, there is more than one way to move. Depending on the size of your
home, the distance of the move, your budget, and the amount of time you have
to get yourself situated, you might choose to rent a truck and move yourself,
hire a mover to do the job, or use a “you pack; we drive” service. Here’s the
lowdown on each option.
Do it yourself. Are you comfortable driving a big truck on busy highways and
narrow streets? Do you live in a fairly small home and have a few strong, very
good friends you can recruit to help you? If so, moving yourself might be a
good option, and an economical one, since you’re not paying a mover to load,
drive, and unload your stuff. It’s also the option that gives you the most
control.
Just be aware of hidden costs, such as insurance for the rental truck (your
auto policy probably doesn’t cover this, and neither will the credit card you
rent the truck with), gas, and the rental or purchase of special equipment
you’ll need, like dollies and quilted furniture covers.
You pack and load; they drive. Several nationwide companies, such as ABF
U-Pack Moving and Broadway Express, offer what they call self-move service.
ABF U-Pack will move you only if you’re going out of state and more than 500
miles. Broadway Express will move you any distance, but shorter moves are
relatively expensive because certain minimum charges apply. Both services
deliver a trailer or a van to your house, where you load it. They then provide a
professional driver, who takes your things to your new home, where you
unload them.