There’s a lot that goes into moving, even if it’s just down the street. So, the best thing you can do beforehand is to make the big decisions now so that you aren’t scrambling without a plan later. If you’re moving across the country or between states, start looking into information you’ll need at your new place—local places to eat while you get setup, for example.
Create A Moving Budget
Moving is overwhelming for a lot of reasons, one being that it can become expensive without proper planning. When creating a moving budget, there are many factors to consider when determining the final cost. On average, a local move can range from $300-$1,500 depending on the size of the move. Long distance moves can cost between $2,500-$5,000, depending on the move’s size and distance — and that’s likely a conservative estimate due the labor shortage’s effect on the moving industry since the pandemic. Creating a moving budget is the best way to start administering your finances as you plan your move.
Will You Be Hiring Movers Or Renting A Moving Truck Yourself?
When preparing for your move, it’s best to understand your options.
- Truck Delivery: With this option, a U-Haul® driver will drop off the portable container and pick back up when you finish packing your things inside. You pack it up. A U-Box container would be shipped right to your new home.
- Moving Help Delivery: With this option you choose local service providers to deliver the U-Box container. The best part about this option is you can easily add-on loading help. This means they not only drop off, but also safely pack the container and return it to your neighborhood U-Haul location.
- Self-Delivery: There are no additional fees with this option! Just pick up the container at your neighborhood U-Haul location with any vehicle capable of towing 3,000 lbs. and bring it back packed with your belongings. You get to keep the container as long as you need. It’s a simple option that best allows you to pack the container on your schedule.
- Full-Service Delivery & Load: With this option, we do it all! Professional movers in your area will deliver your container and load it for you. You choose from a list of customer-rated movers in your area. They don’t get paid until you are satisfied.
- Choosing the Right Size Moving Truck: You drive the truck. U-Haul offers everything from a pickup truck rental for a local delivery to the 26′ moving truck rental for a large family move. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of furniture you have, you’ll need to decide between the 15′, 20′, or 26′ moving truck rental. These vehicles all come equipped with low-decks and wide loading ramps.
Use The Right Materials To Ensure A Smooth Move
Your local U-Haul rental center will have the material available to help with safe and efficient packing.
Items you will need include:
- Plastic wrap
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
- Tape
- Box markers
- Furniture pad
Packing The Boxes
Trying to move precious or expensive items can be troublesome, especially if they do not fit the standard sized boxes. There are a few types of boxes of different sizes and thicknesses. Always pack heavier items like books into small boxes and lighter items like pillows and comforters in big boxes. You never want to make any box so heavy that you can’t carry it or so heavy that it breaks. What else do you need? Use the right box for your things to ensure safe keeping during your move. There are boxes made specifically for mirrors, dishes, lamps, golf clubs, and TVs. Sloppy packing can result in broken or destroyed items. Fill empty space in your box with clothing or packing paper. Before you put away everything into moving boxes, be sure to put the things you need on moving day and for your trip aside! Use an overnight bag to put the items you’d use on a daily basis, such as toiletries, clothing, medications, important papers, and the kid’s favorite toy.
Packing Electronics
In this technological age, a lot of household items are electronic devices that we use on a daily basis. Therefore, you will have to know how to pack electronics for moving if you have decided to change your home address. Packing electronics is not difficult, but there are certain methods that you need to be aware of in order to ensure their safety. If you’re not tech savvy, this moving tip will be extremely useful. First, take a photo of any wiring that you need to take out to put it back in the right place later in your new home. Keep a small bag around to hold all small pieces if further disassembly is required. For fragile screens and hardware, you’ll want to create several protective layers of padding and wrap it as tight as possible, so it doesn’t move around when lifted and transported. Finally, keep all the wires, accessories, and other pieces together to avoid losing anything.
Declutter The Home Before You Start Packing
One of the best ways to ensure a stress-free move is to declutter your home. Decluttering is also a great way to honor the memories you made in your old home before starting a new chapter. Even if you don’t think your home is very cluttered, chances are you have at least a handful of things lying around that you could do without. The closer you look, the more you’ll find. Sort through your items by creating piles or boxes labeled trash, donate, and keep. If you haven’t used something in over a year, it’s probably time to toss or donate it if it’s still in good condition. Moving is a great opportunity to reassess the items you’ve gathered over the years.
Pack Early
You should start packing for your move at least 3 weeks prior to your anticipated move date. The actual moving preparation process should start at least 6-8 weeks before your move. The earlier you start the packing process, the easier it will be when your move date approaches. Start with the items you don’t use very often and set those boxes somewhere where they won’t be in the way. If you need temporary storage, U-Box containers make great on-site storage options to access as you need and help you pack at your pace. Anticipate finishing packing one week from your move out date. Plan your outfits and meals the week of so that you can pack the rest of your items.
Don’t Dump Out The Drawers
When moving, using up all the space in the truck is essential. This is also the case for the space in your drawers, dressers, cabinets, and other items with empty fillable space.
How To Load Your Moving Truck
Load heavy items in the front! Make sure to place your heaviest items towards the front of the van. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other heavy furniture work best packed closest to the cab. Keep the weight balanced from one side to another. Continue loading boxes and other items in tiers on top of the appliances. To avoid shifting boxes, broken items, or worse, be strategic when loading your truck or trailer.
If You Have Children And Pets, Hire A Sitter
Moving day will require a lot of your attention. Make sure your kids and pets are taken care of on moving day by hiring a sitter or taking them to a friend’s house. This will ensure that their needs are met while you make sure everything is handled on moving day.
Update Your New Address
Here’s everywhere you need to change your address when you move, all in one handy place:
- File a USPS address change online or in person.
- Driver’s license
- Vehicle registration
- Complete Form 8822 with the IRS
- Social Security Administration (if you receive Social Security or Medicare benefits)
- Voter registration
Your mind might be busy planning how you’re going to pack so it’s natural that this moving tip gets forgotten. You’ll want to update your address for all your accounts, utilities, and subscriptions before moving day so that everything is ready for you upon move in.
How To Pack Liquids For Moving
You’ve probably already realized how tricky the packing process might be, especially when it comes to storing things aside from clothes or kitchen items. When packing fluids, the general rule of thumb is that you can’t be overcautious.
- Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
- Line plastic bins with garbage bags – it will be a second layer of protection in case of spilling.
- Remove the top of each opened container, cover it with a plastic wrap, and place the lid back. You can place a piece of packing tape over it.
- Place each container into a zip lock bag and seal it.
- Keep containers close together in the plastic bins to prevent shifting during transport. If there’s open space between them, fill it with crumpled paper or newspapers.
- Close the plastic bin and secure the lid with tape.
- Don’t forget to label bins – write “Liquids” and “Fragile” with a marker.
You did it! You got everything boxed up, loaded it all in the moving equipment, and made it safely to your new home. And now the fun begins — figuring out where to put all your things.
You can Pickup and Drop Off U-Haul Trucks at Rt. 17 Express
- U-Haul Rentals
- Full Rental Fleet
- Accessories
- Boxes
- Packing Accessories
- 24 Hour Drop
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About Route 17 Express
Route 17 Express is a hometown general store and restaurant. We offer Charlie Biggs Chicken, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Deli, Hot n Serve Meals, Marathon Gas, Firewood, Straw, and Much More!
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