As you’re preparing for a move, you’ve likely come up with a dozen or more questions, which have you going back and forth and stressing. After asking your family and friends and getting a different answer from each of them, you’ve resorted to Google. Which is completely fine. We’re happy to tell you, friend, that we’ve come to your rescue in these troubled times, with these couple of FAQ and answers to them. Of course, if there are some which we haven’t covered that you’ve come across during your relocation, feel free to contact us and tell us all about them.
A common dilemma during a change of address: Do I move myself or do I hire movers?
Moving dilema
This is one of those universal questions, which everyone who has ever moved has considered. And we do understand that even thinking about packing everything that you own into a car or a moving van is stressful, but bear with us. Let us give you some helpful questions which will bring you to your answer:
- What is the most important factor in your move: time or money?
If your answer is time, you are pro-movers, if not, you are likely to save more money by moving yourself.
- How much stuff do you have?
On a website of a moving company, you will have a guide to help you through your relocation by estimating the price of the move for your home. The number of rooms will influence the price of the change of address.
- How far are you moving?
Here, you will have to calculate how much it will cost for you to travel to your destination yourself, including mileage and gas, versus how much the movers will charge you for a one-way trip to your new home. You can get an estimate on the movers’ website or by calling them directly.
And, here are a few more questions which you should consider answering before you decide how to move:
- Do you have any fragile items which will require special handling? Will you be moving these yourself and if not, how much will it cost to move them?
- Are you aware of additional costs, like insurance and packing supplies?
- Will you need to rent additional equipment, hired-hands or supplies to help you move larger items?
Another usual issue which comes up during a relocation is: How do I hire reliable movers?
Use the method described to help you with your frequently asked question regarding reliable movers
Now, if you’ve decided to go with the movers option, we would suggest that you do due diligence. So, we would like to help you by giving you this piece of advice: Call as many as five moving companies and ask them plenty of questions. Frequently, people will take the first option which they find on Google or hear about from their friends and they regret it afterwards. So, be sure to spend some time calling and checking out experiences of previous customers of the companies which you are considering. Another piece of advice which is often looked over while choosing a company for the relocation: Ask plenty of questions. If you’re fuzzy on the details, services which the company provides or the price of the move itself, just pose those questions. If you are satisfied with the service provided, be sure to give a tip to the movers. They are quite underpaid, after all.
A frequently debated question is: How do I rent a moving van when moving myself?
Research online
Firstly, we’d like to refer once more to the golden number: five. Call as many as five agencies where you can rent a moving van and remember that the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the best option. Ask the companies about rates, what is included in the price and if there are any discounts related to the time of the year when you will be moving. If you’re relocating during the peak season (June to September), you should make sure to book your van as early as possible.
After you’ve chosen your rental company, answer these questions:
- What size van do I need?
- How long will I need the moving truck?
Now, you have only a few more things regarding renting your moving van which are frequently forgotten. What will you need on the day of the move? You should bring a valid driver’s license and a credit card. Be sure to check what your insurance will cover, and if you will need to pay the rental agency an extra fee for their insurance. If you already have auto rental insurance, take the documentation with you as proof of coverage. It’s a frequently forgotten thing to check the van before signing for it, so be sure to do so.
Another common dilemma during a change of address is: How do I get rid of stuff?
We are all hoarders. It’s a fact. You probably have more things in your house than you think that you do, and once you start packing, you will notice that. So, as you’re sorting through what you will be taking with you to your new home and what you will not, there will be a continuously growing pile of ‘stuff’ in your home. So, here are a few suggestions on how to get rid of them.
- Online
There are a number of websites which will be useful here, and to top it off, you will likely earn a dollar or two which will help you save some money for renting a van or hiring the movers.
- Garage sale
This would be a good way to also earn a buck or two while getting rid of your unneeded things, as well as a great way to hang out with your current neighbors, before you leave for your new home.
- Donate
This is an amazing way to get rid of the canned or perishable food which you won’t be able to eat before you relocate, as you can give them to a food bank. You can also donate clothes and other things you don’t need to shelters.
Hopefully, these frequently asked questions and their answers will help make your change of address a bit less stressful. Bon voyage!