Good luck from all the post from those bailing the N some good info should come forth, less the standard unrelated BS
Are you going to fill one semi-trailer or will you be sharing the load with multiple families?
Do you have a receiving location or will you need to go into storage?
The packers, the un-packers, the short-haul consolidator, and the long-haul truck....the players.
Read the numerical codes when they are tagging your stuff. It makes a difference if there is damage, a wreck, or missing item. Take digital pictures “before.”
You could always check the price of the “Pod” thing for comparison. If your stuff is too heavy for you, you can hire movers to fill the pod for you.
Never used it myself. Only done short moves.
Two 26 ft. UHaul trucks.
Cant advise you on costs, but to avoid Guido stick with a well-known name (Allied, United etc.). Deal directly with their home office, DO NOT use a third-party contractor for them - their have been a few scams that way.
What kind of distance and how much stuff? House, garage,
storage or apt with no storage etc. You can get cross
country that will come in, pack/box everything or do it
yourself and rent a moving van.
If you are looking at cross country movers they can come
in, look at your stuff and give you an estimate of cost.
It will be cheaper and less hassle.
Other than that we used PODS which was ok if you are into DIY. Just make sure where ever you light is someplace they service. Otherwise it is an awful mess.
Four years ago, my wife and I began a move from Southern California to our small community in Colorado. It took us a little time to drive 3 separate trips using U-Haul’s largest trucks and cheap labor that we hired through U-Haul (usually 3 young guys each end). Since we had some serious interior painting to do at the new house, we put everything in cheap storage until we were done. It turned out to be a hell of lot cheaper than even the lowest moving estimate, including renting a one-way small car between trips and an overnight motel each way.
I'm pretty sure it was more expensive than had we gone other routes. The movers/drivers looked like they were busted out of prison yesterday. All in denim, covered in scars and more tattoos than any MS-13 gang member.
They did a beautiful job packing, moving and unpacking.
I'd call Miller Bros. in CT again in a minute.
Don’t be swayed by a deal. If moving an entire household cross country go with recognized and reputable service. Be very careful I made a big mistake a couple years ago and got involved with what is known as hostage movers. They give you quote, then come and get your stuff and upon delivery jump the price to the maximum amount to keep them out of trouble with USDOT but if you don’t pay they just drive away.
Setting this up for an 80 YO we are in our 70’s so loading and un loading is not an option.
Thanks
I was 52 when I moved my business and family to Texas from California. We rented the equipment and did all the packing, loading, driving, and unpacking ourselves.
No way in hell I would have trusted Vinnie the Mooch and his shady relatives to move us across country.
I’m now 65 and am unfit to handle that level of physical exertion, but your mileage may vary. I wish you good luck.
We moved from FL to NV in 2011 and used ABF U-Pak containers and loaded them ourselves. We ordered 4 but only used 2 since we got rid of a LOT of stuff. Pick up and drop off went smooth and they said if we needed to store them they would for like 30 days. Don’t know what the cost is today but it was less than $4,000. I believe the “pods” are around $5k each. Corrections if needed. Good luck with your move. Check with ABF on line and get a quote from them. We hired some local guys to unload in NV and they unloaded both containers in less than 2 hours. $150. And worth it.
Some have asked you some good questions already.
You need many of the answers setlled before you start getting estimates or advice.
Some answers you may not be sure of, but between options just know that each option has its own pluses and minuses. For instance, packing a long-haul truck yourelves, with the trucker doing no more than delivering it for you (there are such outfits) - not even unpacking it, can usually save quite a bit. But you, your family and friends better be up for all the packing and unpacking. Or else, if you then decide the packing and unpacking is too much, and still want to use the “u-pack” kind of contract, what you have to pay packers and unpackers may eat all your savings from not having gone with a conventional mover to begin with.
The last major move I helped with where my friends chose a traditional conventional mover, and were moving from upstate California to southern California (2014), there was a cost factor for the distance, and charges for any moving supplies the mover was asked to provide, but the main “moving” cost was calculated by the weight of everything that was to be moved, and not the size of things. The husband’s tons of books and printed material made for some heart-to-heart questions.
If you can do all the boxing of your stuff, there is nothing better than color coded labels/markers corresponding to where in the new place things are to go. Unloading and moving the boxes in the new place goes quicker, and tt saves a lot of mistakes and having to correct where the boxes have been put.
One thing I've learned over the years, don't go bargain hunting when it comes to moving your goods. Go with a respected outfit that has significant internet presence and solid online reviews, though remember that even the best companies will get a poor review here and there.
You will pay close to top dollar but will have peace of mind.
Also, tip well and have cold drinks for them on hand. I tipped the crew $220 - $60 each to the two movers and $100 to the foreman.
Go get interface app. Type in “mover” to talk to a real mover. He will give you unbiased advice.
Thanks to all for some helpful info.