Moving out of State--- know your options

If you are moving across the country you have several options. What you choose will depend on the level of service you desire, what you are willing to do yourself, and/or your budget.

 Drive a rental truck yourself

Cost: Low
Ease: Medium

Driving your own belongings across country is the easiest way to save money, and it's also the most common way to move. This do it yourself method doesn't necessitate heavy lifting. Your can hire the moving labor on both ends to both load and unload your truck.

Tip:

  • Make wide turns and use your mirrors! Especially in residential neighborhoods, drive slowly and make sure the rear box does not scrape parked cars. Watch how close you're getting in the sideview mirror as you turn.

Use a freight shipper

Cost: Low to High
Ease: easy medium hard

Large carriers like Pods or ABF u-pack will ship your belongings to another state so that you don't have to drive a moving van. Both of these companies will drop off containers for you to load yourself ( or higher someone else too.) It is often worth getting a quote though. Due to their efficient planning, they can sometimes offer a lower rate than the cost of a rental van.

Tip:

  • Pack tightly and use padding. These crates may be lifted and tilted more than the box of a moving van, so padding and tight packing will prevent your furniture from shifting and getting scratched/broken.
  • Blankets and pads: If you're serious about protecting your furniture, buy moving blankets and then sell them on craigslist later. Or rent them from your freight shipper.
  • Using old blankets or bedding can also work well and will save you money.

Full- service

Cost: High
Ease: Low

When you hire an inter-state moving company you trust, they are solely responsible for the entire process. It's the simplest way to move, but you'll be paying for both the labour, equipment, driving time, motel accomodations, and return driving time. California companies obtain a specific inter-state moving license from the Public Utilities Commission for this. They are required by law to price the move by the weight of your furniture. Artist Moving is happy to recommend a company depending on where you are moving to.

Use a moving network

  • www.Uship.com has a vast network of movers, both licensed and unlicensed, who are frequently making inter-state trips with their vans. This can work especially well if you have a small amount of items that you are trying to ship. They try to match you with movers with extra space in their truck, or are making a return trip along your route.

More Services

View all Artist Moving Services: Residential Moving, Office Moving, Interstate Moving, Junk Removal, and Home Staging.

 

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