Maybe you’re moving soon and clearing out the attic. Did you find an old IBM ThinkPad? Or maybe you got the dreaded blue screen of death on your computer and it’s a lost cause. Either way, if you have a computer that you no longer need, you may want to get rid of it instead of paying to move it. Now, sure, you could just toss it in your trash bag, but that isn’t being environmentally responsible or responsible with your secure personal information. It’s important to properly dispose of your computer in order to protect the environment and your personal data. Let’s take a look at some options.
Protect Your Data When Getting Rid of a Computer
Whether you choose to sell or dispose of your electronics, you should protect your data. Hitting the delete button isn’t good enough. Just deleting files and cookies still leaves things on your hard drive. Things like passwords, account numbers, addresses, and other files (some created by your operating system) are all stored on your hard drive. The average person may not be able to locate the files, but an experienced programmer, hacker, or identity thief easily could. There are a few different disk-erasing tools that you can download and use. Check out Active® KillDisk, Softpedia/DP Wiper, or WipeDrive. This will do a pretty great job of getting rid of your data. If you want to be certain your data is completely destroyed, you can remove and destroy the hard drive. Wear some protective gear (goggles, gloves, etc.) and smash it into bits using a hammer. Take care when attempting this, as small pieces may scatter. However you go about it, when you get rid of a computer, protecting your data is smart.
Options for Disposing of a Computer: Resell, Donate, or Recycle?
If your computer is in good condition, you may be able to sell it. Even if it doesn’t work, someone may want it for parts. Post it online, or take it to various pawn shops or used electronic shops in town. Even if you just get $20 for it, that’s $20 more than you had before!
Another option is donating your computer. There are several organizations that accept electronics, including computers, TVs, and cell phones. You can check where to donate your electronics here. They ask that you delete personal information and remove batteries before donating.
Now, if you don’t want to mess with selling it, or no one wants it, it may be time to recycle it. Experts don’t recommend just throwing it out. Computers are not biodegradable, so there are often regulations for disposing of them. See if your state has laws governing the disposal and recycling of electronics (check those here). These laws are in place because computers contain substances that are environmentally unfriendly like mercury, lead, cadmium, and other materials. Dumping it hurts the environment, but sometimes taking it to a recycling center isn’t much better. Some recycling centers dump e-waste in “digital dumping grounds.” Talk with your local recycling center and find out how they dispose of toxic e-waste. Many local solid waste districts have programs in place to recycle computers, so call your waste management department to find out what they do with e-waste.
If you want to ensure your computer is disposed of properly, check out e-stewards, which helps locate “globally responsible recycling centers” that are EPA certified. You can locate certified responsible recycling centers on their site. Now, these centers are spread out a bit (they are constantly adding new locations), but you can contact the center nearest you to find out how you can responsibly dispose of your computer.
No matter whether you resell it, donate it, or recycle it, getting rid of your computer responsibly will protect you and the environment. I call that a win-win. If you have any questions about disposing of computers or other electronics, just leave a comment and we’ll try to get you pointed in the right direction!
That’s perfectly OK! You’ve got to start somewhere, right? Well, a great place to start is learning about the kinds of out of state movers available to help you with your move. Let’s take a look.
The three big kinds of out of state movers
Just like the NBA’s Miami Heat have the “Big 3” (Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh), the moving industry also has their own “Big 3” – full-service, truck rental, and “you pack, we drive” moving companies. Here’s a closer look at each one:
Full Service. This will likely be your most expensive option simply because the movers do all the work for you. It sounds ideal, but if you're trying to stick to a budget, it may not be the best option. And if full-servicedoes fall into your budget, it’s important to note that cross-country moves can sometimes take quite a while to deliver (sometimes up 4-6 weeks). To some, time can be just as valuable as money.
Truck Rental. It’s often believed to be the cheapest way to move out of state, and for good reason since it’s usually cheap to rent a truck for a local move. But out of state moves are typically different. You’re moving farther, which means the rates are higher and you pay more to fuel the truck. Sometimes, the cost of gas can as much as double the price of your move. If you want to see what gas could cost for your move in a rental truck, try out this fuel estimator. Just enter where you’re moving from and to and voilà!
Another thing to think about with truck rental is the additional cost of things like damage protection and sales tax. Like fuel, it’s not included in your quote. When you add it all up, your out of state move could end up costing more than you imagined.
So, these two options may seem pretty extreme – let someone else do all of the work, or do all of the work yourself. What if an option existed where you could split the work? I’m talking about where you do the packing, loading, and unloading like truck rental, but you don’t have to drive (like full-service). Sounds nice, right? Well, that option does exist! It’s called U-Pack® and it falls under the last kind of out of state mover – “you pack, we drive.”
You pack, We drive. This option combines the best of both worlds. You don’t have to worry about driving an unfamiliar rental truck over a long distance and you don’t have to pay a high price to move, either. In fact, in most cases, U-Pack’s prices are similar or cheaper than renting a truck. And if getting your belongings in a reasonable amount of time is important to you, then you’ll be happy to know that U-Pack averages cross country transit times of 2-5 business days. You’ll also be happy to know that there are no additional charges for fuel, taxes or standard liability coverage.
So what do you think would be the best option for you? I hope it’s U-Pack! If you want more info about how U-Pack compares to the other types of out of state movers, let us know by commenting or calling 800-413-4799. We’re happy to help you!
Before you pack up and move across the country it’s important to figure out how you’ll move. If you’re a DIYer, truck rental may seem like the cheapest, easiest option. And there are several companies that offer one-way moving truck rentals (like U-Haul®, Budget®, and Penske® to name a few). But before you book your move, let’s look at some common issues with one-way moving truck rentals, and some helpful money-saving alternatives.
Options for Moving Truck Rentals One-Way
The space dilemma. Determining which truck to go with can get confusing. If it’s too small, you may have to leave things behind or spend more money finding an alternative way to move it. And if it’s too big, you’ve paid for wasted space – not to mention things can move around in transit and result in damage. It’s a fine line, and a tough decision.
What size trucks are available? Well, U-Haul® offers 10 ft., 14 ft., 17 ft., 20 ft., 24 ft., and 26 ft. trucks. Budget® has 10 ft., 16 ft., and 24 ft. trucks. And Penske® offers 12 ft., 16 ft., 22 ft., and 26 ft. moving truck rentals. That’s a lot of options! So which size do you need? It may be tempting to just pick the largest truck available, but unless you’re pretty sure you’ll fill it, that’s probably not the best idea (think too much space).
Though our focus is on one-way moving truck rentals, let’s talk a little about an affordable alternative called U-Pack. It’s a great way to solve the space dilemma. See, with U-Pack, you pay only for the space you use – you don’t have to worry about reserving too little or too much. U-Pack trailers are 28’ x 8’ x 9’ – which means they’re larger than even the largest rental truck. To put it in perspective, they’re the size of a 26-foot rental truck plus a 10-foot rental truck. But you don’t have to use the entire trailer. As I mentioned earlier, you pay only for the space you use in the trailer (down to a 5 foot minimum). For example, if you were moving a standard-size studio apartment, you could probably expect to fit into 5 linear feet. If you reserve 5 linear feet, but end up needing 6, it’s available. And if you reserve 6, but end up fitting into 5, you save money! Just load your stuff inside, use the space you need, and pay only for the space you use. If you’re curious how much space you might need, take a look at one of U-Pack’s space estimators.
The high cost of fuel. Another common issue with one-way moving truck rentals is the amount it costs to fuel them – especially considering current prices at the pump (national average is $3.66 today). You’ll find that oftentimes fuel for a long-distance move can almost double the cost of a move. If you’re curious how much you could expect to pay for fuel, enter your “moving from and moving to” locations into U-Pack’s fuel estimator. Is the cost of fuel what you expected?
U-Pack is the solution if you want to avoid paying to fuel a rental truck. You don’t have to drive, so you don’t to stop at the pump! And there’s no additional charge for fuel, taxes, standard liability coverage or the driver. U-Pack arranges for a moving trailer or container to be delivered right to your door for loading and unloading.
Moving your family. Many times, we hear from people who are considering moving truck rental, but they are having problems figuring out how to move their family. If you’re driving the rental truck, who will drive the family vehicles? Sure, you can tow it behind you, but that can lead to longer travel time and more fuel (towing isn’t exactly fuel efficient). And if you have kids or pets, putting them in the rental truck isn’t a good idea – in fact, in most cases it’s not allowed. But if U-Pack arranges the transportation, you can travel safely and comfortably in your own vehicle.
In the end, it often comes down to price. In many locations U-Pack is actually comparable in price to truck rental – just click to get a free moving quote and see!
Options for Moving – Truck Rentals One Way or U-Pack?
Once you consider the space you need, whether or not you want to pay for fuel or drive, you can better choose the moving option that is right for you. If you have questions about moving truck rentals one-way, or moving with U-Pack, leave a comment. I’m happy to help!
Okay quick – name your favorite piece of furniture that you own. For me, it’s my living room couch. It is so comfy and I spend most of my time at home on it watching TV, reading books, or visiting with friends. If you’re planning to move, have you considered how you would move not only you favorite piece of furniture, but all of your furniture? It’s something to think about! I’ve got some good information to help you compare the leading furniture moving companies in terms of affordability.
A comparison of affordable furniture moving companies
You can do as little or as much work as you want to move your furniture depending on your moving budget. Some people prefer a hands-off approach, and who can blame them? Furniture comes in all shapes and sizes and can be tough to move. But oftentimes, the hands-off approach isn’t worth the big chunk of money it requires or the time it takes to deliver the furniture (4-6 weeks). So many people find a “you pack, we drive” moving company to be ideal because they can spend less money, they don’t have to drive, and they can get their furniture sooner rather than later.
U-Pack® is one of those “you pack, we drive” moving companies. Compared to full-service, U-Pack often costs less because you do the packing, loading, and unloading yourself. If you decide to take advantage of U-Pack’s access to a nationwide network of moving help, your move will still typically cost less than a full-service move. And with average transit times of 2-5 business days, you can move fast with U-Pack, too.
The one thing I just have to mention though is how U-Pack charges. It’s not by weight or by truck size – it’s by space! You only pay for the amount of space you actually use. It’s a genius idea that’s really catching on. This space estimator tool can help you determine how much space you’ll use inside one of U-Pack’s moving trailers or moving containers. By paying for how much space you use, you can control the price of your move based on how you pack and load your furniture. The less space you take up, the less you pay!
Compared to truck rental, U-Pack offers similar or cheaper rates in most cases. U-Pack also includes fuel, taxes, and liability coverage in your quote. Truck rental doesn’t.
A “you pack, we drive” moving company like U-Pack combines the best of both worlds. You can get a fast, affordable move without driving a rental truck. And that’s good news for moving your furniture affordably.
If you have questions about furniture moving companies, let us know by leaving a comment. We’re happy to help you out. Or, give us a call at 800-413-4799.
Moving across country means embarking on a great adventure – new hometown, new career, new possibilities. It doesn’t have to mean spending tons of money on your move. If you want a hassle-free move, you may have searched around for across country movers, only to find that they’re pretty pricey. If you’re open to some alternatives, there are some solutions available that can help you move across the country easily and affordably.
The Different Types of Across Country Movers
When you think of the kind of mover that’s going to help you do this kind of move, you may imagine a moving truck pulling up, big burly moving men loading up all your stuff, and a driver driving the truck away. And now that you’ve done the research, you may also be imagining a big price tag. Unfortunately, you may be right about the price tag. With full-service movers you pay for all of the services: packing supplies, packing, loading, transportation, and unloading. Not to mention the transit time that’s often longer than you would like (many full-service movers take 4-6 weeks to deliver). Do you need all of those services, or would you be able to do some of the work on your own if it meant a lower price?
Instead of a full-service move, there are across country moving options that allow you to do some of the work on your own in return for lower prices—and it’s not truck rental—you still get a driver. U-Pack is a great example.
It’s a “you pack, we drive” service.
Now, I know that a lot of people just aren’t able to do their own loading and unloading. Though U-Pack just arranges the transportation, you can also get access to a nationwide network of pre-qualified, experienced moving labor to help if you need it – and oftentimes it’s still significantly less expensive than a full-service mover.
It’s an alternative that more and more people searching for across country movers are choosing. And besides the better price tag, the fast transit time is a big driver. I mentioned earlier that many movers take 4-6 weeks for delivery – with U-Pack you can typically move across country in a matter of 2-5 business days.
If you have more questions about traditional across country movers, or about U-Pack’s service, just leave a comment or call 1-800-413-4799. We are happy to help you find the moving service that is ideal for your move.
A Hands-Off Approach When You Need a One-Way Moving Van
When it comes to moving long-distance, many people naturally want to take the hands-off approach. I can’t say I blame them. Moving doesn’t exactly fall into the “fun” category. But often, as you dig deeper into what the hands-off approach involves and how much it costs, it becomes obvious that a moving van alternative is necessary. It’s just way too expensive.
If you’re thinking about hiring a moving van for your one-way move, consider these things as you research and make decisions.
Helpful Information about moving vans one way
The first thing we’ll cover is how the cost of a full-service moving van is calculated. As you’ve probably figured out, this is normally the most expensive way to move, and that’s because the movers do all the work. The price is almost always determined by how much your belongings weigh. So they’ll do an in-home estimate, which consists of a representative from the moving van company walking room-by-room through your house and noting the items you’re moving. They’ll use this information to estimate the weight of your shipment. Of course, they don’t have a means of weighing the items for the estimate, so they rely on experience. The shipment is weighed in transit, and if it weighs more than the estimate, the price can increase.
There are some other factors that could be added into your final price. Those things include the time it takes movers to load, the difficulty of moving the items, the number of movers involved, crating, and things like the distance of your door from where the moving truck has to park, stairs, etc. It’s always a good idea to be as detailed as possible when speaking with the moving van company, and you should definitely ask what additional charges you could potentially be responsible for.
Now let’s talk about how your belongings travel when you use a full-service moving van. In most cases, unless your shipment occupies the entire moving van, your belongings will co-mingle with other household goods moves. That means there is a possibility your goods could be transferred at least once out of and into another van or shuttle truck before being delivered to your location. Most moving companies use a method of labeling to separate one household goods shipment from another. If this is an option you’re considering, it’s a good idea to ask the van line if your goods could be transferred or co-mingled and how they’re separated from other household goods on the truck. Being more informed will help you make better decisions.
And lastly, let’s talk how long it takes moving vans to complete one-way moves. While this varies company-to-company and based on the distance of your move, if you’re moving cross country and your shipment is co-mingled, transit times will likely be in the range of 4-6 weeks.
If that’s more than you’re able to deal with, here’s an alternative:
How U-Pack Compares to Full-Service Moving Van
You’ve got some information about how moving vans work for one way moves, so now let’s take a look at an alternative that often costs less and offers faster transit times. Though U-Pack isn’t a “traditional” moving van service, it does offer some of the great benefits customers love. What people really like is the ability to get a lower rate by doing their own packing/loading/unloading but they don’t have to drive. It’s obvious that one of the big perks of hiring a moving van company is that you don’t have to load and unload. While U-Pack arranges the transportation of your belongings, we can also offer a means of hiring loading and unloading help; through access to a nationwide network of pre-qualified movers, we can get you pointed in the right direction. You can read more about loading and unloading help here.
Another thing to consider is that U-Pack prices are not based on weight. Instead, it’s based on the linear footage your shipment occupies in a moving trailer or the number of moving containers you use. Customers like this option because it gives so much more control over the price.
This space estimator tool will help you determine how much space you will need for your move.
I may be wrong about this, by my guess is that the perk I’m about to mention is the one people like most (well, maybe behind lower price tag). U-Pack doesn’t co-mingle household goods shipments. Yours is the only one on the trailer or in the container. You load your belongings, put up a secure divider wall (in the trailer), and the remaining space (if there is any) is filled with commercial goods moving in the same direction. Your belongings stay behind the bulkhead wall until you or your moving help unloads. It just helps with peace of mind.
And then there’s the time it takes to complete your move. U-Pack transit times average 2-5 business days. If you need your shipment quickly, it’s a great option!
If you think U-Pack may be a good alternative to one-way moving vans, getting a free quote is easy. You can do it online, or you can call a helpful moving specialist at 800-413-4799. If you have more questions about moving vans one way or about how they compare to U-Pack leave a comment below or use the “Ask the Experts” tool. We’ll be happy to help!
And that means they’ll be looking to you, the parent, to provide entertainment for the next few months. If you’d rather not hear the words “I’m bored!” 24/7, then try out these 30 super fun summer activities for kids. They’re especially great if you’re moving to a new town that you’re not completely familiar with yet. And, as a bonus, they won’t break the bank! I hope it’s just what you’re looking for!
30 Super Fun Summer Activities for Kids
Your local library will likely have summer reading programs set up for all age kids. Or, participate in the Barns and Noble summer reading program, where kids can earn a FREE book!
Your kids can bowl for FREE when they sign up at kidsbowlfree.com. Once registered, they will receive 2 free games of bowling every day all summer long!
Make it a summer goal to visit each park in your town! Take a picnic along for an afternoon of fun.
You can visit a national park for free on these dates!
Go to trails.com to find hiking and biking trails in your area.
Try Geocaching! It’s an outdoor treasure hunting game where you try to find hidden containers using devices with GPS. Go to Geocaching.com to play where you live.
Play in the water – whether that is at the lake, in the pool, with water balloons, or running through the sprinklers. What a great way to cool off on a hot summer day!
Google Search “Fun things to do in “your state” or “your city” to see what others view as the highlights. Then go out and do the top 5!
Register for a running race. Visit runningintheusa.com to see races in your community. Lots of races now have kids’ courses!
Live by a nearby body of water (doesn’t have to be the ocean)? Then let your kids send a message in a bottle!
Declutter your closet and let your kids play dress-up with the clothes you plan to donate or sell. Have a fashion show with mom or dad’s old clothes!
Tour your own city! See if any restaurants or factories in or near your town offer tours. Your kids will love seeing how they work and might get a tasty treat at the end of the tour.
Kids love to make forts. Give them sheets, blankets, pillows, and boxes to recreate the living room into their own special place for the day.
Let them pick their own fruit! I used to go pick apples, peaches, and strawberries with my grandpa when I was a kid. Not only will your kids learn that fruit doesn’t magically appear at the grocery store, they’ll enjoy working hard for a sweet apple pie.
When your kids want pizza (and believe me, they’ll want it like every single day), host a pizza party instead of ordering out. They’ll love making their own faces and designs out of the toppings!
Turn your backyard into an obstacle course! Kids will love the challenges and getting an award for finishing the course. Click here to find out how to set up a kid-friendly obstacle course.
Teach them how to cook! Pancakes are a great starter for kids.
Visit kidsmealdeals.com to see where your child can eat for free or for a discount in your area! They will get to try out a new restaurant and you’ll get to saving money.
What better way to show your kids the importance of giving back to their community and serving others than setting up some volunteer opportunities for them!
Looking for portable storage units for moving? The problem you may find is that there are so many portable container options available, you have a difficult time choosing the best one for your move. Well give me a few minutes, and I’ll help you figure out what you need from your portable storage unit to make your move easy. Let’s take a look at some questions about your specific move.
What size portable storage unit do I need for my move?
The size storage unit you need depends on how much you’re moving. But the problem usually comes from either overestimating or underestimating your size needs. Different companies (like PODS®, Pack-Rat®, Door to Door®, and U-Pack®) all have different sized containers. Your best bet would be to choose a company where you can reserve multiple portable storage units without penalty. For example, if you aren’t sure if you’ll need one or two units, some companies will allow you to reserve as many as you think you’ll need, but pay only for the ones you actually use. Other companies, on the other hand, charge you for the containers, even if you never use them. U-Pack’s ReloCubes offer the flexibility to pay as you pack. Unlike some companies, with U-Pack, you pay for the Cubes you use. That flexibility may help you stick to your moving budget more easily without paying for wasted space in a too-big container.
What types of portable storage units are available?
Portable storage unit construction is as varied as the companies that provide them. The two main types of portable units are metal and wood. Typically wooden containers (like Door to Door® and U-Haul’s U-Box®) are also covered with a vinyl covering. The other options are metal containers (like U-Pack’s ReloCubes, Pack-Rat®, and PODS®). Depending on your circumstances (weather, storage needs, etc.) you may want to choose a moving service based on the storage unit construction.
How long will my move take?
You can break portable storage unit companies down into two groups: the month-long move and the short move. The month-long movers (like PODS®, U-Box®, and Pack-Rat®) typically give you an entire month for your move: about a week to load your stuff, 7-10 business days for transit, and about a week for unloading. That time frame can really drag out the moving process. On the other hand, the short move (like U-Pack®) gives you a few days to load, an average of 2-5 business days for transit, and a few days to unload. This can be nice because you aren’t waiting around for your stuff to be delivered. Take a look at your moving date. If you’re on a tight schedule, consider the transit time of the different moving services.
How much will it cost to move with a portable storage unit?
If you want to know how much your move will cost, you’ll have to gather quotes. And guess what? Prices will, of course, vary greatly from one company to the next. You will have to call PODS®, Door to Door®, and Pack-Rat® to get a full quote, but you can get a quote online from U-Haul or U-Pack. In fact, just click over to get a free moving quote from U-Pack. With all the moving services, your move rate is typically based on 1) where you are moving to/from, 2) how many portable moving containers you’ll need, and 3) when you’re moving. You may be shocked to see how different the prices can be. When we hear from customers, they tell us that U-Pack typically offers some of the more affordable container moves, but compare quotes and find out for yourself!
To find out more about portable storage units, leave a comment below. U-Pack is the service I can provide the most info about, but I am happy to help in any way. If you have questions, leave a comment or call 1-800-413-4799 to talk with a moving specialist.
I grew up with a pool in my back yard and got to experience many a pool party. They’re some of my absolute best memories! I can say with confidence that one thing I learned is that you really don’t have to do much to throw a good pool party. The pool pretty much does it all! But there are definitely some little touches you can do to make sure your guests leave thinking that yours was the best summer bash of the season. And if you’re moving into a new home with a pool, what better way to get to know your new neighbors than to invite them over for a swim and a party!
Pool Party Games
If you have kids (or adults who like to have fun) at your pool party, there are plenty of games you can play in the water. One of my favorites is Musical Floats. Here’s how you play it:
Take floating toys (rafts, intertubes, etc.) and place enough in the pool for everyone but one person. Then, turn some music on and play like musical chairs. When the music stops, everyone grabs a float. The person without has to get out.
Of course, you can easily do pool games like floating basketball or volleyball with some equipment from the local sporting goods store as well.
Another fun game is to take ping pong balls and write prizes on some of them. Throw them into the pool and let everyone dive in and find their prizes! Check out the fun the kids are having on Hostess with the Mostess®!
Pool Party Food
When hosting a pool party, you want to be careful of the food you serve. For starters, make sure all drinks have lids (like water bottles or bottled drinks) instead of cans or juice boxes, which can be spilled in the pool. Also, small candies or treats that have wrappers aren’t ideal because the wrapper trash and wet pool hands don’t mix.
You can serve just about any type of food. From low-key BBQ hot dogs to gourmet salads, anything goes. One of my favorite pool party food ideas is to individually package the snacks. I love the idea of lunch boxes from Catch My Party where the sandwich and chips are all together in a plastic container. This means no paper plate to blow into the pool, no chip bag to throw away. Easy!
For dessert, how about these adorable flip flop cookies from Living Locurto? Just some sandwich cookies and icing make a cute treat!
Unique Touches for Your Pool Party
You can easily make your pool party stand out with a few unique touches. If you think your guests would enjoy some goggles, you can make them the place settings at the party! Just attach a name tag to goggles (pro tip: buy them cheap at the dollar stores!), and set them out. Especially if you are having kids over, there won’t be any fighting over the goggles because everyone will have their own pair!
In fact, I love all the guest giveaways from this party from Whimsical Printables. They set out goggles, bubbles, flip flops, and a few snacks for the guests! What a fun pool party!
Pool Party Safety Tips
An accident will put a halt on your party faster than playing The Macarena, so make sure you have some safety precautions in place. For starters, make sure there is no glass around. That means no glass bottles or serving ware; if something breaks, and everyone is barefoot, it is a bad combo. I also recommend having someone “lifeguard” the event. Whether it is a hired person from the local pool, or a parent who agrees to keep an eye on the pool, make sure it is not unattended – especially if children are present. You can never be too careful!
I hope these pool party ideas help you throw a fun celebration! We would love to see pictures of your pool party! Just post them to our Facebook page or tag us on Twitter (@UPackMoving).
What’s the real scoop on the price of hiring a moving company?
I’m right there with you. I can only imagine what you’ve been going through…searching the Internet looking at all sorts of moving companies and not really knowing how they compare to one another. Well, that stops here. The real scoop is this - the price of hiring a moving company depends on what you need and want for your move. You can do all the work yourself, do none of the work yourself, or split the job right up the middle. It’s really up to you and what your moving budget will allow. Here’s a helpful comparison of moving company prices so you can make the best choice when it comes time to book your move.
Full Service Prices
With full-service moving, you just sit down and let someone else take care of it all. While that’s nice of them to do that for you, the reality is that for many people, the price just doesn’t fit the budget. If you want to compare full-service to the other options, you’ll have to get an in-home estimate to see your price since it’s all based on how much your belongings weigh. Typically, full-service is the most expensive kind of moving company.
Truck Rental Prices
I think people gravitate to truck rental because they know that it’s typically cheap to rent a truck and move locally, so they naturally think it will be cheap to do the same for a long-distance move, too. But that’s not always the case.
Fuel prices are high right now and filling up a large rental truck can get expensive quick. A move from San Francisco to Chicago, for example, could cost more than $1,000 for fuel. This fuel estimator can show you what you can expect gas to cost for your move in a rental truck; just enter in where you’re moving from and to and bingo – there you have it.
On top of fuel and the price to rent the truck, you should also consider how much you’ll pay for sales tax and any “add-ons” like damage protection, a tow dolly for your personal vehicle, and moving supplies for your move.
“You Pack, We Drive” Prices
Since U-Pack is the “you pack, we drive” moving company I’m most familiar with, that’s where I’ll focus in on. What’s interesting about the “you pack, we drive” option is that in some cases, U-Pack® will be cheaper or similar in price than using a rental truck. It really just depends on your moving situation.
Compared to full-service, U-Pack is able to offer access to affordable moving help for one or both ends of your move, often for a fraction of the cost of a full-service moving company. Another big way U-Pack differs from full-service is how you pay. Full-service makes you pay by the weight of your things, while U-Pack charges you for the amount of space your things use.
For example, if you choose the moving trailer, you pay for the linear footage your belongings take up inside. If you use the ReloCube® container, you pay for the number of Cubes you use regardless of how many you reserve. It gives you control of the price, not the other way around.
If you need help determining how big your move is, U-Pack’s space estimator tool can help you estimate.
With U-Pack you don’t have to pay extra for things like fuel, taxes, and standard liability coverage. You do have to pay extra for these things with truck rental. And since U-Pack arranges the transportation for you, you can drive your personal vehicle to your new home instead of towing behind a rental truck. That’s great news for a lot of people.
What’s my price to move?
Now that you have a good knowledge of the moving company prices associated with full-service, truck rental, and “you pack, we drive” moving companies, you can start getting quotes to see your specific price to move. I think you’ll find, like many people moving long-distance, letting someone else do the driving while still paying a similar rate to truck rental is an ideal way to move.
If you have more questions, let us know in the comments section, click the Ask the Experts tool here and get a personal response within 24 hours, or, give us a call at 800-413-4799.
More Resources Related to Comparing Moving Company Prices
