If you’ve ever wondered where people are moving, the most popular times they move, and how far in advance they start getting moving quotes, now’s your chance to check it out.
I’ll go ahead and give a little spoiler – what state would you guess topped the list of the most inbound moves in 2011 (that’s the “moving to” location)? Here’s a hint: It’s as far west as you can get in the U.S., and it’s not Oregon or Washington...
If you need rates for shipping household goods long distance, U-Pack is a great place to start – especially if you’re hoping to avoid the high prices many full-service movers charge, and you really don’t want to drive a rental truck across the country. (Because who does, right?)
So here’s how U-Pack shipping rates are calculated:
It’s easy. Rather than trying to estimate the weight of your household goods, your U-Pack rate is based on the linear footage your shipment occupies in the moving trailer or the number of ReloCubes you need (I’ll explain the equipment in a bit). For your initial quote, you can use the simple space estimator to figure out how much space (or how many Cubes) you’ll likely need, or you can get much more detailed by using the Room-By-Room Space Estimator.
So let’s say you’re trying to get shipping rates for moving a three-bedroom home that’s about 1,800 square feet. Based on the simple estimator, we think you’ll need somewhere around 21 linear feet of an ABF trailer (which is equivalent to a 26 ft. rental truck). Your moving quote would include the rate for 21 linear feet, along with a per-foot adjustment rate that’s added or subtracted if you need more or less space in the trailer. That means if you need more space, it’s always available, and if you can fit into less, you pay less. It’s a win, win.
Now, let’s say you need shipping rates for a 600 square foot, one-bedroom apartment, and you prefer a ReloCube because of parking restrictions. We estimate you need two ReloCubes. On moving day you decide you can live without much of your furniture. Voilà! Everything fits into just one Cube! You guessed it...that means you only pay for one Cube.
That’s why so many customers love U-Pack.
U-Pack Household Goods Shipping Options
Like I mentioned, your two options for shipping with U-Pack are in a trailer or a ReloCube.
The trailer is 28 ft. long, 8 ft. 6 in. wide and 9 ft. tall. That gives you about 2000 cubic feet of loading space. In other words, the loading space for the full trailer is equivalent in size to a 26 ft. rental truck, plus another 10 ft. rental truck (with some space left over). We deliver it to you empty, and it comes with ramps for loading and unloading.
The ReloCube is 6 ft. 3 in. deep, 7 ft. wide and 8 ft. 4 in. tall. That gives you about 370 cubic feet of loading space. It sits flat on the ground for convenient loading and unloading. Just load it, put your padlock on it, and it’s ready to go. You can reserve just one, or as many as you need.
There’s no better way to ship household goods than with U-Pack; it’s easy, and it’s affordable. Call or click today for instant shipping rates!
It’s that time of year again folks, people are starting to plan Spring Break vacays! While tropical locations are probably most popular, many spring breakers plan to head to cold-weather, powder-laden destinations for a little fun in the snow.
This infographic naming the five states with the most ski and snowboard mountains comes at a perfect time for vacationers, but it’s also good info for folks planning to move. How exciting to move to a location where a weekend skiing trip is a short drive away. Check it out!
Oh, and would you believe that the state of New York has 52 mountains to ski and snowboard?
If you’re like me, the idea of packing up a house feels overwhelming (especially one you’ve lived in for a long time). It undoubtedly means sifting through some drawers, cabinets and closets that you haven’t dealt with in a while.
Not so appealing.
Of course, you could just choose a moving service with packing and loading help and let an experienced crew come in and do everything for you—get it all packed up and worry about what you need and don’t need once you get moved into your new home. That’s definitely the easy way, but probably not a great approach if you’re also trying to save a little money.
When you consider that your U-Pack price is based on the amount of space your shipment occupies in the moving trailer (or the number of ReloCubes you use), it makes sense to only move what you intend to use at your new home. And that leads us to the subject of this post: Moving is a great time to donate items you no longer use.
To get you started, we’ve created a list of items you may consider donating, and some of the best places to donate:
Clothing that no longer fits or hasn’t been worn in over a year. Donation centers like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, community women’s shelters and community homeless shelters often need clothing.
Household items like kitchen utensils, dishes, sheets, blankets, towels, etc. Organizations like women’s shelters and homeless shelters often have a need for these types of items.
Toys. Crisis shelters for women and children, and homeless shelters will normally accept both new and used toys.
Non-perishables from the kitchen pantry. You can donate these to your local food closet or homeless shelter. After holiday seasons, many food closets end up bare, so can/boxed items are greatly appreciated.
Electronics. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages you to add old computers and other electronics to your donation list. You can find a local program in your area like EcoSquid, Earth 911, Greener Gadgets, TechSoup and Call 2 Recycle.
Large furniture items like sofas, beds, tables, etc. Letting go of these large items will definitely reduce the size of your load! Typically the Salvation Army and Goodwill will accept these large items—and in most cases will come to your location to pick them up.
If you’re having difficulty finding organizations in your area to accept your donations, check with your local United Way or websites like donationtown.com. There are also nonprofit internet-based groups like Freecycle and FreeShare that will accept most household goods. And one last tip, don’t forget to ask for a receipt for tax purposes—most donations can be used as a deduction.
In an ideal world, if we were moving to another state we would know exactly when and where we’re moving at least 6-8 weeks before the big day. Early on we would start researching moving companies, getting quotes, scheduling the move, gathering packing supplies and packing up rooms one-by-one. Ahhh…sounds simple, doesn’t it?
But we know that doesn’t always happen. It’s not unusual to get one (or five) calls a day from customers in a pickle: They’ve just been told their job will require moving to another state, and they’ll need to report there in one week; the truck they’ve already reserved with a moving company is no longer available, and now they need to find another company to move them; someone made an offer on their house—great news—but now they have to be out in three weeks.
Yikes! Most traditional moving companies require 4 to 6 weeks notice. And, panic ensues.
But it doesn’t have to.
The solution for a quick-notice move to another state
U-Pack is a great solution; known for being flexible and doing what it takes to get the job done.
Of course, it’s best to reserve your move with as much notice as possible, simply because equipment, drivers, and delivery appointment times are always based on availability. But if you’re in a situation where you need to move to another state on quick notice, call 800-413-4799 and U-Pack will almost always find a way to help.
U-Pack’s transportation provider, ABF Freight System, Inc., offers one of the most efficient transportation systems in the industry; that means faster transit times—an added bonus when you’re trying to get moved in quickly. Where many full-service moving companies can take 15 + days for delivery, U-Pack transit times average 2-5 business days. And, if you need to speed up delivery, or know the exact day your shipment will arrive, you can choose U-Pack Guaranteed. When you choose this option for moving to another state, you’re guaranteed 100% customer satisfaction. What does that mean? If your shipment fails to arrive on the guaranteed day, U-Pack can reduce your charges by up to 100%! Customers who need to move on quick notice often choose this option. Just ask your U-Pack representative about guaranteed transit when you call.
If you’re in a situation where you need to move to another state on quick notice, simply give us a call at 800-413-4799. We’ll be happy to provide a moving quote and help you get going in the right direction!
It’s Flashback Friday! Each week we revisit a blog top that has proven helpful to our readers. Today’s flashback: Comparing PODS Competitors. With all of the containerized moving services available, it’s good to know what your options are and how they compare. Of course, we’ll always recommend that you “Go U-Pack!”.
Compare PODS Competitors (Then go U-Pack!) If you're reading this blog, you're probably moving, planning a move, or have at least moved in the past. Therefore, I'm guessing you're not surprised that moving companies and their equipment are not created equal. What you may not know are the specifics— which can make a big difference! Since portable storage containers are a popular way to move these days, take a look at these PODS competitors to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
A breakdown of PODS competitors
PODS®: First things first: you can't compare without knowing all the info to begin with. PODS has 3 container sizes: 7'x8'x8', 12'x8'x8', and 16'x8'x8' (LxWxH). Despite a wider variety in size than many of their competitors, the cost to move with PODS and a limited service area may end up being a deal breaker for some consumers.
PACK-RAT: offers 12- and 16-foot containers constructed of steel. Kudos on the sturdiness; however size limitations make it difficult for small moves and those with lots and lots of stuff.
The U-Haul U-Box®: is made of wood and utilizes a soft covering to drape the container. Dimensions come in at 8'x5'x7'6", with the door opening on the 5' side. The U-Box also has a maximum weight capacity that's 500 lbs less than U-Pack's smallest moving option.
Door-to-Door containers: measure 8'x5'x7' and are wooden containers with a tarp-like covering very similar to the U-Box®. The configuration of this PODS competitors' container measurements may make it difficult (or impossible) to move some large or unusual pieces of furniture.
U-Pack's ReloCube®: A list of PODS competitors wouldn't be complete without our personal favorite, the ReloCube. At 6'3"x7'x8'4", the steel or aluminum container is weatherproof (unlike wood) and sits right on the ground (convenient for loading/unloading!). Use as many ReloCubes as you need and only pay for the ones you use. If you're moving a bunch of belongings, there's always an ABF moving trailer for larger moves— with U-Pack, you pick and choose the equipment that's best for you.
What do you think of the different moving options available these days? Leave a comment and let us know!
Go Ahead, Compare Truck Rental Rates to U-Pack… (We’re certain you’ll like what you find when you do!)
If you’re making a long distance or cross-country move, I strongly encourage you to do some research before you land on a specific moving truck rental company (likely that’s exactly what you’re doing since you’re visiting the blog). While truck rental services and U-Pack differ slightly (because you don’t drive the moving truck with U-Pack), they’re still in the same self-moving category. And they both offer low-cost moving solutions. The difference is, U-Pack is the easier, more convenient solution. Here’s why:
The top reasons U-Pack beats truck rental rates almost every time:
While truck rental companies like U-haul and Penske offer “unbeatable prices,” keep in mind that their truck rental rates rarely include the soft costs of moving; including fuel, insurance, taxes and road tolls (not to mention hotel stays and food along the way). It’s good to know that there are no additional soft costs with U-Pack. All taxes, tolls, fuel and the driver are included in your price.
If you choose U-Pack for your do-it-yourself move (particularly if you’re moving long distance) you’ll see you get a lot more bang for your buck. U-Pack prices are already comparable to other truck rental rates, but you get the added bonus of professional ABF drivers moving your belongings from point A to point B. Really, who wants to drive a large, unfamiliar rental truck long distance—especially if the rates are comparable?
Did you know that most rental truck companies recommend staying under 55 mph—even if you’re driving on interstates where the traffic around you is going 70-75 + mph? If you’re moving cross-country, that can add days onto your move, which in turn adds more meal tickets and overnight hotel stays. That translates to more costs being added to your overall truck rental rate. U-Pack transit times average 2-5 business days. You get to drive in your own vehicle at your own pace; a time and money saver.
With U-Pack, you pay only for the space you use on the moving trailer or the number of ReloCubes you use. How does that benefit you? If there is room left over, you aren’t stuck paying for space you didn’t need or use. When you choose other truck rental companies, you pay for the space whether you use it or not. If you run out of room, you’re left to decide whether to leave it behind or pay additional fees to have it shipped another way.
We think U-Pack does moving better at a price that makes sense. What do you think? Getting a free moving quote is easy. Call one of our helpful moving coordinators at 800-413-4799 or simply complete the quote form on the right sidebar. Then, compare your U-Pack service offerings and rates to truck rental rates and see what best fits your needs.
If you’re moving to the West Coast—specifically Oregon, Washington or California, you may be pleased to know that you’re moving to areas where you have first-hand access to some of the tastiest wine in the country. According to Food & Wine Magazine the West Coast is the home to the top vineyards in the U.S. And when you consider that wine grapes need at least 1,400 hours of annual sunlight during the growing season to ripen properly, it makes sense that this portion of the country would be optimal.
This West Coast Wineries infographic, just released in the U-Pack Press Room, depicts some of these locations (and never mind that they’re beautiful too).
If you haven’t had a chance to visit upack.com yet, you may not have noticed that we have a great deal of informative moving videos available that were designed to help with your move. You can find out more about U-Pack, get moving tips, and even see what hilariously funny Ed Sanders from ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has to say about moving.
Free, Instant Moving Rates for your Cross-Country Move
From New York City to LA is about 2,800 miles (or 42 hours by land). From Miami to Seattle, is about 3,400 miles (or 50 hours by land)—even further. Have you determined how many miles (and hours) to expect for your move? I used the Rand McNally Mileage Calculator to figure it out.
I have to admit...looking at those numbers makes me cringe. Fifty hours is a long time to be in a vehicle, much less moving cross country in a rental truck.
When I look at it from that perspective, it makes even more sense why so many people use U-Pack for their cross country move. The moving rates compare to truck rental—but U-Pack does the driving!
If you haven’t gotten one already, U-Pack makes it easy to get free moving rates for your cross-country move. Just enter your “moving from” and “moving to” locations, an estimated move date and the approximate size of your home in the form to the right, to see your quote instantly.
If you have questions about your cross-country rate, we’re here to answer them! Just leave a comment below.
