Moving Truck Services
The type of move you are doing will determine how you should transport your household items. If you are moving overseas, you will need to move your items via a ship or airplane, whereas if you are moving locally you will more likely need to rent a moving truck. If you are just moving across town, you might even be able to make the move using your own car and a crew of friends. Moving trucks can be handy for moving across town, however it might be expensive for moving just a few blocks. You will need to compare the cost of renting a moving truck against the convenience it will give you.
If you compare the cost of hiring a professional moving company versus that of renting a moving truck service company, the latter will usually be much cheaper. The cost of fuel is usually included in the price of the move, and you only pay for the space that is being used. Moving truck services do not help you with packing, loading, and unpacking. They simply help you transport your items from your origin location to your final destination. With a moving truck service it is important to make your reservation in as far as advance as possible, as nailing down a date of departure to reserve a moving truck can be difficult.
To get the best rates and availability on a moving truck service, try to rent Sunday through Thursday, and aim for a midmonth pickup. It is also important to know the right truck size that you will need. You can avoid extra time, mileage charges, and gasoline usage if you select the right truck size. Also, prior to the day the moving truck service arrives, have family members or friends come over and help pack and load up your items. Having your items ready to go when the moving service arrives will ensure you waste as little time as possible when the moving truck arrives.
There are several important items you will want to take care of before you pack up and move your items, as once items are packed it could be a long time before you are able to access certain things again. Make a checklist before leaving of everything to get done before the departure. Make sure to complete a change of address, cancel any memberships you will no longer use, and have a garage sale to get rid of any items you will not need at your new location. Check that your new destination is ready to be moved into, and that there is enough clearance between doorways and hallways for items to get through. Return any checked out items such as library books before packing. Turn off services and utilities such as telephone, cable, Internet, newspaper delivery, and trash collection. If you get everything organized early enough you will be able to get all of your deposits refunded before the moving truck leaves.
You will also want to collect all important papers before you pack and leave and place them in a safe and easily accessible spot. Make a list of documents you will want to find, such as family records and personal items, veterinary and school records, birth certificates, passports, financial documents, insurance documents, medical records, and dental records. If your move will take a few days of traveling, make hotel reservations in advance and have a copy of your reservation confirmation handy. Close any current bank accounts and have any funds transferred to your new bank. If you have any medical prescriptions, have them transferred to your new area as well.
