Must-have items on moving day today? The simplest way to choose your rental truck size is to eliminate possibilities that do not exist in your situation. For example, if you have chosen to utilize Budget Truck you will only have three available size options: 10′, 16′ and 24′. In case you’re wondering, 94% of people relocating with a rental truck choose their company based on price or geographical limitations. With that in mind we can assume that most people will have between 3 and 5 truck size options to choose from depending on which company is being used. For your upcoming move you have decided to rent a moving truck but have no clue what truck size you should get – Sound like you? If you search the web you will find many references and opinions, some extremely generic (14′ will move 1-2 bedrooms) and others offering a more advanced opinion (12 ft. truck = 450 cu. ft.). The problem, we believe at least, lies in the interpretation of information provided – 1-2 bedrooms may mean something completely different in Arizona than in New York City.
I am not an advocate of off site storage, as it usually ends up costing money to store all the things we really don’t need – but when it comes to moving house there is good reason to use it under certain circumstances. Often we want to do work on our new house pretty soon after moving in. If this is the case with you, then why not consider moving some furniture etc.. into storage to make redecorating / re-carpeting etc.. easier? You could use a storage company**, or your removals company can often store your items for you on a rolling monthly basis, which can ease the strain of having to move everything around to accommodate trades people etc. Most truck rental agencies will provide you with the amount their trucks can hold measured in cubic feet. One cubic foot essentially means the volume of a cube whose sides are all 1 foot long. They use this type of measurement to ensure every inch of available space is considered, meaning the space from the floor of the truck’s bed to the ceiling, back to front. Now, most people won’t be using every available inch only because it’s almost impossible to load and pack a truck so well that there are no empty spaces. Because of this, always opt for a slightly larger truck than what you think you need.
Pack the items you will need FIRST in a clear plastic bin. This includes things like a box cutter, paper towels, trash bags, eating utensils, select cookware, power strips, phone chargers, toilet paper, tools, etc. The clear bin allows you to see inside; it also separates itself from the myriad of cardboard boxes. Many movers come with insurance, which means if something breaks, they have to compensate you. You might want to weigh the pros and cons though – they won’t want to be responsible for a television that isn’t properly packed in its original box and could end up charging you upward of $150 to pack it as they see fit. Also remember to book them weeks in advance – you’re not the only person trying to get out of your space on the last day of the month. Read additional details on 5 Reasons to be Thankful for Apartment Living. You’ve got the keys. So now you need to move. Top moving house checklist tips including cleaning, utility bills, removal companies and redirecting mail. But here are some moving tips and tricks, to ease the stress. If you plan to pack and load your moving truck by yourself or with help from your friends you should defer to a larger truck size. Professional movers are trained to maximize the overall space, whereas those not professionally trained may not be able to achieve the same level of efficiency. If you are considered about space consumption consider hiring moving labor to properly load your truck. With the exception of the 20′ U-Haul, all of the trucks in this size range require diesel fuel. Remember to factor the cost difference of diesel fuel into your overall moving budget. Most small moving trucks have rear wheel wells that stick out and reduce the amount of flat cargo space.
Take a look behind your living room TV. What do you see? Chances are it’s a mass of wires and plugs – working perfectly for you but confusing to say the least. A really great tip is to get some coloured stickers** and stick the same colour to each socket and each end of the cable – so that you can easily set everything technical up in your new home. To go one step further – why not take a photo of the setup so you can have a visual reminder as well. Once you’ve decluttered your personal belongings and have a rough idea of what you’ll be taking, now you should book your removal company. You could attempt to do it yourself, but it would be a lot of added stress and time. The removal company will have many years’ experience of carefully packing, handling and loading delicate and heavy items so they arrive safely at your new house.