Self-Moving, part one – is moving yourself the right move for you?

As we grow in our careers, add to our families, and continue through our complex lives, relocating becomes more and more complex. There are many ways to complete a successful move by yourself, and there are many ways to have the move process taken care of for you. [link to pods.com]

How do you know if do-it-yourself moving will work for you? Here are some general guidelines to help you figure it out:

• There are basically two necessities for a successful moving day: people who can (and are willing) to help, and the means to get your belongings from your old location to the new one. You’ll need to be sure that you have access to both of these well in advance, to make sure the move goes smoothly.

• To decide whether or not self-moving will work, ask yourself if you have friends or family that will help and will commit to a moving day in advance. If you’re able to assemble a dependable – and preferably burly – group, moving day can be relatively painless, followed by pizza and beer at the new digs. If your group falls through, however, portable storage allows you that flexibility to find better, more dependable friends.

What about the economics? When comparing a self move against other options, consider things like:

• The cost of fuel and rent for a large truck (or trucks).

• If you’re incredibly popular, the cost of food and refreshments for you and your moving entourage.

• The cost of packing and moving supplies and tools.

• In the case of a long distance move, factor in the cost of lodging, tolls and fast food as well.

After all of these are figured in to a total estimated cost, request a few estimates from the relevant moving options. In some cases, the cost of hiring movers to pack and load your container is well worth the peace of mind gained from having someone else handle your belongings.