Selecting the moving van size for moving to a new location
5 min readEstimating the moving truck size when moving between towns? 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.
Most of the time we move out of the old house and into the new house on the same day. There is however, good argument for moving in on the following day instead, creating a 2 day move. If you can get the keys to your new house the day before your stuff arrives, you have a great chance to clean everything first, or put in new carpets/flooring etc.. It’s so much easier to clean and add new flooring into a space when the house is empty, and then when you put all your stuff into the house you can be sure you’re happy with the state of the house first (think kitchen cupboards, bathrooms, carpets etc.) It may well be worth paying for a 2 day removal service for this very reason.
An important factor many people overlook is the distance of the move. If you are relocating to a new home in-town or just a short distance away, you may feel comfortable estimating your truck needs on the low end. After all, you can always make two trips if you run out of truck space. On the other hand, if you are making a long distance move, it is not practical to make multiple trips. Estimating on the higher end may be beneficial. If you get in a bind, you can always rent a trailer to tow behind your car for additional space.The steps that you take to prepare for moving day can make or break your overall moving experience. Apply these tips to estimate better the truck size that is suitable for your needs. While using a truck rental company’s estimate when selecting the right size of truck or trailer to rent may be helpful, keep in mind that this is merely an estimate. Some people have much more substantial furnishings, more things, and tons of stuff crammed into every closet and cabinet. Other packrats even have entire garages jam-packed with items from floor to ceiling. A smart way to better estimate a suitable truck size is to attempt to cluster your things together, such as in an unused formal dining room, a garage or another large space. This effort also helps you prep for the move. When you pack a place full of items and measure the area, you will have a better idea about the right truck size for your needs.
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’re moving locally this should be a no-brainer. Truck rentals used for local moves are billable at a per day and mileage rate, the daily price may vary by $10-$20 depending on the size. In other words, spend the extra few bucks and get the larger truck just to be sure. 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. Small rental trucks should be used primarily for local moves. Only consider renting a 10′-12′ truck if you have a studio or small one bedroom apartment with minimal furniture. Read even more details on Best Service for your Commercial or Office Move – Find Top Movers.
Here are a few tricks from our favorite Los Angeles moving company. Decluttering before you sell means that you only move what you really need – and you will not only save money by doing so, but you will also save time in the new house by not having to unpack and deal with all that stuff in the future.
If the rental agency doesn’t provide an estimate of what the trucks can hold in terms of equivalent spaces as in the list above, you can guess using this general guide: one room = 3 cubic feet of truck space. Again, this is just an estimate, and you should always err on the side of caution and rent a slightly larger truck than your estimate.
Moving house costs. A lot. Why would you want to add to this cost by paying to move things you don’t use or need? We all have items in our house that have long been forgotten – usually ending up in the garage, loft or shed, but they could be lurking anywhere. Before you start your packing is the perfect time to go through everything and have a good sort out. Moving is a fresh start, so the last thing you want to take with you are things that you don’t need or use any longer. Decluttering before you sell means that you only move what you really need – and you will not only save money by doing so, but you will also save time in the new house by not having to unpack and deal with all that stuff in the future. I call that a win-win!
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. Grab a box and fill it with all the essentials you’ll need on the first day. Include toilet paper, mugs, teabags, milk, scissors, bin bags and why not add a celebratory tipple? Remember to keep it with you on your journey to your new home, so it doesn’t get mixed with rest of your belongings and lost. See extra details on Find Top Movers.