Moving Van Costs - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Averett · 10-25-2004, 09:23 AM

I was going to put this in a Regional forum, but I wasn't sure which.

In 6ish months I'm planning on moving to Canada. It's 99.99996% sure, but I like to leave that little room for doubt since every time I plan on doing something it doesn't happen so that leaves me paranoid.

Anyways.

I'd be moving from Albany, NY to Kitchner/Waterloo, ON. Roughly 360 miles. Has anyone moved such a distance and hired a moving company to cart their stuff? I'm curious as to how expensive this will be. I really don't want to move my own stuff, it was a pain in the ass moving it across the Hudson 20 miles, 300+ might just kill me. Plus now I have a bed and couch and chairs and tables and such, I didn't have that before.

So, did you move and use a moving van company? Which one did you use? Any recommendations? How much did it cost, how far did you move? I'd like any and all detail.

Thanks!

Glory's Sun · 10-25-2004, 09:25 AM

Only thing I can tell you is that when moving from here to dallas texas it was $2200 but that's also around 2000 miles of travel. Used Uhaul and we got the deposit back and everything so it wasn't that bad. Only bad thing is I'm back in nc again blech. You're going to love Canada!!

maleficent · 10-25-2004, 09:40 AM

Sites like Graebel and North American have websites where you can put in how much stuff you've got - and time of year you're moving, and they will give you an estimate. Errr on the side of too much rather than thinking you have too little.

I'd go with name brand movers, and check them out thru the BBB before giving them two cents, I've heard a lot of horror stories.

There are other things, called Pods, where you get a trailer dropped at your place you pack it at your convenience, then the company will take to tyour destination where you unpack it.

Movers like Graebel, if you aren't in a rush, can put you on a shared truck, there might be one or two others in your general vicinity heading towards the same location, and you can share a truck (the downside, it can take weeks to get your stuff back)

JumpinJesus · 10-25-2004, 02:11 PM

I moved over the summer. I moved about 350 miles. I moved a one bedroom apartment. I paid around $2,500. This was the honest estimate that I got from about 3 reputable movers.

One thing I will say. Get what's called a binding estimate. A binding estimate holds the movers to the price they quote you. There are many, many horror stories out there about moving companies who get your stuff to your destination, only to add on some extra costs. You don't get your things until you pay them, and it's perfectly legal.

Check this site out before you contact a mover. We found a reputable mover and learned a lot about our move before we made it.

Good luck!

dy156 · 10-25-2004, 02:16 PM

One thing we've done to save costs but get around the heavy labor is to pack up all the loose crap ourselves, make a big pile of boxes in the garage, then rent a uhaul. Hire several day laborers to load up all the boxes and your furniture into the truck(s), and arrange for someone to do the same in your destination. It's harder to get guys in the new place, because you won't know where to go, but try just asking your realtor or look up temp services there.
$250 -labor to pack it up
$250 Uhaul but we only moved about 250 miles
$250 -350 to unload

It still beats full price, full service movers, and you don't have to worry about stuff getting broken if you pack it yourself. At least, you won't get as mad at yourself when it breaks anyway.
Only downside is you have to drive the truck yourself, which might be a pain depending on your car situation.

Averett · 10-26-2004, 04:49 AM

Greay idea dy156! I hadn't thought of that. I would rather pack the stuff myself, I don't mind that at all. And like you said, that way I would be sure of how it's packed and such. If shit breaks, it would be my own fault.

Thanks for the ideas and tips guys, keep em coming!!

10-25-2004, 09:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Moving Van Costs I was going to put this in a Regional forum, but I wasn't sure which. In 6ish months I'm planning on moving to Canada. It's 99.99996% sure, but I like to leave that little room for doubt since every time I plan on doing something it doesn't happen so that leaves me paranoid. Anyways. I'd be moving from Albany, NY to Kitchner/Waterloo, ON. Roughly 360 miles. Has anyone moved such a distance and hired a moving company to cart their stuff? I'm curious as to how expensive this will be. I really don't want to move my own stuff, it was a pain in the ass moving it across the Hudson 20 miles, 300+ might just kill me. Plus now I have a bed and couch and chairs and tables and such, I didn't have that before. So, did you move and use a moving van company? Which one did you use? Any recommendations? How much did it cost, how far did you move? I'd like any and all detail. Thanks! __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-25-2004, 09:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
maleficent Junkie Moderator Emeritus Location: Chicago	Sites like Graebel and North American have websites where you can put in how much stuff you've got - and time of year you're moving, and they will give you an estimate. Errr on the side of too much rather than thinking you have too little. I'd go with name brand movers, and check them out thru the BBB before giving them two cents, I've heard a lot of horror stories. There are other things, called Pods, where you get a trailer dropped at your place you pack it at your convenience, then the company will take to tyour destination where you unpack it. Movers like Graebel, if you aren't in a rush, can put you on a shared truck, there might be one or two others in your general vicinity heading towards the same location, and you can share a truck (the downside, it can take weeks to get your stuff back) __________________ Free your heart from hatred. Free your mind from worries. Live simply. Give more. Expect less.

10-25-2004, 02:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	I moved over the summer. I moved about 350 miles. I moved a one bedroom apartment. I paid around $2,500. This was the honest estimate that I got from about 3 reputable movers. One thing I will say. Get what's called a binding estimate. A binding estimate holds the movers to the price they quote you. There are many, many horror stories out there about moving companies who get your stuff to your destination, only to add on some extra costs. You don't get your things until you pay them, and it's perfectly legal. Check this site out before you contact a mover. We found a reputable mover and learned a lot about our move before we made it. Good luck! __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

10-26-2004, 04:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
Averett Is In Love Location: I'm workin' on it	Greay idea dy156! I hadn't thought of that. I would rather pack the stuff myself, I don't mind that at all. And like you said, that way I would be sure of how it's packed and such. If shit breaks, it would be my own fault. Thanks for the ideas and tips guys, keep em coming!! __________________ Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

10-25-2004, 09:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	Only thing I can tell you is that when moving from here to dallas texas it was $2200 but that's also around 2000 miles of travel. Used Uhaul and we got the deposit back and everything so it wasn't that bad. Only bad thing is I'm back in nc again blech. You're going to love Canada!!

10-25-2004, 02:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
dy156 cookie Location: in the backwoods	One thing we've done to save costs but get around the heavy labor is to pack up all the loose crap ourselves, make a big pile of boxes in the garage, then rent a uhaul. Hire several day laborers to load up all the boxes and your furniture into the truck(s), and arrange for someone to do the same in your destination. It's harder to get guys in the new place, because you won't know where to go, but try just asking your realtor or look up temp services there. $250 -labor to pack it up $250 Uhaul but we only moved about 250 miles $250 -350 to unload It still beats full price, full service movers, and you don't have to worry about stuff getting broken if you pack it yourself. At least, you won't get as mad at yourself when it breaks anyway. Only downside is you have to drive the truck yourself, which might be a pain depending on your car situation.