Moving decisions are complex and sometimes frustrating. In part one of this series, I discussed things to know before working with professional moving companies. In this installment, I'll discuss other scenarios and important general information about moving.
Do It Yourself Moves

If you want to rent a truck and drive it yourself (or you can't afford to do more than this), use one of the major rental companies: U-Haul, Budget, Penske and Ryder.These companies have adequate fleet sizes to accommodate your reservation; I've heard too many stories of moves that didn't happen on the scheduled day because the (small local) truck company rented the truck to an earlier customer. If you're not moving very much stuff—or if your move is local—you might consider looking at Enterprise's truck rental for a cargo van or pickup truck. (You may find ABF U-Pack's comparison/sales pitch about U-Pack vs. rental a helpful read.)Mover Max has a helpful checklist about renting a truck.

I like U-Haul's low truck beds, which make loading and unloading a lot easier on the back; but there are lots of folks who would urge against U-Haul. For a while I would only use Ryder trucks for non-local moves, because I found their trucks to be very reliable.

For All Moves

Once you know your move date, begin making plans immediately. Better yet, begin making plans before you know the date; as I mentioned before, you can begin gathering quotes and other information without a firm date or location. Just be sure to make reservations well in advance. If possible, avoid moving at the same time that "everyone else" is: weekdays are better than weekends, and seasonal moves (such as the beginning and end of college semesters) are almost always busy. If you have control over the dates of your move, plan them carefully. (Be sure to clear your plans with anyone who will be helping you move; it's a tough scramble to plan a mid-week move and learn that all of your friends are working.)

You will find help on changing addresses, forwarding mail, etc. at the Postal Service's Moving page. Be sure to let your employer(s) know your new address, so that they can send your paychecks directly to you; forwarded mail can be delayed as much as 10 days. If you're like me, details like this easily slip through the cracks, so find a moving checklist online or create your own so that you don't forget these before it is too late.

ULINE Shipping Supply sells high-quality, affordable moving kits and supplies that are a great deal if you are packing yourself. A ULINE rep told me that it's never a bad idea to ask the sales representative for a discount—they are authorized to grant discounts on-the-fly. Whether you buy from ULINE or from somewhere else (U-Haul's local branches also sell good-quality moving boxes), it is worth it to get some of the specialized boxes for your move: divided crates with foam sleeves for glassware and dishes make a big difference, and the "wardrobe" boxes will save you hours of folding and ironing.

Finally, you should check with your city or town hall to discover whether you will need a permit to park a truck, trailer or pod in front of your house. (Oddly enough, some cities won't let you park a 75-foot trailer just anywhere.) If you cannot get a permit, it can cost you thousands of dollars to arrange a shuttle service through your moving company. Be sure to ask about this when you are getting quotes; movers are supposed to disclose "hidden fees" like this, but if they don't you can be subject to full-price (as opposed to a discounted price at the time of the quote).

Moving will always be stressful, but it doesn't have to be mysterious. With a little research and advance planning, your next move can be surprisingly smooth.

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