MarkyD

Hi everyone...
This summer we will be making our first big move as a family. We have a 1 month old baby boy, so we're trying to avoid a 10+ hour road trip with an infant.
We WERE planning on renting a large U-Haul, towing one of our cars behind it, and driving the other car. However, this poses the problem of having to stop all the time to feed, change diapers, etc. It's just not efficient.

So, I'd like to fly my wife and kid to the new location, and I'll drive a car out. I am considering hiring a moving company to move our things for us, in addition to having them transport one of our vehicles.

Does anyone have experience with this? Can you recommend companies? The U-Haul route is going to run us almost $1k...I figure if the moving company is ANYWHERE CLOSE to that, we'll do it. We don't need them to pack our stuff and un-pack it at the other end...we just need the transport.

Anyway, recommendations and suggestions are appreciated!
Thanks,
Mark

tre36

I have never used a moving company but there have been lots of horror stories around here. Many companies have been taken to court and even the state government have gotten involved. Get everything in writing and make sure the mover is insured. Get the cost up front so no added cost is tacked on when the company arrives at the destination. The problem with moving companies in the news lately is how they will say the cost is this then add a bunch of other misc cost later once the company arrives. In most situations I have heard, the moving company will hold the client's belonging and charge up daily fees until their other misc cost are paid in full.

There was a person at my workplace that had it happen to her. It was a nightmare she said. I hope you find a good company and all sorts out fine for you. Hopefully someone can chime in to give you info to some good movers.

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bbottomley

A very convenient semi-DIY approach is PODS, Portable On Demand Storage, www.pods.com . They deliver a 16 foot container to your house, you stuff it at your own pace, they pick it up, they haul it, you unstuff it at your own pace, they take it away. Cost me about $1400 plus $200/month after the first month to move one POD from MD to NH. I'll be doing it again soon.

I think they also offer a half-sized container for moves within the same franchise area.

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MarkyD

Thanks for the extremely informative write-up on PODS. I was not familiar with them. They want $2500 for the distance that I would need it moved...while it's probably better than hiring a mover, it's more than we can spend. :( I have a feeling after talking to several people that our only option is going to be UHAUL. :x

bbottomley

Bummer. U-Haul = No Fun. Lack of time pressure was one of the nice things about PODS, in addition of course to not having to drive the thing.

I remember the time I blew the engine on a U-Haul. Engulfed all of the southbound side of I-95 in blue smoke. Fortunately I had completed the move and was bringing the truck back, and the friend who was driving me back home was right behind me.

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johnpa

I moved with North American movers this year - it was the third time I have moved with the exact same crew. They do an excellent job.

John

Amplified2000

When we moved we used Two Men and a Truck.. but I'm not sure if they do long haul moves or only local. Their service was excellent, the quote was right on the money and the crew was very nice, quick and careful. I'd at least contact them for a quote but its likely that any full service moving company is going to be outside of your budget.

My fiance once did a semi-self-service move. She rented the truck, contacted a local temp service to get a few laborers for the day and then she drove the truck herself and did the same thing when she got to the new place. Unfortunately that doesn't solve the driving with an infant issue.

I just read my post and its really not that helpful.. sorry. But I don't feel like deleting it all so take it for what its worth I guess.

Best of luck to you on your move!

yohy

If you are going to do the move yourself (drive the big truck), when you compare prices, compare door-to-door costs. The one item to watch for is the mileage charge, that is a killer. We moved our folks from central NY to NC a year ago, so I am familiar with just about any form of transportation. We ended up with Penske as they give you four days on the rental with no mileage charge, plus the equipment was new and well maintained. The only "cons" was they governed their trucks at 70 mph, perhaps why there equipment lasts. We considered all options, PODS, U-Haul, Penske, U-Pack from ABF trucking, and on and on. Shoot me a PM if you need further info.

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yohy

D'OH.....I just realized the first post was from '06. I think my input would be a tad bit late.

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2003 Impreza RS
1997 Legacy L sdn

Amplified2000

Sonofa....

bbottomley

It's never too late. Maybe too late for our buddy MarkyD and his 2006 move, but these threads stay around as references for the next generation so it's better to add on to an existing thread than to spread the knowledge out all over the place.

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Smash81

This is definitely a good thread!!

My parents have used North American as well, and were pleased (and they're PICKY).

I've used Uhaul, but I always manage to get the rinky dinky truck with no power steering. Arg.

I'll be moving to Denver sometime in the next 3 months, will probably go with Penske as I've heard nothing but good things about them. There are two local companies that offer "discount" truck rentals, but man I don't think I'd trust any of their trucks about 45mph judging by the looks of them (obviously old rental trucks purchased from other companies).

I probably could manage to do a few trips with my car and 4x8 HF trailer, but that's a lot of weight, 1 hour drive minimum one way, at 75mph speed limit. That's a lot of gas and wear and tear, plus it'll take me forever!!

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Real Lyte

Yeah...I don't exactly have the best experience with U-Haul. I have moved 5 times in my life, and all of which were in a periord of two years, not fun. The first time we thought, hey let's get a U-Haul...bad idea. Well we picked it up from some shady dealer that of course gave us the crappiest one on the lot (really old). We start down the road (maybe 50ft going 30 mph), my step dad is driving and I hear him say the weirdest thing, "uh, Tyler can you pick the accelerator off the floor." I'm like what? He said it again but more forcefully and I realized he was serious (he jokes A LOT), I grabbed it and pulled it back, there was no feedback. We were not slowing down! We were heading for a twisty corner where you HAD to go 15mph or less so he had to cut the engine and hope that the brakes still worked. Luckily we stopped before the corner (thank god they worked). We get out and inspect the engine, the engine bay was so small that the throttle had gotten stuck on a piece of the frame! Since then we just borrowed ppl's trucks, I understand you cannot do that a long ways away, but I highly do not recommend U-Haul.

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quickshoe

I lurk here more than I post as I often am here to learn and don't have a lot to offer. I happen to have 21 years in freight--18 of those claim related. Of those 18, I have spent the last 9 working for a company which inspects shipments that have been damaged in transit so that claims may be processed by the carriers.

Move it yourself.

If it is damaged while in transit in a POD they are likely to claim that the POD was improperly loaded or items improperly packaged which allowed them to become damaged during "normal handling and transportation".

If it is damaged while in possession of a moving and storage company they are likely to claim that the items had pre-existing damage (they don't inspect every single item for every little nick and scratch before loading and packing--nor do they inventory every dish, picture or knickknack.) Even if the damage to the unit is obviously fresh and the cause is uncontested you will have to provide proof of value and everything will be substantially depreciated. Do you have receipts for everything you own? They will offer insurance, however the value is based on the entire load and will be prorated by weight or volume, depending on the terms of the contract.

Move it yourself and know that you will be responsible for your own stuff. Road trips can be fun....if not they will always be an adventure.

Hatari

I have used U-haul several times. The only advice that I would give to anyone, is that when you pick up one of their trucks check the oil before you leave the lot. On a move from Northern Virginia to Tampa the 17' truck that I rented was 5 quarts low. For the record the capacity on that truck was 15 quarts. We made it into NC before the oil light came on.

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