Self-Service Moving is an economical option for small to mid-size moves. Companies in this do-it-yourself category deliver a trailer/van to your home and leave it there for you to load. Once the trailer is loaded, the mover picks it up and delivers it to your new home, where you unload it yourself.

Pack, Load and Drive!

You can do it all yourself. Before you start, ask the question "Do I have the physical as well as the hauling capacity. Whether you rely on friends and borrowed vehicles or hire local college students and rent a truck to do the job, you need not only enough strong helpers but also the right hauling capacity. If you lack either of these, it's best not to do-it-yourself.

Friends and family may come to the rescue, but are they capable movers. They won't be covered by insurance and what happens if someone gets hurt? Are you patient enough to pack a truck, then drive this to the destination. Taking a 25-foot truck on a crowded freeway can be a harrowing experience

Also, consider whether moving yourself actually makes economic sense. If you are moving a long distance, calculate the cost of travel: gas, tolls, meals, lodging, and so on. Add in the costs of renting a truck large enough to handle all your belongings, insuring valuable possessions, hiring additional help, and even the cost of pizza at the post-move party. Then get some estimates from professional moving companies and decide how costs compare with a self-move. If a professional move will cost you more money, ask yourself if it's still worth the decrease in stress and hassle. In the end, you might find it's easier and more worthwhile to hire professionals. But if you decide it makes sense to take on a self-move, the next step is to examine the details.

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The Three "Ps" of Moving

Pack: Well before moving day arrives, pack up everything but the bare essentials in your old home. Well-packed goods take up less space, are easier to handle and are less likely to be damaged.

People: Line up as many people as you can at both ends of the move. More people means less strain on each individual and a faster move. Even so, be sure to match individuals with tasks. The people you ask to carry the couch up two flights of stairs should be in good shape.

Power: Make sure the truck is big enough for the job. The goal should be to have enough space to make loading and unloading easy, and to complete the move in one trip.

Following is a guideline for estimating how much truck you'll need.

10-foot truck: 1 to 2 furnished rooms
14- to 15-foot truck: 2 to 3 furnished rooms
18- to 20-foot truck: 4 to 5 furnished rooms
22- to 24-foot truck: 6 to 8 furnished rooms

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