02-04-2014, 11:51 AM
After 3 moves in the past 8 years, we no longer panic when it is time to pack up the house to make the next move. Each move has been out of state and each one further than the previous one. We rented a big Penske moving truck the first time (from OH to NY), but have used ABF the rest of the time (NY to MN, MN to CA). We love ABF! They will tell you how long it will take to transport your trailer to your destination and even give you a tracking number so that you can follow it along. You give them a call when you are ready for the trailer to be dropped off. Make sure you have a place where it is allowed to sit, possibly overnight. We had a problem in our tight association and ended up having our trailer dropped on the main street, rented a U-Haul pickup truck and made short loads into our townhouse association, using our garage as a quick drop. It wasn't horrible and didn't cost that much more.
When ABFgives you a quote, it is based on the size of your home. Besides the overall quote, they also give you a cubic foot price. They will confirm how much space you used once you install the temporary wall behind your goods. Your price will go up or down from the quote depending on how you did in utilizing the space (adding or subtracting the cubic foot price). We have never used the amount of space they have quoted.
We learned early on that it was best to try to stick to as few different size boxes as possible. My husband found it much easier to pack the trailer by stacking all like-sized boxes and basically create another wall. We used egg boxes and apple boxes (no tape needed for the apple boxes as the two pieces fit inside one another). We had very few small boxes, but you always end up with some of those odd-shaped ones. We not only labeled what room destination for each box, but also jotted down some main items that were in the box. Anything you need right away should either travel in the cars with you or be loaded at the back of the trailer. My husband decided to keep all nuts and bolts in one box, each divided by furniture piece and put into ziploc bags (labeled), and the box stayed with us so we wouldn't be scrambling to find it.
I also learned to utilize empty spaces -- I stuffed soft things inside the washer and dryer cavities (think coats, bedding, etc.). We removed the shelves from bookshelves where able and stacked boxes inside the body of the bookshelf. Nothing was empty!
Husband loves that stretchy film and bought it for every move. Hate to have drawers swinging open when moving a desk, encase them in stretchy film. Have furniture pieces that break down into flat pieces (like IKEA furniture)? Wrap them together using the film. We have a shoe cubby that holds something like 24 pairs of shoes. We loaded that thing with shoes we wouldn't need and husband wrapped it up!
If you have any old sheets, comforters, towels, etc. that you are willing to possibly get torn or dirty, set them aside to wrap around furniture that you don't want to get scratched up. We actually bought a stack of used moving blankets off of Craigslist. Still have them and friends have used them in short-distance moves. Great buy for something like $20. We also purchased plastic mattress/box spring bags from U-Haul before the first move (kept them for each move). I have heard someone mention that you can always ask for something like this from mattress stores.
Those are all my ideas for now. It is an exciting time for you and your family! Congrats and best wishes for a smooth move and transition to a new city and state!
When ABFgives you a quote, it is based on the size of your home. Besides the overall quote, they also give you a cubic foot price. They will confirm how much space you used once you install the temporary wall behind your goods. Your price will go up or down from the quote depending on how you did in utilizing the space (adding or subtracting the cubic foot price). We have never used the amount of space they have quoted.
We learned early on that it was best to try to stick to as few different size boxes as possible. My husband found it much easier to pack the trailer by stacking all like-sized boxes and basically create another wall. We used egg boxes and apple boxes (no tape needed for the apple boxes as the two pieces fit inside one another). We had very few small boxes, but you always end up with some of those odd-shaped ones. We not only labeled what room destination for each box, but also jotted down some main items that were in the box. Anything you need right away should either travel in the cars with you or be loaded at the back of the trailer. My husband decided to keep all nuts and bolts in one box, each divided by furniture piece and put into ziploc bags (labeled), and the box stayed with us so we wouldn't be scrambling to find it.
I also learned to utilize empty spaces -- I stuffed soft things inside the washer and dryer cavities (think coats, bedding, etc.). We removed the shelves from bookshelves where able and stacked boxes inside the body of the bookshelf. Nothing was empty!
Husband loves that stretchy film and bought it for every move. Hate to have drawers swinging open when moving a desk, encase them in stretchy film. Have furniture pieces that break down into flat pieces (like IKEA furniture)? Wrap them together using the film. We have a shoe cubby that holds something like 24 pairs of shoes. We loaded that thing with shoes we wouldn't need and husband wrapped it up!
If you have any old sheets, comforters, towels, etc. that you are willing to possibly get torn or dirty, set them aside to wrap around furniture that you don't want to get scratched up. We actually bought a stack of used moving blankets off of Craigslist. Still have them and friends have used them in short-distance moves. Great buy for something like $20. We also purchased plastic mattress/box spring bags from U-Haul before the first move (kept them for each move). I have heard someone mention that you can always ask for something like this from mattress stores.
Those are all my ideas for now. It is an exciting time for you and your family! Congrats and best wishes for a smooth move and transition to a new city and state!
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