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Do-it-yourself moving can save you a lot of money, but it will demand more time and effort from you. It's a good idea to first weigh the pros and cons.
| Pros |
Cons |
| You can save money. |
It's time consuming. |
| You can be more protective of your items. |
Your helpers may not have the experience to move items properly. |
| You can pack at your own pace. |
You'll need extra time to purchase supplies, secure a truck, pack. |
| You have greater control over all aspects of your move. |
Your items may not be packed properly. |
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No insurance coverage-you are responsible for all damages and associated costs. |
Before you take on the work-and stress-of moving yourself, ask yourself these questions:
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Tip |
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Use zip lock bags and a Sharpie® marker to save nuts and bolts as you dismantle furniture. Label each bag to prevent important pieces from getting lost and attach them to large pieces of the furniture.
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- Do I have time to pack, load, drive and unload?
- How many heavy items, like furniture and appliances, do I have to move?
- Am I physically capable to do the work?
- Do I have friends and family that can help me?
- Am I comfortable driving a large truck for the distance required?
Ready to move yourself? Make it easier with these professional tips:
- Don't move things you don't want. Weed out your cast-offs to give to friends or charity, sell or throw away.
- Ask local stores for clean boxes they're throwing away, or purchase boxes from a moving company (they'll have special boxes for artwork, hanging clothes, etc.).
- Mark every box with the room where you want it to go in your new house.
- Also consider numbering your boxes and keeping a list of each box's contents. You'll have an easier time finding your things in your new home.
- Tape box seams securely with strong packing tape.
- Pack things you seldom use and off-season items first.
- Label boxes containing delicate items with "Fragile" and/or "This end up" on more than one side of the box.
- Use towels, blankets, sweaters and other soft items as extra padding.
- Don't pad kitchen items such as dishes and glassware with newspaper; the ink will rub off on them.
- Be aware of the weight of your boxes-you and your helpers will have to lift them!
- Remove light bulbs from lamps to prevent breakage.
- Tape the sharp edges of tools, knives and scissors to avoid injury.
- Ensure the lids of any liquid containers are secure; tape them if necessary.
- Label electrical power and extension cords so you know which items they belong to.
- Organize the loading so you and your helpers won't load heavy items on top of breakables.
- Load your "emergency" box/bag and kitchen items last so you can access them immediately.
- Provide a good supply of food and drinks to keep up everyone's energy and spirits.
- Know which hazardous household items are illegal to ship. See Shipping Guidelines for Hazardous Items.
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