Moving Advice

If you don't mind the leg work, you can also call around to different grocery stores/discount stores to see if they have extra boxes. They usually just recycle and, depending on the manager, don't mind giving them away if you don't mind going to get them. Freecycle & Craigslist as mentioned already are also good spots.

Call Advanced Moving Service out of Plano
###-###-#### they have boxes or you can get them at Bxes To Go. My husband owns this company.

We used a POD for one move. That worked well for us because we put all of the boxes in the POD, but could spread out the loading over a couple of days. If you have a lot of stuff, this might be a good option.

Big Lots sells fantastic appliance dollys for about $20. They are a wooden square on wheels with carpeting. Absolute backsavers for furniture moving! You might have to call around to find them, but they are worth it.

I personally do not like buying used boxes because of roaches/roach eggs. I *really* hate them and the risk wasn't worth it to me. I bought box kits from both UHAUL and SAMS club. I liked the UHAUL box kit the best.

We have used Uhaul's moving service to find movers. http://www.movinghelp.com Four experiences, all very positive. You can read all of the ratings and reviews.

We had an absolutely terrible experience with one local mover. Some unscrupulous movers will get your stuff on their truck and then triple the price while holding all your stuff for ransom. Uhaul's system is a set price and the feedback and rating system seems to minimize problems.

We liked Midnight Hour Moving and will be using them again. I hope this helps!!

I would recommend watching craigslist for boxes...they will either be really cheap or sometimes free. Check each morning. I used Exodus moving for a local move and they were great ###-###-####). I packed the boxes, they picked them up along with wrapping all the furniture and moved it. Reasonably priced and great service.

I highly recommend Bob Boatright with Cowboy Moving.
###-###-####
He has a family owned moving company that specializes in local moves. Simply call him and let him know that R. Kuipers recommended him. Let him know what you are in need of and he will work with you in a fair way. He has got the integrity I count on when I need service.
I hope this helps. Happy Moving!
R.
____@____.com

Hi J.,

I just had a friend use I.M.S. Relocation - Mike Lohner and they were very impressed with the customer service, etc. His contact information is ###-###-#### x105 cell ###-###-#### ____@____.com Please tell him that T. Ebbinghouse referred you. You will have a great experience and save your back from any further pain.
Have a great day!
T.

I got my boxes from Boxes to Go . . . but a really great place to get boxes is to call a realtor's office and ask if they know anyone moving soon or who has moved recently. Most of the time the people who have moved are looking for a place to get rid of their boxes. Then you usually get all sizes and the wardrobes (especially if they have relocated and had a major moving company move them).

J.,

I have personally used www.twomenandatruck.com and they had done a great job, and are pretty reasonable. I have also referred them to several of my clients(I am a Realtor) who have been pleased. Good luck with you move!

K.

get on freecycle and ask for free boxes.

DO NOT USE All My Sons Moving. I had a horrible experience with them.

We moved recently, and I know how stressful preparing for a big move can be - no matter how far you are traveling! I am including a link to the guide we used to help keep us organized during the packing/moving/unpacking process. It truly saved our lives! Although it might seem like a little extra work when you are packing, it saves so much time and effort during the move and when you're unpacking, it is truly worth it! Let us know how it goes when all is said and done!
http://www.flylady.net/pages/Flying_MovingTips.asp

Several years ago we used 2 Men and a Truck to move from a 3K to a 4K house. They recommended us to secure 2 trucks with a total of 4 men. We had to move our things into a temporary storage facility because our new house was not ready. When it is was time to move into the new house, they moved from the temporary storage facility into the new house. The guys moved quickly and took very few breaks. We were probably done with the first move in about 4 to 5 hours. It has been awhile so I cannot remember. If you do use them, you will need to be completely packed because when they show up, they are ready to move your stuff. I also rented waredrobe boxes from them, which made moving clothes much easier.

Good luck.

We've done it both ways, and I have to say if you can afford it, get the packers. You can save money on the other end by unpacking yourselves.

Packing is time consuming. It will probably take 2 packers two full days to pack you. If you plan on doing it yourself, start right away, expecially with kids in the mix.

You can get packing supplies at Uhaul. It will take about twice the supplies as you think (they can help you estimate) and really load up on the packing paper. When packing glass and breakables, put a layer of wadded up paper in the bottom of the box first and again at the top when it's full. Don't overfill your boxes.

Good luck!

Our last move, in 2000, was about 3 miles away.

I prefer to be moved professionally ,have my furniture insured and if it gets damaged then I am covered. I am VERY picky when it comes to my furniture.

Also, the moving company insures their employees so that IF someone gets hurt, it is not on my tab necessarily. Of course the wasy people are so suing crazy....I am not so naive to think they wouldn't try to get $$$

We used Mayflower. They provided the boxes and packing material. I packed most everything. We actually moved a lot ourselves since we were so close by. They moved all of the critical and heavy things. We paid around $1000.

The cost involved was worth the security of our things.

Last November my husband, 4 year old daughter and I moved to the house next door to us. We could literally walk the stuff over, which we did alot of. It took forever and was exhausting. I have made many moves over the years, both close and far away and the best moves have always been the ones where I pack it all up and have a truck haul it there. The worst moves are the ones where I try to do it with help from friends and thier trucks/cars.
You could split the difference and pack it yourselves and then have the moving company come load the truck and take it.
One last thing...after seeing my husband and brother-in-law carry heavy furniture for three days (and they are strong guys, but not that young anymore), I swore I would never do that to them again.

Hope it all works out and congrats on the new house! :0)

J.

We had to move out of our home when we remodeled and put our stuff into storage last year (only 2 miles away). I did all the boxing myself but hired movers to move the boxes/furniture to the storage unit and back again. I used Joseph Strand, of College Student Movers. They are very reasonable and very accommodating. Just be specific and clear about any fragile items. Give him a call on his cell at ###-###-####. As for boxes, I went to liquor stores and asked for their empty boxes. They were happy to get rid of them. Good Luck!

Immediate reaction:

I would do the packing myself = less expensive! Also, you might want to move your most delicate/expensive articles yourself. (Pack your china in small boxes and move it in your car?)

You can find packing boxes on Craig's List free stuff if you have the time to look and the type of vehicle that can pick it up. Some places sell used boxes and paper at half price. For places dedicated to that you can google it.

A.

I would suggest going to craigslist.com to check out moving supplies. I heard you may find them under 'free stuff'. We did a move like that when I was your age. We moved lots of little stuff by car and one day my husband got some help from several men from work and rented a uhaul truck and moved the furniture. Or you could hire a local moving firm to move the furniture. That would be MUCH cheaper than paying a large moving company. HOpe all goes well.

K. Voigtsberger
Certified birth doula (DONA)
Certified Bradley childbirth Educator

We found boxes on Craigslist. The lady I got them from had bubble wrap too.

If you really wanna cut some expenses, I would pack it all myself and then get the movers if you have to have a mover, I always recruit my friends and family!! As for the best place to get boxes, go to freecylce.org. Post a note that you need moving boxes and before you know it, you will have several replies of people having boxes. Freecycle.org has been a blessing for many things to my family.

www.freecycle.org