Whether you are moving out of state by yourself or moving just down the road, it can be a very intimidating task. However, it is possible if you plan correctly!
After deciding on moving yourself vs hiring movers it’s important to set a detailed plan in order. Below are the most important factors to consider when making your moving plan.
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Gathering Materials and Organizing:
Planning how many boxes you will need, along with obtaining other helpful materials is important. Make sure you order a roll of packing tape and some bubble wrap as well.
*Pro Packing Tip: Pack and label boxes according to each room – This will make unpacking later a lot easier.
When labeling boxes, it is best to be as specific as possible. Label your kitchen boxes as such but also specify what items, such as “glassware” or “small appliances”. This will allow you to organize and unpack much quicker.
When using bubble wrap, we recommend using as little tape as possible or using elastic bands to secure the wrapping. Bubble wrap can also be used to pack dishes safely. Try simply layering a piece of bubble wrap in between each dish!
Amazon is a great place to purchase these materials. They offer a moving kit with 20 different size boxes, a roll of tape, and a marker for labeling.
Transport and Equipment:
Now you will need to consider what moving equipment you need and what transportation you will be using.
You have a couple of options for transport you can use a personal vehicle or rent a moving truck. You also have the option of renting a truck that allows you to transport your car with the truck.
If you want to use your car but need more space, you have the option of renting a trailer to attach to the back of your car. As long as you have an adequate hitch system on your car, U-Haul offers three different-sized trailers for rent.
If you are not moving a lot of large furniture, you may choose to just use your car. However, if you have a lot of furniture you might consider renting a truck. Both are great options!
Either way, ensuring you only have to make one or two trips, is dependent on how well you pack the vehicle. Time to be strategic people.
Pro Packing Tip* If you decide to use a moving truck, you can save room by laying your mattress and box spring down first. This will allow you to pack lighter items on top of them.
Packing a Car Strategically:
The first step to packing your car is to make sure the car is empty and lay any back seats down flat. Next pack any small miscellaneous items under and behind the front seats.
Then you will pack all your blankets and pillows on top of those items in the space behind the front seats. This will sandwich the items with a soft layer that allows you to place light boxes on top of these areas later on.
We recommend loading the heaviest boxes next and placing them along the car’s sides. That way, lifting them in and out of the vehicle is much easier. Then you can use the space in between to sandwich other items that wouldn’t fit into a box, like floor lamps or a vacuum.
Pro Packing Tip* If you have a lot of clothes, rather than packing them in boxes. We recommend vacuum-sealing them in a bag and storing them on top of the heavy boxes you placed along the car’s sides.
Use any extra space to your advantage. For example, if you already store all your cleaning supplies in a bin under the sink then simply place that bin on the ground in the front passenger seat area.
Renting a Truck:
If you are moving out of state by yourself, you might consider renting a moving truck. There are a variety of companies to rent a truck from. The most popular are U-Haul, Penske, and Budget.
All these companies offer a wide variety of sizes for their trucks. You can get anything from a pickup truck to a large freight truck. You can also rent other equipment from them such as dollies or felt pads.
Pro Packing Tip* Since you don’t have anyone to help you carry all those heavy boxes, dollies are a great resource and we always recommend renting one with your truck.
To find the right truck the best thing to do is to search “moving truck rental near me”. This will give you all your local options along with larger companies like U-Haul.
U-Haul offers one-way rentals, so you can rent a truck from your original area and then return it when you arrive at your final destination.
Considering Help?
We know how difficult moving out can be and the decision of moving yourself vs hiring movers is a big one.
Don’t be discouraged if you feel like you might actually need help for this move. UniMovers offers full labor help or even just truck loading and unloading help!
Labor-only moving services are a lot more affordable and can be a great option for young individuals moving on their own.
I am a senior at The University of Colorado Boulder, studying public relations and business. I am first generation Irish-American from Boston, MA. I have four years of experience moving myself in and out of different states.
