We’re going to hazard a guess that nobody has ever shouted out in glee and reckless abandon: “I love moving!”
With all the planning, packing, loading and unpacking, it can be a stressful undertaking.
But Raj Kalra, founder and CEO of MoverJunction.com, says a little time and planning can reduce those headaches.
Here he shares about the most common problems people run into when relocating and how to prevent them.
What are the most common problems people run into when relocating?
The first problem is people don’t know where to start. There are so many moving options available and they’re all scattered. People don’t know what option is the best.
The second problem is, even if they know what kind of moving options they want to go with – full-service or rent a truck, they just don’t know where to find it. A lot of people still pick up the Yellow Pages and call random companies.
But the biggest problem with moving is the mindset of people. Everyone takes moving very lightly, thinking you just pack up your stuff and, boom, you’re ready to go. There are so many moving parts when it comes to moving a house, and people just get overwhelmed.
How can these issues be prevented?
I think the best thing is to not leave it to the last minute. Give yourself ample time to prepare and research different options.
The first thing is to see how much stuff you have and what you want to move. Tools like ours and others are helpful for allowing you to estimate how much it might cost to move everything and as well as help you sell your stuff.
We get so many times where people call and tell us they’re moving tomorrow. And they’re just getting started.
Start planning at least two months in advance. Figure out what things you would like to move, and then consider your moving options.
Moving is a seasonal industry. Summertime is obviously when everyone likes to move and companies do get booked up in advance.
The more time you have, the more options you have.
What’s your advice on smart preparation for a move? What can people do to reduce headaches?
The biggest concern is the moving cost.
Over the years we kind of hoard stuff.
When you start process a couple months before, you can go through the house and get rid of the things you don’t need. Sell it or donate it. There are a lot of charities out there that you can donate old toys, clothes to. Don’t move clutter to your new house.
The more you can donate or sell the less you have to move and the lower the cost.
The second issue would be to research the moving companies. Mover Junction lets you compare four to five moving companies – you have a good comparison of what companies charge and you can decide the best rate possible.
What are moving rates based on?
If it’s a local move or someone moving a couple miles, it’s priced by the hour. Companies will charge you for using two men for two hours or three men for five hours depending on how much stuff you have.
Moves over 100 miles are priced by the weight of the shipment – how much your stuff weighs, how much space it takes up and how far it’s going.
Most important is weight and distance.
Find the answers to all your moving questions on MoverJunction.com.
Get a free moving company quote.
