Oftentimes, a college dorm room move means only having to move a carload (or two) of belongings. If a small move can be accomplished by simply loading items into your car, then we recommend trying this method first. Not only is this the cheapest way to move, but it also gives you the most flexibility with your moving timeline. When using your own car to move, you have absolute control over the moving process from beginning to end and can move on your own schedule. Plus, you’ll save a boatload of money by doing the move yourself.
Small moves can usually be accomplished using a small truck rental, cargo van or trailer attachment. Small truck rentals can typically handle a one to two-bedroom move. Trailer rentals and cargo vans are ideal for studio and college dorm room moves, which typically don’t involve large furniture items. When renting a truck, van or trailer, it’s usually possible to also rent moving equipment as well. So, if moving equipment rentals are something you need, then renting a moving truck could knock out two birds with one stone. For more information and discounts on various rental truck companies, such as Penske, U-Pack and Budget, check out our truck rental center.
Shipping items individually with uShip or a mail courier
Moving long-distance? Oftentimes, the best way to handle small moves is by simply shipping your furniture and boxes to the new home. If you decide to ship a small load, there are several ways to do this. For larger items, it’s a good idea to consider shipping partners on uShip.com. The online marketplace for shipping services connects you to service providers who can handle the shipment of specialty items for you. For boxes and other miscellaneous items, consider shipping your items via USPS, UPS or FedEx. Keep in mind these mail services often have specific rules and restrictions on the size and weight of items that can be shipped.
Speaking of shipping items, Ship Smart is a shipping service specializing in small shipments of household goods. The service can handle everything from shipping antiques and art to large furniture and office moves. The service provider even offers small moving services for shipments that weigh under 2,000 lbs. Ship Smart offers a variety of services, including on-site packing and guaranteed delivery dates. Prices can be tailored to meet your specific moving needs, and customers can get as much or as little moving help as they need.
With a network covering most U.S. cities, MiniMoves is an excellent option for moving small shipments over a long distance or locally. The moving service is a national moving furniture company focused on moving small shipments throughout the country and the world. The company can move anything from a few items to an entire apartment. According to the company, MiniMoves does not have a space minimum, so you can move as little as you need. The moving service delivers goods within two to 14 days and provides short-term storage for those who need it.
What to Consider When Moving a Small Load
Before choosing a method of moving your items, there are several important considerations to make. These include:
The condition of your belongings – Do you plan to move fragile wine glasses, mirrors or TVs? Will your belongings need a little TLC when being moved? If so, throwing items in the back of your car probably isn’t going to cut it. Instead, consider hiring professionals to help with the packing and loading process. If you decide to move yourself, rent a truck with proper tie-downs to prevent items from shifting while in transit.
Your moving timeline – Do you have all the time in the world to move? Even a small move can take weeks – if not months – to complete. If you have ample time to complete your move and prefer to do it in incremental stages, then using your own car or a rental van makes perfect sense. If, however, you need the move completed in one day or weekend, it might make more sense to hire professionals to get it done.
The distance of the move – How far away are you moving? When moving long distances, it makes sense to either ship items to the new home or to hire professional movers to drive belongings to your destination. If moving close by, you may be able to move yourself in a car or with a truck rental.
Your storage needs – Need a place to store items before, during or after the move? Renting a small moving container is probably your best bet for a successful move. These containers double as storage units, so you won’t have to stress about finding a self-storage facility upon moving to the new home.
Your time and energy – Do you have the time and energy to handle a small move without the help of professionals? If you’re capable of handling the heavy lifting by yourself, then a DIY move using a truck rental or your personal car isn’t a bad idea. On the other hand, if you don’t have the time or energy to handle the move, then hiring professionals might be the right choice.
Your budget – Ultimately, how you move largely depends on what you can afford. Those on a strict budget should consider using their own car or renting a moving truck for the day. Those with a more flexible budget may want to consider hiring professionals or renting a moving container.
For small moves involving a dorm room, studio apartment or one-bedroom apartment, you’re probably better off using a moving container, rental truck, uShip, Ship Smart, MiniMoves, labor-only movers or moving yourself. Most full-service moving companies have minimums, so no matter how small your move is, you’ll still have to pay the minimum amount. If you’re looking to save money on a small move, hiring full-service movers is not the right call. On the other hand, if you’ve got a big budget and value convenience over all else, then hiring full-service movers might be the right choice for your move.
Pack yourself – While it’s certainly convenient to have movers do the packing, it’s also fairly costly. Save money by packing up your belongings yourself. Thankfully, packing should be fairly simple with small moves as there’s not much to pack. Read our suggestions on how to save money on packing supplies.
Move yourself and/or enlist friends – Up for a DIY move? Save money by doing the job yourself. If you can manage to convince your friends to help, this will speed things up.
Purge items before packing – One of the best ways to save money and time on small moves is by purging items beforehand. Donate, sell and/or toss anything you don’t plan on using in your new home. Read our guide to purging your belongings before a move.
Choose less expensive moving dates – Seasonality and moving dates matter when it comes to a move’s cost. Rates for everything from rental trucks to moving companies tend to be higher during peak moving season (May – September). To land a less expensive rate, aim for a move during the off-season – and/or one during the mid-month and mid-week. Read more information on the best times to move.
Here Is Movers In CalgaryCompare quotes – Always, always, always compare quotes from multiple companies when choosing a moving service. From truck rentals and moving containers to moving companies and mail couriers. Check and compare prices from different companies before enlisting one for the job. Some companies even provide price match guarantees where they’ll match another company’s lower price.
Take advantage of discounts – Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of discounts. Common discounts offered by moving service providers include discounts for military members, teachers and students. When requesting a quote, ask what discounts the company offers.
Not everyone has the time and energy to carry out a move – no matter how small. Fortunately, there are plenty of professional moving companies that can handle the task for you. To find the best moving company to move your belongings, check our extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your small move will be in good hands. Good luck and happy moving!
If you’re planning a move and decided to choose a DIY approach rather than hire movers, you might be wondering what’s the best way to prepare and move furniture. While small items like clothes are easier to pack, carrying large, bulky furniture pieces can be more challenging. Without proper precautions, upholstery can be ripped, glass furniture can break and wooden pieces can get gouged. Preparing for moving furniture is critical to prevent damages to your items before they even arrive at the new place.
Preparing Furniture for a Move
As you get ready to pack your furniture for a move, having the right equipment and learning a couple of tricks can make the process easier and safer.
Beyond cardboard boxes, packing tape and bubble wrap, there are other furniture moving supplies you ought to consider. Many of these supplies are available at local hardware stores or online. However, some moving companies will also rent out these supplies, which might be a more affordable option.
If you’re planning to move large furniture, make sure you have these furniture moving supplies on hand:
Moving blankets
Before packing, take the time to thoroughly clean and dust all your furniture. Dust and leftover debris can scratch your furniture during the moving process. Besides, cleaning the furniture before you move also means you won’t bring any unnecessary grime into your new home.
When possible, take the time to dismantle your furniture completely. This will make the furniture much easier to move, prevent damage while moving and make it easier to pack your moving truck. This is also one of the most time-consuming tasks of preparing your furniture for a move, so plan accordingly.
Here are some pieces that you should consider disassembling:
Remove the legs and tops from all tables, if possible
Take bed frames entirely apart, including the headboard and footboard
Remove knobs and other removable pieces from dressers and desks
Remove the cushions and legs of couches and chairs
