DIY moves: 3 moving container questions to ask
Planning a move?
Those who want the DIY control of packing up a truck without the responsibility of driving one have found a happy medium in renting moving containers.
My cousin recently used one for a local move to a new house a few miles away and he is still raving about it. He liked that he had the time to fill it himself without relying on friends and family, who may not be as invested in doing a meticulous packing job. And the idea of paying and trusting movers with his things just didn’t sit well.
Always practical, he also liked that the unit doubled as a storage unit. It came in handy when closing on his new home was unexpectedly delayed a few weeks.
Wondering if a moving container could work for you? Here are three things to consider:
- Moving container companies typically charge on a month-to-month basis. When you are ready to start packing, make one call and a container is delivered to your door. You can load at your leisure. Once loaded, you arrange for the moving container company to pick it up and deliver it to their storage facility or your new home. You can have access to your belongings as needed and can take as long as you need to unpack.
- Renting a moving container for a move may be cheaper than hiring a full-time moving company, but costs vary. How far will you be moving? How long will you need for the rental? And since it is DIY, if you don’t have moving straps or dollies you may need to borrow or rent some moving supplies, which adds to the bottom line.
- Research your current and new HOA or local restrictions regarding storage containers. Find out if you are allowed to have the container in your driveway and if so, the maximum timeframe it can stay there. What will you do with your car while the unit is in your driveway? Can you park your car in the street? Will your apartment complex allow the unit to occupy your parking space? Paying HOA/local fines or ticking off your neighbors before you even move may not be worth the benefits.
