Moving companies

[JustBreathe 22]

I am looking to hear people's opinion and experiences with moving companies. I am in Thunder Bay going to Louisville. So, alot of the moving companies are based out of larger cities and do not come to Tbay. I am stuck with fewer options.

I have a couple companies coming over for quotes next week. Just curious who people have used and would recommend ( or not recommend)

Thanks!

[Inky 1,111]

ABF U-pack or relo-cubes and PODS are very commonly used by people on the forums. I would suggest pods if you don't have a lot of items to move.

Also the good old Uhaul rental truck. Another popular method but can be a bit pricy on gas.

[JustBreathe 22]

Thanks for the reply!!

i tried calling Upack and they do not service my area. I do have a one bedroom house I am moving so, I am not sure pods would be enough space.

Hopefully the quotes I get are reasonable, or else its Uhaul

Edited May 28, 2013 by JustBreathe

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

I used Uhaul. The gas mileage is terrible, but there were no issues with the truck. I had a one bedroom apartment also and I used the 14' truck.

[JustBreathe 22]

_{I read on the Uhaul site that they get 10 miles per gallon. That IS terrible. I certainly will factor that in when I make my decision.}

Edited May 29, 2013 by JustBreathe

[NikLR 13,232]

By the time I get all my stuff widdled down I'm sure I can fit it into a 10ft truck. 12 mpg! WOOT! Haha... but unless gas costs us more than $1000 it's cheaper than the uhaul pod things.

But we're only driving 18hrs too.... Through Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

By the time I get all my stuff widdled down I'm sure I can fit it into a 10ft truck. 12 mpg! WOOT! Haha... but unless gas costs us more than $1000 it's cheaper than the uhaul pod things.

But we're only driving 18hrs too.... Through Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.

12mpg! We calculated that we got 9mpg and we drove from Washington state to Maryland. I did love the journey though.

[NikLR 13,232]

Smaller truck 10ft vs 14 and my husband knows how to save fuel when driving. He really doesn't care if he has a parade behind him. LOL

[Ms Hogan 295]

22 ft Penske truck arrives on Friday to pick up all of our stuff! WooT! I don't care about mpg because I can't control it so I'm not going to worry about it.

Are you planning to drive yourself or are you looking for a company to do it for you?

[A & C 22]

I am going with ABF Upack. I am moving from Vancouver Island to Louisville. So sadly I have to rent a uhaul as well, to get my stuff from Vancouver Island over to Surrey. Upack quoted me 1262, which isn't to horrible, and the uhaul will probably be at least 200. We figured going with Upack would be a little less cheaper then renting a uhaul and driving all the way from VI to Louisville, with gas and ferry costs etc.

[JustBreathe 22]

I am going with ABF Upack. I am moving from Vancouver Island to Louisville. So sadly I have to rent a uhaul as well, to get my stuff from Vancouver Island over to Surrey. Upack quoted me 1262, which isn't to horrible, and the uhaul will probably be at least 200. We figured going with Upack would be a little less cheaper then renting a uhaul and driving all the way from VI to Louisville, with gas and ferry costs etc.

I am moving to Louisville too! That cost for you is FANTASTIC! Thats a longggg drive.

Upack seems reasonably priced but they do not operate out of Thunder Bay. Grrrrr. I think I am stuck with Uhaul. Unless the moving companies are cheap. But I want to do this for less than $3000.00 and not sure moving companies will be cheap.

[NikLR 13,232]

Have you looked into uhauling to a location they do service and sending it from there?

[JustBreathe 22]

No, I should do that. But the closest major city is Winnipeg and its 8 hours away in the opposite direction

[NikLR 13,232]

You may not need to be in a major city, just one bigger than yours

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Some of the smaller local moving companies are affiliated with the larger international movers. I know that when I moved, I used a 'local' company that picked up in their regular van, drove my belongings to a central location (Toronto, I believe) for storage for a few days, then loaded my stuff on to an International carrier (I don't remember which one now - it was 9 years ago but I think it was United Van Lines). My stuff took up a third of their big trailers and they had loads for 2 other people on the same trailer. They loaded them all at their storage facility so that the load for north Atlanta which was unloaded first was put in last, mine was in the middle and unloaded 2nd so loaded second, and the third load which was headed to Savannah was loaded first as it would be unloaded third. So, you may still want to check with your local movers who may have an affiliation with the larger movers. The more accurately you can determine the weight and present an accurate measure of volume, the more accurate your quote will be, but do allow for a 10% variance as they will get a true weight after the truck is loaded.

I had a one bedroom apartment to move with lots and lots of books! They determine the price based upon weight and volume times distance plus gas surcharge and if they have to go up and down steps to load/unload. My belongings arrived in perfect shape exactly one week after I did, as I had to fax back my approved K-1 visa and my I-94 to the moving company before they would load.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Kathryn41