Moving and relocation are sometimes unpleasant and never exactly fun, even for meticulous planners. Questions like where to start, how you should plan, and what it would cost will sooner or later pop into your head. We understand that it could be confusing and chaotic. Hence, we have put together this guide to make this process smoother. Check out tips, average cost, services offered, and the top moving and storage companies.

Tips and suggestions
If you are moving and need to start packing, the one thing that you will come across is a lot of items that you must have bought eons ago and not used. Get rid of them. You need to be ruthless in deciding what must be axed and what can be taken with you. A coat that you found cute but have not worn in years is out. The first frame you bought that has been collecting dust and is on the verge of falling apart can also be discarded. This exercise will benefit you greatly when you have to start organizing your stuff to pack and store. You would not want to bring the same clutter into your new space. This is also a great time to declutter your items and donate them. You have had years to enjoy the said items, and now it is the perfect time for someone else to share the same joy.

Average cost
The cost for every moving and storage company is calculated differently. While there are services that help you pack in addition to moving and storing, we suggest you try and pack on your own. This will help you save some bucks and allow you to organize your items the way you are comfortable. But if you wish, you can avail of packers to help safely pack your oversized items such as furniture and anything fragile like your glassware. The cost of this whole exercise will depend directly on what services you decide to take up. The national average cost of moving is $1,400. It can range from $800 to $2,500. This is for a 2-person moving team for less than 100 miles of distance.

Long-distance flights can cost anything between $2,200 and $5,700. In general, movers charge $25 to $30 per hour. If you have two people working, about four hours of moving will cost you $200-400, just for labor. You may be charged extra for gas, transportation fees, and materials. If your move has large items like pianos, swing sets, or animal pens, you could be charged an additional $400-2,000 on average. For those opting for storage, you may end up paying depending on the size of your storage container and the duration that you wish to store your items. The average monthly cost to rent a self-storage unit is about $110. The per-square-foot average cost is $1.16. Typically, large units are more expensive than smaller ones but cost less on a per-square-foot basis.

Services offered
If you have to put any essential items, such as antiques, photographs, and leather goods, into storage, you may need to put them in a climate-controlled environment to ensure that they remain in good condition. Check if your packers and movers can provide short-term or long-term storage solutions. Some of them give written assurance of on-time delivery. If there is a delay, you can claim for losses. Read the damage and loss document before hiring anyone. You can also opt for insurance cover if you move expensive items like jewelry or paintings. Movers and packers offer many additional services. You can pick the best one based on your requirement and budget.

Top companies
International Van Lines is an excellent moving and storage company with an international moving facility. It has many positive reviews online, and it offers competitive pricing. Another option is United Van Lines. They have expertise in corporate relocation and customize their services for every company they work with. They also work for the US military; however, they are not the best if you are on a budget. Colonial Van Lines is our next suggested option. They have a network of 200 agents nationwide and offer both individual and corporate relocation services. This company has been in business for 5 decades, so if you’re looking for a reliable service, you can opt for them.