Local movers in the St. Patrick's Day parade - probably not what this reader needs!
We’re losing a Springs Bargains reader! Karen writes:
Our family is moving back to the east coast this fall to be closer to family. I am hoping one of your readers might have some advice for cheap cross-country moves… I am particularly interested in doing container shipping or where we would load the front part of a tractor trailer. Does anyone know of any cheap moving companies out there?
Karen, we’re sorry to see you leave beautiful Colorado, but hopefully we’ll be able to help you save some money on your move! Anyone have any experience with cross-country moves? Did you use a pod or “shared shipping”? Please share your tips in the comments.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
When my family moved from Portland to the Springs we used ABF where we loaded all of our stuff on the front of one of their trucks and we paid about $500. Since there was a lot of height in the truck-we stacked things as high as we could (like our couch we put on the end and stacked stuff inside and on to of it-just make sure you bring a lot of extra rope to secure it up high. They give you wooden dividers to put at the front of all of your stuff and it worked really great-we didn’t loose anything because of the movement of the truck!
“we loaded all of our stuff on the front of one of their trucks and we paid about $500″. Is this a special option? When I requested a quote for moving from COS to CT for a “1 bedroom plus”, it was over $2,000. This that based on milage? I appreciate any insight. Thanks!
I would also recommend ABF (I used them when I moved from Boston to Montana and it was cheap). You pay by the size, not the weight.
I have to 3rd the recommendation for ABF. We used them when we moved from C/S to Idaho, and it was great! This was 7 years ago and I can’t remember the price, but it was about the same or cheaper than a U-haul.
Can’t recommend any moving companies (we’ve always borrowed trailers and such) but don’t forget you can claim moving expenses on your taxes if you move more than (a certain number) of miles to be closer to your next job. (I can’t remember the miles-so don’t quote me) But when we moved 650 miles from MO to CO we were able to claim moving expenses.
I don’t have advice on cross country moving, but my husband owns a moving business for in-state moves. He is also an antique restorer/carpenter, so he is very careful. Much cheaper than most. $80 per hour for him, another guy, and the moving truck. No extra fees.
I am a bargain fanatic, and from what I know he’s very inexpensive. Nick @ Peak Furniture Delivery (and Moving) @ 719-344-4344. He also moves big Craig’s List, Yard Sale, or Auction items.
We moved from Warner Robins, Ga to Colorado Springs, Co. We decided to pack all of our stuff, hire someone to load up our truck, drive to CS, then pay someone to unload it. If you move yourself you can pit two moving truck companies against each other and get a really good deal.
That’s where we headed from! Being so far though, we didn’t worry about it and let the military move us. They used ABF. We’re looking at moving ourselves down to Florida when the hubs gets out though.
Thanks for the recommendations. I will definately look into ABF. We are moving cross-country with a dog, a cat, and a 2 year old… so the last thing I want to do is to deal with a U-haul trailer!
I have never used them but I have seen alot of those Pod containers around, where you pack the container and then they move it for you. You can go here : http://www.pods.com/Moving/Moving-Costs.aspx
and get a quote to compare to the other commpany.
We moved 2 houses worth here 2 years ago from Texas & used PODS; very affordable & the USPS Mail Forwarding package has a 10% off coupon. Happy Moving!
We used PODS when we moved here last year. Worked out GREAT, but it was a bit pricey, about $2000 from L.A. with one month of storage while we searched for a home.
I have to agree with Aaron – when we moved from Indiana to COS two years ago, we got a quote from PODS. I don’t remember the exact cost, but it was expensive (above $2000). We ended up renting a 26ft Penske truck for $1,150 – I think that was for four days. I just checked their website, and they offer 10% off for reserving online and an additional 10% off if you have a AAA membership.