Day 3 of the Move . . . So far so good, my fingers crossed.. (packing, moving company)

[4khansen]

Monday, August 19th --

UPack trailer arrived on time (8-12 p.m. window)
Firefighters on the Move arrived at 8:38 a.m. to finish what packing we had left. 2.5 hours it took 5 packers, original estimate 4.5 with 4 packers.

Tuesday, August 20th --

Firefighters on the Move returned at 8:30 a.m. to load the UPack trailer, 1.75 hours to load the trailer, original estimate to load 4 hours. Used only 18 ft of the 27 feet available . . . I budgeted for the full 27 feet, yeah! 5 men loading, excellent and speedy job.

We left for local hotel until we start the trek across country on Friday/Saturday. I have enough hotel rewards points to cover lodging.

Wednesday, August 21st --

I scheduled the trailer to be picked up between 8 and noon, it went sometime before 6 p.m. no big deal as they don't require anyone to be there.

2 p.m. sellers closing at title company! Our part is done, the buyers close tomorrow morning.

Taking a deep breath that everything is going smoothly . . . let the party continue! There are moments when you can't find something and you think OHHH its on the truck!! but thankfully its there, somewhere.

[WorldKlas]

Hoping all the rest of the move works out perfectly. And, if not, no biggie ..... as they say, don’t sweat the small stuff. You got this!

[4khansen]

Finally moved in! Went very well based on what I expected. Biggest losses on the move as far as stuff packed on the UPack were the following:

Cuisinart Food Processor -- the food container warped from the heat. Had other Tupperware type items which warped and had to toss as the lids wouldn't fit anymore.

A few broken glasses, especially wine glasses (stems broke off). I guess I will have to drink straight from the bottle for the time being.

A decorative plate -- another one is missing, I have no idea where it went.

Most of the broken items were personally packed, so my own fault -- no big deal. We didn't, surprisingly, have any leakage of items. I did have some bottles of lotion that I have placed in large zip lock bags that did have minor leaking but the bags worked great to contain that mess. We had a few candles that I intended not to pack on the truck that didn't melt -- was told that would be a problem.

Everything went on schedule like clockwork! Lots of boxes to deal with at the end of the trip which I am very tired of, but the trash pickup in Buckeye even works on holidays. Much different than home in Iowa, everything gets pushed back a day if there is a federal holiday. So they picked up a lot of the trash today (my day is Tuesday).

Had a startup moving company called Nirvana Moving in Glendale, AZ do the unloading. Nice young men and they did a great job! Obviously, they hadn't done a lot of UPack trailers as they tried to use the ramp upside down. I had to explain to turn it over and around. When I am the knowledgeable one on that kind of thing I tend to get nervous! lol.

The UPack trailer was very clean so that didn't cause any problems at all.

Have had my sister-in-law here all week to help unload and that has been a huge blessing. My wife is pretty much disabled physically because of the after effects of cancer treatment and would love to help but just can't.

I would highly recommend UPack as an option, especially if you can get good movers on either end to help. Cost breakdown:

Council Bluffs, IA to Buckeye, AZ


UPack -- $3,900 18 ft. of the trailer
Firefighters on the Move (Omaha, NE) -- some packing and loading of the trailer $1,333 + $200 tip
Nirvana Moving (Glendale, AZ) -- $355 to unload $150 for tip


Other materials I bought on my own
Packing pads/blankets (45 used) $84.00 was my out of pocket cost after selling them at the end of the move
Other boxes, tape etc. probably around $200


I had budgeted $6,200 and came very close!