Calculating expenses when moving into and out of self storage

In today’s tough economic climate, self-storage is usually the cheapest, most convenient option for those needing a temporary place to house their things while they’re moving between residences.

Public storage owners and operators can usually assist potential customers with calculating the approximate amount of space needed and the estimated monthly cost to use their fixed facility lockers or mobile and portable container units. Some businesses maintain relationships with local truck rental or moving companies and are able to provide the daily or hourly pricing for those services. Most, however, avoid suggesting how much time the move in or move out process will take since each situation is different.

Recently Bill Adams, a colleague who works for Joyce Van Lines providing a wide range of relocation services to customers in Fairfield, Westchester and Litchfield county communities in Connecticut, offered a useful tip to those interested in calculating how much time it would take to load and deliver their things using a self storage option.

First, calculate the size(s) of the storage units you’ll be using to determine the cubic dimensions of your household goods. If the recommended size of the unit is 10’ wide x 20’ long x 8’ high, it is 1600 cubic feet.

Professional movers traditionally use 7 lbs per cubic foot to estimate the normal weight density of household goods. Depending on the unique characteristics of your ‘stuff’, however, you can adjust that number up or down. Professors, engineers, mechanics and woodworkers usually achieve a density of 8 lbs per cubic foot or more. Hobbyists, homemakers, and those with young families can average 6.5 lbs per cube or less.

To calculate your estimated weight, multiply the cubic capacity of the unit times the density factor closest to your situation. Example: 1600 cu ft x 7 lbs = 11,200 lbs.

On average, 4 experience local movers are able to load and deliver 1000 lbs per hour. Using the example from above, that means it would take approximately 11 hours times the hourly rate with 4 movers.

Multiply the hourly rate times the estimated number of hours (11 in this example) to calculate the costs of equipment rental or using professional movers. It a truck rents for $35 per hour or $300 for the day, it’s cheaper to arrange it take it for the 24 hour period.

If a mover’s advertised rate for a van and 4 men is $160 per hour, ask if overtime charges apply at the end of a normal eight (8) hour workday. Working at the regular time rate for eleven hours would set you back $1760. If you have to pay overtime, the cost jumps to $2000.

Be sure to read the fine print in any contracts before you sign agreeing to the terms. Returning a truck after closing time with a half empty tank can cost your dearly if the rental agreement requires you to top it off before you drop it off.

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