Full-pack vs. Self-pack with Movers vs. Container Moving? (relocation, packing, moving company)

[pigslikestrawberries]

Hi,

My spouse and I are moving from the East Coast to California for his work. We were offered a nominal relocation package but we need to be thrifty about it. I am wondering if anyone has any insight into the differences in cost among the choices of Full-pack, self-pack with movers, or using containers instead of movers? I would have thought the containers would be the cheapest of the three options, but it's starting to sound like self-pack with movers might actually be better. Could that be possible?

I have three companies coming Monday and Tuesday to give me quotes on their full-pack and self-pack services and I have quotes from three container companies now.

Any insight anyone could offer me would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[RikkiTikki]

You can tell you've done your homework! You're starting to realize what many of the those considering relocation haven't yet figured out.

Three of the biggest expenses when moving are material, labor and transportation costs.

The reason so many folks are attracted to the growing number of mobile/portable container options is because they think they can reduce their out pocket costs by using relatively cheap or donated packing containers and supplies (material) combined with their own sweat equity and the good will of family, friends and neighbors to help load/unload (labor) for the relatively cost of a case of beer and pizza or sandwiches.

The killer expense in this DIY budget model is the high transportation and container handling costs (transportation). The overhead expense to provide and maintain the heavy duty lift delivery systems (trucks, flatbeds, forklifts, containers, etc) that are required to handle each container at the time of pickup, during transport and again at destination is all part of what drives the cost up.

The other is the inefficiency of the handling method. Say you decide on using a 8'H x 8'W x 16'L container. An inexperienced homeowner will pack their household items and load the 1024 cu ft unit at an average density of 5 lbs per cubic foot. In other words they'll load 5000 lbs into the 1000' box.

The problem is that, according to data collected by the American Moving and Storage Association, the average size of the those moving interstate in 2007 was 7400 lbs. Thus the typical homeowner would probably need two containers.

Each of the 1000 cu ft containers weighs approximately 2000 lbs. That means that an inexperienced DIY homeowner is packing, on average, 5000 lbs into a 2000 lb box - resulting in the linehaul transportation expense for the general freight carrier being based on 7000 lbs of gross container weight.

But...if you can't get everything into just one container, the typical linehaul transportation cost could be based on a gross container weight of 11,400 lbs (7400 lbs Hhg + 4000 lbs container weight). The money that was saved on material and labor is spent on the container(s) used to transport the goods. In many instances, this could be as high at 35% of the total transportation expense. Empty container repositioning costs drives the COGS for these inefficient options even higher. That could buy a LOT of pizza and beer!

For those contemplating containerized moving, another factor to consider is whether or not a mobile/portable container can even be dropped at both the origin and/or destination. Many homeowner's associations and local or municipal ordinances restrict or prohibit the placement of unattended moving containers on private property or public access thoroughfares. Be sure to ask before you get too far into planning a DIY move.

Most reputable full service interstate household goods carriers, on the other hand, only charge for the weight of goods moved and the accessorial services either requested by the homeowner or required by law to complete their relocation.

The only time it makes good economic sense to use a container options to move interstate is if you will require some type of storage at either origin or destination as part of your move.

Currently most mobile/portable container companies allow up to 30 days free storage on interstate moves. Most of the tariffs used by full service mover require separate charges for the first day of storage-in-transit (SIT), each successive day of SIT and then a warehouse handling charge.

[linvilla]

Oh, RikkiTikki, thank you so much for your very thoughtful and informative post. It's really so helpful.

I have definitely gotten the impression that self-pack with movers will probably the cheapest of the three options. It was sort of telling that the container company that gave me the least expensive quote for two containers jumps up more than any of them in the case we would need three. They also have a policy of delivering extra containers and then not charging for what the customer doesn't use. To me those things meant that they probably make a lot of money on people believing they will need less space than they do. It hadn't even dawned on me there might be restrictions against "parking" them in front of our destination. I'm so glad you pointed that out!

I have five companies coming over in the next three days and all are giving me estimates for both full-pack and self-pack. It will be interesting to see how it all ends up comparing.

Thank you again so much!

Linvilla aka pigslikestrawberries

[Moving Expert]

There are lots of pluses and minuses to a upac vs. a moving company. Some of it depends on how much time you have for all the packing and unpacking and if you have any experience with packing a container of truck properly. You also need to really make sure of the labor costs on both ends. In my opinion you won't come out ahead doing a upac service with moving labor on both ends and it won't cost you anymore to use a mover. ***MOD CUT***

[cokatie]

I have moved so many times in my life that I have sadly become something of an expert. Even when I was being moved at the full expense of my company, I preferred to do the bulk of the packing myself. When I paid 100% of the costs on my own, I definitely did the packing myself.

What you are going to find expensive is the moving boxes. I don't know where you live (apartment buildings always have people moving in and out and that is the time to grab those boxes), and I don't know how your mover will feel about you supplying the majority of the boxes on your own. If you go this route, that MUST be a conversation you have with them. They will totally, and understandably, object to multiple size boxes that you picked up in the back lot of a grocery store. The movers like uniformity. You can also find out what they charge for the boxes (it will no doubt be expensive).

I luckily was always able to source moving boxes from my company (large company, always desk moves). I had them in my apartment when meeting for estimates with the moving company guys. They would ask how many I expected to have and I would give them my answer. This gave me the opportunity to clear a space in my home 2 months in advance and start packing the non-essentials. By the way, be kind to the movers, mix your book collection in with lighter items - do NOT pack a moving box with all books. It is heavy and can break open.

My moves were always quick since when they came, they had two guys loading my pre-packed boxes onto the truck while the other two wrapped the furniture, the rugs and the speciality items. I had the boxes numbered 1-xxx, and I had them marked for what room they were going to at our destination. I also always call in audio/video specialists to dismantle my TV and stereo equipment. These guys are specialists and know what they are doing. They also do not take out wires that will only need to be replaced at your new home due to different configurations.

Once at my new locale, since I packed the boxes, I know which ones are essential for unpacking immediately, and which ones can be stored in a sort of loading zone for later unpacking as we settle in. By the way, I start saving newspapers and bubble wrap months before a move. I throw it into one of my moving boxes. And if this means raiding a recycle site, do it. You will save money on packing material and again, you pack at your pace.

I hope some of this was helpful to you. It helped me that my Dad had been in the moving business for 25 years (maybe it's in the blood!). As a serial mover, I have gotten the process pretty down pat and as stress-free as I can make it. And please, since you are going across country, check the BBB and any other ratings you can get on the movers you are looking to engage. There are a lot of fly-by night operators out there.