One of the most challenging parts of moving your household is having to move all that furniture. When you are looking to relocate it down the street, it’s not such a big deal. However, when you need to relocate across the country, the task becomes slightly more complicated. This is usually due to the fact that you need to prepare your furniture for shipping. However, you need to know that there are different ways to ship your furniture, and we are going to elaborate on some of them today.
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Regardless of whether you are moving, arranging the property or sending furniture to friends and relatives, sending personal belongings throughout the country may seem like a sort of ordeal. There are several ways to ship your furniture. And which one is the most accessible depends on several different variables that are unique to your situation, such as:
- Item Size. Large items, such as couches or dining room furniture, can be difficult to move without professional movers Glen Rock NJ. And they are not suitable for some ways to ship your furniture, such as air travel.
- Weight. Heavy furniture or drawers may be heavy to move without the necessary equipment. And they may not meet the strict requirements for transportation by bus, plane or train.
- Value. Some items, such as that favorite couch from your older brother, may not be worth the cost of shipping. On the other hand, heirloom furniture or designer items can cost a lot.
- Delivery distance. The further you move, the more certain types of delivery will cost.
If you are transporting furniture because you are moving, you can quickly reduce costs by getting rid of everything that you don’t need.
What are the cheapest ways to ship your furniture
When it comes to international shipping, “cheap” should never be your first priority. Our advice is to hire last minute movers NJ, especially if you are in a hurry. If you are looking for ways to save on transportation over long distances, you need to do research to find the most cost-effective option in your unique environment. But how can you be sure which method will save you money and at the same time deliver your stuff? Let’s unpack some of the cheapest options and take a closer look:
Rent a truck or trailer and drive yourself
Renting a truck or a trailer may seem like a relatively cheap option in advance. But it demands much more effort on your part. And you may incur costs that you didn’t intend to take into account initially, especially when traveling over rough terrain:
- Time. Renting a truck and driving yourself is eating up in your personal time, which can mean unpaid time without work. You will also have to pay for the number of rental days.
- Gas. Towing a trailer behind your car can severely damage gas pumps.
- Accommodation. The US is bigger than you think, so you may have to make several stops for the night, which means paying for hotels, motels or Airbnb.
- Food. Even if you have perishable snacks in the car, you will want to stay for a few hot dishes.
- Car rental or parts. Some companies may require you to rent a car that is better suited for work, or a towing car.
- Hidden costs – such as taxes and environmental fees. In addition, there is often an additional charge if you are less than 25 years old.
- Insurance. Insurance rates will depend on which rental company you choose, and how much personal insurance you already have.
Without access to professional equipment for loading and unloading items, you also risk damaging your belongings and incurring the cost of repair or replacement
Planes, trains or buses
Although you can transport boxes that meet strict weight and size restrictions, at relatively low cost on buses, this method is usually not feasible or may not be worth the cost and effort if you are trying to move antique furniture. Large pieces will not meet the size and weight requirements – usually 150 pounds or less. Or, if they do, it will cost you a lot. Trains and airplanes have their own rules and restrictions, including restrictions on destinations, ways of packing items and delivery. For larger items, you may also need to register as a known TSA Approved Shipper. In addition, if you have ever tried to travel with large objects, you know how cumbersome they can be. And it does not even take into account the money and effort that you have to spend to deliver the item to and from the airport or train station. In short: there are cheaper and easier ways to ship your furniture than to rely on airplanes, trains or buses.
Containers or pods
Shipping containers or pods are usually dumped on your driveway. And you have time in which you can load all your belongings into the container before the moving company NJ returns to pick them up and deliver to your new home. By combining a relatively flexible schedule with plenty of packing space, pods are usually best to move a large number of boxes and items at a time, for example for the whole family or 4-bedroom items. It will not be the cheapest or most efficient option available to you for small journeys when you send only a few boxes or pieces of furniture.
LTL (Less than Truckload) Shipping
LTL delivery is one of the most cost-effective ways to ship your furniture throughout the country. The cost is low because several loads moving in the same direction are used to fill the truck. This means that your furniture may need to make several stops and change the truck several times, making it difficult to determine exact dates.
However, if you are not in a hurry, this reliable method is most likely to be the cheapest
The places where your furniture will go
When it comes to delivering furniture, you need a reliable method that will allow you to deliver your goods intact, on time and for a fair price. Some ways to ship your furniture that suit your neighbor or family member may not necessarily be the best choice for you. Since it all depends on your needs, circumstances, and the goods you send.
