Planning a DIY Move? Here are a few moving tips.

Many people chose the do-it-yourself moving approach or some combination of DIY and full service moving. Combination? If you didn't know, moving companies like Rent-a-Son offer moving labour or moving help to either load, unload or load and unload your truck rental. Moving help is an extremely excellent option for anyone moving long distance or using a one-way truck rental.

So whether you are relocating because of a job, a change of scenery or any other reason and you are renting a truck for your move, here are some moving guidelines;

1. Rent your truck well in advance!
Truck rental companies will often sell out the end of the month and if you wait too long, you may have to drive 300km's just to find an available truck. If you are looking for a one way truck rental, make sure you specify that at the time of the booking. Try and book your moving truck at least 5 weeks prior to your move.

2. Get the right equipment
Some truck rental companies offer moving supplies for purchase and moving equipment for rent. If you are looking to save anywhere on your move, don't make it on supplies and equipment. A $5 moving blanket is a worthy investment for a $300 tv stand. Here are the absolute essentials for your move:

• Moving Blankets, Moving Blankets, Moving Blankets - Blankets are a movers greatest resource. If you think you need 12, rent 18.
  
• Packing Tape - This is going to be helpful for assembling boxes, packing and securing blankets to your furniture
• Boxes of all shapes and sizes - 2-3 cube boxes for books and heavy items, China Barrels for your kitchenware, lamp shades and any other fragile item you really want to protect, Mirror Cartons for any artwork, glass or mirrors and wardrobe boxes for your clothing
• Bubble Wrap - this can be a very useful item for protecting your fragile items. It can be expensive sometimes so you may want to use packing paper or newsprint as a substitute for some items.
  
• Dollies - Make sure you have access to a 2 wheel hand truck and a 4 wheel furniture dolly.
  
• Strapping - Don't forget about straps. Good ratchet straps are ideal but in the absence of those, use twine, rope or anything else that can secure the load to the truck.

3. Pack an "open first" box - this will include things like drinks, food, hardware for assembly work and anything else that you would like to have access to immediately after you have unloaded.

4. Arrange for help - Whether you are hiring a moving helper service like Rent-a-Son's moving labour or having some friends/family by to help out, make sure you have enough manpower. Being organized can save time and stress on the day of the move. As a general guideline, loading a 16 foot truck with properly packaged and wrapped belongings should take between 4-5 hours for 2 professional movers. There are hundreds of factors that would change that time frame....like excessive stairs, far distance from access point to truck or having lots of small unpacked items.

We hope you have been able to learn a little bit more about moving on your own. Moving yourself doesn't have to be a difficult experience. The key is in good preparation, proper packing and having the right tools. When loading the truck make sure you evenly distribute the weight of your belongings and focus on filling it one quarter at a time.

Happy Moving from the Rent-a-Son Moving Team.