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It is very common to need to put some or all of your belongings in storage when you move, whether you are using a cross country moving company or doing it all yourself.  Your new home may not be ready, so you will be in temporary housing for a bit.  You may be taking an extended vacation on your way to your new hometown.  Or you may be taking a temporary job somewhere and only need part of your stuff.  Whatever the reason for your storage needs, temporary storage need not be a stressful part of your moving adventure.  It is easy to work in the logistics of storage with your cross country moving company or do it yourself move. 

It is possible to have the same cross country moving company move your stuff and take care of your temporary storage.  For example, a self service mover will deliver portable storage containers to you.  When you are finished loading, they will pick up and take the containers you need stored to a storage facility.  They will pick up, transport and deliver the containers you need moved immediately to your new home.  When you no longer need storage, those containers will be delivered to you.  If you choose to do your storage and moving with separate companies, you can do that too. 

It is always a good idea to keep the items you want stored separate from those that will be moved by you or your cross country moving company.  Plan to load your storage shipment about a week prior to your moving date.  That will assure that there will be no mix ups with things that should be moved versus things that should be stored when your cross country moving company or help arrives for moving day.  Additionally, keep an inventory list of those things that you put in storage and those you move.  Your cross country moving company will keep an inventory list on moving day, but you will want your own list so you remember what went where.  Label everything clearly with the contents, room in which it belongs and whether it will be stored or moved.

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We know how hard moving is.  There are a million details to take care of and it takes courage and a lot of sweat and tears.  And one of the most important, but sometimes daunting, tasks is finding the best interstate moving company to help you with this stressful adventure.  There are a ton of companies out there.  And they all claim to be the best.  So what signs should you look for that a company may not be the best interstate moving company for you?

1.  Customer Service
When you call the phone number given on web sites and ads, does the person answer with the name of the company or a generic "movers"?  Listen to how you are treated as a potential customer.  The best interstate moving company for you will be responsive, respectful and provide informed answers. 

2.  Payment
Be skeptical of any company that says it only takes cash.  They may just skip down with it.  Any reputable moving company will accept non-cash payments. 

3.  License and Insurance
The best interstate moving company for you will offer proof of these up front.  They are usually also on the web site and other information materials.  Do not mess around with a company that is not licensed or insured. 

4.  References
Ask for a list of references.  A reputable company, whether it is new or has been around a long time, knows how important recommendations and references are.  They will willingly let you talk to customers who recommend their services.  Contact one or two for some feedback.  Also do some searches online and via the Better Business Bureau to make sure they are experienced, trustworthy and reputable. 

Once you've eliminated the red flags, the best interstate moving company for you is one that fits both your expectations for how you would like your home and belongings treated and your budget. 

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Moving is an expensive.  So it's no mystery that many people are tempted to simply go with the household moving company that offers them the cheapest estimate.  But keep in mind, that you are placing the care of your belongings and your new and old homes in the hands of the household moving company you hire.  Basing your decision on price alone could very well end up costing you much more money, time and hassle in the long run.  So take a step back and carefully evaluate every household moving company from which you receive an estimate before you make a final decision. 


In order to soundly evaluate the merits of a household moving company, you need a point of comparison.  It is always recommended that you get no less than three estimates before you hire a company.  This will allow you to place the estimates side by side, so you can determine what services are and are not included and the fee for those services.  You can also quickly tell if one estimate seems fishy when compared to other estimates.  You can then ask follow-up questions to determine the reasons for that discrepancy and factor that into your decision-making.  


In addition to the cost and details included in the estimate, make sure you check out the background of each household moving company you are considering hiring.  Make sure they are insured, licensed, recommended, have a good track record and their approach gels with your expectations for how you, your belongings and your home will be treated.  You should, of course, know your budget before you obtain estimates and always be mindful of what you can afford.  But choosing a moving company by the lowest price alone may end up costing you more than you ever anticipated.

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