What is the best moving company. What should I throw out or sell?

Having downsized from a 5 bed 2 bath house of 38 years to a 2bed 1.5 bath Condo I have some suggestions on what NOT to take. I've been in my condo for almost 4 years now and almost every day I see something in the basement that has been in that spot since I moved in, and I ask the question "Why did I bring that?"

So this is what I would do if I had to do it all over again...walk thru every room, make a list of everything you TRULY believe will fit in your new home and is in a condition that warrants paying someone to move it.

Everything else, sell, donate or toss or put to the curb for pickin'.

Best of Luck to you, that is a big move.

If you are driving vehicles to Texas, move all the delicate things like China, Chrystal, etc. and electronics like computers, lap tops, etc. in the car. I used a moving company once, and the only things damaged were antiques. There are probably many things that you need in Washington State that you will not need in Texas since there is a difference in climate. Think, have I used this in the past year, if not don't take it with you. Think about the floor plan and see if you have pieces that you will not be able to use, don't take those with you. Food staples can be stuffed in everywhere in a vehicle, that way you will have what you need for the time it will take you to get to a store to stock up. If you have a relative around, perhaps they can help you move and make some of the hard decisions of what won't be necessary. When we moved from Texas, a friend kept a few thing for us for a month or two until we could get back down and get them, or if you know someone will be coming to visit in the future, they could bring clothes or a few more things that you don't want in the moving van. Good luck with your move!

Are you saying that the moving company saId that you have 16,000-19,000 pounds? Not that the cost to move would be that high? As the office manager of a local moving company, most likely they were referring to pounds not dollars. Prior to any move the most important thing to remember is organization! 1st get rid of all items that are trash, then all items to be given/sold. It is usually easier and cheaper to replace some items than to pay for your plastic dish drainer to travel several states away! Keep this in mind as you decide if you want it to go on the truck. Make sure your boxes are packed properly exp: plates should be packed vertical in the box by doing this verses packing them horizontally you are distributing the weight evenly and your plates are less likely to break. Mark all boxes with what rooms they are to go to and mark their contents. You may leave any cloth items in drawers. Pack some clothes and your essentials in a separate suitcase that stays with you. The boxes are harder and more time consuming to move than furniture! So the more boxes eliminated the easier and your move will be less expensive! Organization is the key to success! Good luck with your move😊

Oh my goodness! I had no idea it has become that expensive. At that price, I would only take items near and dear to me. I would consider selling everything possible. Cheaper to purchase things on the other end. Sell or donate any non family heirloom furniture, that will take off a chunk of the moving tab. Go through those clothes. Yes you still need winter coats in Texas, but you may not need 3 or 4 - see what you can thin out there. In the kitchen, there are always tons of boxes. Get rid of any of the inexpensive glassware and dishes that can easily be replaced if you feel the need. Do keep things like kitchen aid stand mixers and expensive kitchen equipment. Get rid of anything you can replace for $20 or less. Linens - Keep the heirloom stuff and donate the rest. Just go room by room and see what you can start donating or selling and get some help from friends and family.

Multiple sets of dishes and glassware, most cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, garden chemicals, multiple sets of cutlery, heavy books, containers of fabric and craft items (unless antique or of sentimental value to you), clothing you may never need in TX (or keep minimal clothing you used in WA if you plan to visit there, in winter), duplicate tools, heavy plant containers, winter equipment, etc. are all things you may want to pare down. Heavy and large furniture you may be able to do without will decrease charges. Have a garage sale or donate, put items on Craig's list, etc. Use your towels and bedding to pack dishes, etc. to save on charges for packing materials. Use strapping tape at all weak points, and mark "fragile", where warranted. If you've never moved before, get sturdy boxes, you pack what you won't need until after the move, and carefully label everything. Make yourself a master list, and number the boxes as to what room the items belong (i.e. #1- kitchen, #2, master bedroom, #3, livingroom, etc..

Just remember, if you use a name moving company, they will not move your furniture unless they have a van full. That means they wait until someone else is moving to your area and put their belongings on the same van as yours. It could be months!

I'd pare down to whatever you really can't part with - irreplaceable antiques, family items. Buy new to fit (placement) into your new home with the decor that fits in Texas.

I agree with selling/ donating most of your non-essential or inexpensive items. Keep only what is dear to you or would cost more to replace. That seems really expensive! What about a pod-type system? They drop a box in your driveway. Your friends and family help load it. The truck comes back when you are done, drops it in your new driveway. They are supposed to be MUCH cheaper. Of course you have to make sure the box is packed properly, and that you pick a company that serves both states.

Take only what is needed. Most stuff can be purchased at your destination. Moving companies charge a lot so ask yourself if it will be cheaper just to buy new pieces or quality second hand pieces in Texas. I moved from Oregon to Texas. We did it ourselves but were young and dumb then too. You can buy new furniture (couch, chairs, lamps, etc) and those items can be heavy and costly to have moved.

I don't know what the cost pr pound is in the U.S. but I do know that in Canada over this distance it is $2 pr pound. At say, $18,000 that would be a weight of only 9,000 pounds. Considering that the 'average' household is aprox 10-15,000 pounds, the price quotation seems right to me. But, yes, there are definitely ways to reduce the cost, if you reduce the weight.

In my experience, people pay to move far too much stuff that only ends up staying in boxes or bins, and is never used at the new location. Another category of stuff that people waste money on paying to move is 'anything that you have never really liked at your old house, but are taking it just in case you might need it.' What I have found is that once you get moved into the new house, you like those items even less, as they become associated with the previous house, previous life, etc. Once in the new house, you will also find that much of your old furniture no longer suits your new house style, your new decor style, your lifestyle, and you will want to acquire new.

Items to Throw Out, Donate, or Sell before the move:

- heavy winter clothes, and any items connected with winter, or snow

- books, books, books - take only the few selected sentimental ones, if any

- paper items such as gift wrap, old statements, magazine clippings

- any old clothes, worn out clothes, clothes that do not fit (fabric is heavy)

- hide-a-beds, large china hutches, large lazyboy chairs, sectional couches

- sets of heavy ironstone dishes, cast iron cookware, very large heavy pots

- any bakeware and kitchenware that is old, rusty, worn out, or bent

- stereo speakers, stereo receivers and A/V equipment, records, videotapes

- any towels, linens, or bedding that is not in like-new condition

- any 'gifts' still in boxes or unwrapped, that you haven't used yet

- any duplicates/extras such as 2 heating pads, 2 ironing boards

- old Xmas lights, beat up decorations, ceramic garden decor such as nomes

With any items you are unsure of, think about its weight, then ask the question, "is it worth paying the cost pr pound,or in the event that you ever may need or want it again in your new house, can you easily purchase a brand new one for less price?"

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to keep asking.

Here is one type. I've never used it, but have been considering it for my next move in a few years. I like that you can take your time un/loading, and it can be sent to storage if necessary. Of course you would need someone to help you.

https://www.pods.com/moving/long-distance-moving

Here's another:

https://www.upack.com/moving-from/seattle-wa-to-austin-tx

Unless you have antiques, I would think seriously of selling my furniture and buying new at the end of your move. Go through your house and figure out how much it would cost to replace the item at the other end....if it costs over $16,000 you can buy a lot of things with that. If it is pounds rather than $, I would still think about what I should move.

I would not move mattresses/box springs that are old, large appliances likewise (unless they will fit in your new home and aren't too old). Books that you don't love, bric-a-bric, old pots and pans, can all be donated or sold at a tag sale. Also, if you have grown kids who've left "stuff" in your house as they went out into the world, notify them to come and get it or it's going in the trash or to a tag sale.

In my experience of moving, there was nothing better than the company that I still use when necessary. I found out about it quite by accident, when I ran into huge problems during the move with the help of another company, whose employees broke my porcelain vase, which was more than fifty years old, during transportation. At the time, I never got any monetary compensation, and when the time came for a new move, one of my former employees spoke about his experience using the services of Sutherland Shire Removalist. I have not yet wished that I had listened to him. This is the best company I've ever had