Navis Small Moves vs. Self Moves
Time + Gas + Lodging + Effort: Is a Self-Move Worth It Anymore?
It used to be a low-cost no-brainer to move: rent a truck, load your stuff, and
arrive at your new destination where five of your best, brawny friends would be
available to help you to unload. Or for convenience, you might hire a moving company
that employs its own schedule to haul your belongings as a short-load connected
to someone else’s larger move.
But few people realize that movers have minimum weight limits, meaning you’ll pay
for 2,000 pounds whether your load is that heavy or not. Plus, with the fluctuating
cost of gas, many moving companies are starting to incorporate fuel charge premiums.
But a more efficient, customizable middle ground has emerged: Navis Pack & Ship.
The company offers small-move expertise combined with unparalleled customer service.
Navis provides a 100 percent reliable, one-stop alternative to moving on your own.
With locations nationwide and in Canada, the company provides a less expensive,
door-to-door advantage for small household or business relocations. They will pack,
ship and unload your belongings for less money than doing it yourself.
"Customers are surprised at how little it can cost for a full-service, white glove-style
move," said Justin Clark, Navis Pack & Ship Franchise Support Manager.
"With van line service, if your belongings don’t fill the entire truck, they’ll
be stored until someone else is moving in the same direction you are," Clark added.
"Having to wait for your things is a major drawback."
"Plus, estimates for large van line moves can unexpectedly increase over the course
of your move," Justin added. "There’s nothing worse than receiving a final bill
with extra charges you didn’t expect for things such as moving items up an extra
set of stairs or other unexpected conditions."
Justin also noted that people tend to underestimate the costs of using rental trucks
for a self-move.
"Meals, lodging, fuel and packing supplies can really add up. With Navis, you can
just pick up the phone and consider the job done. Few people weigh the true level
of effort, expense, and total hours packing that it takes to move. It’s important
to consider how much your time is really worth."
Calculating a Self-Move
As an example, the expenses can vary widely for a four-day, three-night move from
Denver to Philadelphia using a ten-foot or 16-foot rental truck. The estimate below
does not account for time spent packing:
| Truck rental
| Discount package includes 7 days/2,060 miles
| $810.00 to $841.00
|
|
Fuel
|
5 – 10 mpg/$3.48 per gallon x 1,727 miles
|
$556.00 to $1,109.00 |
|
Budget Hotel/Motel
|
$65 – $105/night x 3 nights
|
$210.00 to $315.00 |
|
Meals
|
$15 – 35/meal x 9 meals or snacks
|
$135.00 to $945.00 |
|
Boxes
|
24 – 48 box set with various sizes | $81.00 to $162.00 |
|
Packing Materials
| Bubble wrap |
$23.00 to $42.00 |
|
Packing tape
|
2 – 4 rolls |
$14.00 to $28.00 |
TOTAL : $1,809.00 to $3,442.00 |
The Navis Package
Compare this to small move by Navis. To move a king-size bed, mattress, end table
and dresser from Denver to Philadelphia costs:
| Pickup | |
| Packing |
|
|
Insurance |
|
|
Delivery |
|
|
TOTAL : | $1,664.48
|
What’s Incalculable
But some things simply can’t be measure in cash value: the antique chest that’s
been passed down through three generations of your family? You probably won’t ask
your buddies to fix or replace it. Navis offers declared value coverage to help make Navis a customer-friendly alternative. And the company is best known for shipping
difficult or unusual items, so your antique chest will be custom-crated in a padded
box designed and built just for your valuable item.
During a move from California to Ohio, Navis customer Pamela Scialoia noted the
service difference.
"Working with Navis was an amazingly positive experience. I’ve moved many times
and this one exceeded my expectations. Even my grandmother's wedding table, broken
over several previous moves, arrived in perfect condition. It was clear that from
the first phone call to Navis that my 60 years worth of treasures were as important
to them as they are to me."
The Bottom Line
With challenging economic times, compacted personal schedules and volatile gas prices,
it pays to weigh every option available when it comes to moving. To make a small move, especially one with valuable or unusual items, Navis Pack & Ship brings it all home with a single phone call.
For more information about how to save money when planning a move, contact Navis Pack & Ship at 800.344-3528 or
www.gonavis.com
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Sources:
Trip calculator (fuel costs by the American Automobile Association):
www.fuelcostcalculastor.com