Moving abroad with a cross-country shipping container is what you need to make the process easier. It is because moving is one of the most stressful life events for adults – moreover, when it goes with something like divorce and job loss.
Using a shipping container is a creative way to save money on the move. With this, you are not stuck renting a typical moving vehicle. Choose a shipping container based on the items that you need to transport. You may not need to pack your stuff in boxes using a shipping container as it will simply load up the structure.
However, moving with a cross-country shipping container still has its cons. Read this article to learn how to deal with them!
Pros
Security
Containers are designed for heavy-duty transportation, making them strong in protecting your things from extreme weather, fire, theft, loss, and impact during handling. This is good for the cross-country move as it is a reliable transportation mode that can endure the journey. To protect your items even more, you can add ventilators for airflow, insulation for harsh weather, and padding to protect your items.
Modifiable
The journey to your new place may take days to reach. For example, if you are moving from California to Ontario, you will need a night or two to stay for a sleep. Therefore, you can turn your shipping container into a place to sleep to minimize the hotel bills. Add an air mattress or bed. Ensure your items are secure and you have the required permits for rest stops or camping sites.
Transport with Your Truck
If you have a vehicle built for towing, you may be able to drag your shipping container along with a trailer. If you don’t have a vehicle that works, you could rent one and ship your car to your destination.
Multiple Usage
Perhaps you are getting established in a new career, exploring places to live, or have a family member in the military, you might want to anticipate multiple long-distance moves in the coming years. It might be less expensive to invest in a shipping container than to keep renting equipment. Not to mention, storage containers are useful for situations beyond moving.
Cons
Cost
One of the main concerns of container transport is that it can be costly. However, container shipping has become one of the most economical choices compared to other options when transporting goods across the country.
Limitations with certain materials
When transporting sensitive goods such as perishable food items, flowers, medical supplies, and some electronics, you will need special packaging. Those kinds of goods are also susceptible to damage without proper temperature control and ventilation.
Tips
Schedule Everything
With so much to remember during a long-distance move, the chances of forgetting something important are very real. Therefore, you need to schedule everything by making a list before you vacate your home or apartment to relocate across the country. Prioritize each item, and enter them into a notebook with “Finish By” dates. Check each item off after you complete it.
Downsizing Your Stuff
This aims to reduce the amount of stuff you move to make your cross-country moving easier. Reducing your stuff will also cut the moving cost as you are gonna only need a smaller shipping container. Purging belongings you no longer use and deciding exactly what items you can’t live without makes your move lighter and easier. When downsizing, you can give things away to friends or a family member, discard them, have a garage sale, or donate them to a charity.
Pack Like a Pro
Some items like mattresses, electronics, mirrors, pictures, or any valuable ones cannot be packed by shipping services. Therefore, you need to pack them yourself to ensure the protection.
Invest in packing materials like boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and packing paper. check out videos on YouTube for packing tutorials. Also, label the packing boxes to know what’s in them and what room they need to go in when you get to your new home. Unpacking in your new house will be easier and less of a hassle if boxes are labeled.
Book Your Shipping Container Early
It is important to remember that if you’ll be moving during the peak season, from April to September, service providers may be booked to capacity. You will need to make your reservations early. If you leave it to the last minute to make your reservation, you may have fewer options and end up paying more than you otherwise would have.
Pay Attention to the Little Things
Here are a few things that many movers forget about, but you may want to add to your checklist:
- Cancel local memberships you won’t need
- Transfer your utilities such as gas, water, electricity, and internet.
- Forward your mail by filling out a form with the United States Postal Service.
- Pick up any paper records you need in your new home, such as medical documents.
Conclusion
Shipping container usage in cross-country moving is mostly only done once. Therefore, you need to consider renting instead of buying. Test one out to see how it works for your lifestyle as there are several other ways to use a shipping container. If you need to use a shipping container regularly, you can buy one.
Buy or rent, Tradecorp offers you both of them! Standing at the top of the industry, Tradecorp is widely known for its high-quality containers open for so many creative applications. Fill out our quote form and we’ll guide you in finding the best container for your business goals!