Moving company - recommendations and help on how it works (rules etc)

[Canadiancubicle 6]

My K1 was finally approved (yah!) and now im trying to figure out the logistics of moving. I read that you can ship all your stuff AFTER you have moved to the US which i wouldnt mind doing. I have no clue where to start with moving companies or how the whole process works. Im assuming my stuff will need to go thru canadian/american customs?? Im also not sure how expensive it is to use a  moving company. If too expensive ill probably just use Uhaul but would prefer to someone else do the move if possible. Does anyone have any experience with moving companies and/or what the process entails. Would love some recommendations. thank u!!

[tdotca 41]

Congrats on getting through the K1 process!

 

I used UPack who drops off a 'pod' . You will then have to fill out a form 3299 for US Customs. On this form, you will list in general ( not specifics) what is in the pod ( ie) 3 boxes  shoes; 4 boxes purses :-) .  The pod will be delivered to your US Address.  Depending on the type/size of pod you choose, the cost will vary. It has been 3yrs for me so who know if the $ has gone up. I had no issues with this company. 

 

I have read about others who have used similar companies and/or moving companies. Some have moved their belongings themselves .

 

Good Luck!

[NovaSprings 89]

When I moved 2 1/2 yrs ago I used the local company for United.  The rep was very good and knowledgeable about the process/paper work required. At the time we looked at pod system and other moving companies, and chose United.  2 things I will pass to you.

1. Even though the contract is a canadian contract the currency paid on delivery is US, there is no option to pay in Canadian funds. So the move was more expensive then first thought because of the exchange.

 

2. Not sure where you are moving from, but I was in Halifax.  We did not realize since we did not file a whole truck that our things did not go direct.  They actually went to Toronto and waited for a truck coming to our new location, so getting delivery took time, aka over a month.

 

I hope this helps.

[BananaButton5 175]

My fiance is just fitting everything he owns into two suit cases, mailing his computer, and selling and donating everything else lol. All the moving services we looked into were just ridiculously expensive. 

[BananaButton5 175]

On 10/15/2018 at 9:20 PM, tdotca said:

Congrats on getting through the K1 process!

 

I used UPack who drops off a 'pod' . You will then have to fill out a form 3299 for US Customs. On this form, you will list in general ( not specifics) what is in the pod ( ie) 3 boxes  shoes; 4 boxes purses :-) .  The pod will be delivered to your US Address.  Depending on the type/size of pod you choose, the cost will vary. It has been 3yrs for me so who know if the $ has gone up. I had no issues with this company. 

 

I have read about others who have used similar companies and/or moving companies. Some have moved their belongings themselves .

 

Good Luck!

Whoa I just did a quote through their website just for the heck of it, $2000 to go from Ottawa to St. Louis, that's insane! Also for OP, I looked into Uhaul and also into just renting a van and driving it, and these were even more expensive and not to mention they said I would not be able to rent it in Canada and then return it in the US, so that wasn't even an option anyway because we sure as heck aren't going to drive it all the way back to Canada. 

[ITMFA 241]

1 hour ago, BananaButton5 said:

My fiance is just fitting everything he owns into two suit cases, mailing his computer, and selling and donating everything else lol. All the moving services we looked into were just ridiculously expensive. 

Same here - taking 3 suitcases! I'm moving next Tuesday and am in the process of figuring out which kitchen items, shoes, and other heavier things I can't live without...Luckily I am able to leave some things with my parents and will pick them up on subsequent visits back home  

[NikLR 13,220]

3 hours ago, BananaButton5 said:

Whoa I just did a quote through their website just for the heck of it, $2000 to go from Ottawa to St. Louis, that's insane! Also for OP, I looked into Uhaul and also into just renting a van and driving it, and these were even more expensive and not to mention they said I would not be able to rent it in Canada and then return it in the US, so that wasn't even an option anyway because we sure as heck aren't going to drive it all the way back to Canada. 

Someone lied to you.  You can one way a uhaul.  Totally did it. 

Edited October 24, 2018 by NikLR

[tdotca 41]

7 hours ago, BananaButton5 said:

Whoa I just did a quote through their website just for the heck of it, $2000 to go from Ottawa to St. Louis, that's insane! Also for OP, I looked into Uhaul and also into just renting a van and driving it, and these were even more expensive and not to mention they said I would not be able to rent it in Canada and then return it in the US, so that wasn't even an option anyway because we sure as heck aren't going to drive it all the way back to Canada. 

I went from Toronto to California so that cost is good for me. I did not have much to pack( basically personal items )  and could/should have packed more.  For UHAUL or such places you should be able to leave it at your new location. It should be same with a rental car .. pick up at 1 location and drop off at another. 

Good luck!

[d24v 200]

My UPack quote is just over $3k (Edmonton AB to Connecticut). UHaul quotes have come in slightly cheaper but gas will push it to same or more. 

 

I keep waffling back and forth on whether I want to sell off all my stuff or not. 

[NikLR 13,220]

On 10/24/2018 at 10:10 PM, d24v said:

My UPack quote is just over $3k (Edmonton AB to Connecticut). UHaul quotes have come in slightly cheaper but gas will push it to same or more. 

 

I keep waffling back and forth on whether I want to sell off all my stuff or not. 

Tbh I am glad I didnt.  I would have had to buy it down here.  I guess it depends on the quality of your stuff?  A lot of my things are irreplaceable having been handmade.  It was annoying enough having to get a new vehicle but selling my car enabled me to pay for the uhaul. 

[d24v 200]

That’s fair. I’m in a similar boat in that selling my bike will pay for the truck. I did a bit of a financial breakdown on what I would be shipping down and it’s probably worth it overall in terms of when I bought stuff, its cost, what it would sell for, and then cost of rebuying. I can also see the value in not having to 100% “start over” if I don’t have to do so from a financial perspective. 

[NikLR 13,220]

A few things I wish I hadn't sold like my cookware.  My husband had bought new pots and pans for me down here, but they're no where near the same quality as what I had.  I have crystal that hasn't' been taken out of the box in other 5 years because I don't have a place to keep them anymore either! Stuff from my deceased grandparents.  

[chiggins82 87]

I used UPack from Edmonton to Minnesota. I did the cube and did terminal to terminal instead of them dropping a pod at my home. This brought down the cost a lot. I needed to get my stuff to the terminal which in Edmonton I used a Uhaul and in Minnesota, I borrowed a truck. My total cost was somewhere around $1,500 I think. For me it was worth it. I left most of my furniture behind, but I had enough stuff that I wanted to bring along that a pod made sense.

 

 

[d24v 200]

2 hours ago, chiggins82 said:

I used UPack from Edmonton to Minnesota. I did the cube and did terminal to terminal instead of them dropping a pod at my home. This brought down the cost a lot. I needed to get my stuff to the terminal which in Edmonton I used a Uhaul and in Minnesota, I borrowed a truck. My total cost was somewhere around $1,500 I think. For me it was worth it. I left most of my furniture behind, but I had enough stuff that I wanted to bring along that a pod made sense.

 

 

I could Google this, but oh well - where in YEG is the terminal?  I'm thinking I can probably wrangle a few friends to truck my stuff out there to save a couple bucks.

[chiggins82 87]

 

2 hours ago, d24v said:

I could Google this, but oh well - where in YEG is the terminal?  I'm thinking I can probably wrangle a few friends to truck my stuff out there to save a couple bucks.

It was West - I think just north of Yellowhead and 149th Street.

 

They were very good. Answered all my questions and walked through the process and timing