Karen Bodkin

Choosing between Home Depot and U-Haul for your moving truck depends on the kind of move you’re making. U-Haul is usually the better choice for most local moves, especially if you need more truck sizes, a one-way... Read More

U-Haul truck rentals start at $19.95 a day, but that’s just the advertised rate and does not include the full cost of getting your belongings from one home to another. Your real total depends on the truck size,... Read More

Waterfront living is a dream for a lot of people, but floating homes take that idea one step further: They let you live on the water. A floating home is a stationary house built on a buoyant foundation, permanently... Read More

To transfer internet service when you move, first check whether your provider serves your new address, then schedule setup and keep the old service active until the new connection is working. The main thing to... Read More

Self-storage has become a regular part of American life, with 8.2% of Americans renting a storage unit in the past year. For consumers, that growth shows how closely storage is tied to housing and household change.... Read More

Loving a city after visiting is one thing, but figuring out whether you would enjoy living there permanently is much harder. That’s where a trial run comes in: it gives you time to experience the parts of life that... Read More

Choosing a storage unit can get confusing once you start comparing indoor and outdoor units, drive-up spaces, climate control, lockers, and specialty storage. The right option usually depends on what you are... Read More

Professional packing can take anywhere from 2 hours for a small apartment to a full day or more for a larger home. The actual timeline depends on how much you own and how prepared you are when the crew arrives. In... Read More

Packers do not always bring their own boxes, including when you book labor-only packing help directly or through HireAHelper. What supplies they bring depends on the type of packing service you choose. With... Read More

Choosing between a moving broker and a carrier comes down to how much control you want over your move. A carrier is usually the better choice if you want to work directly with the company handling your belongings.... Read More

The best way to load a moving truck is to load the heaviest items first and save light or fragile items for last. That order gives your belongings a stronger base, helps prevent shifting in transit, and makes the... Read More

Yes, professional movers can move a swing set. Most will need it taken apart first, and there might be extra charges for things like size, weight, or putting it back together. If you have a solid wooden playset,... Read More

The bathroom can be tricky to pack. It’s one of the last rooms you get to because you use it regularly, and it’s filled with items that can break or spill, but there are techniques to make this area easier to move.... Read More

Hiring movers is worth it when the cost (usually about $80 to $240 per hour depending on crew size and service type) saves you from heavy lifting, injury risk, tight timelines, or damage to your belongings. What... Read More

The easiest way to decide what makes the move to your new home and what stays behind is to follow this rule: If it costs more to move an item than it does to replace it, sell or donate it. For all other items, you... Read More

Moving after retirement can be a chance to start fresh, save money, and spend more time with the people you love. But it isn’t the right choice for everyone, so just like any other move, it’s worth making a plan... Read More

Looking over a moving estimate can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially when you're worried about surprise fees or extra weight that could increase your budget. To read a moving estimate, confirm the type of... Read More

Peak moving season usually runs from May through August, with June standing out as the busiest month of the year for moves. It’s when movers, rental trucks, and moving containers are in the highest demand, which... Read More

Moving an elderly parent can mean sorting through years of belongings while also handling paperwork, changes in healthcare, transportation, and the details of the new home. It can also bring up roadblocks that do... Read More

Yes, most movers will move home gym equipment, including weights, exercise bikes, treadmills, benches, and squat racks. However, large commercial machines or equipment with complex wiring or cabling may require a... Read More