Moving is a big task. Between meeting with a realtor, exploring potential houses, finding the right home, making an offer, closing the deal, and finally moving in, there’s plenty to do.
And move-in day is the busiest of all. Regardless of whether you hire a moving company or lug everything by yourself, you still have plenty of packing and unpacking to do.
Having the right resources is critical to your success. So we’ve compiled some of the most important moving vendors throughout Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Truck Rental Companies
Some of the biggest moving truck rental companies in Pittsburgh include:
Advice on Truck Rentals
To make your truck rental a little easier, follow these tips:
Bring a handtruck and extra padding. Your truck vendor may offer these supplies for an additional fee (or possibly even for free) but you’ll never regret having an extra dolly or padding. Although you can choose to purchase heavy drop cloths and other supplies intended for moving, an old blanket or quilt can be just as effective in protecting your favorite furniture from harm.
Do the math ahead of time. Picking the best rental for your budget isn’t just about the price of the truck. It’s also about insurance (which your personal plan may or may not cover), additional fees, and the amount of gas the truck consumes. Factoring this into your moving budget can prevent some unpleasant surprises later on.
Check where you can return the truck. Some vendors allow you to return the rental at any store in their network. Others make you return the truck wherever you rented it from. In the best-case scenario, you can pick up the truck close to House A and drop the truck off close to House B when you’re finished with the move.
Take all of the right paperwork. You should take a credit card, driver’s license, and insurance information with you. Check with the rental company ahead of time to see if they have any additional requirements.
Pack the heavier materials toward the front of the vehicle. This will help keep the truck balanced by keeping the weight evenly distributed between the two axles.
Take your time getting used to the vehicle. A moving truck isn’t a Honda Civic. It’s a big, powerful piece of equipment with a wide and long body. It’ll have a different turning radius and different responsiveness in the gas pedal, and you’ll be positioned differently in your seat. And all of that changes even further when you have an entire house packed into the back. If you need to, pull into an empty parking lot to drive a few laps before slipping into traffic.
Pittsburgh Moving Companies
Pittsburgh has a number of different moving companies available to assist in your move. A few of them include:
Advice on Working With A Moving Company
If you hire a moving crew, here’s some guidance to help:
Be ready. Your moving crew can’t wait around all day for you to have your belongings packed away. In fact, they likely have other jobs to get to after finishing yours. Be sure to have everything packed up before they enter your home.
Stay out of the way. You may feel tempted to assist with an especially heavy piece of furniture or with an oddly packed box. Resist the urge. Professional movers have their own systems in place, and they’re trained to safely move heavy furniture. Your assistance could actually get in the way and may even create bottlenecks.
Be clear on where things should go. While it’s obvious where heavy appliances like stoves and refrigerators should go, dressers, beds, and similar furniture aren’t as obvious. Be clear on where each item should go (a simple note about which room it should go into should suffice) so the moving team has clear instructions.
Pittsburgh Self-Storage Companies
Pittsburgh has plenty of storage companies available to choose from—and in a variety of neighborhoods. Some of the most popular include:
Advice on Picking A Storage Company
If you’re considering a local self-storage company, consider this guidance:
Choose someone reliable. When you choose self-storage, you’re entrusting your belongings with someone else. Be sure to pick someone with a good reputation for security and who makes it easy for you to retrieve your stuff.
Take an inventory of your storage. Keep a thorough list of everything you place in storage—and keep that list somewhere safe. Although it’s unlikely, it’s possible that someone could slip in and take some of your belongings when you’re not around.
Consider whether you need somewhere climate controlled or with built-in fire safety. Some self-storage companies offer climate-controlled facilities with built-in sprinklers to smother fires. Consider whether the increased price is necessary for you and the value of your belongings.
Other Pittsburgh Moving Resources
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works is in charge of helping your reserve parking during move-in day.
Department of Public Works Contact Information
Website: https://pittsburghpa.gov/dpw/
Phone: 412-255-8850
Address: 611 2nd Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Where to Find Boxes in Pittsburgh
If you’re moving, you need boxes! Some of the best places to find cardboard boxes in Pittsburgh include:
ALDI and other supermarkets. Grocery stores and supermarkets go through a ton of cardboard boxes, and shops like ALDI often have empty boxes ready for customers to use. These aren’t always the sturdiest option, but they can help in a pinch.
Hardware stores like Lowe’s and The Home Depot. It’s not always necessary to buy boxes (as we mentioned above), but these stores can help!
Truck rental companies. Those truck rental companies we mentioned above likely offer cardboard boxes for you to use (though they may come at a higher price).
Learn More About Moving In Pittsburgh
Still need help through the moving process? Check out our blog on how to make your moving day a breeze. And if you have kids, read how to get your kids ready for a move.
The better prepared you are, the smoother the entire day will go!